Successful Character Design by Leslie Tran

This 8-week course teaches you the real nuts and bolts of character design—not just drawing well, but using design theory to make characters that communicate clearly. You’ll work through shape, color, anatomy, and presentation, with live demos and feedback from an industry pro.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Master shape and silhouette design for strong character silhouettes
• Apply color theory to create cohesive and expressive color schemes
• Combine anatomy, gesture, and stylization for believable characters
• Build a professional character sheet and portfolio presentation

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic drawing ability; all skill levels welcome
• Tools: Any drawing software (class uses Photoshop), drawing tablet
• Hardware: Computer capable of running drawing software

📝 Description

This isn’t just about making pretty pictures. Leslie Tran breaks down character design into practical, repeatable steps. You’ll start with costume design and reference gathering, then move into the core of design theory—shape, color, line, and expression. Each week builds on the last, so by week 8 you’re not just designing characters, you’re presenting them like a pro.

The live format means you get real-time feedback during demos and dedicated office hours for extra help. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist looking to tighten your process, the focus is on hands-on learning and industry-tested methods. You’ll leave with a solid character sheet and a portfolio piece that shows you understand the why behind the design.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Artists who want to move from copying references to designing original characters
• Concept artists and illustrators looking to strengthen their design theory foundation
• Hobbyists and professionals who want to build a portfolio-ready character sheet

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Leslie Tran is a freelance concept artist and illustrator with over 5 years of experience. She’s worked with studios like Singularity 6, Netflix, and Massive Black, focusing on 2D visual development, character design, costume design, and prop design. Her teaching style is hands-on and grounded in real production workflows.

🏁 Final Result

• A complete character design sheet with front, back, and action views
• A portfolio-ready character design that demonstrates shape, color, and storytelling