Retro Character Design for Animation
A course by Venturia Animation Studios, Animation Studio
Joined June 2019
Learn to design characters by recreating the styles of the golden age of animation
Joined June 2019
Think back to the classic cartoons that once dominated our Saturday morning TV screens. That nostalgia can act as a major catalyst when it comes to creating, and it’s precisely what motivates Juan Manuel Urbina, director and founder of Venturia Animation Studios in Colombia.
In this online course, analyze different ages of cartoon styles ranging from the 20s to the 60s. Then, choose your favorite era and follow its standard practices to design your own series of characters.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 10 downloads
- 98% positive reviews (258)
- 4,873 students
- 18 lessons (2h 1m)
- 10 additional resources (3 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Choose one of the periods analyzed throughout the course and design a character lineup that fits that era.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in the world of animation who wants to broaden their character design skill set.
Requirements and materials
Basic knowledge of drawing, especially of the human figure, is required. As for the materials, you need paper, pencils, a tablet, and a computer with software that allows you to draw, such as Adobe Photoshop.
Reviews
Venturia Animation Studios
A course by Venturia Animation Studios
Juan Manuel Urbina is the director and founder of Bogotá-based Venturia Animation Studios. He's also an expert at telling exciting stories using a blend of classic animation and 3D. Venturia Animation Studios has worked on projects for Netflix, HBO, Warner Brothers Records, and Walt Disney World, among others.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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The adventure begins!
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Venturian influences. Venturia's favorites.
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The route of our trip. What will we do in the course?
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U2
Cartooning: the backbone of character design
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The cartooning for Venturia. Definition of cartooning.
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3 basic principles of cartooning. The backbone of the course.
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Volumetric vs. Graphic. Two sides of the same coin.
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U3
20's (rubberhose)
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Rubberhose Beginnings of the golden age of American animation.
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Time to deconstruct! Mickey vs. Felix | Popeye and Oliva.
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Let's design your first character. 20's.
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U4
40's (Preston Blair)
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Preston Blair The master of volumetric style.
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Time to deconstruct! Mickey of the 40's, Snow White Dwarf and Bugs Bunny.
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Let's take your character to the 40's. From the 20's to the 40's.
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U5
50's-60's (Cubism cartoon)
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Cubism cartoon. The "modern" cartoon.
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Time to deconstruct! Pedro Flintstones, Robotina and Dexter.
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Let's take your character to "modernity." From the 40's to the 50's-60's.
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U6
Ink & Paint
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Complementary characters Let's complete your character line-up.
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Ink The first step of the last step.
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Paint The second step of the last step.
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FP
Final project
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x 30s style animation
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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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.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Connect with a global creative community
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Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
You’ll learn to create characters and animated shorts, master both classic and modern cartooning techniques, and adapt characters to various historical styles—from rubber hose to the ’60s—using both traditional and digital tools.
The course is designed for those with intermediate drawing or animation skills, though basic concepts are explained. You don’t need to be an expert, but having a drawing foundation is recommended.
You’ll need access to a digital tablet (preferably a Cintiq), digital drawing software like Photoshop, and basic drawing skills. You can also start with pencil and paper for early stages.
The focus is on 2D animation, working with flat, sequential images. While it touches on the conceptual shift to 3D, the main practice is 2D animation and character design.
Yes, the course teaches you how to design main and secondary characters, build coherent narrative worlds, and adapt visual styles to different eras and production needs.
Yes, you’ll study and apply styles like rubber hose, 1920s and ’40s cartoons, and their evolution—analyzing anatomical, expressive, and technical differences to recreate classic and contemporary characters.
Yes, the course includes hands-on exercises in Photoshop and techniques to streamline your digital workflow—from sketching to inking and coloring characters.
informative and detailed explanation!
recomendo muito para quem gosta de cartoon
chevere
Yes, love to go through different period and learn their style. Help me to develop my drawing, and give a good fundamentals in cartooning
Muy interesante.