designing my cowboy vampire hunter oc! ✿ character design + analysis pt.1

[@sketchesofshay]

Thanks to Milanote for sponsoring this video! Sign up for free and start your next creative project: milanote.com/sketchesofshay0324

[@t3mporarysecretary]

HES BLUE HES BLUEBERRU!!! HES BLUE ! ! ! AOQJEIONFDEUIDNE AUAAUUAH OUGH1!! HES BLUE !!! HE'S BLUEBERY BILL. SCREAMS

[@sketchesofshay]

YEAHHHHHH

[@WiLGos0up]

also, you've caused me a cowboy addiction, which I don't know how to feel about.

[@Km0ii]

i’ve already had one for a while now, shes just amplifying it exponentially 😭

[@neit_spade8090]

YEEHAW

[@L0rdOfThePies]

Yeah me too

[@stitchgor3]

Cowboys ftw

[@iibas5408]

She just keeps on feeding mine😭 i was already obsessed now i cant stop

[@Not_Fish]

How the hell do you come up with names like “Blueberry Bill” and “Strawberry Saul” they’re genuinely SUPER cool and fun! Also, the art is perfect as always!

[@sketchesofshay]

Thank you so much!! They were inspired by my love of berries, one of my fav types of food 🫐🍓💖

[@magikbeanshop]

as a black queer person i love this representation so much 😭 thanks for this breakdown

[@axeldude7051]

You had me at “cowboys” shay

[@hadrianhexe9603]

MY BOYYYYYYYY. Also i can't express how happy it makes me to see a queer black man in a leading role, it's honestly so encouraging. And finally, i'm actually watching this while also working on three main characters for 3 different stories i have in mind loolol.

[@gaygaymer]

IKR‼️‼️ ESPECIALLY SINCE COWBOYS ARE OFTEN DEPICTED AS BEING ONLY WHITE STRAIGHT AND CIS ☹️. I like how he isnt stereotyped either, just a silly little guy 😞 he just like me fr

[@hadrianhexe9603]

@@gaygaymer Agreed, it just fills me with so much happiness! The only thing i can really wish for to be different is maybe for him to be shorter since black guys are always depicted as the taller one in any given situation but otherwise he's perfect!

[@gaygaymer]

@@hadrianhexe9603 real, if he was shorter it would be cute imo

[@critiqueswanted7782]

It is stereotypical for him to be both Black and "blue". This is why beta testers are important if you're creating characters different from your personal experience.

[@moths.for.valentine]

how is it stereotypical??@@critiqueswanted7782

[@gracedespain]

The DEPTH in the character design and the symbolism aghhh geeking out a bit

[@sketchesofshay]

[@freeloading_toad]

I love how your milanote looks like a lil conspiracy theory board. It’s just missing the blue string (bc blueberries are blue)!!

[@sketchesofshay]

LOLLL exactly!!

[@Bubaiel]

It’s giving Pepe Silvio 😂

[@teaformiles]

currently im designing characters for an indie game project that ive been working on for a while and seeing how you design your characters really helps me feel more inspired and enthusiastic to design them too and i really appreciate it!!!!!! i love the way you put so much detail and thought into their shapes and tone and outfits and it genuinely helps me so much in working out how i want my own characters to look like and my process in designing them too! hope ur having a wonderful day =)

[@fredonmars]

Ooh! :0 what's the game about?

[@teaformiles]

@@fredonmarsits a 2d horror game based around ghost hunting!! im spending wayyy too much time on the characters and story though so its still mostly a personal project, but ty for asking!! =)

[@SaraPayá-s9p]

I’d love to play an indie game with that premise!! Keep going on your project💖💖

[@LeonsLeftBicep]

random thought i had while watching your video. bills color scheme becomes a bit warmer with time as he gets closer to saul. affectively making bills colors a more blue purple instead of the stark cold tones. same would apply to saul with his pinks gaining a blue tinge in some areas of his design. this is just a thought but i do love adding stuff like this to my own characters that are closer in a romantic or platonic sense

[@fizzy_gutz]

Bills design is stunnnning !!! His skintone bounces off his blue color scheme perfectly. You ate this uppppp

[@ItsCoalSocks]

this really helped me start character designing in a more structured way, im kinda garbo at "winging things" (like simplifying poses and simply sketching in clothes for color value) as im also a perfectionist so it really helped me to see how others break stuff down. I totally get overwhelmed still, that could just be you know "Mental health" haha

[@sketchesofshay]

for the longest time I "winged" things and was really frustrated that I wasn't matching the quality of my peers,, but then after watching a lot of other artists, I soon realized so much thought and planning went into projects to get the results that I wanted. I am a perfectionist too, and I find have a lot of steps to explore and "make mistakes" in the process ultimately leads to a design I am more satisfied with! you got this

[@TheBlackHatOutlaw]

I'll start by saying I love Bill's design! To me personally, it reads exactly how you wanted it to. Professional and prestigious monster hunter, and with his expressions, you can easily see that his is a reserved perfectionist who works too hard. I can't help but wonder if there's a bit of you in Bill's personality, considering how often you are hard on yourself from what I've noticed. I'm glad to hear you're doing better mental health wise. If I could, I'd offer to be there for someone to talk to when that happens.

[@sketchesofshay]

lol You saw right through me !! Bill's personality has defintely been inspired from my own experiences and personality, and he's often a character I lean in more to than Saul a lot of the time. Thank you so much for the support, I really appreciate your offer of help

[@caelan0D]

Love the way he turned out!! Really excited to see more of him and to see where their story goes! I am currently working on My knightsona while watching bc your video inspired me so much!

[@sketchesofshay]

YAY!! knightsona's woohoo!! I hope you are having fun designing, caelan

[@jenniferjung2074]

*Drops everything* I see Shay, I watch. I love that even your thumbnails are detailed 😭 I loved all of the designs and embroidery on the fits, you have such a good understanding of how fashion shows the character’s personality

[@Ratboykiller]

With the family crest you could use the circular curve in the flower as part of the outer circle

[@thank_you_pete]

I too have an intense love for cowboys and I couldn’t help myself when I got your Saul video recommended to me. I’ve never been more grateful for youtube recommendations because it helped me find your amazing channel full of beautiful artwork!! These two fellas seem like sweethearts and I can’t wait to see where you go with Bill’s story :))

[@sketchesofshay]

so happy you like to hear about them!! I can’t wait to share more and work on bigger projects with them 💖

[@thank_you_pete]

@@sketchesofshay YIPPIE!!!!! :DDD

[@DaniGalao]

Honestly this video was the most refreshing one that I had seen about art. Honestly I lost my motivation to draw last year 😅 but I was able to get again bit by bit and this video really inspired me to continue.

[@tegan8392]

ahh i’ve been waiting for thiss!!! i love ur characters sm they’re such a big inspiration for me 😭🩷

[@bogscholar691]

IM LOSING MY MIND he’s the PERFECT MAN his name is BLUEBERRY BILL FOR GODS SAKE I LOVE COWBOYS I LOVE QUEER PEOPLE YIPPEEE!!!!!!

[@bogscholar691]

(I am also deep in the the character design trenches and very much appreciate watching and hearing about your process - his design is so, so gorgeous)

[@graythegoth]

hello, language of the flowers person here! i'm always a huge fan of symbolism when it comes to flowers, and you are spot on with the lily of the valley meaning! Convallaria majalis (lily of the valley) is often thought to mean purity, trustworthiness, returning happiness, and humility. It is also believed to contain the power to heal and provide mental clarity, plus there's a superstition of putting a lily of the valley in a room to cheer all who are in it. I'm writing this when I should be designing my own characters, but it is what it is. This was another wonderful character video that I've eaten up and locked away in my brain. Lov e it, and love blueberry bill

[@teaformiles]

AAH IVE BEEN SO EXCITED FOR THIS YYAY!!!! i LOVE your characters sm they give me so much inspiration!!!

[@sketchesofshay]

So happy to finally post his design!! And so happy you like my characters 🥹💖

[@Maddroonieandcheese]

I haven't been able to sit down and have alot of time to myself due to school but im so happy to have a free week which allows me to come back to a channel ive loved so much. So many new videos to binge and I cant wait to get back to your channel. You never fail to inspire an artistic mood in me and im sure others feel the same! Keep up the awesome work Shay!

[@sketchesofshay]

that makes me so happy madd! wishing you a more peaceful time in school the next couple of months. I know finals season is coming up, you got this!

[@333Vampirewillrule33]

they're so cute

[@World_Bender]

Thank you this has given me inspiration to work on character sheets and other artworks, thank you!❤

[@kittmrru]

I clicked as soon as I got the notification! Excited to hear you talk about blueberry bill some more, his design is so cool!! ^u^

[@Koalalaa]

omigoshhhhh hes sooo handsome, cool and cuteee I luv his design sm

[@LowOpacityStars]

i’ve been looking forward to this all week! i love your ocs so much ❤❤❤

[@pulka_kapulka2887]

THE WAY I RAN. AAA FINALY!! I loove how much Bill have changed! Love your story and the cowboys!! Super interested in learning more! As always your art is amazing and super inspiring❤❤❤

[@sketchesofshay]

heheh they have definitely changed a lot, and I’m really liking this new direction! Can’t wait to share more!💖💖💖

[@critiqueofthegothgf]

yay i was waiting for bill's sheet! 1:51 these are so lively, i love how you portrayed such strong feelings in his expressions here. i feel just as frustrated as i get the impression he is lol

[@sketchesofshay]

so happy you liked the Bill Design critique! I can't wait to do a follow up, there is so much more I want to explore with him

[@generlsm]

your character design videos always motivate me to put in more efforts and creativity into to my own character designs, thank you very much for sharing your design process with so many of us :))

[@delaineyjohnson4262]

I absolutely LOVE hearing about your oc’s the ideas are so creative and even though I don’t know much about the story it feels like I already know tons about the characters personality! Your art is so inspirational!

[@BunBunting]

I LOOVEE THE MUSKETEERSSS OMG I absolutely love hearing all your ideas/process it's so cool! Also the names are just so adorable I can't 😭 mad inspiring, this is so rad 💥🙏

[@redvioblu2292]

Bruh i dont know what to say besides I LOVE THE CHARACTER DESIGNS YOU HAVE I CANT 😭😭 ive been demotivated to draw lately, not cooking another oc or atleast improve some of my oc, but I just love to watch your videos! It kinda motivates me to do something for my ocs 😭

[@imnota.giantman]

ive started using milanote and its super helpful to plan out projects so thank you sm!!

[@sketchesofshay]

so happy you found it helpful!! i love working with them on my channel!

[@anya7014]

THIS SOUNDS COOL AF AND I WANNA READ IT

[@snubnosedmonke]

WOOO!! we love weird west worldbuilding! i love anything western/cowboy related when its done well, and you have made some awesome designs

[@Rhodeias_]

ur guidelines.... ur sketches.. i love ur sketches. im literally going straight to clip studio paint and experimenting with using an oval ish shape instead of my usual circle+many lines rn ily mwa

[@Crayon_Egbert]

YOUR ART IS SO GOOD I WANT TO EAT IT!!!!!! Seeing it legit makes me want to do the most intense studies know to man (while fully reformulating my art style) just to get close to your art quality?!!!!!!

[@eshadrawz]

Just clicked on your channel while watching one of your sketchbook tours and discovered this :) I love the character introductory/designing videos sm! It feels like a video essay but on a story that isn't even out yettt!! I'm so excited for you to flush out their story even more. Much love

[@sketchesofshay]

so happy you like this style of video!! I really want to do more like it hehe 💖

[@eshadrawz]

[@peachybruiseslego]

as someone who has been watching your content since day one, i'm really enjoying the growth of your cowboy ocs and its amazing to see what they're like now :) ❤❤❤💙💙💙

[@sketchesofshay]

thank you for being here since the beginning

[@Mr.MadamDude]

I have 36 OC’s (one is my “mascot” and the other 5 are comfort characters) that I need to draw, design outfits for, and create backstory. I have listened to both videos while doing that and I wanted to say I love the duo. DRAWING FUN. YAY. NO PAIN

[@homosapien7316]

THAT'S SO REAL

[@Mr.MadamDude]

@@homosapien7316 I first had over 100 then dumbed down a LOT. But I didn’t wanna get rid of some because I love them so much. Their my babez

[@sketchesofshay]

YAYYY also best wishes in tackling all of those characters!

[@Mr.MadamDude]

@@sketchesofshay thank you! I have about 5 done so far. It’s taking awhile bc I’m also giving them outfits. I love your OC’s! Hope you have fun w/ your OC’s!

[@rightsock_asock5574]

BLUEBERRY BILL ‼️‼️‼️ His design is so cool I love him

[@Lynnar_]

I love your artstyle! I saw the strawberry saul video and i just HAD to watch this one too and subscribe. Keep up the good work, you make amazing art.

[@ellenmattus]

I started watching your channel just a couple weeks ago, and your art is absolutely gorgeous! I'm a young aspiring artist, and your art and characters have made me so inspired to work on my own personal projects!

[@mr.supeeclean]

he’s beautiful!

[@Weevilest]

The dutch van der linde outfit inspo is so real i cant even explain

[@HamiltonIsLife]

Now that I have locs me n bill are twinnin

[@taro9568]

Been so addicted to your videos shay! I'm not going anywhere so don't be afraid to take a rest. Maybe it's time for a spring break? Anyway, I've really been looking forward to the Blueberry Bill vid. I can really feel the melancholia that surrounds this character through the colors and expressions. Loved your expressions video too! Take care of yourself

[@Planet_OfLove1]

THEYRE BOTH SO CUTE!!!! OMG I LOVE YOUR ART SO MUCH IT GIVES ME SO MUCH ART MOTIVATION

[@BloomynMoon]

Honestly can’t wait to see Bill and Saul interacting!! And to see their world evolve! Currently working on a persona/character design too, (as well as a brand identity sheet) colours are hard, haha!! *flipping table*

[@sketchesofshay]

I can't wait to share more about them bloomy!! and best wishes on your own character designs, it's definitely not easy

[@claycountydays]

I’m currently designing characters I’ve had in my head for years, it’s so much more difficult than it seems, good job!!

[@diany0801]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO AAAAH

[@anaovelho6228]

This turned out so cool! Cant wait to see more of Bill and Saul

[@Xplodingbonez]

Your art is literally so gorgeous I want to fax it into my brain so I can see it all day everyday

[@sketchesofshay]

that is so sweet ;-;

[@ratsnack7055]

YESSS I LOVE YOUR CHARACTERS SO MUCH THIS IS A BLESSING ❤️❤️

[@caelan0D]

Haven't even started the video and I'm going WHOOOOOOOO YEAH!! I love Bill sm I am so excited!!

[@sketchesofshay]

YAYYY so happy to see your comment caelan, I’m excited to share more about him 💖

[@Angelo-fw1bh]

He turned out beatiful!! now I can draw them both.

[@sketchesofshay]

Yay!!

[@D7SC.mp4]

Shay I found your channel because of your artober videos back in December and ive never regretted it one bit. Your one of my favorites artists ever, your art is just so beautiful! I love the colors you use and your semi-realism artstyle and your poses are just so vivid, its just divine. I love your ideas (espicially the ocs youve made!! And the inserts like the animatronic designer you made in one of your other sketchbook videos!!). Your art is just divine. I love having your video in the bg while I draw listening to your voice because its so relaxing! Thank you for making this wondeful channel so we get just a little insight on the wonderful person behind it and thank you for inspiring me to continue on my art forward!! Be safe and hava good day!! 💙💗👽💙‼️‼️

[@Vaeh_Bae]

Very helpful! I am currently working on a big project of a animatic episode for my OC's and you have really motivated me to tackle down those designs! TYSM! 💜

[@faeworld2562]

I love hearing about your ocs because I happen to be in a western monster hunter dnd campaign so I’m designing similar characters! Your art is so inspiring to me every time I see it and you encouraged me to design my characters monster hunting brother who uses potions and elixirs! I also struggle with designing outfits so you talking about your similar struggles and getting through that helps me tremendously! Please always take care of yourself and I can’t wait to see what you do in the future!!! 🫶

[@fancynamewatch9705]

Your videos are such an inspiration, and also the start of my cowboy phase 😅❤❤

[@jadab1782]

Your art process is so satisfying to watch

[@eransome1288]

I find this video and Strawberry Sauls (is it Sal? idk) really helpful. I have some ocs of my that I never really flushed out because I never know what I want to do with them. their my clown ocs: Circle and Ruby Rhombus (yes. these names are base of off shapes) Circle I've had longer in late 2022 to early 2023 i think. He's has the most re-designs and re-writes and Ruby is recent. I've always struggle with Circle that I'm changing (again 🙄) that I might make him a Ring master of the circus. anyway. I find these videos really helpful! I can't wait to see more!!

[@artsenical]

It’s so exciting to see your characters come to life and getting a glimpse of their lore with the content you post, I am glad I found your page

[@KHAEISTIREDxx14]

thank you for fueling my cowboy characters obsession 🤝🏽🤝🏽🤝🏽 Blueberry Bill and Strawberry Saul are incredible, very creatively designed !!

[@rainbowtie18]

OOOOOOOOOHHHHH i've been WAITING for this video!!

[@leafyroad1905]

Love the character!! wanted to say that your videos really are SUCH a comfort to me! I seriously can put on your videos, draw and just relax all day, so thank you very much (you dont know how much I need this sorta stuff), if you ever get to see this of course lol

[@evilmcsceech2858]

I love watching these so much- I love creating new characters but never know how to fully flesh them out and these help a lot with that, even just to get ideas flowing.

[@LACHRYMA]

EVERYBODY GIVE IT UP FOR BLUEBERRY BILL!!!!!! crowd goes wild screaming standing ovation cheers erupting through out the audience

[@sketchesofshay]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@clouddrawsstuff]

And suddenly inspiration and motivation have come to me!! Love your videos so much

[@crabmaster6932]

Im so happy to see your art like this, I remember i first found you on tumblr ai believe and i thought your art was..l just SO COOL. Your perception of colour and form is really admirable. I hope I can learn to do the kind of stuff that you do :D

[@sketchesofshay]

thank you!! I don’t have a tumblr, but I do have an instagram so maybe you saw me there !! 💖 also I have some more tutorial vids coming out,, can’t wait to share more to help you in your journey!!

[@TheSunnyS1deUp]

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE MAN I LOVE BILL HE'S SO AWESOME !!! Also i just ADORE your use of colors 😭💕

[@Murazeeki]

Omg im so glad someone else has a cowboy obsession CAUSE SO DO IIIII

[@shadowone01x99]

Dang!!!.... This is so cool. Please push to get an anime made. Edit: I love vampires but i hope there are more supernatural creatures in the story. Eagerl wait to see Blueberry Bill being awesomely badass.

[@sublimegrey]

HONEY WAKE UP SHAY POSTED

[@stitchgor3]

BLUEBERRY BILL HELL YEAHHHH

[@Faelanidk]

AJJAJA I SPOTTED ORVILLE PECK IN THAT MUSIC LINK, EXQUISITE TASTE!!! (And awesome art it looks so so yummy! 😩🫶)

[@sketchesofshay]

yes!! love orville, I need to make fanart of him soon for his upcoming album

[@Faelanidk]

@@sketchesofshay OMG I LIVEEEEE THAT WOULD BE SO BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@ivytmoreland4558]

You literally combined all my favorite things in your story, cowboys, knights, vampires, and queer people

[@sketchesofshay]

what are oc’s if not the combination of all our hyper fixations 💖

[@kasmatic]

I absolutely LOVE your characters and your style! you inspire me everyday I swear ❤

[@bxwieknife]

For once I am NOT WATCHING AT WORK!! … because I am off today :) so hyped to see another design video, I’ve been EATING THESE UP

[@sketchesofshay]

YAYYYY so happy for you Bowie!! and so happy you like the design videos, they’re so much fun to create!!

[@kousuccy_]

I fell in love instantly

[@LeviCastro-n4z]

Estou reassistindo o video, eu gosto muito dos seus personagens!!

[@bella_daze3092]

Damn. I love this❤❤❤❤❤❤ we got two goofy cowboys and LORE that may or may not change but I love this❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@chimkinwaffles]

BLUEBERRY BILL RAAAAHHHH YEEESSSS

[@mokilatte]

I loved hearing about all of Bills story I can’t wait to see his interactions with Saul. Also I got Milanote because of you and it is indeed amazing Im using it for all of my characters from now on.

[@sketchesofshay]

OMG yes! Milanote is seriously the backbone of most of my painting projects these days, it makes me so much more organized with references. so happy you enjoy using it as well!

[@SunArts918]

Oh ! I kinda want to draw your oc in my style, love how you love them !

[@Puzzleking14]

I’m so happy this is out!!

[@clementmeril751]

Blueberry Bill look amazing

[@romeo-yk9hp]

your content is so amazing, i love the way you create your characters!!

[@carlestars]

i absolutely love your ocs!!! the fruit inspiration makes them so fun! looking forward to see more of them :)))

[@ToraGhost]

HELL YEAH BILL VIDEO LETS GOOOO🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😤😤😤😤😤😤💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ToraGhost]

i may be late but im here now and so thrilled to be 😤😤😤

[@ToraGhost]

just finished the video and AUGH its always so cool to see how you work out an art piece or design- and seeing Bills design and final outfit was definitely very epic B) I love all the detail and different shapes and such that go into his design!! And Im definitely 100% SUPER looking forward to a part 2😤😤🔥🔥It was very interesting to hear that religious themes do and will play a big part in his story and such- and im just really excited to hear more about him in the next part :0

[@emmamahaffey2810]

Hey Shay, I just found your channel, and I love what you post. I've been listening to your videos while playing World of Warcraft (lol). I have been working on some of my characters lately. I'm learning how to draw people, and I have an infatuation with dragons, so I took some dragon characters that I've made and turned them into DnD-inspired characters, and I'm low-key obsessed! I have three books that I've written, and I'm still learning a ton, but you are a huge inspiration! Thank you for posting this and Saul's videos; I love them!

[@papermache5605]

I LOVE BILL

[@glasserdounutthelemmingder38]

Oh my God little bill got a glow up

[@beets_and_rice]

BLUEBERRY BILL MY BELOVED ❤️❤️❤️

[@flavieandrzejewski4420]

Haaaaa I absolutely love your videos !! Honestly I was WAITING for this Blueberry Bill video to drop bcz I was so exited Thank you so much for making video like theses !!!!!! Also I just couldn’t stop watching your previous video about the process of designing Strawberry Saul ! It really inspired me to settled three of my characters’s designs for a project of mine for uni! Thank you so much againnnn!!!

[@iibas5408]

Idk if ive commented about this before, but watching you develop and design your characters, pointing out little things and giving tips has been super motivating and helpful with my own design projects >:]] youve made me think things about designin that ive never even thought before!

[@AmbrosiaMooshine]

I love his design he looks amazing :)