INTRODUCTION

Good girls! In today's tutorial, I'll show you how to get an appropriate costume for your characters, based on my personal experience.

Before starting I would like to point out that this tutorial is focused on character designs located in a universe or setting different from the world as we know it today, but it can be just as useful. Here we go!

 

1. BASIC ASPECTS OF THE CHARACTER

To begin with, we must understand the character and his environment to create a good design.

 

CHARACTER:

 

Let's start by characterizing the character by gathering all his data. What is it? A human? A fairy? An invented species? We must take this data into account because, if it is not a human, those traits that differentiate it will be camouflaged, unless that is your intention. In the same way for details of the skin such as: tattoos, piercings, scars, or any other detail with which the character is characterized.

Second, is he the protagonist, a supporting character, or an extra? Think that the main characters should have a more differentiating wardrobe than the rest so that the public is not confused and knows the hierarchy of importance that the characters have in your story.

 

Third, what is the character's story? Your social class? The wardrobe of a poor person is not the same as that of a nobleman. The state of conservation of clothing and accessories could be a very useful differentiator, for example.

 

Fourth, where do you live or what are your origins? Was the character born in the same place where he is located? It is important to differentiate the fashion of the different cultures of the world to create a coherent design, especially to know if the clash of cultures by the wardrobe.

Lastly, your personality and tastes? Do you have a job or hobby that helps create a design consistent with your lifestyle?

 

COLOR PALETTE:

 

Once we have the most important features of our character, let's choose the colors of the design. Use the color wheel and the different possible mixtures of these to make a harmonious color palette. If you don't know what colors to use, research the different palettes you'll find from other artists.

 

Remember that colors are also a very important source of information for the character, since they convey emotions and feelings that must match the character. An active, passionate and intense character is best suited to use warm tones. Contrary to a melancholic, dull and taciturn character, cold tones can suit him much better.

CONSISTENCY WITH THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT:

 

If you are making a story based on a specific era, please be careful with the graphic resources you use. For example, you cannot use Viking iconography or symbology in a plot based on the Qin Dynasty. If you are creating a story in a Cyberpunk setting, you cannot mix that aesthetic with the medieval soldiers' clothing. They must be dates or places that are relatively close or that do not have a too different style; Or that these strange mixtures have a real justification.

2. MOODBOARD

Once we have all the basic elements to be able to create a character in a story with a logical setting, we can create a moodboard, where we unify all these elements that we have already agreed upon. Use all the sources that are useful to guide you, from Pinterest to series and video games, if there is a series with 7 seasons that is set in a universe similar to the one you are creating YOU SEE THE 7 SEASONS AND OTHER SIMILAR SERIES.

3. FROM THE FIRST SKETCHES TO THE FINAL DESIGN

Take advantage of the 3D models and create a quick silhouette of your basic character, draw outfits in different layers and make as many outfits as you like, until you reach the final result that you like the most. Keep in mind that the more outfits you have for the character, the more enriching their design will be.

 

REDESIGNING A KNOWN CHARACTER

We have talked about creating a totally fictional character but created by you, but… what if you just want to redesign your favorite childhood character? Do you want to give it your special touch? Great!

 

For example, I want to design a Steampunk Cupid. What is the first thing I think of Cupid and Steampunk? Baby, bow, arrow, hearts, innocence ... Victorian fashion, industrial revolution, metal ... Create a moodboard inspired by that character, or brainstorm related to him, and the style you want to give him. Once we have these ideas, we use a template with the silhouette of the character and we begin to design on top of the model until we find the design that I like the most. And so infinite versions!

 

CONCLUSION

I hope this guide is useful to you, and remember that sometimes we do not start from point 1, but in the search process we have found an element that we may like, so that the design is not linear, but depends of our inspiration and the way we approach the character and his world. There are endless possibilities to create your masterpiece. See you later!

 

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