Character Illustration: Designing from Concept to Creature
Want to learn how to design inventive creatures based on real animals? Join artist Masho here. You’ll explore ideation, defining characteristics, and simplifying your design to bring your creature to life , even without fancy tools or skills.
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Character Illustration: Designing from Concept to Creature
About This Class
Want to learn how to design unique fictional creatures starting from real animals? In this class, I’ll guide you step by step through the process of transforming everyday inspiration into imaginative designs.
We’ll begin with ideation: looking at real animals and exploring how to extract their defining traits. Then you’ll learn how to simplify, exaggerate, and add creative details that bring your creature to life.
This approach is perfect for beginners as well as experienced artists who want to expand their toolkit. By the end, you’ll have not only a finished character illustration but also a repeatable method you can use for future projects.
What You’ll Discover
How to generate fresh ideas from real animal forms
Ways to simplify and define your creature’s key traits
Techniques to add imaginative details that make your work stand out
A creative process you can apply to illustration, storytelling, or product design
Tools You’ll Need
Paper and a pencil or pen
Transparent (tracing) paper or any lightweight paper for layering
Optional: markers, colored pencils, paints, or a printer for extra variations
Why Take This Class?
You don’t need a big idea to start creating. With the methods we’ll cover, creativity grows from small details and playful observation. Whether you’re making framed art, illustrations for stories, or designs for t-shirts and tote bags, this class gives you a foundation to bring imaginative creatures to life..
Student Projects
© Jago Silver
© Stephanie Mackay
© Mack Weaver
© Anastasia Artenemeva
What Students Are Saying
“Great course and wondeful process!! I followed the steps, and little by little you get into a magical process of creation. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge in this course!! I am so happy with the result... and this course opens a great new path of creation of characters.”
— Miriam Ponce
“I really enjoyed taking this class. i often get stuck on the perfection and reality of the subject that i want to draw and this really help me to get unstuck. thank you!”
— Giulia D’Andrea
“This class was very freeing and fun. I enjoyed seeing Masho's demonstration of simplifying a horse and making him a more fantastical creature. It is so liberating to move away from reality and from worrying about every little line and detail and proportion. I've been looking for a direction I'd like to develop and I think this is it. I've also seen Masho's art and it is inspiring. Thank you Masho for this fun and enriching class.”