Character Exploration for Expressive Illustration by Tania Yakunova

Learn to draw characters that feel alive and full of personality. This course is all about breaking the rules of traditional anatomy to create expressive, memorable figures. You’ll work through simple shape exercises and explore how proportions, movement, and scale can completely change a character’s vibe. By the end, you’ll have a portfolio-ready A3 poster packed with your own unique cast.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• How to use simple shapes to build complex character personalities.
• Techniques for exaggerating proportions and scale for maximum expressiveness.
• How to compose a dynamic, balanced lineup of characters.
• A workflow for taking your sketches from paper to polished digital art in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic familiarity with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
• Tools: Drawing materials like markers and colored paper. A drawing tablet is recommended for the digital portion. Procreate is optional.
• Hardware: A computer capable of running Adobe Creative Suite.

📝 Description

This isn’t your typical anatomy class. Tania Yakunova throws the rulebook out the window and shows you how to use exaggerated forms and simple shapes to inject real emotion into your characters. You’ll start by exploring how different shapes—circles, squares, triangles—can instantly communicate a personality trait. Then, you’ll push those ideas further by playing with dynamics, movement, and scale.

The course is structured to get you sketching fast. You’ll learn to build a diverse lineup of characters, each with a distinct silhouette and vibe. Tania walks you through her entire process, from initial research and rough sketches on paper to final coloring and texturing in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. The focus is always on practical, hands-on exercises that build your confidence and help you develop a more expressive, personal style. It’s about learning to see the character in the shape, not just the shape of the character.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Illustrators looking to add more personality and life to their characters.
• Character designers who want to break out of a rigid, anatomical style.
• Anyone interested in a playful, shape-driven approach to drawing people.

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Tania Yakunova is a self-taught illustrator and composition expert with over a decade of experience. Her bold, dynamic style has landed her collaborations with global brands like Coca-Cola, Google, Amazon, and TikTok. Her work has also been featured in publications for Penguin Publishing House and exhibited internationally. A recipient of the World Illustration Awards and Society of Illustrators Awards, Tania is passionate about alternative education and helping artists find their unique visual voice.

🏁 Final Result

• A finished A3 poster featuring a dynamic lineup of expressive, original characters.
• A solid understanding of how to use shapes, proportions, and movement to create character-driven illustrations.