Creative Character Design with Jens Claessens

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Join Jens Claessens in this 8-week pure character design class! Together we’ll learn how to design a set of characters that all feel cohesive and like they are part of the same universe.

We’ll explore how to gather information from the real world, use it as inspiration, and then use simple principles of design and drawing to execute an original collection of character designs.

Week 1:
Intro – my journey as an artist.
Applying the fundamentals to imaginative drawing:
a quick crash course on the fundamentals, and how to apply them when we are painting from imagination.
Week 2:
Using real life to make better characters:
we will expand our imagination by looking at what already exists.
Week 3:
Layers of character design: how to build a unique character from the ground up.
Week 4:
Sketching and iteration: how to use the sketching phase to explore your world.
Week 5:
Digital Painting demo: efficient workflow to create a full color concept design
Week 6:
Digital Pencil Rendering demo: we will geek out about markmaking, crosshatching, how to get the most out of a simple tool.
Week 7:
Skin tones: how to paint different complexions.
Week 8:
Final Q&A, closing thoughts.

Duration: 8 weeks
Date & Time: Saturdays at 8:00AM Eastern starting November 1, 2025
Skill level: All skill levels welcome
Tiers: 12 Critique spots – Receive feedback or unlimited spectator spots without homework feedback
Format: 4-5 hour live class with combination of lectures, demos, and feedback. Recordings are typically provided within a couple days of each live session.
Materials: Any digital or traditional mediums. Paintovers will be done digitally.