Every step and decision made when creating concept art pieces to help inspire and guide the visual direction of a film is personal, whether or not the artist knows it. We hit several roadblocks which push us beyond our comfort zone and our box of thinking, and we make new realizations about ourselves, the story, and the characters within the story…
Read MoreIn animation, it is nice to have a healthy competitive spirit, but we should never forget that we must always work as a team, and this aspect of our profession needs to be constantly supported. We are all part of a bigger machine and if one gear doesn't work, the whole machine can suffer…
Read MoreThere may be a certain pressure to choose an artistic path very early on, and that's fine, but I believe it’s quite important not to be tied down to a singular path before exploring others. It's always great to explore different mediums and create various kinds of art when given the opportunity…
Read MoreImagination and creativity come from the artist's observation and I think good references are all around us. Things like the ever-changing light and shadows, observing people on the street, and gazing at the sea and mountains. If you feel like you're stuck with an art piece, it's good to get away from your desk for a while and observe your surroundings…
Read MoreDon’t pressure yourself to draw constantly, take a good break and rest well. I'm always working and always pushing for 100%, and I found myself in a position where I constantly force myself to draw more and more. Eventually, I realized it always makes it worse, that’s why I believe you can't create genuine art when it's forced…
Read MoreTo choose the right artistic path, try lots of things you are interested in first. Nowadays many artists experiment a lot, some do concept art and storyboarding, or do storyboarding and comics at the same time. I think It doesn't have to be one or the other. Look over your personal work, and ask yourself specific questions about what you enjoy the most…
Read MoreWhen I work on my own personal projects I come up with an image, some random words, or even just a moment with two characters confronting each other in my head. Then, I develop a whole set of stories and I world-build around it. Sometimes though it's the other way around: I have an idea for a world and then I design the characters that live within it…
Read MoreI was always inspired by characters in films, games, and comics. I had no idea where this would led me, but I knew that I wanted to draw cool characters with a specific aesthetic. This was my north star, so to speak. Younger artist should ask themselves: what is my north star? What inspires me on a daily basis? This will help you shaping your career path and it will give you the strength to achieve your artistic goals…
Read MoreThe art needs to be “beautiful”, but I think it’s more important to tell the story right than to create just something pretty. A pretty picture is too much about the artist’s own ego and not about the art itself. I want to make sure I get the story across in the best possible way, and I’ll try my best to do that through my art and technique…
Read MoreStudy drawing and learn to draw out of your head. And also consider this – your art is like your personality, everyone is different. Try to find what it is that makes you different and put that into your art. It sounds trite but it really is very important and maybe a little risky…
Read MoreDon’t forget that doubts and questions are kinda part of the job. Putting your art out there to be judged may often feel that’s you who’s being judged… which is not. But it does feel that way, and you must learn to be resilient and deal with it…
Read MoreUnderstanding your strengths and leveraging them is so important, but you also want to be a good team player and build your relationships. The industry is small and artists jump from one studio to another frequently, so people will want to work with you not only for your art but also for who you are…
Read MoreThe movie "Ratatouille" spoke to me deeply. I saw myself in the shoes of Remy as a person that wants to be creative but is stuck in a place that looks down upon it and doesn't allow its development. I could say I was at the edge of the plank about make the jump but I needed a last push, and that was that movie did for me…
Read MoreCharacter Design References (CDR) is an online platform that celebrates and showcases exceptional character-focused art within the realms of animation, illustration, games, and comics. It stands as a vibrant hub for the largest community of character designers on the Internet, uniting over 1 million artists, art enthusiasts, and animation fans from across the globe.
At CDR, we curate and share exquisite artworks on a daily basis, providing a constant source of inspiration and creative fuel for our passionate community. We gather the finest references and tutorials, serving as a valuable resource for artists seeking to refine their skills and explore new techniques in character design. Through our collective appreciation for visual arts, we foster a dynamic and supportive environment where artists can connect, collaborate, and grow together.
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