Concept Art: Character Design & Worldbuilding
A course by Even AmundsenIllustrator, Character Artist, and Content Creator
A course by Even Amundsen, Illustrator, Character Artist, and Content Creator
Explore color, texture, lighting, and layers to create memorable protagonists that tell a story with every detail
“To draw memorable heroes, villains, or wizards, it is key to define what rules, culture, and community they encapsulate. “
Defining the worlds his characters live in is an essential part of Even Amundsen’s creative process. As an illustrator and character artist, he has worked for studios around the world on titles including Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
In this online course, Even teaches you how to use worldbuilding to produce captivating character designs. Explore lighting, layers, color, and more to bring to life fascinating protagonists that tell a whole story at a glance.
What will you learn in this online course?
19 lessons & 25 downloads
Defining World Constraints
12 minutes, 4 seconds
Creating the Character: The Whole Funnel
13 minutes, 8 seconds
Line Drawing 1
13 minutes, 53 seconds
Flat Colors 1
15 minutes, 23 seconds
Refining and Rendering 1
20 minutes, 12 seconds
Refining and Rendering 2
19 minutes, 44 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know illustrator and character artist Even Amundsen. Discover the creative journey that led him to a full-time career as an artist, along with the influences that inspire him and the work he creates.
Take a look at characters and how to build them through detailed planning. Then define the constraints of the world your character lives in to develop their identity. Build a setting for them to stand on and use it to define your protagonist and their story.
Time to bring your character to life! Start by learning how to overcome creative blocks before making a start on the proportions and general construction of your figure. Then develop a line drawing and experiment with lighting to elevate your design. Choose a color palette that reflects the context your character lives inside.
Make any final adjustments and render your work. To wrap up the course, Even guides you through the process of building on the artwork you have created to get the most out of it.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Build and design a character in its own world, exploring color, light, layers, and more to capture its personality.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
The course is for anyone interested in designing compelling characters by exploring worldbuilding principles.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is required.
You will need access to drawing materials, or image-making software if you prefer to work digitally.
Reviews
- 17 days ago
I really enjoyed, practical tips and very intresting storytelling
- 22 days ago
The tips are so useful, making you more creative and productive. Furthermore, the drawing technique is interesting. I actually enjoyed it.
- 2 months ago
Excelente súper divertido de realizaremos,el maestro llena todas las expectativas de aprendizaje
- 2 months ago
Amazing
- 2 months ago
Very good easy to understand step by step course. Even is enthusiastic and a fantastic instructor. Yet i'd recommend you've nailed some art fundamentals and at least know how to draw before taking this course.
After graduating, he worked at Volta studio for three years, before moving to Prague to focus on freelance projects. He later landed his dream job working for Blizzard in California. Even has worked with various studios on titles including Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and also shares his work with over 300K followers on Instagram.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Concepting the Character
- Treating the Character Like a Person
- Defining World Constraints
- Building the Setting
- Defining the Character and the Context
- Creating the Character: The Whole Funnel
- U3
Drawing the Character
- Overcoming Creative Blocks
- Constructing the Character: Proportions 1
- Constructing the Character: Proportions 2
- Line Drawing 1
- Line Drawing 2
- Lighting
- Flat Colors 1
- Flat Colors 2
- U4
Tidying Up and Expanding the Concept
- Refining and Rendering 1
- Refining and Rendering 2
- Refining and Rendering 3
- Building on What You Have
- FP
Final project
- Concept Art: Character Design and Worldbuilding
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 seeking to strengthen their concept art, character design, and worldbuilding skills, especially in fantasy genres.
You’ll need a sketchbook, drawing tools, and either traditional painting supplies like acrylics or digital art software. Access to internet and a platform for posting art, such as Instagram, is also recommended.
You’ll learn to build immersive fantasy worlds, design multidimensional characters, develop backstories, and integrate characters with their environments using professional concept art techniques.
Yes, the course covers both digital and traditional methods, including acrylic painting, digital workflow, and textured painting techniques for fantasy illustration.
You’ll create portfolio-ready projects, learn freelance workflows, and practice art test submissions, all guided by industry-relevant assignments and feedback.
Yes, daily drawing habits and maintaining a sketchbook are core components, helping you improve consistency, creativity, and technical skills.
The course includes strategies for posting your art on Instagram and engaging with online art communities to grow your audience and receive feedback.