Are you an artist looking for inspiration for your next masterpiece? Or perhaps you’re a writer in need of visual cues for your story?
Look no further, as I’ve compiled a list of 10 character drawing prompts that will jumpstart your creativity and bring your visual narrative to life.
From fierce warriors to mysterious strangers, these prompts will challenge you to think outside the box and create unique and memorable characters that will leave a lasting impression on your audience.
So grab your pencils, and let’s get started creating different types of personality characters!
Unleashing Creativity through Opposites
Creating a character that is the exact opposite of oneself can be a great way to challenge one’s artistic abilities and push the boundaries of imagination. I personally have found this to be an effective character drawing prompt, as it forces me to think outside of my own experiences and perspectives.
For example, I am an introverted and reserved person, so I decided to create a character that was outgoing and extroverted. I gave this character bright and bold clothing, a big and confident smile, and a loud and boisterous personality. The process of designing this character was both challenging and fun, as I had to step out of my comfort zone and think about how someone completely different from myself would look and behave.
In the end, I was satisfied with the result and it even gave me some new ideas for my other projects. I recommend this prompt to anyone looking to stretch their creativity and explore new character design possibilities.
Another way to use this prompt is to use a “character design idea generator,” which randomly generates different features and characteristics for a character. This can be a great way to come up with new and unique ideas when you’re bored that you may not have thought of on your own.
Exploring Different Art Styles with the Same Character
Get ready for a wild ride! Experimenting with different art styles is like a rollercoaster for me, it’s thrilling and you never know what to expect. One of my fave challenges is taking one character and giving them 10 different art style makeovers.
From realistic to cartoon to anime, it’s amazing to see how the same character can look so different. Not only do I learn about the characteristics of each style, but also how to adapt my own style to fit them. Plus, it makes me a more versatile artist.
Bonus: it’s also fun to see how the same character can be portrayed differently, like a realistic character being serious and mature, while a cartoon version is playful and lighthearted.
Let’s get artsy!
Rainbow Character Design
Get in the mood for some color with this rainbow draw prompt.
I personally love to incorporate bright and bold colors in my art, it brings a different level of energy and excitement to the characters I draw.
Create a character based on your favorite animal and give it rainbow-colored fur or scales. For example, I once drew a rainbow-colored lion with a mane made of different shades of the rainbow.
It was so much fun experimenting with different color combinations and it really made the character stand out.
This prompt not only allows you to play with colors but also allows you to bring a unique twist to a familiar animal, giving it a new life.
So, give it a try and see how it turns out for you.
Designing a Character for an Escape Room Adventure
Drawing a character for an escape room can be a fun and engaging experience.
One of my favorite prompts is to design a character that would be perfect for an escape room. The sense of urgency and determination that the characters must convey is a great opportunity to experiment with different facial expressions.
I always start by creating a rough sketch of the character, and then focus on the facial expressions, trying to convey different emotions, such as determination, fear, and excitement.
To add more depth to the character I also like to give them a backstory and think about how they would react to different situations that the players may encounter in the escape room.
Self-Exploration through Art
One of my personal favorite prompts is to draw a self-portrait as a character. This exercise not only allows me to explore my own features and unique characteristics but also to imagine how I would see myself in a different world or context.
For example, I once drew myself as a mermaid, complete with a fishtail and seashell crown, and it was a fun way to think about how my personality and characteristics could be translated into a fantastical creature. ;)
It also made me explore the different emotions and expressions I would have as a mermaid. I would highly recommend this prompt to anyone looking to get in touch with their inner artist and explore their own identity through art.
Experimenting with Facial Expressions
One of the most important aspects of character drawing is the ability to convey emotion through facial expressions.
As an artist, I have found that experimenting with different expressions has helped me to improve my skills and take my art to the next level.
For example, I remember a time when I was drawing a character who was supposed to be feeling sad. I struggled to get the expression right, until I tried mimicking the emotion myself in front of a mirror.
Doing this helped me understand how the eyes, mouth, and other facial features can be used to convey sadness.
From then on, I made it a habit to experiment with different expressions and emotions like happiness, sadness, anger and surprise, and it helped me to create more dynamic and expressive characters.
I encourage all artists to experiment with different facial expressions, it’s a great way to improve your skills and bring your characters to life.
Inspiration from Pop Culture
Create an original character based on your favorite comic book or movie. Draw a character that would fit perfectly into that world.
For example, if you’re a fan of the Marvel universe, you could design a new superhero with powers and backstory that would fit in that world.
Or, if you’re a fan of a particular movie franchise, you could create a character that would be at home in that world. Personally, I had once created a character inspired by the movie ‘Inception,’ and it was so much fun to come up with abilities, backstories, and roles of the character in that movie’s universe.
It’s a great way to pay homage to something you love and also flex your creative muscles.
Bringing Places and Objects to Life
Designing a character based on a place or an object can be a fun and unique way to approach character drawing.
For example, I once designed a character based on my hometown, giving it the characteristics and personality of the city. I imagined the city as a person with its own likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, and quirks.
I also added elements of the city’s architecture, culture, and history to the character’s design. It was an interesting exercise, and the character turned out to be quite unique and memorable.
Another time, I created a character based on a tree, giving it the characteristics of the tree’s strength, durability, and rootedness.
The character had a sense of wisdom and serenity, with branches and leaves as hair and bark-like skin. This character drawing prompt is a great way to get creative and come up with interesting and unique characters.
Exploring Art Styles
I have always been fascinated by different art styles and love experimenting with them.
One of my favorite prompts is to draw a character in the style of my favorite artist or art movement.
For example, I once drew a character inspired by the works of Hayao Miyazaki in the style of Studio Ghibli. It was a great exercise in understanding the nuances of his art style and trying to capture its essence of it.
I also drew a character in the style of Alphonse Mucha, which was a great opportunity to explore the Art Nouveau movement and its use of flowing lines, floral patterns, and asymmetrical designs.
This prompt not only helps me to improve my skills in different art styles but also allows me to explore and appreciate different art movements, and it will be a great way for you to do the same.
Self-Exploration
Drawing a character that is a representation of yourself can be a powerful tool for self-exploration and understanding. I personally have used this art prompt to gain a better understanding of my own strengths, weaknesses, and quirks.
It helped me to realize how I would like to be perceived by others and how I could use my own personality and characteristics to create a unique and interesting character.
For example, I always thought of myself as a shy person. But when I drew a character that is a representation of myself, I realized that I wanted to be perceived as a confident and assertive person.
So I gave my character a strong and determined look, and it made me realize that I could be that way too. It also helped me understand that I have much more potential than I thought.
Conclusion
It’s just the beginning of an endless series of character drawing prompts. Keep it up, and let your imagination run wild. Don’t be afraid to try new styles. It’s important to make your characters reflect your unique perspective, so make sure to give them your own style and personality.
And if you’re ever stumped or find character drawings too intimidating, here’s a list of creative drawing ideas.