Character Drawing

Learn to Capture the Inner Essence of your Model!
Character drawing is about being able to possess the relevant skills to be able to capture the essence of a person, either as part of a portrait or through cartoons or caricatures. Character drawing may seem easy but it is not, and the skills can only be acquired through a great deal of practice time and an understanding of people. If you wish to be able to capture the personality of your model quickly and easily, then it is important that your powers and observation increases and then so will your expertise for character drawing.

Whilst some artists practice reproducing portraits of people from photographs published in magazines, this is never as good as having a model to sit for you. It can make it easier initially to draw the people around you such as family and friends and because you know their distinct personalities you would be able to focus more on the actual drawing than on interpreting their persona. Character drawing does get easier the more the artist can rise to the challenge and is prepared to take risks; this then frees the hand so that the pencil strokes become more fluid and not stilted.

There are many different ways of being able to learn character drawing such as:

- Become a people watcher and learn how they move, sit, stand. Note how everyone moves differently. When travelling-whether by plane, bus or train, take time to watch those around you and imagine where they are going and why. Try to capture their inner essence and use your instinct to tune into them.
- Choose your model and note their personal style. What makes them unique in your eyes? Try to note these individual quirks and you will be able to capture their spirit so much more easily.
- Try to draw people who are not connected to you in any way.
- Practice drawing portraits in public, this will help you to become much more focussed and you can find inspiration with your character drawing.

There can be no greater compliment for an artist in life, when a portrait turns out exceptionally well and the model admits that the character drawing is perfectly portrayed.