Designing original characters can feel overwhelming — especially when you don’t know where to start. This course introduces a simple, step-by-step method that helps you design unique cartoon characters even if you’re a complete beginner. Using only Inkscape, a keyboard, and a mouse, you’ll learn how to transform real-life images into expressive, stylized characters through an easy, structured process.
The core idea behind this method is simple: every drawing begins with something real. You’ll start by tracing over a real-life picture to capture its essential shapes, then adjust proportions to create a cartoon version. From there, you’ll use Inkscape’s powerful tools to generate countless variations, each with a different personality and style. This approach removes the guesswork and creative block that often come with character design, making it both fun and approachable.
Throughout the course, you’ll not only learn the method but also how to draw directly inside Inkscape — from basic setup and sketching to refining lines, adding light and shadow, and finishing your design.
By the end, you’ll have a complete, repeatable process for turning any picture into an original character, plus the confidence and skills to keep designing on your own.
If you’re ready, let’s dive in and start making characters together.
- Beginners who want to learn to make characters from the ground up using the keyboard and mouse!
