Drawing Appealing Characters with Personality
A course by Magdalina DianovaCharacter Designer
A course by Magdalina Dianova, Character Designer
Discover dynamic character design by learning to tell a story through expressions, poses, clothing, and more
Characters can convey so much through the way they look; a hairstyle, an outfit, and a pose can tell you about their mood, identity, and even their backstory. Character designer Magdalina Dianova observes these elements to transform lines and colors into charismatic protagonists. She has worked for clients like DreamWorks TV, and 3dtotal, as well as on projects including character design book Heroines, and short film Goodbye Mr.Octopus, which was presented at the Venice Film Festival.
In this course, learn how to design characters that express their own unique personality. Explore anatomy, color schemes, clothing, gestures, and more, as you see how to create a character full of life, from start to finish.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 12 downloads
How I Use Procreate
7 minutes, 44 seconds
Linework and Colour 1
20 minutes, 51 seconds
Posing the Character 1
19 minutes, 47 seconds
Drawing the Head 2
10 minutes, 20 seconds
Drawing the Body 3
15 minutes, 48 seconds
Designing Hair and Clothes 1
14 minutes, 14 seconds
What's included in this course?
Get to know Magdalina Dianova as she discusses her journey to becoming a character designer. She also shares some advice on what she’s learned along the way, along with the artists that inspire her the most.
See how to set up the Procreate app to optimize workflow, looking at Magdalina’s favorite tools, features, and shortcuts. She then goes over alternative traditional tools you can use. Discover how Magdalina comes up with her characters, and understand how to use reference pictures effectively. Draw different body types as you explore things like gestures and poses. Next, see how to draw diverse faces, hearing Magdalina’s tips on anatomy and proportions.
Learn how to ink and color your final character sketch with tips on line weight, brush settings, and color theory and schemes. Design outfits and hairstyles for your character that build their story, as Magdalina teaches you to stylize clothes and create a distinguishable look. See how to make your protagonist more dynamic by drawing them from different angles and exaggerating their poses.
Hear about the purpose of creating character sheets, what they should include, and how to use them. End the course with some tips on using social media and other platforms to share your work and discover how to make a living through your art.
What is this course's project?
Create a character sheet with different poses and outfit designs that reflect their story, using either digital or traditional methods.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for beginner and intermediate artists interested in developing their character design skills.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is required.
In terms of materials, you will just need something to draw with. The teacher uses a tablet with Procreate, but you are welcome to use a computer, any other drawing software, or even a sketchbook and pencils.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
Muito bom, evolui muito no curso
- iviusdesignPLUS4 months ago
Me gusta el método y el estilo de Magdalina. Muy recomendado
- 4 months ago
muito bom, tive grandes aprendizagens
- 4 months ago
Genial, justo lo que buscaba, sencillo y rápido.
- 4 months ago
Simplemente fantastico, me encanta como explica la docente y es muy lo que necesitaba
Since then Magdalina has continued to work in the animation industry as well as making her own online tutorials about drawing and character design. She has worked for clients including DreamWorks TV, Spin Master, and 3dtotal, and on projects such as the character design book Heroines, and the short film Goodbye Mr.Octopus, which was presented at the Venice Film Festival.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Exploration Sketches
- How I Use Procreate
- Story and Reference Photos
- Drawing the Body 1
- Drawing the Body 2
- Drawing the Body 3
- Drawing the Head 1
- Drawing the Head 2
- U3
Creating the Character
- Linework and Colour 1
- Linework and Colour 2
- Linework and Colour 3
- Designing Hair and Clothes 1
- Designing Hair and Clothes 2
- Posing the Character 1
- Posing the Character 2
- U4
Character Sheet and Final Tips
- The Purpose of Character Sheets
- Social Media Tips
- FP
Final project
- Drawing Appealing Characters with Personality
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
PLUSIf 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
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate artists who want to deepen their character design skills and gain professional insights into both traditional and digital workflows.
You’ll need basic drawing materials and access to a digital art app like Procreate. The course includes tips on custom brushes, canvas presets, and layer management specific to Procreate.
You’ll learn character design fundamentals, digital illustration workflows, posing, anatomy, creating mood boards, using references, simplifying forms, and building an online presence. The course also covers feedback, social media strategies, and freelance workflows.
Yes, the course includes lessons on drawing clothing folds, rendering fabric, and creating dynamic, balanced character poses with accurate anatomy and gesture.
Yes, the course teaches how to seek and utilize online feedback to improve your art and participate in artist communities for skill development.
The course provides strategies for sharing your work on social media, planning consistent posts, and growing your professional reputation to attract commissions and clients.
Yes, the course includes modules on managing portrait commissions, designing book covers, and understanding freelance character design workflows.