15 Tips For Better Character Design

Illustrator and author David Melling reveals how he brings his book characters to life, using exaggeration, silent narrative, props and more

- David Melling

I was once asked to name three important skills required to be a successful book illustrator. I said, in no particular order, draughtsmanship, character and pathos. No doubt others will have their own top three, but I stand by these for the kind of book illustration that appeals to me.

In my opinion, character is right up there. But what is character? And how do you go about finding it, creating it? And when you have it, how can you use it most effectively in your work?

When I started out, I acquired some by looking at the books and art that appealed to me and asking myself why I liked them. Character seemed to be the answer time and time again. We all hope our art will appeal to a wide audience, but character appeal is subjective. In that respect, there’s no golden ticket to character design. Yet I’ve learned there are things you can do that can be effective in bringing your characters to life which, with a bit of luck, resonate with others.

1.CHARACTER SHEETS

Once I’m happy with a particular design I create character sheets. Here, Ruffles is being very doggy as he runs around on the page – reacting, responding and so on. He’s a puppy, but also a toddler and I’m trying to get that across here in his playfulness. At the same time I want to avoid him being too anthropomorphic (so, not sitting with hind legs forward, for example).

As I’m drawing, I’m asking myself questions. What’s he like? Is he shy, bold, moody? How does he walk? Is it bouncy, elegant, bumbling? All the answers feed into the drawing and, hopefully, help evolve character.