Character Art School: Complete Character Drawing from Udemy

With regular updates and a thriving community, join the best drawing course out there.

What is Character Art School?

Character Art School is a learn-anywhere video course where you learn how to draw professional characters for books, games, animation, manga, comics and more. I’ve hand-crafted the Character Art School: Complete Character Drawing course to be the only course you need to learn all the core fundamentals and advanced techniques to drawing and sketching characters well. If you’re an absolute beginner or you’re already at an intermediate level, the course will advance your current drawing ability to a professional level. The course is a comprehensive 10 module guided video course, where the only limit to your progression is your determination and engagement in the rewarding assignments.

Whether you want to draw character design concept art for films and games, illustrations, comics, manga, Disney style or other styles, this is the course you need to get you there.

I’ll teach you to draw without fear, and I’ll teach you to draw well - quickly.

Finally, Learn Character Drawing Well

Whether you’re a complete beginner, or intermediate at character drawing, you’ll learn things you never knew you never knew. Seriously. Inspired by masters and built on the theory of giants, Character Drawing Academy is one of, if not the most comprehensive character drawing course out there. I’m so convinced of this, I’ll give you a no-questions asked refund if you’re not satisfied.

Clear, Easy to Understand Lessons

Crystal clear in fact. Learning character drawing and how to draw people effectively means having information presented in a logical and coherent way. The Character Academy Course is modular by design, easy to grasp, and allows you to learn in a well paced, structured way. Engage in the course chronologically, then revise each module at your leisure. Grasp concepts, such as how to draw lips, eyes, faces, and more, faster than you ever have before – there’s no fluff here.

Assignments that are Rewarding

Bridging the gap between theory and practice, each module’s assignments have been designed to both reinforce theory, and feel rewarding. I’ve taken the core of the theory, and purpose built each assignment to help you rapidly progress, and you’ll see the difference in your own work almost immediately. Art is about doing, so let’s get started- let’s draw something awesome.

What's Your Style?

Whether you want to learn Character Drawing to draw for games, comics, cartoons, manga, animation and more, this course has you covered. I'm not teaching you a 'method' or a 'way' to draw, I'm teaching you to be fundamentally good at drawing characters, whether you prefer traditional pencil drawing or draw digitally.

What are Students Saying about the Course?

"Probably the best art course I've ever taken online or in college. Wonderfully presented, it helped me correct mistakes I'd been making that were really holding my artwork back. I've seen phenomenal progress after 30 days practice of the course material. Highly recommended."

Dan Rahmel

"Just a perfect 5 stars rating. It's really complete and filled with advice, theories and concrete examples. As he said, it's probably the last character drawing course you'll take. It's all I wanted. Thank you so much Scott Harris. "

Mario

"Amazing course. I haven't even started drawing yet because I'm in awe of how simple the instructor makes even the most complicated techniques look. At last, drawing like a pro is within my grasp. I also like the fact that the instructor allows me to just watch the first time through without worrying about drawing until I'm familiar with the concepts. My next time through the course, I'll be prepared and more confident than ever to begin drawing. Even so, I've already used some of the concepts in this course for a sketch here and there when I feel inspired to draw, and I can tell worlds of difference between my former drawings and newer ones. Laid back instructor, but very knowledgeable. I highly recommend this course."

Eric Beaty

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to draw
How to draw out of your head
How to draw in 3d
How to draw faces, bodies and hands

How to draw professionally
How to draw characters for games, films, animation, manga, comics and more
Draw with pencils and paper or digital art tools
Utilize the included 7gb of free art resources

How to draw
How to draw out of your head
How to draw in 3d
How to draw faces, bodies and hands
How to draw professionally
How to draw characters for games, films, animation, manga, comics and more
Draw with pencils and paper or digital art tools
Utilize the included 7gb of free art resources

Syllabus

Introduction

This is the introduction to the course on learning to draw, and learning to draw characters well.

Updates, Resources and Community

In this video, you will be given insights into the importance of art theory as you learn how to draw and move through the course.

In this video, you will learn why being loose, rough and allowing yourself the freedom to create unhindered is critical as you learn how to draw characters.

In this video you will learn the fundamental structure of art, helping you to grasp the essential art workflow and viewers perspective as you learn how to draw.

In this video we go deeper into the core structure of art, understanding each elements of shape, form and detail as you learn how to draw.

In this video, we take a look at how to see like an artist, and experience the visual aesthetic of the world in a way that enables you to create and draw better.

In this video, we talk about why technical skill in learning to draw is not the only important consideration, and discuss how emotional implementation in art is just as, if not more important.

In this video we talk about how the story of a drawing is essential to exciting and engaging the viewer with our character drawings and art.

In this video, the comparison is made between believability and realism, and emphasizes how crucial believability is over realism as you learn to draw characters.

In this video, we discuss how critical growing in artistic maturity is on your journey in learning to draw.

In this video, we learn the distinct differences between drawing studies and drawing artwork, and how making this differentiation will help you to grow in your drawing skill rapidly.

In this video, we discuss the two main types of art, and why this differentiation will help you to correctly judge your work as you learn to draw characters.

In this video we summarize everything learned in Module 1, setting you up for a holistic understanding of key fundamentals as you continue to learn to draw.

Learn to warm up before starting to draw, and learn about how to have good lines and line flow in your drawing.

In this video lesson, learn about how to draw in 3 dimensions, defining form and structure as you learn to draw characters.

Drawing living characters requires us to have a dynamic nuance to how we present shapes and forms. In this lesson we learn how looseness and dynamism add life and movement to our artwork.

In this drawing lesson, we learn the importance of drawing overlaps and avoiding tangents in order to represent our work clearly in 3D.

When drawing, a key principle is building in visual interest via asymmetry, and avoiding parallels that make our work dull and predictable to look at. In this video lesson, we learn how to implement asymmetry and avoid drawing parallels.

Line weights, or managing the thickness and thinness of your lines, are critical to dynamic and appealing character drawings. In this lesson, we learn how to implement line weights clearly and effectively in our drawings.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores core fundamentals of drawing, including line weight, penmanship, looseness, and dynamism

Introduces the essential principles of gesture drawing, which is critical for creating believable and lifelike character drawings

Develops a strong foundation in character composition, including appealing posing, asymmetry, and focal points

Builds a comprehensive understanding of facial expressions, enabling learners to effectively communicate emotions through their drawings

Covers hair and cloth drawing techniques, which are often challenging but essential for creating realistic and visually appealing characters

Taught by Scott Harris, an experienced instructor with a proven track record in character art and design

Reviews summary

Comprehensive character drawing fundamentals

According to learners, Character Art School offers a highly comprehensive and well-structured approach to drawing characters, suitable for both beginners and intermediate artists. Students highlight the instructor's ability to make complex techniques easy to understand and appreciate the focus on core fundamentals like form, gesture, and composition. Many report seeing significant progress in their drawing ability after taking the course, finding the assignments rewarding and practical. The course covers a wide range of essential topics from basic shapes and anatomy to expression and workflow. While some mention the need for additional practice outside the course, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many considering it the best art course they've taken.

Assignments reinforce learning effectively.

"Engage in the course chronologically, then revise each module at your leisure. Grasp concepts... faster than you ever have before – there’s no fluff here."

"Art is about doing, so let’s get started- let’s draw something awesome."

"Bridging the gap between theory and practice, each module’s assignments have been designed to both reinforce theory, and feel rewarding."

Learners see noticeable improvement.

"I've seen phenomenal progress after 30 days practice of the course material."

"I can tell worlds of difference between my former drawings and newer ones."

"I'm already seeing a big improvement in my character drawings."

"The course has already helped me improve my drawings significantly."

Instructor makes complex topics simple.

"I'm in awe of how simple the instructor makes even the most complicated techniques look. At last, drawing like a pro is within my grasp."

"Laid back instructor, but very knowledgeable. I highly recommend this course."

"The instructor has an amazing way of making really complicated concepts simple and easy to understand."

"Scott is a great teacher; clear, concise and explains the 'why' behind the lessons."

Strong emphasis on core drawing principles.

"This is definitely the most comprehensive course I've done... it covers the fundamentals that are missing in many other courses."

"The course is built on the foundations and fundamentals which is the most important thing."

"I learned things I never knew I never knew."

"It helped me correct mistakes I'd been making that were really holding my artwork back."

Covers wide range of fundamental skills.

"It's really complete and filled with advice, theories and concrete examples. As he said, it's probably the last character drawing course you'll take."

"Probably the best art course I've ever taken online or in college... it helped me correct mistakes I'd been making that were really holding my artwork back."

"It's a very complete course, covering everything from the absolute basics... all the way through to complex subjects..."

"This is definitely the most comprehensive course I've done... it covers the fundamentals that are missing in many other courses."

"I really appreciate how complete this course is, touching on aspects that I did not even know were relevant to drawing."

Improvement needs consistent effort.

"I haven't even started drawing yet because I'm in awe of how simple the instructor makes even the most complicated techniques look... My next time through the course, I'll be prepared and more confident than ever to begin drawing."

"The course is a comprehensive 10 module guided video course, where the only limit to your progression is your determination and engagement in the rewarding assignments."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Character Art School: Complete Character Drawing with these activities:

Read: Comic & Sequential Art

Show steps

Gain insights into the principles of sequential art and character design from a renowned master.

View Lady Luck Omnibus (Golden Age Comics Book 1) on Amazon

Show steps

Purchase or borrow the book from a library.
Read and take notes on the key concepts discussed in the book.

Review perspective drawing

Show steps

Ensure essential perspective drawing skills are sharp to enhance and facilitate learning during this course from the very beginning.

Browse courses on Perspective Drawing

Show steps

Practice on simple objects such as cubes and spheres.
Find practice exercises online or in books to reinforce understanding.
Do not rush through this process; take your time and be patient with yourself.

Gesture drawing exercises

Show steps

Solidify understanding of the concepts of gesture, dynamism, and flow in drawing.

Show steps

Use online resources to find different gesture drawing references.
Set a timer for short intervals and practice capturing the essence of the gesture within that time.
Focus on capturing the movement and energy of the subject rather than the details.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Seek mentorship from experienced character artists

Show steps

Establish a connection with experts in the field for guidance, advice, and industry insights.

Show steps

Attend industry events or online forums to connect with potential mentors.
Reach out to artists whose work you admire and express your interest in mentorship.

Contribute to OpenToonz

Show steps

Engage in a hands-on experience with industry-standard software while contributing to the open-source community.

Browse courses on Digital Art

Show steps

Download and install OpenToonz software.
Explore the software's features and tutorials to familiarize yourself with its functionality.
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug reporting, documentation, or feature suggestions.

Character design portfolio

Show steps

Provide tangibles to showcase developed skills in character design and composition and provide a reference for future projects.

Browse courses on Character Design

Show steps

Design and draw a variety of characters showcasing different poses, expressions, and styles.
Include character descriptions and explanations of design choices in the portfolio.
Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or online communities to refine and improve the portfolio.

Character illustration project

Show steps

Apply the techniques and concepts learned throughout the course into a substantial project for hands-on practice.

Show steps

Identify a specific character concept to illustrate.
Develop a detailed sketch, taking into consideration character design principles.
Finalize the illustration using digital or traditional art tools.

Career center

Learners who complete Character Art School: Complete Character Drawing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Character Designer

This course can help you to bring your character designs to life. You will learn how to draw characters from any angle in 3D, and you will be able to create believable and expressive characters for your games and other media.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Designer

Art Director

You can use the techniques that you learn to draw characters in this course to help you direct and guide your team in creating assets for your games and other media. You will be better able to articulate your vision to them, and in doing so, you will be able to produce higher quality work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Character Modeler

This course will teach you the fundamentals of character drawing, which are essential for character modelers. You will learn how to create dynamic and visually appealing characters that can be used in a variety of 3D applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Modeler

Concept Artist

This course will teach you the fundamentals of character drawing, which are essential for concept artists. You will learn how to create dynamic and visually appealing characters that can be used to bring your concepts to life.

See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist

Storyboard Artist

As a storyboard artist, you'll be able to convey the story of your film or game through a series of dynamic and engaging images.

See salaries and explore the career path for Storyboard Artist

Comic Book Artist

As a storyboard artist, you'll be able to convey the story of your film or game through a series of dynamic and engaging images.

See salaries and explore the career path for Comic Book Artist

Animator

This course can help you to bring your animated characters to life. You will learn how to draw characters from any angle in 3D, and you will be able to create believable and expressive characters for your animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Illustrator

This course will teach you the fundamentals of character drawing, which can be applied to illustration to create engaging and visually appealing characters.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Graphic Designer

This course will teach you the fundamentals of character drawing, which can be applied to graphic design to create visually appealing and engaging designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Game Designer

You can use the techniques that you learn to draw characters in this course to help you design more engaging and visually appealing games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Freelance Artist

This course will teach you how to draw characters in a variety of styles, which will allow you to offer a wider range of services to your clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Artist

Technical Artist

This course will teach you about the essential elements of character design, lighting, texture, and animation and will help you communicate more effectively with designers and artists in your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist

Tattoo Artist

The lessons in this course can help you to develop your artistic skills and learn how to draw characters in a way that is both visually appealing and technically sound.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tattoo Artist

Art Professor

This course can help you to prepare for a career as an art professor. You will learn the fundamentals of character drawing, and you will be able to develop your own unique teaching style.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Professor

Art teacher

This course provides a comprehensive curriculum for teaching character drawing by providing clear and easy-to-understand lessons, rewarding assignments, and access to a thriving community.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art teacher