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1.
Intro
2:15
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2.
Class Project
0:47
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3.
Backstory
4:33
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4.
Silhouettes
8:04
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5.
Features
9:58
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6.
Refining + Final Sketch
9:56
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7.
Color Palette
9:33
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8.
Turn around
15:07
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9.
Pose
14:11
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10.
Final Illustration Part 1
16:15
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11.
Final Illustration Part 2
6:44
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12.
Finishing Touches
5:07
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Part 1: A Character’s Journey: Designing Cute Characters in Procreate
Sandra Mejia, Illustrator + Pattern Designer
About This Class
In this class, we’ll design a cute, story-driven character in Procreate, building a strong 2D foundation that can later be translated into 3D.
You’ll learn how to design a character with clarity and intention: starting from backstory and personality, and moving through silhouettes, features, color palette, turnarounds, linework and final illustration. This class is Part 1 of a two-part series. In Part 2, 3D artist Dave Reed takes this exact character and shows you how to bring it to life in 3D using Nomad Sculpt.
Together, these two classes guide you from 2D character design to 3D character creation in a simple, enjoyable way.
In this class, you’ll learn how to:
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Build a character backstory that guides every design decision
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Define personality traits, quirks, and purpose
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Create strong silhouettes using simple shapes
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Design expressive features and clean linework
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Choose a color palette that supports the character’s story
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Create a turnaround for consistency and future use
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Design poses and finish a polished final illustration
All techniques are taught step by step in a playful, low-pressure way.
Why You Should Take This Class
Strong character design isn’t about drawing perfectly, it’s about making clear decisions.
By learning how to design from story first, you’ll:
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Feel more confident in your creative choices
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Create characters that feel cohesive and intentional
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Build illustrations that are easier to adapt, reuse, or translate into other formats, including 3D
I’m Sandra Mejia, a Top Teacher here on Skillshare, and I’ll guide you through the exact process I use to design characters that feel expressive, consistent, and ready to grow beyond a single illustration.
This class is for:
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Illustrators and character designers
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Procreate users who want to design more intentional characters
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Artists curious about preparing their work for 3D translation
You should be comfortable using Procreate, but you don’t need to be an expert. We’ll focus on simple shapes and clear structure, not technical perfection.
Materials & Resources
To follow along, you’ll need:
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An iPad with Procreate
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An Apple Pencil or stylus (recommended but not rquired)
You’ll also get access to downloadable resources, including:
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The Character Backstory Worksheet
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The paper texture used in class
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A set of color palettes
These resources are designed to help you stay focused and enjoy the process.
What’s Next
Once you complete this class, you’ll be perfectly set up for Part 2, where Dave Reed takes the same character you designed here and brings it to life in 3D using Nomad Sculpt.
Let’s start designing!
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Procreate is a registered trademark of Savage Interactive Pty Ltd.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Class Projects Show All (8)
Please note that this class is provided for personal educational, informational and convenience purposes only, is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for professional, legal, or medical advice. Read more about this in our Terms of Service.