Bring Your Alter Ego to Life

You know that feeling when you just want to escape reality for a bit and dive into a world of your own creation? Well, what if I told you that you could do just that through this week’s prompt: Design & Create Your Alter Ego. 

We were inspired to create this prompt by Frank Calico’s use of techniques in our NEW Master Digital Drawing Book, as well as Kenneth Anderson’s exciting course on Creating Expressive Characters. 

Now, take some time to think about what type of character you want your alter ego to be. This character could be your superhero self, your mischievous twin, your futuristic avatar – the possibilities are endless!

Whether you want to design a swashbuckling pirate sailing the seven seas or a brilliant scientist exploring the cosmos, the choice is entirely yours. This is your chance to let your creativity run wild and craft a character that truly embodies your innermost desires, quirks, and aspirations.

Once you’ve thought about what you want your alter ego to be, let’s dive in with some helpful tips to get you started. 

Start with Sketching 

Begin by sketching out rough outlines and basic shapes to define your character’s proportions and pose. Don’t worry about perfection at this stage – focus on capturing the essence of your alter ego.

Refine with Details

Once you’re happy with the overall composition, start adding details to your character. Think about their clothing, accessories, facial features, and any defining characteristics that set them apart.

Experiment with Color

Don’t be afraid to experiment with color palettes to evoke mood and atmosphere in your drawing. Consider the personality of your alter ego and choose colors that reflect their traits and temperament.

Create A Story For Your Alter Ego

Once you’ve created your character, feel free to give them a name, a backstory, and any other details that bring them to life. You can use your character’s story to enhance your drawing by thinking about their personality. What are their strengths and weaknesses? Their likes and dislikes? 

And here’s the best part – once you’ve fleshed out your alter ego, you can use them as a source of inspiration, motivation, or just good old-fashioned fun. Whether you want to write stories starring your alter ego, create artwork featuring them, or simply daydream about their adventures, the choice is yours.

For those of you who want to take your drawing to the next level, you can study with Kenneth Anderson in his course on Creating Expressive Characters. Or, if you’re looking to dive into the world of digital art check out our book: Master Digital Drawing, featuring a section on drawing digital characters with Frank Calico. 

So, are you ready to unleash your creativity and bring your alter ego to life?