3 Ways to Derivative-Proof Your Characters!

[@lordodysseus]

Totally original quote and not derivative of anything else that I definitely didn't steal: "If you steal from one author, it's plagiarism; if you steal from many, it's research."

[@francofoohs2667]

man you're wise!!! But this is my phrase now

[@raekumnertsena8004]

This video totally explains something that happened to me recently! A friend showed me that a younger artist had copied one of my designs, and my friend really wanted me to say something educational to her about the dangers of copying people's work. When I went to her drawing, I saw that another artist had already commented on a solution to the plagiarism: "Add more details to make it original!" Oof. No matter how many extra details and color changes she added, it was still my apple pie, but with a lot of (frankly wasted) effort put into piling extra toppings on it. Wish I'd had this video on hand at the time--you explain the problem so well, and she was really trying to learn. I ended up letting it go that time, but next time, Brookes to the rescue!

[@arandompotate4908]

He needs way more subscribers. Anyone who hasn't subscribed yet, do it

[@mattdoesstuff8987]

Dang right he does.

[@nonamea9177]

Indeed

[@pizzafaceplushletsplayandm7765]

amen great advice

[@Birthnote]

I just check in on his videos every now and again. Got his channel memorized.

[@tinx713]

I say 122K is a decent amount

[@dissonanceparadiddle]

Funny you bring up Sonic. There's a project I want to do to draw the cast in the Beatrix Potter style but man that woman was a master

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Ooh fantastic reference point, she was indeed

[@dissonanceparadiddle]

@@CharacterDesignForge I basically have to draw real animals with so much detail. How did she do it in water color 😅

[@j.s.elliot7121]

@@dissonanceparadiddle Late to the party on this one, but with translucent colors and much layering on high quality paper. :)

[@Otra_Chica_de_Internet]

I thought you meant Bellatrix Letrange for a bit bc I misread your comment lmao

[@ChaosRayZero]

@@dissonanceparadiddle Did you ever draw it? Because _I'm hooked! I want to see it!_ It sounds *_precious!!!_* 😍

[@cuttlesquish6723]

I like all the food analogies, they make the concept more... digestible.

[@stephaniewozny3852]

I'm feeling called out. Slightly uncomfortable, but y'know, necessary. I'll take it. (thanks for the great advice, Brookes!)

[@Lobstro]

"It's harder to make something starting off with an apple pie as an ingredient." Clearly you've never had a pie shake.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

It sounds great but il keep the analogy

[@off-the-grounder568]

Harder, not impossible.

[@ChaosRayZero]

Or pie á la mode. _I haven't tasted an apple pie yet that DIDN'T get way better with the ADDED INGREDIENT of vanilla ice-cream!_ 😋

[@TheApoke]

Poutine: am I a joke to you??

[@carlosroo5460]

And not a very good one.

[@Stratelier]

The middle section of your video resonates with my personal experience so strongly, in particular the "low-poly 3D models". Back in the PS1 days I played _Spyro the Dragon_ and seeing that low-poly animation firsthand finally gave me the eureka-moment of just *how* to manage shapes in character composition! Also, I currently have plans for a character (nicknamed "Steve") who is intended to be an homage to something from a pre-existing game. I am already aware that his design will be particularly challenging....

[@ProphetEKA]

So, I followed your advice and I think I did it. I got this brand new character, right. Names Timmy the Copywright. He's a pale yellow porcupine looking critter in crimson running shoes. You've never seen nothin' like him before in your life. Trust. = )

[@CharacterDesignForge]

O NO

[@Catpuff818]

Dude musical theater is a gold mine for inspiration. Also high fashion. Usually for me it's the shapes and use of colors that make me go "whoa this part right here I could see myself using this" as the cinnamon to my cinnamon cheesecake. Damn it Brookes! You're making me hungry! xD but for real tho very good metaphor.

[@xQuandaleDinglex]

BOI! How did you know I needed this????? WHAT THE HECC.

[@joemama7487]

I needed this so bad today... thanks!

[@pancakehouse3792]

I don’t see anything wrong with using other character designs as reference, as long as you’re reverse engineering it and studying the artist’s process. I find that strategy very useful actually. Helps me diversify.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Right, that would be a study process, not the design process.

[@Jaegar19Ultima-u9d]

@@CharacterDesignForge How many designs of something can be gone through before it all looks the same? Remember there are 9 billion people on the planet and no idea no matter how good isn't original. I think that derivative works need to be lax but not lax to the point where even if enough change and difference exists that one key piece would be enough to slap a lawsuit over. Take the eye style of sonic's characters if you make any other design with that key piece people would consider anything done with that as fanart or rip off. The way I see it is this, if you're not basically ripping something off and it's as original as it can be it should be allowed. Whether you make money on it or not.

[@cndy968]

*stares at character I made that looks enough like an existing character that it could be weird au fanart* ...time to watch brookes video on derivatives

[@flunkskunk]

Damn, that last tip was super helpful.. now I have the perfect “inspired” mouse character!

[@biodegradation691]

Aaaa I needed this so badly, today you have no idea haha!! I just started a 2d animation class and had no idea how make my ideas with my character and story original, but this really helped! Thank you so much!! :^D

[@Barada73]

JC Leyendecker is one of my all time favorite artists. Nice reference there.

[@djalmadias4915]

What if I merge my hedgehog character with, say, a Pokemon? Asking for a friend

[@CharacterDesignForge]

😂 “once again, the trolls...”

[@jiffy_draws]

I think a custom car is a good analogy. A car made of a bunch of parts from other cars is a new car, but a car made from 90 percent of one car type then it is just a repair.

[@Jaegar19Ultima-u9d]

But if you can't even use the 30% rule then how much in art is considered rip off? Someone on Quora once told me that if you borrow a key design piece from a character if it's recognizable then people will make that distinction. That the key was not to make it obvious.

[@areoants9453]

Hey, thanks for the advice! I'll be sure to make that mouse character really stick out!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

youre gonna go so far with nickey nouse

[@mindofthelion712]

Mickey Moose and Ronald Duck

[@Barada73]

Oh yeah, and using that Mickey Mouse reference sheet, try visualizing Mickey’s ears in a 3D space, then explain how they work.

[@rainpooper7088]

Nathan Rosario The Epic Mickey games actually deliberately programmed his ears to face the camera at all times.

[@thatnike2604]

My theory is that his ears are actually 4D because it looks the same from all directions

[@kakao-katze]

Rainpooper Ah, moment of silence for Epic Mickey... We will never forget ye.

[@JaneXemylixa]

Making a hedgehog character is HARD tho. I've been trying to come up with a (non-anthropomorphic) design for months.

[@dee779]

I love how the animated intros look like you're about to start a game.

[@OrangeDragonofDusk]

Thank you for preaching this! I received similar advice from a pro when my characters ended up getting the same face/design syndrome. Now I tend to print off my animal references and keep them in a folder next to character concepts. Completely agree that folks shouldn't be taking other styles directly.

[@Jaegar19Ultima-u9d]

It's not the taking of other styles it's people need to understand NOT to copy them but use and twist them around to make your own designs. There's only so many shapes and ways to make those shapes.

[@kichellemcshine5]

Lol I substitute pancake mix for flower :3 yeah I forgot how to spell the other type of flower.

[@KhayJayArt]

It's spelled "flour".

[@noellerutledge8789]

Completely ignore pop culture so when someone accuses you of copying something it has no valid basis because you didn't even know that it is that they're talking about? Cause That's what I've been doing

[@relaxium3618]

What about the cases you need to design a character, who is abstraction of abstraction? I'm currently need my special brand of cartoon ghosts to go with my novel. My approach initially was to pinpoint details I wanted my ghosts to have: I wanted them to be translucent, to have a ghost-tail and big eyes, which can be spooky, soulful or cute depending on a scene. Still I couldn't make my ghosts special enough. So I tried deconstruct existing abstractions of cartoon ghosts (spermatozoids, human silhouette, fog, draping fabric/bed-sheet/costume, slime, light, vapor or water, all that). Then I came to this video. But I still feel something is missing from my research. So, how to work on a character, that is based on an abstract concept to begin with? How to use such a limited visual vocabulary to create something recognisable, but with special personal touch?

[@FireBlastStudios]

2:48 ORIGINAL CHARACTER DO NOT STEAL

[@kakao-katze]

Okay, not only did I find out about multiple different artists from this video and the comment section, but the part where you said a popular youtuber said that you should look at reference photos of the type of character you want to design to start out, stood out to me. I remember when I was a wee little artist starting out in the wondrous world of character design, I was watching draw with jazza and clicked on one of his tutorials for character design where he said the same thing. I'm not assuming that was him, (he did recommend google images instead of Pinterest,) I just wanted to point that out.

[@zoruasnivy]

This is why I often look up different reference images, instead of just working from a single one. I'll look up different types of fashion, and try to pull inspiration from multiple kinds. An example is a female character I recently designed who I wanted to look practical, but still have a few touches that indicate she is not completely stoic, and more fragile. I ended up researching armour, as well as dresses and other clothes from the time period I wanted. Even when making something that IS a fan character, you can go about it in a unique way, by pulling inspiration from more sources than just whatever you happen to be trying to adapt. If you do it well enough, you should only need a few steps to turn the character into something entirely unrelated to the material you are using as reference. Obviously I don't recommend doing that if you want something 100% original though... Research is really key.

[@alicepow260]

How many swords do I need to give my Sonic OC until he's not derivative of Sonic? Serious replies only.

[@IrismonoYT]

Enough to armor him entirely in swords. Better yet, cut out the hedgehog part and make it a giant cluster of nothing but swords.

[@deadbeatnetwork9792]

@@IrismonoYT You know, that actually sounds pretty cool. Just imagine a character who is a sentient cluster of swords that floats around. Perhaps it could also have a Shakespearean accent because why not?

[@RosheenQuynh]

I've always thought about how art, in all forms, is just inspiration taken form, but your description at the end makes much more sense!

[@TalmoTheSell]

I've always wanted to make a character like Kirby, pretty much a small cute ball character, but I'm still trying to figure out how I can do that cuz he's not an already existing creature.

[@artemiscy1194]

Well Kirby is just a pink ball with stubby arms and feet with the ability to suck. Kirby is a pretty simple character to dissect. In addition to this video, I suggest you watch the KNKL show on KZbin about concept art that is part of a series. He goes in depth on how to make your own character. Concept Art Bootcamp I believe it's called.

[@flexibleincarnate7064]

You could give him a bunch of legs along his bottom like a centipede

[@jonathanmalski]

A lot of good metaphors in this video. I like the apple pie analogy the most. It makes a lot of sense! Often I find myself creating characters based on other characters I've created. Most of them are meant to be background characters, but what would you say is the best way to prevent these types of characters from becoming derivative?

[@GoodBloodGames]

I'm here for that livestream.

[@sabersquid2523]

Omg I actually needed this thank you so much

[@wiffywiffy7896]

"Or diversify outside of your specific niche of shonen manga" I feel called out

[@BROXBasher]

In a sense, if you guys have fantastical worlds, or places that have a different aesthetic to current technology, then this doesn’t have to apply to just characters. I followed a couple of these steps before even seeing the video when coming up with a futuristic phone device. Instead of using the concept of a smartphone, I thought back to the basic function of a phone and built from that. Not just phones too, there’s a whole slew of things you could think back to their basic capabilities of and build from that!

[@dannymendiola]

From this video I gained both knowledge and a desire for food

[@skytheidiott]

5:14 I feel called out xD

[@zackakai5173]

1:56 came here after watching GenoSamuel's series on Chris-Chan and I giggled a bit at this part

[@CharacterDesignForge]

OOF

[@sillybeanthing]

I always go off the source material. Google has so many images of animals and things and go from there. I figure out how whatever I'm drawing works in a 3d space and move them into a drawing of said character or whatever. It's fun drawing other people's characters and they panic because the art I'm drawing is more accurate to the animal they are than the animal that their reference sheet is resembling.

[@Surkk2960]

As someone who doesn't go much places, I try to be original with my work, but I really don't know how to tell honestly. I do research of the objects before I start drawing though. Regardless, this is good info, I'll try to keep it in mind when building.

[@dragonairice3375]

5:01 okay, was NOT expecting glitch Tech's to show up like that. I may have fangirled a bit.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

It's super well done!

[@dragonairice3375]

@@CharacterDesignForge Yeah it really is!

[@dragonairice3375]

@@CharacterDesignForge Love your videos by the way!

[@ryantwombly720]

That shirt is sooo derivative of a shirt I wore yesterday. Nice shirt.

[@Vol-Tear]

7:17 - 7:44 YES a thousand times yes. I have had a fair few instances where me and my mates have tried making something unique only to find out that someone else already did it ; On our own we each made our own tree of life without knowing the other had the idea only to find that Norse mythology also had one. I made a personal logo that combined a horse eye with a cat eye only to discover an Anime called Naruto did it first with a fox eye and a toad eye, I tired making the logo more straight lined and it showed up in the elevator glass in Thor Ragnarok so I said **** it I am keeping it as is. we have all just agreed not to throw away good work because it is like something else, because if you look hard enough you will find something similar, just do not outright plagiarise.

[@landonj7863]

I love that you worked a Sonic at home joke in there. 😂 If you have ever doubted your ability to be hip wit da times, don’t. 👍🏾 Great video as usual!

[@ange100arteaga]

Nice

[@ladyseshiiria]

What about stock characters? Like you said in the pinterest example. Many people create what they call stock or trope characters because there is no originality. Female pirate dressed in red or in red cloak or jacket is a trope. Blonde elf male archer. Black leather assassin. Etc...

[@karou3205]

But what if the character we're inspired by comes from a book? If nobody has ever actually SEEN that character, is it okay to create one which is very inspired by it?

[@a.j.morrow5533]

Wooo!!! Thousand Year Door!!!!!!

[@SirMasi]

Great advice! Have you considered giving homework/challenges to accompany your lessons? Might be a fun way for us to practice and build the community 🙂

[@noamotagoveia2363]

That was convenient to me :)

[@Kyamusuku]

once again i am enlightened, amused, and wishing i could get a patreon.😊

[@sylvanshroom]

Ayy love to see J.C. Leyendecker in there! Great vid as always Brookes 😊

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Leyendecker for Lifendecker!

[@BlazingKhioneus]

Would I be able to post a link to a character bio and your take on if it's too derivative?

[@PersonalPineapple]

The blue thing on your finger and the blue background made me think a section of your finger was missing

[@cybercrrgm799]

O.o I must be weird I never copied my influence which is heavy metal fantasy art. 😬 In fact I just dove into drawing and learning fundamentals. I feel like I don't have a refined style despite what I've been told. I often feel bland. For me what happened is I got influenced by the very thing I was trying to avoid because let's face it when everyone is doing it and it's all you see most the time, it creeps in. *Insert hair pull emote* I still lack fundamentals though I'm still learning. I'm always learning, this year I'm going into hyper realism or realism more. I'm tossing away semi realism cartoon mixed pinups. I'm officially bored. Also for me I have a hard time copying style as I perhaps had to rigid of a mindset with my linework. I get told I have line confidence and I'm not so sketchy and relaxed or scribbly where as I miss being relaxed. Tsk tsk I lost experimentation. That is this year's major goal.

[@HeartlessReaperKun]

Thank you, this is very useful!

[@Bryan-dg9op]

4

[@areoants9453]

4

[@mattdoesstuff8987]

*F O U R*

[@KhayJayArt]

5

[@jackeroni216]

4

[@grahamwelch5011]

Awesome, another great video. Can't wait for next week :D

[@mattdoesstuff8987]

"Hey bro, want to make pizza? I gotchu. Listen, all you gotta do, is call up your local pizza establishment, order a large pepperoni and extra cheese, and boom. You're got pizza. Please leave a like, subscribe, and click the notification bell."

[@karou3205]

WHAT THE FRECKKK?!?!?! I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT A CHARACTER OF MINE WHICH IS WAAAYY TOO SIMILAR WITH THE ONE HE'S INSPIRED BY :000 woah super timing lol

[@fortifiedpancake]

I can't remember the name of the guy who does the finger puppets that you showed but I've thought for a while that you kinda look like him

[@guynamedrick4419]

Strange tip take a character you like Mario than ask yourself some questions. What if he was a woman? What if he had chicken powers? What if he owned a Pizzeria? What if he was Evil? Try to answer and combine these questions and answers with your own creativity to see if you like them. If the answers that you receive seem to be unhelpful then try to study a more or less complex character that you can transform into new ones. Some good examples would be Waluigi, Patrick Star. Egg Man, Jason Voorhees, Jorgan Von Strangle, & Knuckles. What ever you do with these deconstructions try not to make an abomination of traits or end up with a bootleg character.

[@jonathanfranco8547]

I'm a simple man. I see Paper Mario TTYD, I like.

[@mindofthelion712]

Don't think I didn't see you sneak Barnaby Dixon into here

[@guynamedrick4419]

Good Stuff.

[@xic777]

damn good video can be applied for video games too

[@banakon]

um this is my OC uzumaki sasuke, he's a ninja from the city of trees, and he has a demon blood curse from a snake scientist. . . no he's an original character. no he's not a naruto OC.

[@pizzafaceplushletsplayandm7765]

can i sill use stick figures though?

[@josh___something]

you stretched the food analogy to the point that it honestly made it way harder to process exactly what you were trying to say... Might just be me, but the point did get foggy overtime

[@elbraguetabierta]

god vid. max love

[@gunjfur8633]

Isn't all art derivative?

[@geekwhoeatsrice]

I guess you can say this video is integral to having work that is anti-derivative. It's a math joke. Sorry.

[@snomvish]

Anyone else draw exclusively at 10:00pm to 12:00am?

[@hyenagametalk7293]

no not cookies, im making chicken

[@jackeroni216]

Why does the video look lip-synced?

[@CharacterDesignForge]

My actual voice is like a squeedgie on a chalk board so I hired a professional

[@jackeroni216]

wait what... how have i not noticed until now!?

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Jackeroni Draws XD my audio actually IS recorded from an audio line and not directly to the camera, so there can be times its off- id recommend checking if anything else is desynced on your end though

[@hewwobble]

fun fact: you can actually get high off of nutmeg. its not great - its actually very bad (plz dont do it, i got a reallly bad headache afterwards)

[@Call_Me_TUA]

He looks a bit blue or purple.

[@kurtlara7921]

You need to become very rich