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So, Dani asked if I would write a blog post about “creating loveable characters” and as I sat down to write, I realized I had no idea what to say that hasn’t been said a bajillion times before.
Design-wise, there are SO MANY posts and classes and tutorials that can teach you how to make cool and cute and interesting characters. Like, a vast amount, you guys.
I mean, creating cute and loveable characters is based on a formula. Preston Blair attributed the drawing of “cute characters” to mimicking the proportions of a baby.
Loveable = Huggable. It’s all about the round shapes and curves.
Easy enough, right? But then I questioned whether a character being loveable is even the most important trait for them to have?
Yes, a character should be loveable. HOWEVER, shouldn’t it be more important for the character to be RELATABLE?
I think relatable characters, whether they are troublemakers like David (David Shannon), or precocious like Olivia (Ian Falconer), or misunderstood like Amelia Bedelia (Peggy and Herman Parish), are loveable BECAUSE OF their flaws. Kids can see themselves in the characters because they aren’t always loveable.
I mean, creating cute and loveable characters is based on a formula. Preston Blair attributed the drawing of “cute characters” to mimicking the proportions of a baby.
Loveable = Huggable. It’s all about the round shapes and curves.
Easy enough, right? But then I questioned whether a character being loveable is even the most important trait for them to have?
Yes, a character should be loveable. HOWEVER, shouldn’t it be more important for the character to be RELATABLE?
I think relatable characters, whether they are troublemakers like David (David Shannon), or precocious like Olivia (Ian Falconer), or misunderstood like Amelia Bedelia (Peggy and Herman Parish), are loveable BECAUSE OF their flaws. Kids can see themselves in the characters because they aren’t always loveable.
They make mistakes.
And they also learn from those mistakes.
And they also learn from those mistakes.
Just like the children they are written for.
So I think the best way to “create loveable characters” is to give them flaws and let them make the wrong choices, but also let them learn to fix them.
Also, make your character SPECIFIC. Give them a personality and wardrobe and facial features and physical gestures that are all their own.
Band-aids on the knees, missing socks, slouchy posture, grass-stained pants, freckles, etc.
We teach children that they’re special and one-of-a-kind, why should we treat our characters differently?
Make them imperfect.
But love them anyway.
Because if YOU love your character, if YOU relate to them, others will too.
So I think the best way to “create loveable characters” is to give them flaws and let them make the wrong choices, but also let them learn to fix them.
Also, make your character SPECIFIC. Give them a personality and wardrobe and facial features and physical gestures that are all their own.
Band-aids on the knees, missing socks, slouchy posture, grass-stained pants, freckles, etc.
We teach children that they’re special and one-of-a-kind, why should we treat our characters differently?
Make them imperfect.
But love them anyway.Because if YOU love your character, if YOU relate to them, others will too.
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/blythe_russo
Kidlitart Chat on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kidlitart and their website: http://kidlitart.blogspot.com/ Use #kidlitart for chat!
Nice post and thanks for the Cute Character link.
ReplyDeleteLove Blythe's work! Awesome thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThis post has great information. Thanks for the cute ideas!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Interesting point about the flaws. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat post about thinking just deeper that "cute character" thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete