Character Design: The First Steps in Creating a Picture Book

Introduction

Hi, and welcome!

Here’s a little peek into how I work when starting a new picture-book project.

When a new client gets in touch, one of the first things we often work on is the design of the main character. This usually starts with a request for character sketches.

Over time, I have learned that my idea of a sketch and a client’s idea of a sketch can be quite different. A loose line drawing might be perfectly clear to an illustrator, but not necessarily to someone who doesn’t draw or isn’t used to visualizing how an idea will develop.

That’s why, when I present the first character concepts, I like to make them as easy to read as possible. Alongside the black-and-white sketches, I include one color option. This gives the client a much clearer sense of the character, the visual direction, and what the finished illustration might feel like.

It also gives us a good starting point for discussion before moving further into the book.

Reading the manuscript and drawing rough sketches

The First Steps: Character Design

I always start by getting to know the manuscript. I read it carefully, visualize the story, and think about its setting, atmosphere, characters, and the relationships between them.

At this stage, I pay particular attention to the main character. Who are they? What makes them recognizable? How do they move, behave, and interact with the world around them?

Sometimes the manuscript and the client’s brief give me everything I need. Other times, I look for additional visual references to help me explore the right direction.

From there, I start with very rough sketches, exploring the character’s shape, proportions, and volume. I place the character in different situations and poses to see how they work within the world of the story.

Refined sketches

Once I have explored different possibilities, I select the strongest options and develop them into more refined line sketches. I then add black-and-white shading, shadows, and highlights to give the character more volume and make the ideas easier to visualize.

I also create one small color illustration. This gives the client an early glimpse of how the character might look once color, light, and atmosphere become part of the finished artwork.

B&W and color spot illustration

Working Together

Once these first concepts are ready, I send them to the client for feedback.

This is an important part of the process. We look at the different options together, discuss what feels right, and make adjustments where needed. Through this exchange, we gradually define the final look of the characters before moving on to the rest of the book.

Once the character is established, the real story begins.

The next stage is developing the compositions for the double-page spreads and creating sketches for the individual layouts.

If you would like to see how the process continues, follow me on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes glimpses of my work, and stay tuned for the next steps in creating a picture book :)