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[Akiba66]

This is very helpful indeed. My method is kinda off. Which ever one of the major ideas I come up with first establishes the rest of them. Like with Rolly from Clash I came up with the abilities first which are mainly explosive and offensive, then the personality which is basically the reactive outspoken type(at least that's the idea),his background, then appearance (which has gone through revision) and lastly his name which was kinda picked out of a hat.

[WeponizedNZ]

when i event characters i start with finding the personality to fit perfectly into my story, then i create the appearance to best suit the person, i don't plan out what their favorite things or fears are i just invent those as i need them sort of like asking the character what those things are because i know them very well

[crowheart7]

I do brief 1 word descriptions for most of the categories, just for my own reference

I reveal who they are to the audience through their actions mostly.

[Corycaly]

Either you draw or write those informations are useful.

Each character has to be detailed and defined: it helps the writer to develop the story and it helps the drawer to "feel " the character and give it a real identity while drawing.

From the writer's point of view: the more you know the characters, the more you can "feel "them and develop precisely their reactions and role in the story.

From the artist's point of view: It's a problem to draw characters when you don't know them because  their identity and story is closely linked to their appearance. Each detail you draw has to show the reader who is the character.

Maybe it may be long to build up all details but the result depends of it, even more when the writer isn't the drawer.

[Iceh]

I find a character sheet, and especially one that detailed.. mostly useless..
Especially for the kind of way I create my characters.

This is my process (that may or may not be bizarre):
-I draw the characters
-I think up a basic story and/or scenario
-The characters start to develop a  personality over time, as the story develops and they scenarios do as well.

A better character sheet might consist of questions like:

1. Their icecream fell on the floor!! How do they react?
2. They ate too much food, and now they have a stomach ache. What was the food, and why did they eat so much of it?
3. Etc.

That way, you'll develop the character's personality instead of their ...surroundings and such. I think that should come last. Especially if the character is not tied into a story or anything. Also, answering questions like that (in a sort of reminsent of a character meme) way, will be a lot more fun.. and you'll probably get a lot more done. =)


Yuppers, that's my opinion.
And it's worked out pretty well so far...
Good luck everyone with their characters!

[MrDeadone]

Its a long list but I like welldefined characters. I might use it for my character profiles. thanks.   

[Litt]

Whoa, I just kind of make up characters according to my imagination and then just throw in facts about them along the way, I never go that detailed since I only write. I guess it may help me visualize my character better if I did, but it seems like too much trouble for me, I'm way too lazy to even try it.

[Monsterful]

That's actually too much information, you will rarely see this much on a character design (if you ever see it anyway).

It's actually helpful but I would shorten it to only the most important information and other miscellaneous stuff.

As for myself I use this method:

1- I either draw the character or write it's characteristics first.

2- The first step influences the second. (either draw/write)

3- I create alternative designs for it.

4- Any original design I create is like a child to me so I'll safely store it.

XD

[Ohji]

alot of the stuf posted here i do alot but tbh i find that a char. corrilation chart of the main chrs helps alot with the development of chars, adding or removing chars as it goes along and adjusting it as your story itself develops. music helps as well, some of my best chars was created while listening to music like pink floyd, J-rock/pop and such. letting the mood flow from the speakers to the paper. 

[Iceh]

Another tip is- draw what you think is the most important feature to characters that you draw.
That could either be the eyes or the hair or the.. whatever really.
But personally for me, it's the eyes and the hair.

When I'm trying to create a character, I invision the character in my mind (if I have a design I'm trying to set out for) then start doodling eyes like a crazy mad man.
Once I get an eye I like, I draw hair around it. Once I get that where I like it.. I start drawing the entire face.

Also, I don't keep erasing and redrawing. It's better to see your progress. Don't erase anything and move on if you don't like something. It's good to look back on something and be like, "Well.. actually, I liked that better."
It's like having "history" on PS. But better.

[matsurinoaoi]

When I create a character...I dunno...it's like it just "happens". I usually draw characters as a chibi first, because it's pretty basic and I can build off of it. I almost always think of personalities and basic history of a character first. Those just pop into my head and pile up...but that's just how I do it. XP

[legomaestro]

I use a massive character list, which asks really odd questions, but it works well for me, alas, i'm still struggling to find a way to potray a character's characteristics through his dialogue, an important aspect, but so hard for me!

[animeABC]

oh thanks for this

[Vessy]

Hmm, yeah I think that that list is nice for organization... and I like to be organized (at least on my computer) but everyone I create someone, it's all up here -taps head- I don't need stuff like that. If there's a specific thing I need to remember about someone, I remember it. Like what makes them special. If I forget it, it probably wasn't a good idea anyway.
And sometimes it's fun to just write about someone you have no idea how they act like, like, just start writing without any planning. It's fun XD At least for me.

[[aero]]

And sometimes it's fun to just write about someone you have no idea how they act like, like, just start writing without any planning. It's fun XD At least for me.

*points to Chimera* every... single... character...