Character Design for Animation (All Levels)

Character Design for Animation (All Levels)

Learn how to develop a successful character from scratch that works for the animation pipeline or game industry! We will go from the basics of design to what is required from professional character designers in order to land a job in animation.

Drawing techniques and theory can be also applied to your character for illustration or comics, however this workshop is mainly focused on the animation industry.

What you Need:

• Bring your own material of preference, preferred laptop with small tablet (wacom or similar), tablet like iPad or similar, or even just paper and pencils!;
• No previous experience or artistic background required, everyone welcomed;
• Interest for the entertainment industry / passion for drawing;

What you will Gain:

• Understanding of the animation pipeline and pre-production with a focus on character design;

• Develop your character design following exercises and tips from Tutor.
• Bring home your finished design, that can be added to your portfolio;
• portfolio tips and review for character design (advanced);

To better gain an understanding of the process is recommended to participate to both workshops;

1st workshop:

. Visual language: shape design, silhouette, color theory;

. Research for characters (references, styles/target);

. Designing a character (gender, age, ethnicity, personality, backstory, costume, props/weapons etc);

. Designing for a 2D and CG production (exploratory sketches, costume design, turnarounds, pose sheet, expressions sheet).

2nd workshop:

. Designing for a 2D and CG production (exploratory sketches, costume design, turnarounds, pose sheet, expressions sheet);

. Color theory + painting/rendering a character (traditional and digital);

. 2D texture callouts for CG production (adding materials/textures).

About the Artist

Enrico is an Italian Art Director and Visual Development Artist based in London, UK. He has recently Art Directed on "Moominvalley" season 4 at Gutsy Animation, a CG Series for SKY, which was Emmy-nominated 2025.

Enrico has 10 years experience in the animation industry and is passionate about concept art, art direction, painting and sharing his experiences with others. His clients include studios such as: DisneyTVA, Sony TVK, Atlantis Animation, Blue Zoo, Passion Pictures, Ubisoft, King, Boulder Media, Brown Bag Films, Ritzy Animation, Wild Child Animation, Nickelodeon, DisneyJr, NetflixJr, and others.

He has taught at Escape Studios evening courses and lectures at Arts University Bournemouth.

Connect!

https://buffa.artstation.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/enricobuffa/

Limited seats at 12!

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Host or Publisher BFreak Project - Art & Creativity