Accessibility Statement
    Log in
    Character Design: Creation of 2D Characters

    Character Design: Creation of 2D Characters

    By Juan Francisco Cancelleri

    Character Design: Creation of 2D Characters

    A course by Juan Francisco CancelleriIllustrator

    Character Design: Creation of 2D Characters

    The characters created by the illustrator Juan Cancelleri can be found in all kinds of publishing, animation and videogame projects from different platforms. He started creating backgrounds for animation projects in García Ferré's production company almost three decades ago and since then he has specialized in the creation of characters for videogames and graphic adventures, which has allowed him to become the creator of incredible worlds, but also of his population.

    In this course you will learn to create characters from the initial brief and sketch to the final file, with all the elements prepared to animate. From the hand of Juan you will see all the processes that you must take into account when designing a character, with special emphasis on their emotional aspects, body language and costumes.

    What will you learn in this online course?

    14 lessons & 23 downloads

    View all lessons ↓

    What's included in this course?

    The first thing you will discover will be the work of Juan Cancelleri, who will tell you about how he became the professional he is today, the evolution of his illustrations and his major influences.

    Then you will study the brief and begin to work with your character's body and facial features. For the sketching phases you will help yourself with photographic references by working on your own poses and gestures.

    Once you have defined the main features of your character you will polish the sketch and define its shapes.

    Then apply the color and apply volumes and textures, both body and clothing and accessories, with the help of Photoshop brushes.

    To finish you will learn to correctly order your project to deliver it to the client according to the project in which you are going to use it.

    Recommended software & tools for this course

    What is this course's project?

    Paying close attention to emotional and character aspects, you will design a fantastic character.

    Projects by course students

    Who is this online course for?

    To illustrators, concept artists, designers and anyone who is looking to start in the world of character creation and want to learn how to prepare them for use in video games or graphic adventures.

    Requirements and materials

    It is advisable to have basic knowledge of drawing and Adobe Photoshop.

    With respect to the materials, a computer is necessary in which you must have installed an image editing program and it is also advisable to use a graphic tablet.

    Character Design: Creation of 2D Characters

    Reviews

    2,022
    Students
    83
    Reviews
    99%
    Positive ratings
    • maxocacacoso
      1 year ago

      Amo este estilo de dibujo, de verdad que muchas gracias por el curso :3

    • fjmarquina
      2 years ago

      Aprendes bastante y es ameno

    • ilieva_vania25
      2 years ago

      esta bien

    • axl_cox
      3 years ago

      Esta bien.

    • tomas_pratolongo
      3 years ago

      Exelente!

    More reviews
    Juan Francisco Cancelleri

    Juan Francisco Cancelleri

    Teacher
    Plus

    Illustrator

    Joined March 2018

    Juan Cancelleri was born in Buenos Aires and his initial training is due to teachers such as De los Ríos, Eduardo Ferro, Claudio Aboy and the plastic artist Abril Barrado. He got his first professional job in animation projects in García Ferré's production company, from whom he keeps the best memories and to whom he owes his confidence. From that moment he dedicated his career to the world of animation, first creating backgrounds and later as a character creator. He took advantage of his time in Hook up Animation to gain experience in digital art and now he has decided to face the challenge of immersing himself fully in the editorial, advertising and videogames fields, which allows him to bring together his two passions: represent fantastic worlds and the characters that live in it.

    Content

    • U1

      Introduction

      • Presentation
      • Influences
    • U2

      Preproduction: Start of the project

      • Analysis of the brief
      • First sketches
      • Photographs and refinement of the sketch
    • U3

      Production: Concept color

      • Concept of color I
      • Color concept II
      • Polishing and modeling of the face
      • Body modeling and accessories I
      • Body modeling and accessories II
      • Body modeling and accessories III
      • Final lighting
    • U4

      Postproduction: Edition to animate

      • Organization of the file
      • Professional advice
    • FP

      Final project

      • Character design: creation of 2D characters

    What to expect from a Domestika course

    • Learn at your own pace

      Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.

    • Learn from the best professionals

      Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.

    • Meet expert teachers

      Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.

    • Certificates

      PLUS

      If you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.

    • Get front-row seats

      Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.

    • Share knowledge and ideas

      Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.

    • Connect with a global creative community

      The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.

    • Watch professionally produced courses

      Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.

    FAQs

    You’ll learn to create original characters for animation, video games, and visual storytelling, combining traditional and digital techniques, using visual references, and managing a professional workflow.

    This course is designed for those with basic illustration or digital design skills who want to deepen their knowledge of intermediate character creation techniques and processes.

    It’s recommended to have basic drawing skills, familiarity with Photoshop or similar illustration software, and a basic understanding of layers and digital tools.

    You’ll need a computer with Photoshop or similar software, a graphics tablet or mouse, internet access, and optionally traditional materials like acrylics or pencils for hands-on exercises.

    Yes, the course covers the full process and techniques for creating avatars and characters suited for video games, from sketching to preparation for post-production and professional delivery.

    You’ll learn how to illustrate facial expressions, dynamic poses, and convey emotions in characters, both in sketches and finished artwork.

    The course includes exercises on sketching, digital refinement, and polishing using Photoshop, including custom brushes and layer organization.

    Category
    Areas

    Courses you might be interested in

    See more Domestika courses