Past Workshop

Abstract Anatomy for Character Design

A life drawing and character design workshop by Lars Weiler

Character design can be challenging. Life drawing as well.

This is why we thought of a workshop where we try to deal with both and streamline our understanding of life drawing principles so that we can apply them to our character design and general creative processes.

Over the course of a day we will figure out the fundamental building blocks needed for character design:
Anatomy, materials, and storytelling.

Often, the technical aspects of a drawing can get in the way of the creative process. Lars will present you a variety of techniques and ideas about drawing to simplify the technical stuff so that you can focus on what matters: Good design. To that end, there will also be guidelines about what actually makes a successful and iconic character design. As part of this workshop, you'll learn the theory behind character design, and a variety of drawing techniques and you'll design a character using the tools taught in this workshop.

This workshop is geared towards artists with a more intermediate drawing or painting skill set. Knowing what gesture means in drawing terms and being able to draw primitive shapes and rotate them in 3D space on paper/canvas/screen will greatly enhance your experience and ability to work with the principles presented. You can bring your favorite materials for this workshop, no matter digital or traditional. Pens, pencils, and basic paper are free to use for you in our location.

Lars Weiler is a concept artist for Plaion and an illustrator for various fantasy role-playing publications. He has been an instructor for Drink and Draw life drawing and anatomy workshops and has also taught his knowledge about perspective, gesture, design, and anatomy for several classes in different art schools in and outside of Berlin. He also serves as a dungeon master in his own Dungeons & Dragons campaign where he obsesses way too much over the laws concerning enchantment magic.