When I design a character, I always start by mapping out my first idea into the centre of the page, laying out the groundwork of a silhouette, basic hair and outfit shapes, and defining facial features. Once I am happy with this sketch, I then repeat that sketch, but experiment with hair shape, facial expressions and potential outfit choices, expanding out onto the rest of the page. As I go along, I write notes of any storyline ideas that come to mind so as mot to forget them, and so they can inspire me further down the line, and I also block out potential colour palettes. If an idea isn't working, I will then switch to a tool that cannot be erased (like pen) and draw a series of alternations for the idea in quick succession, so I can see every possible outcome laid out before me, to help me continue onward.
Once the beta sketch is completed, I then move onto creating a digital character portrait, to lay out a definite shape for the character, I use my pre established colour palette to begin with, and combine features from every experimental design, before choosing the strongest ideas, and merging them together for the lineart layer. After the sketch is completed, I then use editing layers to test out how the character may look with a softer tone, or a contrasting main colour, and lay out each option side by side, so I can review my options, before I add final details and render the final design, all of this is demonstrated above with my newest character, Lian Zhao.
