Perhaps you want to create an original character (OO) for a story, novel, comic book, or other creative project. Coming up with a unique and real character is not easy, but a number of powerful methods will come to your aid. One of the best ways to work out complex and elaborate characters is with a character sheet. In addition, you can develop characters at the stage of working out the scenes. Also try drawing a character. Make some rough sketches to sand down the details, and then sketch out the final version.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: How to Create a Character Sheet
Step 1. Enter your personal and biographical information at the top of the sheet
You must include your name, age, place of birth and residence, as well as basic personal information such as species and gender. Write down as many details as you can that come to mind. It's perfectly okay if you don't know your character completely yet.
- You can write: "Alice, 25 years old, was born at home, lives in the small town of Magrad, a man, a witch, a girl, has magical powers."
- If you are not sure about the details, then leave a blank space that you can fill in later. Sometimes it takes time to understand your character.
Advice
create your own character sheet or use a template found on the internet.
Step 2. Explain the character's role in the story
The character must play a role in the story you want to tell. Think about how your OP will affect the plot, then assign a base role to it. Changes can be made later, but it is important to have at least a general understanding of this.
- For example, your character might be a hero, villain, femme fatale, wise old man, writer, or social worker. So, a female character who uses attractive looks as a mask, but is actually engaged in theft, can become a femme fatale.
- A character can play more than one role. For example, a male character who falls in love with a girl and saves a city might be a hero and a romantic.
Advice
Offer your own interpretation of traditional archetypes like the chosen one, hero, antihero, villain, mentor, guardian, orphan, seductress, lover, innocent, or loner. Choose an archetype that suits your character, but complement it with unique qualities to create an original character.
Step 3. Describe the character's appearance
Think about what your character looks like. Describe the main features of his appearance, the usual clothes, movements and postures. At this stage, use as many details as you see fit. The list can always be updated later.
You can write: “Alice is short, with a plump figure and pale skin. She has black curly hair and gray eyes with a yellow sheen. Prefers dresses in black, bright blue or dark purple. On his hands there are traces of burns from magical potions, on his chest there is a large scar due to a wrong spell. Alice is proud of her witch lineage and always walks with confidence. Chin up.”
Step 4. Describe the origin of the character
Tell us about the past and the events that brought him to the current point of the plot. Talk about the character's actions and experiences. Point out the important events that shaped the character.
For example, “Alice has lived in a small town all her life and considers herself the most talented witch in the family. Alice did not go to school, her parents were engaged in her education, who instilled in her family views and values, but told little about modern society. She always works hard on new spells, which annoys the rest of the relatives a lot. Parents have always supported their daughter and raised her self-esteem, as a result of which Alice gained excessive confidence in her abilities. After the sudden disappearance of her parents, Alice goes in search, but her excessive arrogance often forces her to make mistakes.”
Step 5. List the character's personal qualities, talents, and achievements
Consider 5-10 qualities that are really important. List possible talents, such as the ability to sing well, run fast, or use spells. Then consider the main accomplishments of the character that he can be proud of.
- Describe his relationship to life. Is the character an optimist, pessimist or realist?
- Alice's personality traits can include hard work, determination, quick thinking, creativity, friendliness, and loyalty. Talents may include her ability to brew potions, use spells, and sing. Achievements include the cases when she made the first potion at the age of five, became the winner of the magic pie competition, as well as legal possession of the family book of spells.
Advice
Give your character a weird quirk that better reveals his personality. For example, Alice may have a habit of waving her wrist lightly during conversations, as she casts spells frequently.
Step 6. Explain the character's flaws to make it more realistic
There is always the temptation to create the perfect character, but it will look implausible. Everyone has flaws, so come up with flaws that fit. These can be personal qualities, external flaws, or committed mistakes. Describe any flaws in the character sheet.
For example, Alice may be overconfident, naive, or hasty. Physical disabilities may include her burns and scars, inability to run fast, and weakness. Perhaps she made a mistake and trusted the wrong person
Step 7. Give your character a fear that can become a hindrance
Everyone is afraid of something, so fear will make the character more real. In addition, it will allow you to complement the plot with a specific threat. Indicate on the character sheet his main fear.
For example, Alice is afraid of losing her parents forever. In addition, she is afraid to leave her hometown, but without this she will not be able to find her parents
Step 8. Determine the character's motivation and desires
Each character must have motivation, with which his desires are closely linked. This will move the plot forward. Think about what the character might want in terms of logic.
- If you've already come up with a storyline, determine the motivation based on the storyline. What is the main conflict? What is the character missing? This will surely be his motivation.
- In Alice's case, the motivation may be to find parents. She also probably wants to prove that she is a talented witch.
Method 2 of 3: How to develop your character
Step 1. Ask questions to the character to ensure development
Make a list of questions to ask your character, or find sample questions on the internet. Go through the entire list and provide answers from a character's point of view. Answers should be based on his background, personality type and desires.
- Examples of questions: "What's your favorite food?", "Do you have pets?", "What kind of relationship with your family are you in?" “What would be your dream job?”, “Who do you trust the most?”, “What does your bedroom look like?”.
- For example, Alice's favorite food might be homemade popcorn, as she really enjoys the salty-sweet taste. Perhaps she has a ginger cat and a black cat.
Step 2. Create a unique voice that will reflect the personality of the character
Give your character an accent or a way of speaking that betrays his background and personality. You can also use words and sentence structure that will show his level of education and place in society. Speech will allow readers to better understand the character.
For example, Alice can use outdated words in speech and speak random rhymes due to the frequent use of spells: "Lie down and close your eyes if you are very tired."
Step 3. Show your character in everyday situations
To better understand the character, observe him in daily life. How he cooks, drinks coffee, cleans, drives a car and communicates with the administrator. Consider how the character behaves during such moments.
- For example, Alice does the cleaning and prepares food with spells. It may be difficult for her to go shopping, since magic cannot be used in the store. This will show that she relies too much on her magical abilities.
- As an example, you can show how Alice tries to borrow a book from the library. Perhaps she blushes and speaks in conversation with the librarian, and also does not look in the eyes. The reason may be her shyness.
Step 4. Give your character a point of view on an important issue
Real people have their own opinions, which are also important for the characters. Think about the issues that are important to the character, and then describe their point of view. Opinions are important for development.
For example, Alice believes that sorcerers should live separately from ordinary people. Therefore, it is difficult for her to communicate with people. Perhaps this will cause a conflict with other witches
Step 5. Develop the character's relationship with other actors
Show how your character interacts with relatives, friends, or an antagonist. Each character should be unique so you can see the similarities and differences between them. This will help you to better understand the OP and its essence, motives.
For example, Alice's best friend is Trixie. One day they meet a wounded sorcerer in the forest. Alice tries to help and offers him the rest of the food and water, while Trixie rolls her eyes and says that Alice is wasting her time. Trixie goes for help but returns too late as she is distracted along the way. This shows that Alice is very responsive and Trixie is unreliable
Step 6. Make your character feel deprivation to create tension
Create problems for your character and deprive him of what he wants. Erect obstacles that will prevent him from reaching the goal, so that the character develops and arouses empathy.
For example, Alice almost found her parents, but suddenly lost her trail. She also realized that her best friend Trixie was secretly helping the kidnappers
Method 3 of 3: How to draw a character
Step 1. First, create a character sheet or basic idea
Start drawing when you have a general description. It is best to start with a character sheet to get an accurate idea. If you do not want to go into details yet, then define the role of the character in the plot and external features.
- The basic idea for Alice could be: "A short witch with dark hair in a black dress, in the plot she is assigned the role of the heroine."
- Trixie: "Tall red-haired witch in jeans and a yellow T-shirt, undercover villain."
Step 2. Choose a distinctive pose for your character
Posture and posture can tell a lot about a character. Think about it with your personality and goals in mind. Try to imagine the silhouette of the character. This will help you with your first sketch.
- For example, Alice stands upright, her hand rests on her thigh, her nose is turned up.
- Trixie's gaze is directed downward and to the side. Hands are pressed to the chest, as if it is hiding something.
Step 3. Create some sketches to select the look you want
Quickly sketch out the main look. Make some sketches to try on different details and angles. Consider your options and choose a preferred look.
- Sketching will also help you warm up before doing the main job.
- Don't think about mistakes. Sketches can look sloppy and don't need to be finished.
Advice
draw the character from different angles to consider several options.
Step 4. Choose clothes and accessories that match the personality of the character
The outfit complements the performance. Select the type of clothing, color and accessories. Think about how your character prefers to dress, and then create a matching outfit.
- For example, Alice may wear fluttering dresses because she considers them to be witchy, as is the case with dark colors. As an accessory, she may prefer an old medallion with a portrait of her grandmother.
- Trixie may prefer modern clothing as it doesn't follow tradition. She also chooses bright colors to appear happy, when in fact she is not. As accessories, she opted for a fox bag, which would once have been her pet.
Step 5. Draw the characters from the sketches
Get to work when you have decided exactly the pose and appearance of the character. Draw on paper or on a computer. The number of details depends only on your preference.
- You can use a dedicated drawing application.
- If a drawing is needed only for inspiration and no one will see it, then it should not look perfect.
- If you want to draw a comic, then redraw the character many times. Do not give up and soon the result will exceed your expectations!
Advice
- You will probably notice some similarities between existing characters and your OP. It's okay if you don't copy other people's work.
- A character doesn't have to be perfect in every way to look real. He must have both talents and flaws.
- Get inspired by characters from books, comics and movies.
- Pretend to be your character to better understand his feelings and views.