Cartooning Exercises: Generate a Character
One Plus One
EXERCISE: Combine two random types of characters together as fast as possible.
What does a Clown+Cyborg look like? Or how how about a Hula Girl+Superhero? It's lots of fun to do, and you might just get a start on a new cartoon star.
PURPOSE: To loosen up when you have "cartoonist's block". To have fun. To experiment with things you don't normally draw.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Monster-Clown
- Superhero-Cow
- King-Cyborg
- Princess-Monster
- Pirate-Clown
- Cyclops-Rock Star
- Robot-Prince
What if?
EXERCISE: Take a favorite charcter and use the magic words: WHAT IF..... They if they lived in a different time or place, where a different gender, body shape, age, species, attitude, or race. Then do a drawing of it.
- WHAT IF......Superman was part garden gnome?
- WHAT IF......Wonderwomen was a Wonderman instead?
- WHAT IF......Wolverine was a Female?
- WHAT IF......the Wizard Jafar was the heroic good guy?
- WHAT IF......Mickey Mouse was a human Mickey Man?
- WHAT IF......What Conan the Barbarian needed to go on a diet?
Sometimes play like this will help loosen your mind to try new things.
Random Character Generator
EXERCISE: Having trouble thinking of a character? Try the ATOMIC BEAR PRESS Random Character Machine (beta version)
HOW TO USE
1. Get your favorite sketch book or scratch paper and some drawing tools
2. Click the GENERATE CHARACTER BUTTON
3. Try to draw a chracter made up of button two elements listed in the text boxes.
note: if there is a "-" that shows where the other text fits in. i.e. one: cow and two: -of steel = cow of steel.
| (note: Atomic Bear Press is not responsible for the results that are randomly generated above, please use it at your own risk!!) by The JavaScript Source |
Alternatively, you can use a character generator web sites. I recommend:
- Lee's (Useless) Superhero Name Generator
- Seventh Sanctum Character Generation ( there are several different generators on the page)
Random Character Generator: Travel Version
This is a great way to pass the time while traveling:
- Take index cards or strips of paper and write down different types of characters, such as: Clown, Pirate, Witch, Cheerleader, Cyborg, Superhero, Elf, Rock Star.
- Write down descriptive words such as: Thin, Chubby, Shiny, Muscular, Tall, Tiny, Short, Beautiful, Metallic, One-Eyed.
- When you want to play, draw 3 words and try to draw a character as fast as possible.
Its a fun way to kill time in the back of a car or on a train or plane. Good for all ages too.
Who are these guys?
Go to Exercise 2: Storytelling
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