Anime Academy: How to draw Chibis from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to draw chibis
How to draw chibi faces
How to stylize chibi bodies
How to simplify chibi clothes

How to create chibi characters
How to draw chibi expressions
How to draw chibi hair
How to line and color chibis

How to draw chibis
How to draw chibi faces
How to stylize chibi bodies
How to simplify chibi clothes
How to create chibi characters
How to draw chibi expressions
How to draw chibi hair
How to line and color chibis

Syllabus

Introduction

Hey everyone! Welcome to the course, I can't wait to show you quick and easy ways on how to approach drawing chibis! Be sure to look at the downloadable resources for the lecture sheets!

In this video, I will be covering the materials needed (and optional) for the course! Feel free to use what is most comfortable for you :)

In this video, I will go over how to use the Q&A section.

In this video, I will be doing the first part of the Inspiration Demo where we draw a chibi girl face!

In this video, I will be coloring the chibi girl face done in the first video!

In this video, I will be going over how to use Photoshop and what I use often.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw spheres and how to use that for chibi heads.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw cylinders and how to use it in chibi bodies. Please take a look at the downloadable resources for extra tips!

In this video, I will be going over how to draw the chibi body, as well as different ways to draw them.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw the chibi body in different views

In this video, I will be going over how to draw the chibi hands and how to simplify them.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw chibi head proportions for male and female characters.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw different male chibi faces.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw different female chibi faces.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw different toony chibi faces.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw different male hairstyles.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw different female chibi hairstyles.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw longer hairstyles and updoes.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw different male chibi head views.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw different female chibi head views.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw different chibi facial expressions.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw shirts for male and female chibis.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw pants and skirts for male and female chibis.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw dresses for female chibis.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw different types of shoes.

In this video, I will be going over how to draw mascot suits for chibis.

In this video, I will be going over how to cutify animals such as cats, dogs, birds, etc.

In this video, I will be going over how to choose colors for characters and how to liven up your drawings.

In this video, I will be going over how to color different skin colors.

In this video, I will be designing two male characters, starting with the sketch. I will also be going over how to use reference for designing characters.

In this video, I will be showing you how to do linework, and how to use line weight.

In this video, I will be showing you how to put in base colors for the characters.

In this video, I will be showing you how to detail the rest of the image with a cell shading method.

In this video, I will be designing two female characters, starting with the sketch. Like earlier, I will also be going over how to use reference for designing these characters.

In this video, I will be showing you how to line these characters using the same linework method.

In this video, I will be showing you how to detail the rest of the characters with a cell shading method.

Congrats on completing the course! I hope this was helpful and I look forward to seeing you in the next one!

Career center

Learners who complete Anime Academy: How to draw Chibis will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Character Designer

A Character Designer is responsible for creating the visual appearance and personality of characters for various media, including games, animation, comics, and merchandise. This course provides direct and practical instruction highly relevant to becoming a successful Character Designer. Learners will focus on simplifying proportions, shapes, and forms, which is essential for developing distinct and appealing stylistic character designs. The curriculum meticulously covers drawing chibi bodies, heads, faces, expressions, and a variety of male and female clothes, directly applying to the core tasks of this role. Through practical projects, including designing four unique characters from initial sketch to final cell-shaded render using Photoshop, individuals build a portfolio showcasing their ability to bring imaginative concepts to life. This specialized training helps build a robust foundation in creating memorable and versatile character art.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Designer

Comic Artist

A Comic Artist creates sequential art that tells a story, often involving character design, paneling, and visual storytelling for print or web publications. This course is exceptionally relevant for aspiring Comic Artists, particularly those interested in the manga or webtoon styles, where chibis are frequently used for comedic effect, flashbacks, or emotional emphasis. The detailed instruction on drawing chibi bodies, heads, faces, expressions, and clothes directly prepares learners to create a diverse cast of characters. The focus on linework, coloring, and using Photoshop helps individuals master the digital tools essential for modern comic production. Designing four distinct characters provides practical experience in developing unique visual identities, a core skill for any successful Comic Artist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Comic Artist

Sticker Artist

A Sticker Artist creates expressive and visually appealing digital or physical stickers, often for social media, messaging apps, or merchandise. This course offers an ideal foundation for aspiring Sticker Artists, as chibi characters are perfectly suited for this medium due to their simplified, expressive nature and widespread appeal. Learners gain direct experience in drawing chibi bodies, faces, expressions, and hair, mastering the ability to convey a range of emotions and actions in a condensed format. The instruction on linework, coloring with cell shading, and using Photoshop directly translates into the practical skills needed to produce high-quality, clear, and vibrant sticker designs. The course also helps in creating appealing character concepts, which is vital for developing unique and marketable sticker sets that resonate with audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sticker Artist

Illustrator

Illustrators create visual content across myriad platforms, from books and magazines to digital media and merchandise, often working as freelancers or within creative studios. This course offers a strong foundation in digital illustration, focusing on a popular and engaging style. Learners will gain proficiency in using Photoshop, digital brushes, and a cell shading method, which are fundamental tools and techniques for any professional Illustrator. The emphasis on drawing chibi bodies, heads, faces, clothes, and cute animals directly translates into the ability to produce diverse and appealing illustrations. Mastering simplification techniques, as taught in this course, allows an Illustrator to adapt their style for different projects while maintaining clarity and visual appeal. This course helps individuals build a portfolio of charming, stylized artwork.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Merchandise Designer

Merchandise Designers create artwork and visual concepts for products such as apparel, stationery, collectibles, or digital goods. This course is highly applicable for aspiring Merchandise Designers, especially since chibi art is incredibly popular for a wide range of products targeting anime fans and beyond. The instruction on drawing chibi bodies, faces, expressions, hair, and clothes provides the fundamental skills needed to create appealing and marketable character designs. Learning to color characters and apply different aesthetics, as well as designing cute animals, directly prepares individuals to generate diverse product art. Proficiency in Photoshop and understanding linework and cell shading are crucial for producing print-ready or digitally applicable designs. This course helps learners build a portfolio of charming, stylized art ready for various merchandise applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Merchandise Designer

Cartoonist

A Cartoonist creates original drawings for various purposes, including comics, caricatures, editorial pieces, or animated shorts. This course is highly relevant for aspiring Cartoonists, particularly those drawn to creating cute, expressive, and simplified characters. The detailed instruction on drawing chibi bodies, heads, faces, expressions, and clothing provides a comprehensive toolkit for developing unique and memorable characters. Learning to simplify proportions and forms is a core skill for effective cartooning, allowing for clear visual communication and a distinct personal style. Proficiency in digital tools like Photoshop, along with linework and coloring techniques, directly supports the modern cartoonist's workflow. The practical experience of designing several distinct characters helps build a portfolio that showcases versatility in stylized art.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cartoonist

Game Artist

A Game Artist creates all the visual elements for video games, including characters, environments, and user interfaces. This course is particularly relevant for those interested in creating stylized characters for games, especially in genres like mobile games, visual novels, or charming indie titles where chibi aesthetics are frequently employed. The instruction on drawing chibi bodies, heads, faces, expressions, and clothing directly contributes to building robust character assets. Learning character design, from initial sketching to linework and cell shading in Photoshop, mirrors the asset creation pipeline in game development. The ability to simplify proportions and create diverse characters prepares individuals to contribute to a game's visual identity efficiently and consistently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Toy Designer

A Toy Designer conceptualizes and develops toys, from action figures to plushies, requiring strong visualization and character adaptation skills for manufacturing. This course provides highly relevant training by focusing on simplifying proportions and forms to create charming, appealing characters. The ability to draw chibi bodies, heads, faces, and clothes, and to design cute animals or mascots, directly applies to developing designs suitable for manufacturing into physical toys like vinyl figures or collectibles. Learners gain experience in creating distinct character aesthetics and understanding how to translate complex ideas into simplified, recognizable forms. Proficiency in digital drawing and coloring, as taught in the course, is also valuable for creating detailed concept art for toy prototypes and packaging. This course can help build a portfolio ideal for showcasing a knack for cute and collectible designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Toy Designer

Concept Artist

A Concept Artist visualizes ideas for characters, environments, and objects for production in industries like gaming, film, or animation. While chibi is a specific aesthetic, the principles of character design, proportion simplification, and digital execution taught in this course are highly applicable. Learning to create distinct characters, from initial sketches to detailed coloring using Photoshop, directly mirrors aspects of the Concept Artist workflow. The course's focus on bodies, faces, expressions, and clothing helps individuals understand how to imbue characters with personality and function. Practical exercises in designing multiple characters allow learners to develop a portfolio showcasing their ability to translate creative briefs into engaging visual concepts, albeit within a stylized context. An advanced degree is often beneficial for senior roles in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist

Visual Development Artist

A Visual Development Artist establishes the overall aesthetic and visual language for animated films, games, or other media, including character designs, environments, and props. This course, while focused on a specific character style, provides valuable skills for a Visual Development Artist. Learning to design distinct characters with consistent proportions, expressions, and clothing, and adapting them to different aesthetics, builds a strong foundation in visual storytelling. The emphasis on simplifying forms and using digital tools like Photoshop for linework and coloring directly contributes to creating polished concept art. The ability to create a set of diverse chibi characters demonstrates an understanding of how to build a cohesive visual world, even if chibi is just one element within it. An advanced degree is often beneficial for senior roles in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Development Artist

Childrens Book Illustrator

Childrens Book Illustrators create engaging visuals that accompany stories for young readers, requiring a talent for conveying emotion and narrative simply and appealingly. While "chibi" is a specific style, the course's emphasis on simplifying proportions, shapes, and forms to create cute and expressive characters is highly transferable to the children's book market. Learning to draw chibi bodies, faces, and diverse expressions, along with cute animals, helps individuals develop charming visuals that resonate with children. The course's practical approach to character design and digital coloring using Photoshop provides a strong foundation in producing polished illustrations. Adapting the techniques learned here allows an illustrator to create clear, appealing characters suitable for a wide range of children's stories.

See salaries and explore the career path for Childrens Book Illustrator

Art Instructor

An Art Instructor guides students in developing their artistic skills and understanding various mediums and techniques, often specializing in a particular style or discipline. This course provides comprehensive instruction on a popular and accessible art style, offering a potential pathway for individuals who wish to teach digital art focused on stylized characters. The detailed breakdown of drawing chibi bodies, faces, expressions, hair, clothes, and animals, combined with practical character design projects, provides a robust curriculum that could inspire teaching methods. Learning digital tools like Photoshop and specific coloring techniques also equips future instructors with valuable practical skills to share with their students. This course helps build a strong foundation in a niche area of digital art, which can be invaluable for developing engaging lessons and building a teaching portfolio.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Instructor

Animator

An Animator brings characters and objects to life through sequential images or 3D models, creating the illusion of movement for films, games, or web content. While this course focuses on static illustration rather than animation principles, the fundamental skills in consistent character design and visual storytelling it provides may be useful for aspiring Animators. Learning to draw chibi bodies in different views, along with a variety of heads, facial features, expressions, and hairstyles, helps maintain character integrity across numerous frames. The emphasis on simplifying proportions and creating appealing forms can aid in designing characters that are easier to rig and animate effectively. Proficiency with digital tools like Photoshop, covered in the course, is also a foundational skill for many animation pre-production pipelines, particularly in developing character sheets and concept art.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Character Modeler

A Character Modeler translates 2D concept art into 3D models for games, animation, or other digital media. While this course focuses on 2D drawing, the fundamental understanding of simplified proportions, shapes, and forms, as taught for chibi characters, may be useful and directly transferable to 3D modeling. Learning how to construct bodies, heads, and clothes from basic geometric primitives provides a strong conceptual basis for building 3D forms. The ability to interpret and design distinct character aesthetics helps in creating appealing and functional 3D models, particularly for stylized projects. This course can help build a foundational understanding of character structure and visual appeal, which are essential prerequisites before specializing in 3D software and techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Modeler

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers across various media. While the general scope of graphic design is broad, the skills developed in this course may be useful for designers specializing in creating branding, mascots, merchandise, or marketing materials that feature stylized characters. Learning to simplify proportions and forms, design appealing chibi characters, and proficiency in Photoshop can aid in developing unique visual assets for clients. The ability to color characters with different skin tones and aesthetics expands a designer's versatility. This course helps build a foundation in creating engaging visual elements, which can be integrated into various graphic design projects, especially those targeting specific fan communities or younger audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer