" How To Draw Character In Comic

The Head & Face

Firstly, let’s look at the head and face because the are probably the most important features for identifying your character and letting him express himself. Even the shape of the head can suggest a personality—triangular, round, square. Each gives a different feel. Also, adding differently shaped hair or other features that can create a unique, recognizable shape can help tremendously as well.

In order to draw my characters’ heads from any angle, I use two basic head shapes as a starting point and then squash and stretch them into the approximate shape. I borrow from techniques used in animation to construct a character from more basic shapes underlying the head. The first is the classic anime “seed” shaped head.

I draw the seed by starting with a circle (or spherical ball, as I imagine it in my mind) and then hanging a pointed jawline off that circle a various angles. Then by drawing a “cross” dividing the center of the face and where the eyes will be, you can use this seed shape to draw that head from any angle. This is the shape I use for Kate’s head in Paradigm Shift. Using this as my starting point, I rough the entire head, then add in more detail before completing the final drawing. I use this process for all my comics and illustration, working from rough forms through final image. This is how I use the seed shape to draw Kate from the front, side and 3/4 view.

Take note of how the proportions of the face translate across between the differing angles. The line that runs through the eyes is roughly halfway between the top of the head and the chin. The tip of the nose sits about halfway between the eye line and the chin. The mouth sits about halfway between the nose and the chin. From the side, if you draw a line from the tip of the nose to the chin, the lips will roughy fall in line within there. The ears sit on a line that is halfway between the front of the head and the back and their curve starts in line with eyes. If you imagine the center line of the face curving to the left or right and the eye line curving up or down, you can start to see the head turn in your mind’s eye and use this to draw the head and face from any angle like so.

To work on details like hair and drawing heads from many different angles I recommend practicing drawing from life, copying photos and doing the occasional master study of an artist who you greatly admire. The more you practice, the more you will expand your visual vocabulary as an artist and you can combine, mix and match and create brand new features that are purely your own. The same goes for expressions. Play around in your sketchbook and find the faces you feel express your character’s emotions the most vividly.

Drawing the Figure

The first step in drawing full-body human characters is to nail down basic proportions. Of course, cartoon characters can be drawn with many different proportions, so I am going to focus on a relatively realistic human proportions first. This method can be modified to stretch characters to be taller or shorter as needed later. Above we have Kate and Mike as examples of “ideal” human female and male proportions. Often in figure drawing, proportions are measured in “heads” because it is an easy way to check if the features are in the right place in a drawing, especially if the figure is drawn relatively straight on. Notice the lines going through the image above—they measure the number of “heads” used for each character.

If we strip away the details and look at the underlying shapes, we can see how each figure is constructed more easily. I use circles (which I think of as “balls”) in place of the joints and draw the forms of the limbs between those. I use an egg shape for the ribcage and sort of a flattened “bowl” shape for the pelvis. I have developed simplified forms for each of the major body shapes: upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves & shins, hand and feet. (More on hands and feet in a moment). I also imagine the shoulder being attached to the collarbone (which it is in reality, as well at the scapula on the back) so it is free to slide around up and down, back and forth on the ribcage when I am posing the figure. Take note of the hip shapes between the two figures.The male’s pelvis is taller while the female’s is shorter and a little wider. This has been a helpful observation for me in my figure drawing.

" Rina’s thoughts"

 Anders’s heart aches, tears welling up.

Just this afternoon, he and Uncle Tom were laughing, chatting happily, and Uncle even gifted him a brand-new book… Yet in the blink of an eye, everything turned to dust. What kind of power resides within him? What is this force that can obliterate an entire village with a mere wave of his hand? Anders leans against a rock, despair in his eyes as he gazes up at the deep sky. Who is he? Uncle Tom has never spoken to him about this matter. Could it be because of this latent power? Hold on… If it’s related to magic, perhaps Ovis will have a clear answer… After all, that place is where many clans gather to protect the Fressian Empire.

The strength within him may soon be revealed. But if so, he might be accused of slaughtering the villagers…

No, I cannot live in hiding forever like this… I must seek the truth… Anders clenches the necklace in his hand. This is the sole clue to his identity.

Perhaps someone has seen this emblem before.

On the pendant’s surface, alongside the name “Paulie,” there’s another symbol resembling a crescent moon and a sickle… Anders stands up, determined to approach Ovis… The estate of the Lowry Clan… Rina, dressed in traditional attire as usual, strides along the mansion’s corridor.

She scans her surroundings.

The corridor remains adorned with portraits of the Lowry lineage’s luminaries… The Lowry clan has witnessed many generations of prodigies. Although their tradition follows female succession, Gadfield—Rina’s father—along with their family, sacrificed themselves in the great war between empires a decade ago. As a result, Gadfield Lowry became the first male clan head.

Driven by the desire to preserve the prosperity of the Lowry lineage, Gadfield has become stern. He hopes that one of his two daughters will inherit the clan well. Alice Lowry, Rina’s elder sister, is considered a prodigy within the clan.

She graduated from the Royal Academy, mastering her Water Sword magic at the age of 14.

Now, at 23, she serves as a trusted guard to Emperor Sylvanus Arnold IV—a descendant of the small Arnold clan in southern Fressia. Fressia’s political system has always been a subject of suspicion among other empires.

Although the emperor holds the highest position, the system operates under constitutional monarchy, ensuring checks and balances from the Council of Magic and the populace.

Thus, there’s no stark class distinction between the emperor and the common people. Rina gazes at her sister’s portrait, exhaling deeply.

" Soul Beneath the Moonlight.”

In the northern region lies the country of Fressia, where an immense energy source has persisted for millennia. It is a place where humans can harness their inner energy and merge with the spirits of the land and sky.

Within this nation, four major clans exist, revered as the pillars capable of safeguarding its prosperity and greatness across different eras. Unlike the traditional “father-to-son” lineage, the royal succession in this kingdom is bestowed by legendary sages from various epochs, regardless of lineage. Their authority is recognized by both the people and the Council of Magic.

Among these clans, the Marsilio lineage stands out. Since the formation of Fressia, the Marsilio clan has been renowned for producing exceptional prodigies.

Throughout their history, the clan has seen numerous generations of brilliant minds serving as advisors to the royal family, each possessing remarkable strategic acumen.

The secret art of this lineage is known as Thuy Viem.

The Lowry Clan… This clan, symbolized by the Chu Tước (a mythical bird), fears no authority and scorns the common folk. Renowned for their swordsmanship passed down through generations, they carry an ancient legacy. Their tradition involves female heirs inheriting potent magic, especially those with emerald-green eyes harboring boundless mystical power.

The Prym Clan… Their ultimate weapon is the most dangerous force wielded by the Prym lineage.

The White Tiger serves as their emblem, exuding majestic strength that can shake the world. Throughout history, this clan has produced legendary strategists who served as generals to the royal family, including the famed Lucas Prym.

The Ascra Clan… Agile, steadfast, and adorned with glorious achievements—these are the praises bestowed upon this lineage.

They are renowned for their Fire Inflammation magic, with the Dragon as their symbol. Despite their past, the Ascra clan remains exceptionally powerful. Many generations of Ascra luminaries have ascended to become emperors, with Vincentio Ascra being the youngest emperor in Fressia’s history.

“Anything else, my friend?”—the children in the square huddle together, their eyes wide, questioning the young man a few years their senior. “Well, that’s all for now. You should know that Fressia isn’t just about the four major clans; there are many smaller clans as well. Do you see the girl waving over there? That’s Yue Presilia, the second daughter of the Presilia clan head. Although they aren’t part of the four major clans, their magic is still remarkable,” Ondo says, standing up and brushing off his clothes, a smile on his face. One of the kids raises their hand and asks, “Sir, which clan is the strongest?” Ondo is about to respond when Yue playfully jabs him: “Ouch!” and he falls to the ground. Clutching his head in pain, Ondo scolds Yue, “Yue, how many times have I told you to be patient and wait for me?” Yue Presilia wipes her hand and retorts, “Wait? Do you know how long Rina and I have been waiting? Why didn’t you come to the Academy? Being late is unacceptable!” Rina Lowry beams a cheerful smile and gestures for peace: “Come on everyone"