Redrawing Your OCs with the Power of Forms

Published 2023-09-02
#dtiys A line is a line, until it isn’t. A shape is just a shape until it isn’t. But in order to make characters more appealing, more dynamic, and more real, you need a third element. In this video, we’re using YOUR characters to show how FORM is an essential element in 99% of character designs.

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All Comments (21)
  • @graceoartyo
    It’s so cool to see my characters in one of your videos as someone who’s been watching you since I was 12 (I’m 17 now)!! I actually have since taken a character design workshop that I think has helped me improve quite a bit, but it was awesome to see these particular characters critiqued because I’ve had a tough time cracking these designs to be functional enough to serve their story. I especially love the extra arms for Deimos and the work you did on Phobos!! Super excited to work on these characters more with the feedback in mind. Thank you so much!!
  • I'd always heard to avoid tangents, but your videos were the first to actually help me understand WHY. It was a game changer for me. Thank you for the great advice and I hope this new video format works well, because as much as I like the critiques, I hate to hear that you were burning yourself out for them!
  • Thanks a lot! It was so cool to see what you did with my character. I'm going to be completed honest, I forgot I submitted that so you can Image my surprise when I saw it on the video. I've been learning so much, thanks again!
  • @jongy2011
    I really enjoyed this way of teaching. Felt really constructive with the redraws of the current designs and then your takes on the characters. This would be exactly what I want from a breakdown of my character 🙌
  • @BubblingBrooke
    These always get me to reflect on my own artwork which I would say is a success of a good video! Being weary of tangents has stuck in my brain!
  • The subconscious tendency to see humanoids as sapient and more animal shaped characters as not will be a big theme in the webcomic I'm working on. Filled with non-humanoid aliens, the problem of conveying emotion without the help of a human face also poses a big challenge for me. A fun challenge though with a unique storytelling potential: The reader can get to learn the aliens' expressions alongside the human character.
  • @JasmineZellmer
    This was a fun breakdown! When you're a young artist it can be very difficult to understand the difference between flat overlapping subjects or features, and artwork that truly has form.
  • @animated_being
    These videos are always a personal favourite - It's so cool to see so many different artists traveling along on their journey. So many little gems of info dropped in these character breakdowns that might not normally come up, which makes these great companion vids to your regular content
  • @CatLover-gk8uu
    Ok I know I took your survey but still WHY IS IT EVERY TIME I NEED I VIDEO ABOUT SOMETHING YOU MAKE IT RIGHT WHEN I NEED IT?!. WHOOOO!
  • @ShaulaXNinja
    Really great designs from these artists, especially from Grace. You also did a good job redesigning them, Brookes. I even though my character wasn't featured in the video I have been making steady progress on her design.
  • Seeing those awesome astronaut and space designs makes me actually want to join your Patreon - I worried that I'm a little too advanced to be a 'student', but seeing you break down those well-thought-out character designs for educational purposes and still have some valuable constructive critique to offer makes me curious what you would think of my own character designs! I just may need to wait until the holidays when things slow down for me at work and I have more time.
  • @BHRaccoon
    I can see now why you've been particularly focused on posting about circular heads lately ;) This was very interesting, fun, and informative! I always get super self-conscious for the artists who have their work critiqued like this just because I know how hard it can be to have some of your design methods and habits questioned. You're always very nice about it, though, and never make it sound like any artist is drawing badly! I think the most informative was the last trio, as it really brought to the forefront how shapes help to inform function and how lines can really have a huge impact on how a design reads.
  • @dynamicsketch
    This was cool to see. I've been creating characters my whole life but wouldn't know how to submit one for stuff like this.
  • @victorhelm6515
    Your redraw's are very insightfull, love these critique videos! As for the amount of editing for these, I appreciate when they do have editing but I think that with minimal editing they are still very good!
  • @neheobthe1st
    Awesome format for this sort of tutorial/breakdown class! Very helpful for putting things in perspective
  • @sylvanshroom
    Woo new crit vid!! These are some of my favorites!!
  • Thank you for making this video! When I get the extra cash, I'll definitely support you on Patreon. I have a few characters I would love to send. And I really want to take your character design course!