Cartooning: The Ultimate Character Design Book

by Christopher Hart

Chris Hart’s how-to-draw books have sold in the several millions of copies. Now, in his latest, he delivers detailed instructions, inspiring ideas, and invaluable tips for creating appealing and original manga-style characters. Character design is the key to success in comic books and animated films, and with this clear step-by-step guide, it’s a skill that can be quickly learned. Starting with the basics—body types, facial features, costumes, and expressions—Chris shows how to draw a hyper kid, bratty teen, lovable pooch, cool rapper, and many other distinctive types. Then, he takes the reader on a guided tour in search of original characters in places that range from suburban malls to the glitter and glamour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction

131 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

I started drawing character designs and storyboards for a small animation studio in while in High School. Cartooning and animation was a magical experience to me. I try to bring that experience, as well as art tips, to my readers. Their enthusiasm also motivates me.

Early in my career, my cartoon work got noticed by Watson-Guptill, a premier publisher of art books. They asked me to do a book for them on drawing cartoons. It sold 200,000 copies, which is a healthy number. So we kept going. I discovered that I enjoyed the art of creating books, which has its own special requirements. I also worked as an author for Random House, Quarto and Soho Publishing. In total, I have had 8 million books sold, and have been translated into 20 languages.

My book, "The Master Guide to Drawing Anime: How to Draw Original Characters from Simple Templates" has sold over half a million copies to date and is still very actively in print. An earlier book of mine, "Manga Mania: How to Draw Japanese Comics:" reached the number one art book in the country, according to Bookscan.

I've also been a cover story on the industry trade magazine, "Publisher's Weekly." And if you've read this far into my Bio, then I'm more impressed with you than you are with me!

Thank you so very much for letting me offer some inspiration to you in your art adventures.

Christopher Hart

Reviews

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good supplementary textbook for my character design class. It's easy to read with plenty of helpful illustrations. It's an overview, so if one needed help with specific aspects, such as faces and poses, you'd like to look for an in depth book on the subject. But if you're a newbie and want a good intro text, this will do.

[Tex · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an amateur, I can use all the reference materials I can get my hands on. This one helps with how different angles imply different emotions or actions. Handy!

[a N d i E {o,o} · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a great book for any beginner's that are just beginning to learn cartooning! It is packed with tips, skills, and funny cartoon people to draw! I recommend it to everyone! :D

[Amy M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chris Hart can do retro-style cartooning (opposed to manga which he really can't), so I decided to give this book a shot. I'm also interested in taking cartooning/animation so for me I am quite a beginner in that arena. This book isn't really about character design as it proclaims but learning how to capture human characters. The difference being that design is more mood-focused and stylized where character drawing in general is about proportion and emotions. I found the expressions and retro-style useful, but for others who are looking for "design" this may not be the book for them.