Tag Archives: how to draw characters

Create Characters by looking at real life animals and insects

Be inspired by real life to create truly original characters.

A beetle crossed my path on a walk the other day. I filmed it and took photos. When I enlarged the photos, there were elements of its design that inspired me to sketch out some ideas.

A triangle theme emerged and I developed that further, each time trying to simplify the character to make it easier to draw again and again.

Consistency is the secret to drawing characters – you have to recognise them in each frame of animation or page of book. So, simplicity and definite character identifiers are really important.

It’s difficult dreaming up new ideas from your head. Go out and look at what nature has already designed and work with those shapes and ideas.

Have fun and good luck! If you have drawing or illustration questions you would like Shoo to answer – put them in the comments box below through the contact page.

Subscribe to this channel on YouTube for lots more drawing videos from award-winning illustrator, Shoo Rayner ?? http://bit.ly/Sub2Shoo

How to draw a Golden Retriever #dogsofinfluence No 1 – Sunny

In this live video, I create a dog character live from a photo and information sent to me here.

Sunny – or Rugby – is a golden retriever with a heart of gold who spreads sunshine wherever she goes!

I talk through my creative process, explaining that the character is for my next book.

Every day throughout March, up until publication day, I will be drawing a different dog and creating a character on my YouTube channel.

Not any old dog, but Dogs of Influence.
It could be your dog or a dog!

The story, in next book in the series, has a dog show with a collection of “Dogs of Influence” – who have enormous social media followings. These are the dogs characters I will create, and your dog could inspire one of them.

Go to https://bit.ly/dogsofinfluence to find out all about it and enter your dog, or one you love or have loved.

My new book, Walker and the missing millions will be coming out on the 25th March.

You can pre-order on amazon from the link or go to Firefly Press directly, and get a signed copy and free badge too before the 4th March.

Every day throughout March, up until publication day, I will be drawing a different dog and creating a character on my YouTube channel. Not any old dog, but Dogs of Influence. It could be your dog or a dog you know!