Character Art School: The Complete Character Drawing Course

Editorial Take

This course stands out as a well-structured, beginner-friendly pathway into the world of character drawing, offering a clear progression from foundational anatomy to final portfolio development. With a strong emphasis on practical application, it guides students through every stage of creating expressive, visually compelling characters. The curriculum balances technical skills like proportions and gesture with creative elements such as personality expression and design storytelling. Taught by Scott Harris and hosted on Udemy, it delivers professional-level instruction with lifetime access, making it a smart investment for aspiring illustrators. Its 9.6/10 rating reflects consistent student satisfaction with both content quality and learning outcomes.

Standout Strengths

• Comprehensive Curriculum: The course covers everything from skeletal structure to clothing folds, ensuring no aspect of character design is overlooked. Students progress logically through anatomy, expressions, poses, and accessories before culminating in a full character sheet.
• Beginner-Friendly Approach: Complex topics like body proportions and facial anatomy are broken down using basic shapes and step-by-step demonstrations. This simplification makes intimidating concepts accessible without sacrificing depth or accuracy.
• Hands-On Project Integration: Each module includes practical exercises that build directly toward the final project of designing an original character. This applied structure reinforces learning by doing, helping students retain skills more effectively.
• Personality-Driven Design: Lessons go beyond physical form to teach how visual choices reflect a character’s backstory and emotional traits. This focus on narrative design helps artists create memorable, story-ready characters instead of generic figures.
• Portfolio Development Focus: The final section is dedicated entirely to compiling a professional character sheet with multiple views and expressions. This real-world output prepares students for job applications or freelance client pitches.
• Lifetime Access: Students can revisit lessons at any time, allowing for repeated practice and skill refinement over months or years. This flexibility supports long-term growth and accommodates different learning paces.
• Certificate of Completion: The Udemy-issued credential adds tangible value for learners seeking to showcase their commitment and progress. While not accredited, it signals initiative to employers or collaborators reviewing portfolios.
• Structured Timeframes: Each module includes estimated durations (e.g., 4–6 weeks), helping students plan their study schedule realistically. This roadmap prevents overwhelm and encourages steady, consistent progress.

Honest Limitations

• Basic for Advanced Artists: Those already proficient in figure drawing or design principles may find early sections too elementary. The course does not delve into advanced stylization or industry-specific workflows used in high-end studios.
• Limited Color Theory Instruction: While character design inherently involves color, the course lacks in-depth lessons on palette selection or psychological impact. Learners must seek external resources to fully develop their coloring skills.
• Digital Tools Not Covered: No tutorials are included on software like Photoshop or Procreate, leaving digital beginners to figure out technical setup independently. This omission may slow down artists transitioning from paper to screen.
• No 3D or Animation Techniques: The curriculum focuses solely on 2D drawing and does not address rigging, modeling, or motion principles. Aspiring animators or game artists needing 3D pipelines will need supplementary training.
• Feedback Mechanism Unclear: Although peer or instructor review is mentioned for the final project, there’s no guarantee of timely or personalized feedback. This uncertainty could hinder improvement for students relying on critique.
• Minimal Cultural Diversity in Examples: The provided content does not indicate a wide range of ethnic features or body types beyond general age variations. This narrow scope may limit representation in student work without additional research.
• Static Learning Format: Being video-based, the course lacks interactive quizzes or drawing challenges within the platform. Engagement depends entirely on self-motivation rather than built-in accountability features.
• No Live Q&A Access: Students cannot schedule calls or live sessions with Scott Harris, which might disappoint those expecting direct mentorship. Support is limited to discussion boards, which vary in responsiveness.

How to Get the Most Out of It

• Study cadence: Commit to 3–4 weekly sessions of 60–90 minutes to complete modules within estimated timeframes. Spacing out practice helps internalize concepts like gesture and proportion before advancing.
• Parallel project: Simultaneously develop a personal character outside the course to experiment freely with style and narrative. This builds creativity while reinforcing taught techniques in a low-pressure environment.
• Note-taking: Use a dedicated sketchbook to record key principles like shape language and silhouette importance next to drawn examples. Annotating thumbnails with instructor quotes enhances retention and review efficiency.
• Community: Join the Udemy discussion board regularly to share progress and ask questions about specific lessons. Engaging with peers provides motivation and exposes you to diverse artistic interpretations.
• Practice: Redraw each pose and expression multiple times, varying angles and proportions to deepen understanding. Repetition strengthens muscle memory and improves accuracy in freehand drawing.
• Time Blocking: Schedule fixed drawing times in your calendar to treat lessons like appointments. Consistency prevents procrastination and builds a sustainable creative habit over the 6–8 month timeline.
• Progress Tracking: Take weekly photos of your sketches to visually document improvement over time. Comparing early and recent work boosts confidence and highlights areas needing refinement.
• Reference Library: Create a digital folder of favorite characters from animation and comics to analyze alongside lessons. Studying real-world designs enhances your ability to apply course concepts creatively.

Supplementary Resources

• Book: 'Figure Drawing: Design and Invention' by Michael Hampton complements anatomy lessons with deeper insights into form and movement. Its focus on construction aligns perfectly with the course’s foundational approach.
• Tool: Krita is a free digital painting program ideal for practicing character line art and coloring. Its brush engine supports natural media effects, making it suitable for beginners exploring digital workflows.
• Follow-up: 'Digital Painting Fundamentals' on Udemy builds directly on this course by teaching rendering and color application. It bridges the gap between drawing and finished artwork presentation.
• Reference: Line of Action website offers free timed figure drawing sessions to improve gesture speed. Practicing with live models strengthens the dynamic posing skills taught in the course.
• Book: 'The Artist's Guide to Human Anatomy' by Gottfried Bammes provides detailed anatomical studies that expand on skeletal and muscular systems. It’s ideal for students wanting deeper accuracy in their figures.
• Tool: PureRef allows you to organize visual references for facial expressions, costumes, and silhouettes in one scrollable board. This tool streamlines the design phase when developing your final character.
• Follow-up: 'Character Design Deep Dive' on Domestika explores advanced storytelling through visual traits and archetypes. It’s a natural next step after mastering the basics in this course.
• Reference: Drawabox.com offers free structured lessons in line control and perspective that reinforce core drawing fundamentals. Its exercises support long-term technical improvement beyond the course duration.

Common Pitfalls

• Pitfall: Rushing through foundational modules can lead to weak proportions and stiff poses later on. Take time to master head-to-body ratios and gesture drawing before moving to details.
• Pitfall: Overemphasizing realism may stifle creative expression in character design. Remember that exaggeration and stylization are key tools for conveying personality and narrative.
• Pitfall: Neglecting silhouette clarity can result in characters that lack visual impact. Always test your designs by turning them into solid black shapes to ensure readability.
• Pitfall: Copying existing characters too closely risks plagiarism and limits originality. Use inspiration as a springboard, but focus on inventing unique combinations of traits and styles.
• Pitfall: Skipping expression studies leads to flat, emotionless faces. Practice drawing the same character with joy, anger, and surprise to build emotional range.
• Pitfall: Ignoring clothing folds and fabric weight makes outfits look unnatural. Study how gravity and movement affect different materials to add realism to your designs.

Time & Money ROI

• Time: Expect 6–8 months of part-time study to complete all modules and refine your final project. Dedicate at least 3 hours per week to stay on track with the course’s pacing.
• Cost-to-value: At Udemy’s frequent discount rates, this course offers exceptional value for its depth and structure. Even at full price, the lifetime access justifies the investment for serious beginners.
• Certificate: While not a formal credential, the completion certificate demonstrates dedication to potential clients or employers. It’s most effective when paired with a strong portfolio of original work.
• Alternative: Free YouTube tutorials can teach similar skills but lack the organized progression and project guidance of this course. The structured path saves time and reduces learning confusion.
• Income Potential: Entry-level roles in animation or gaming start around $40K, and this course prepares foundational skills needed to compete. A strong portfolio developed here can open freelance opportunities.
• Resale Value: Skills learned are transferable across industries including comics, advertising, and game design. This versatility increases long-term career adaptability and earning potential.
• Opportunity Cost: Delaying enrollment means postponing skill development and portfolio building, which could delay job or freelance opportunities. Starting now accelerates your creative career timeline.
• Upskill Speed: Compared to traditional art school, this course delivers targeted training in under a year. The focused curriculum eliminates unnecessary coursework, maximizing learning efficiency.

Editorial Verdict

Character Art School: The Complete Character Drawing Course is a standout choice for beginners seeking a structured, comprehensive introduction to character design. Its methodical breakdown of anatomy, expression, and visual storytelling ensures that even complete newcomers can build confidence and competence progressively. The inclusion of a final portfolio project transforms learning into tangible outcomes, giving students not just knowledge but also a professional asset. With lifetime access and a high user rating, it delivers exceptional value for its price point, especially during Udemy sales. The course excels in guiding learners from blank page to finished character with clarity and purpose.

That said, it’s best suited for those starting their artistic journey or transitioning from casual doodling to intentional design. Advanced artists may need to look elsewhere for cutting-edge techniques or digital workflow training. However, for its target audience, the course fulfills its promises with precision and care. By combining foundational theory with hands-on practice, it creates a fertile ground for creativity to grow. When paired with supplementary resources and consistent effort, the skills gained here can launch a serious pursuit in illustration or concept art. Ultimately, this course isn’t just about drawing characters—it’s about learning to think like a designer, and that mindset shift is invaluable.