Drawing course : Character Drawing

Give your characters a strong identity, from the first sketch to the final colors. Whether you want to improve or simply enjoy yourself, a teacher is there to guide you.

4.7 (344 ratings) • +12 h of lessons · 44 video lessons
No prerequisites, the course starts from scratch
Unlimited learning, with no deadlines to meet
An active forum with the Dessindigo teachers
Leave with a complete character, proudly displayed or ready for your portfolio
Lacroix Yohan

YOUR TEACHER: LACROIX YOHAN

Yohan Lacroix is an illustrator specialized in character drawing and anatomy. He also teaches in school, and thanks to his educational approach, he will teach you how to draw the human body from all angles and help you make your characters lively and authentic.

How it works

1

Watch

Follow the videos at your own pace, wherever and whenever you like.

2

Practice

Do the exercises at your own pace, with your own materials.

3

Post optional

Want feedback? Share your work on the forum whenever you like.

4

Progress

A teacher from the team can help you improve, if that is what you are looking for. Otherwise, simply draw for fun.

The complete program

+12 h of lessons across 7 chapters, 44 videos and exercises.

Chapter 1 1

Introduction

42 min
Introduction

Let's start this chapter by introducing the materials you need to create your characters. We will give you all the tips to progress in drawing during your learning for the upcoming lessons.

1.1 What to expect from this course! Welcome to the course "Character Design". This video introduces the course objectives and gives you an overview of the journey we're about to take together. 3 min · Free 1.2 What equipment do you need to get started? I'm sure you're eager to get started. Before we begin, let's take a quick look at the equipment I'll be using throughout this course. 7 min Subscribers only 1.3 Drawing is an art Art has a rich history, and so does the depiction of the human figure. Travel back thousands—even tens of thousands—of years and discover how character drawing has evolved over time. 15 min Subscribers only 1.4 The quest for the perfect line The path to the perfect line is a challenging one. On paper, there's the eraser; on a computer, there's Ctrl+Z. But what if you did without either? 5 min Subscribers only 1.5 The keys to practising and improving This course introduces a few simple techniques to help you draw every day without overthinking, so you can make steady progress naturally. 12 min Subscribers only
Chapter 2 2

Movement, Simple Shapes, and First Steps

45 min
Movement, Simple Shapes, and First Steps

Learn how to draw authentic characters using various techniques, such as the basics of movement, exaggeration, graphic knot, and simple shapes. Your knowledge will gradually expand, helping you in the creation of your characters.

2.1 Movement brings your drawing to life You set the rhythm of your arm as you draw. That sense of rhythm is what gives your drawing energy and life. In this course, you'll learn how to use it effectively.ly, practice with energy—it will bring life to your drawing. Let's see how to do this in this lesson. 8 min Subscribers only 2.2 Simplifying shapes without focusing on details When you first start drawing, you notice a huge amount of detail—often too much. Learning to simplify shapes by looking past unnecessary details is a fundamental skill, and that's exactly what you'll explore in this course. 13 min Subscribers only 2.3 Simple shapes: exercise correction Correction of the exercise on simple shapes. 5 min Subscribers only 2.4 Quiz: Simplifying Shapes In this quiz, we will test your knowledge on simplifying shapes for your character. 5 min Subscribers only 2.5 Once upon a time: the graphic knot There are sailing knots, shoelace knots and the infamous knots in headphone cables. But throughout this course, we'll focus on a very different kind of knot: the graphic knot. 7 min Subscribers only 2.6 Exaaaaaaaggerate! (Exaggerate) Exaggeration is a great way to bring life to a drawing and its characters. It's also fun and an effective way to emphasise shapes. 12 min Subscribers only
Chapter 3 3

The Base of the Body and All Its Facets

2h48
The Base of the Body and All Its Facets

It's time to tackle a crucial aspect of character creation: human body anatomy. You will learn about proportions, volumes, joints, and the structure of the skeleton. The various exercises in this chapter will help you acquire numerous skills!

3.1 Understanding human body proportions Seven heads tall? Or eight? Is it always like that? Would ten still look believable? Let's find out together. 19 min · Free 3.2 The framework of the body – our skeleton Like the load-bearing walls of a house, a plant support or the steel reinforcement in concrete, the skeleton supports our body and allows us to stand upright. 23 min Subscribers only 3.3 The skeleton: exercise correction Review of the skeleton exercise using an example you should recognise. 7 min Subscribers only 3.4 The role of a joint Standing upright is one thing, but we spend our lives moving. Let's explore the body's main movements. 17 min Subscribers only 3.5 Soft or firm – muscles make the body move And what makes the skeleton move? The muscles, of course! 18 min Subscribers only 3.6 The simple volumes of the human body Now it's time to explore volume! Don't worry – we'll start with simple forms. 42 min Subscribers only 3.7 Simple body volumes: exercise correction Review of the exercise on simple body volumes. 11 min Subscribers only 3.8 Quiz: Simple Volumes of the Human Body In this quiz, we will test your knowledge on simple human body volumes. 5 min Subscribers only 3.9 Do we really have a "spinal column"? The stack of vertebrae is commonly referred to as the "spinal column", but I prefer the term "spine". Let me show you why. 14 min Subscribers only 3.10 Recap 1: taking stock This is the first recap of the course. Let's take a look at what you've learned so far. 18 min Subscribers only
Chapter 4 4

Close-Up on the Face

1h43
Close-Up on the Face

We continue the training by focusing on the faces of your characters. You will learn to draw various details such as the nose, eyes, mouth, and ears. The exercises and corrections provided will greatly help you bring your drawings to life.

4.1 How do you draw a face? The face is the centre of our expressions and our five senses, and it's also one of the most challenging subjects to draw. 19 min Subscribers only 4.2 Seeing and observing to draw eyes They're the first thing we notice when talking to someone. Let's understand the shape and volume of the eyes. 14 min Subscribers only 4.3 Right in the middle of the face – the nose Thick, small, broken, twisted, or hooked, it's the nose. Yet, it's not that simple to draw, but I have some tips to offer you. 14 min Subscribers only 4.4 Let's move on to the mouth! Lips can be just as tricky to draw, but with the right techniques they become much easier. 12 min Subscribers only 4.5 Finally, the ears Drawing ears without a reference can be quite challenging. With a simple technique, however, the task becomes much more approachable. 10 min Subscribers only 4.6 Quiz: How do we draw a face? In this quiz, we will test your knowledge on the different elements needed to draw a face. 5 min Subscribers only 4.7 Recap 2: the adventure continues The second recap of this course shows how far you've come so far. 17 min Subscribers only 4.8 Recap 2: exercise correction Review of the second recap exercise. 17 min Subscribers only
Chapter 5 5

The Caricature

50 min
The Caricature

You are now being taught how to draw a caricature. You will discover everything about this art through techniques to exaggerate a character's features and make them unique. With the exercises, you will also learn to distort proportions while maintaining a resemblance.

5.1 The art of caricature – playing with shapes Caricature is all about exaggeration. It's also an excellent way to see whether you've truly mastered the principle of exaggeration. 40 min Subscribers only 5.2 Caricature: exercise correction Review of the caricature exercise. 10 min Subscribers only 5.3 Quiz: Caricature In this quiz, we will test your knowledge about cartoon drawing. 5 min Subscribers only
Chapter 6 6

Body Parts, Details, and Pro Tips

3h58
Body Parts, Details, and Pro Tips

In this comprehensive chapter, we will cover different techniques to create a knight from scratch. You will learn about squash and stretch, altering proportions, as well as how to draw the arms, legs, torso, hands, and feet of your character.

6.1 Hands – your essential drawing tools They help you draw, so now it's their turn to be drawn. Four fingers, an opposable thumb and a palm make up a hand. Let's simplify its muscles, bones and tendons into an easy-to-understand structure. 31 min Subscribers only 6.2 At the very end of the legs are the feet! What shoe size do you wear? I wear a size 45! Even so, our feet are all built in the same way. 14 min Subscribers only 6.3 Professional technique: the magic bean The “bean” is one of the most effective techniques for giving your characters convincing volume with ease. 31 min Subscribers only 6.4 Professional technique: squash and stretch This technique comes from the world's leading animation studios and is an essential tool for adding movement and dynamism to your characters. Discover the principle of squash and stretch. 12 min Subscribers only 6.5 Squash and stretch: exercise correction In this course, you'll review and discuss the solutions to the squash and stretch exercise. 7 min Subscribers only 6.6 Varying proportions to shape personality Let's exaggerate, simplify and vary shapes – but why? To avoid creating characters that all look the same. Every character should have their own distinctive features and personality. 13 min · Free 6.7 Chest out – let's draw the torso The torso is built from simple shapes. With just a few key principles, you'll be able to draw it with confidence and ease. 16 min Subscribers only 6.8 Roll up your sleeves – let's draw the arms The arms are a perfect example of asymmetrical shapes and are more challenging to draw than they first appear. Roll up your sleeves as we analyse their forms to understand them better. 27 min Subscribers only 6.9 Let's tackle the legs Just like the arms, the legs are asymmetrical. Their shapes also echo and complement those of the arms. 23 min Subscribers only 6.10 The body in detail: correction of the last three lessons In this course, you'll review and correct the content from the previous three lessons by modelling a complete human body. 11 min Subscribers only 6.11 Creating a character also means writing one Creating a character isn't just about drawing. It's also about developing their story and personality so they feel grounded within the world they inhabit. 14 min Subscribers only 6.12 Professional technique: key pose Discover another professional technique for creating dynamic and expressive character poses: the key pose. 27 min Subscribers only 6.13 Recap 3: A-to-Z demonstration – let’s create a knight! What better way to recap everything we have covered than with a complete live demonstration from A to Z? 12 min Subscribers only
Chapter 7 7

Finalization and Conclusion

1h10
Finalization and Conclusion

Time flies when you're having fun drawing, and here we are at the last chapter. Here, you will learn to add color to your knight drawing and to explore the turnaround technique. You are now ready to create your own characters!

7.1 Bringing our knight to life with colour Colour is a language of its own, which is why it deserves a course of its own. 27 min Subscribers only 7.2 Professional technique: turnaround Discover a professional technique that will give your characters a polished final look: the turnaround. 38 min Subscribers only 7.3 It's time to wrap up – and take the next step! We've already reached the end of the course! Congratulations on completing it. I'm sure you've made fantastic progress along the way. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and don't hesitate to share your drawings with me – I can't wait to see them! 6 min Subscribers only

What you will learn in this course

Body & anatomy

Build a believable human body: proportions, skeleton, volumes.

Face & expressions

Draw convincing faces and expressions that speak.

Caricature & style

Exaggerate features to give each character personality.

Reviewed by your teacher

If you wish, a teacher looks at your drawings and answers your questions on the forum.

What our students created with this course

Student drawing 1
Student drawing 2
Student drawing 3
Student drawing 4
Student drawing 5
Student drawing 6
Student drawing 7
Student drawing 8
Student drawing 9
Student drawing 10
Student drawing 11

Who is this course for?

Beginners who want a clear method to build a character
Anyone who wants to better understand faces and make them expressive
Anyone who wants to give their characters charisma
Artists who want to refine their approach to characters
Anyone who wants to draw to relax, with no pressure to perform

Average site rating 4.7/5

"Very satisfied with this training, I have made great progress."

marjo123 On 20/06/2024

"Excellent training, I loved the module on poses."

soleilart On 12/03/2024

"I loved it, the videos are really well made!"

max1234 On 11/03/2024

"I learned a lot about perspective and poses, thank you Dessindigo!"

cosmo88 On 09/02/2024

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Questions before you start

I am a complete beginner, can I take this course?

Yes. The course starts from scratch and guides you step by step.

Do I need any special equipment?

No: you can take this course with pencil and paper or on a graphics tablet, whichever you prefer. Yohan shows examples in both media throughout the course.

Will my drawings be corrected?

Yes, if you wish: post your exercises on the forum and a teacher from the team will send you personalized feedback.

Is this course included in my subscription or do I have to pay extra?

It is included in the Dessindigo subscription, which gives access to all 447 courses on the site.

Can I cancel my subscription at any time?

Yes, with no commitment: you cancel by following the procedure shown in your account.

What happens if the course is not right for me?

You are refunded if you are not satisfied within 14 days of signing up: simply write to us at support@dessindigo.com.

Ready to bring your characters to life?

Join the students who draw with Dessindigo, to improve or just for fun. Instant access · No commitment · 14-day money-back guarantee.

Access to +400 courses
Drawing course : Character Drawing From 24,08 $/month
Access to +400 courses
From 24,08 $/month
Access to +400 courses