Develop Your Own Unique Cartoon Style
In the world of cartoons and drawing there are hundreds of styles and different types unique to the artist (like Butch Hartman or Craig McCracken or Lauren Faust). Then there's anime and manga, with the many styles that come along with them (from Naruto to Bleach). You like all these styles, and they are fun to duplicate and draw but what if you want your own style that is uniquely you?
Well, it's easier than you think.
Steps
- Find an inspiration. Everyone's style is influenced by another's. Even Osamu Tezuka the "Father Of Anime" was inspired by Walt Disney to create characters with huge eyes, which became the anime style we know today. Find a good artist that you admire, "shadow" their work by looking at how they draw their bodies, proportions and how it works together overall. This way you can see the mechanics of their style.
- Think about what you like. You've found an artist and you've shadowed them. Now, think of yourself. What are some line styles that you are comfortable with? Sharp, quick, pointy lines that feather out? Smooth, round, bold lines? Jagged edges, and pointy features? What lines make your art yours? This is important because your lines are what makes up the "mood" of your style and the "mood" of the characters.
- Get On It! You've found a good artist to shadow, and let's say, you're in love with sharp pointy edges and quick-feathered features. You've got your inspiration and an idea of lines you're comfortable with...now what? Grab some paper, a pencil and get started! Start doodling random characters using the line style you chose. Experiment by varying the size and shapes of limbs and features, and placement of things.
- Add color to it. After you've developed the basics to your personal style, it's time to explore the 2nd most important thing in developing a new unique style - color! Color is important because it works with your line work to create the "mood" and "feel" of not only the style but your characters too. Sit back and think. Do you want happy-go-lucky bright colors, or gloomy, dark colors? Are you thinking exciting and ravishing or monochromatic, like the old fashioned cartoons back in the day?
- Test it Out! Once you've got a general idea of the line style and color scheme, it's time to put it to the test! Will it hold or flop? Is it a versatile style or can you only go one way with it? Try going out to public places like the mall, or the park and draw who and what you see in your new-found style. Draw different variations of what you see and if it doesn't work, keep tweaking it!
- Despite the fact that an artist's style is never truly complete, after much tweaking you will soon be in a place where you'll be happy enough to publicly share your style! It will hopefully be unique to you and what you like, and you might just make your own comic book, manga book, or get your own Cartoon Show!
- Finished.
Tips
- You can also use the line work and color/medium to make your style more contradictory. This can be done by simple choosing 2 or 3 things that would not normally be thought of together. Like smooth round, "happy" feeling lines with the dark saturated colors of markers, or wispy quick watercolor lines and bright springy colors.
- When testing out your style in real life, don't limit yourself to just people. Try animals, houses, objects, places, etc.
- Strange as it sounds, listening to music can help(especially instrumental)! It helps set the mood and thus, helps inspire the mood of the art style. Try picking your favorite video game, tv, and movie soundtracks.
- Don't be afraid to branch out, and go crazy with proportions and things! Don't hesitate to think of your characters' bodies like they are made of clay; able to be shaped, molded and remolded into different styles.
- Try asking those around you what kind of art style do you remind them of. Their answers might be surprising and could lead you to defining your style even more.
- The medium you use can also help you in deciding on mood. For example, using oil pastels and sharp lines would create a different feel from smooth lines and watercolors, and using crayon will give your pieces a very childish look.
- Try copying other styles to get your brain juice going, but don't copy them to a tee. Try to add your own spice to the style, and you might just come up with something new all together!
Warnings
- Don't get upset if you can't seem to get your drawing skill level where it needs to be or where you want it. The more mad you become, the worse it will get. Drawing, like any talent or skill, takes time, patience and practice. How much it takes depends on the person.
- Don't just copy someone else's style because you like it and claim it as yours. That isn't right, and you know it.
- Don't fret if you can't come up with something that is "uniquely you" at first. This process could take minutes, or it could take months! But, after a while you will find a groove that fits your fancy.
- If you create a style that is all your own, and then you discover someone else has a style very similar to yours, don't panic. Even if you are accused of copying them, or vise versa, it's OK. You can do a simple thing like changing the placement of the eyes, or the length of the limbs and the styles will be completely different. No harm no foul.
Things You'll Need
- Art supplies
- (Optional)Music
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