Color Theory for Character Designers: Tips and Tricks

A unique class using color theory to inspire character design.

This course starts with a look at how artists (of all kinds) put color to use. Then, a brief study in what makes cartoon color so unique. Once our mind gears are turning, we'll jump into Photoshop CC with a class project that will give you the tools and techniques necessary to bring more vibrancy to your drawings.

Here are the topics I'll be covering:

• A brief history of color and art
• A look at how color communicates
• The fundamentals of using color in cartooning
• Planning for color while sketching and inking
• Block coloring in Photoshop CC
• Refining the hues, saturation and value of an image
• Color lighting techniques (line color and rim light)

All you'll need for this class is a basic understanding of Adobe Photoshop CC (most older versions will work too).

• Introduction
• Class Overview
• Lesson: Story of Color pt. 1
• Lesson: Story of Color pt. 2
• Lesson: Story of Color pt. 3
• Lesson: Communicating with Color
• Lesson: Color and Cartoons
• Lesson: Hues of a Story
• Lesson: Color Script for Pixar's Up
• Lesson: Style and Character
• Project : Settings, Tools, Short Cuts
• Project: Inspiration and Guidelines
• Project: Three Stage Sketching
• Project: Inking
• Project: Color Blocking
• Project: Refining The Hues
• Project: Saturation and Value
• Bonus! Line Color and Rim Light
• Wrap It Up