How I Design Character Environments!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

UPDATE: Biko, the main character, is available to give you healing as a plush, only until 11/6/22! Grab it to directly support the development of my animated series Stormfellers! www.makeship.com/products/biko-plush

[@mattdoesstuff8987]

Environment? Designed. Storms? Felled. My hype? Through the roof of those houses. Hotel? Trivago.

[@HaywireRuckus]

The hype cannot be contained by mere wood fibre, grass, saplings and bamboo!!!

[@HollowM0th]

My hype for silksong is reaching above the clouds

[@MangoBirb22]

The hotel trivago got me, congrats

[@ellachristineart]

*Oh yeah, it’s all coming together.*

[@gluesandwhich730]

Yes, the best comment to first see

[@Danmarinja]

Something I always find useful is to ask yourself when designing a world - why do people live here? Not like a cynical 'This sucks and people should leave,' but more 'What about this area is so attractive to people? Why don't people leave?' If you can find these answers, it'll tend to make the world more exciting because it'll give the audience a reason to care about the story. What's so exciting about this place? Why don't the characters, and by proxy the audience, want to leave?

[@IamEscBoy]

what is the plot is the characters trying to leave?

[@imclueless5744]

Its still an important question if other people are there

[@aRBy125]

So true. For example, just think of your general, "super villain infested" city, (like a Gotham City.) Why DO people choose to stay there? Is the rent/mortgage cheaper? Jobs well paying? Do some just like the excitement, in spite of the constant threats to their safety?

[@idontposthereanymore5881]

I mean with my Cheracters world they kinda have to stay there cause the only other place they can stay *is literally on fire and would be in danger there*

[@copperfish8816]

I think the owl house needs to take this advise.

[@HaywireRuckus]

*Prepares to plague everyone's life by calling them "storm fellas" because I have nothing better to do* Also I love this entire concept, did I mention I love this entire concept???

[@partycreature9937]

I want to draw comics but I have no idea how to stylize backgrounds so that they're fun for me. 😅

[@DanCreaMundos]

It kinda depends what you find fun. You have to start thinking about that. Once you got it, try to find books or videos about that specific kind of thing first.

[@idkdude1118]

Same. But I just don't know how to think of things to put in the background? Like I get references and it's slightly easier but I'm just SOOO uncreative when it comes to background

[@idkdude1118]

@Lauzorry La Zorrita thanks, I'll try that, it's just really hard for me to think of something to put in a background lol

[@mr.birdie1406]

Wanna make comics together?

[@aiiiia9971]

Thank you! Same problem

[@Chill1332]

Oooooh! I absolutely love this concept. The idea of storms being creatures sounds fascinating. And in this kind of world I can see why your 'lightning snake' (sorry, can't remember his name) would be very useful in such a troupe.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Glad you enjoyed it! Aecious, it's a tough name to remember :D

[@Chill1332]

@@CharacterDesignForge Ah! Yes. 'alien' names are always cool, but can be harder to remember. I have a bit of the blank page syndrome myself. I have no trouble mentally worldbuilding, but drawing environments is something I find particularly challenging.

[@finalfroevo]

0:17 It's been years since I heard that PlayStation theme

[@IamEscBoy]

i too remember petscop

[@fist-of-doom487]

I get a very Lilo and Stitch vibe from your designs. Round, colorful and almost soft looking but still flexible enough to make tough and cool looking characters and environments.

[@dev-ig9di]

Fist-of-doom something about it kinda reminds me of spore too

[@goldenalbatross9462]

I was actually going to tackle this for one of my stories. This definitely will help! While the basic concept is pretty common, a colony of bugs living underground in tunnels and caverns. However, that colony consists of a variety of species that were forced into one place due to powerful enemies constantly attacking them. So, this colony has to have different sized tunnels and open spaces to accommodate the varying sizes and routine activities for each species. Typing this out, I just realized that because of the creatures huddling into one place underground, the environment above may be negatively affected. Whether it be flora and fauna dying off or seizing the opportunity to the ground instability caused by the lack of support due to large quantities of dirt and rock being removed (and also how the construction of new homes would be handled). Don’t know yet how much of a role each factor plays but I am starting to get the basic picture of it

[@IamEscBoy]

5:20 wouldn't an extension of the philosophy of "the stones give us our shelter" mean that caves could be revered? like it's logical to assume that their civilizations would cluster around fresh water and caves. perhaps caves would be where their most important locales are (like religions, food supplies, town halls, other critical or communal areas, even wealthy areas).

[@luckydragonwolf]

all I can say is... hOLY CRUD I CANT WAIT FOR STORMFELLERS ITS GONNA BE AMAZING

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thanks Hayley!!

[@phantomias7230]

Character design: Finished World design: Whaaaaat? It's true, I am not comfortable with designing worlds yet and it is easy to get lost in the process of designing characters and not really thinking about the world they live in at first :D Drawing backgrounds for illustrations is hard too to be honest as I can't color them that well.....

[@barnowl6752]

Phantomias You have the opposite problem of me lol, I’ll end up having very fleshed out worlds with flat characters

[@phantomias7230]

@@barnowl6752 lol xD

[@joemama7487]

Last time I was this early, backstory salad was still a thing

[@CharacterDesignForge]

this is a very good joke but unfortunately this video actually premiered during the Virtual Booth on Saturday :D

[@joemama7487]

Brookes Eggleston - Character Design Forge dang it

[@stephaniewozny3852]

Perfect timing, Brookes. I'm finishing up an Environmental Design class over on Schoolism, and every little boost of knowledge is very helpful.

[@themorenajay]

This. Is. AWESOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOME! I love how with the very basics of a few house examples and a basic overall map you gave us such a full feeling for your unique world! Now if only I could decide on ONE idea for my map/s & house designs.... or a way to finally make that HUGE-ass map I've been sitting on for ages...

[@CharacterDesignForge]

aye thank you so much!

[@kakao-katze]

It's been awhile since I've really felt hyped for something, but here we are, here the Storm Feller Fellas are- and they're beautiful.

[@blissc.c.6489]

I feel like environments are often undermined when people first create their characters and stories. I’ve definitely been guilty of this before, but I’m finding out that developing settings and environments can be a blast when you put in the effort to developing them! So glad you covered this topic! Also I’ll be keeping a close eye out for Stormfellers in the future. Looking forward to seeing more about it!

[@dynamicsketch]

I am not good when it comes to environments, but I have had ideas for a world that characters live in based on the concept I created ten years ago. I also look up references to fit with the theme of this world but also want to do my own spin on it while attempting to keep it consistent with the theme. I really liked this video in particular. It felt reassuring and inspiring.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Awesome, im so glad!

[@donchaiminster1989]

Excited for Stormfellers, Brookes!

[@pochikart2567]

This is exactly what I needed right now! I was feeling stagnant with my character design but was too intimidated to try designing environments and props.

[@TeeKetch]

This video is a personal attack on me and my brand lol

[@CharacterDesignForge]

OH NO

[@DanCreaMundos]

Important question about your island's world building. I love the design, it has its own personality. But I don't fully understand where does the water for the rivers come from. Have you thought about that? Because rivers always come from mountains or lakes, and always go to the sea, and they usually never cut a land piece into two. In your sketch, water seems to come from the middle, does it come from rain? Or from the underground? Think about that, because it's an important aspect of world building that could make or break your world.

[@watchermagic5325]

Why didn't I watch this weeks ago!? Yes, more Stormfellers please!!

[@Janascorner]

It will be hard for me to decide on resources for the characters clothing and houses seeing as the world they’re in is basically a black void that has pastel blue and green islands but technically in the story that world is “corrupted” and there is another similar not-corrupted world that has a lot of plants and mountains and stuff like that so I will just pretend like the buildings were there before the corruption and that they somehow ship the clothes from the second world

[@AZUREPHOENIX777]

Woo!

[@ArtParlor]

The lore of the storms comin' to life souunds so awesome!!!

[@ishmellokat]

These longer videos every once in a while really let me a appreciate you as KZbin creator, I love this

[@grahamwelch5011]

Awesome stuff man, really appreciate it, it's funny I was just wondering how to do environments today. A quick question, I am wanting to start using digital as a medium, I know you use procreate and I would like to try it too. What kind of iPad best works for the application, the pro, the air, or the normal one? I personally am just starting to love art again and have only within the last month really taken the time to work and practice on this skill. I am hoping that using digital would open me up to new styles and tools. I really like your videos and they have been crucial for helping me better my abilities, I would appreciate an answer about the whole iPad thing, if you are unable to answer I completely understand and am not offended. Love your work and can't wait for more. Stay safe and sane :D

[@notnotahuman183]

I don't know what Stormfellers is but I love it already

[@InfinityStar764]

Thank you for making these videos

[@jackeroni216]

Oh my gosh... I love that lizard shopkeeper!!!

[@jackeroni216]

You gotta name him! I’d say... Lernby? I dunno... just an idea! You probably already named him but...

[@salviprice1514]

Love this broccoli boi

[@keyrae.8058]

Excited to see what Stormfellers will be!

[@GageHipwell1]

Im making a comic and you helped me thank you

[@nonnobisnon3204]

Your consistency has been phenomenal! Hope you and your family are doing well

[@CharacterDesignForge]

I really appreciate that!

[@michaiyacox9162]

Omg i love your videos i've been struggling with my character design and your videos have really helped me out 😄 Keep up the good work

[@umphguy]

This series has been my favorite of yours so far. You've got such a solid way of explaining things and now Im going to focus more on environments. This vid reminded me of the fun part of doing the research to make a story really come to life. Super excited for Stormfellers!! (I hope its a video game)

[@TalmoTheSell]

I think it should be a Netflix series

[@umphguy]

@@TalmoTheSell That would also be so epic!

[@nokostunes]

Lmao, I was JUST thinking abt how to flesh out the environment of my chars. Thank you for this video!

[@thelostmessenger]

Thanks for the vid, I have been working on the environment for a project for some time and been struggling to make it for some time due to how big it is. Basically a Pangaea around 5 million years in the future and imagining how cultures would change over time and mesh together. I have found that making something based in a theoretical future is really hard...

[@insanekakashi703]

Wow, this is like the exact video I needed at this point in time!

[@dissonanceparadiddle]

This is so cool !!!for me I always get overwhelmed on where to start with environments I get stuck on the little details of the area so looking at you go broad and simple helps

[@TheZiiFamily]

oh thats the story youve mentioned!! coool

[@ajp2206]

This video is sooo well made!

[@LARADEKA]

*_I'm more drawn to drawing skies and storms. Even when I draw elemental beings..._* *_I tried to challenge myself with some helpful tutorials... But I feel like the habitat trait is challenging._*

[@pkcat1]

My dude this is offtopic.. But what's the outro music? It's funky as hell.

[@Surkk2960]

Yeah, I need to work on world design... I have a rough estimate of what the worlds of some of my ideas are, but I really should do some more research on it. Nice vid, keep up the good info.

[@toadboydude5015]

Yo I love this world you're building is radical, and the virtual booth on twitch was a ton of fun!

[@karakuri100p]

Did you just include the PS2’s startup tune at the 0:21 mark ??? 😅 maybe it’s just me but it really sounds like it, though slightly different..

[@CharacterDesignForge]

PS1, but 2x speed :)

[@paulogodoyp]

Thank you Brookes! This was super helpful! Also, I'm hyped with the release date, I think everyone is xd

[@8888ba]

I love your creativity

[@stratovolcano7813]

Your art and character design is amazing... ❤️❤️

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thanks so much!

[@sabersquid2523]

AHH WHAT THE SUPRISE REVEAL AT THE END! damn I’m exited! Also... was that Zeldas lullaby in the outro song??

[@matthewgorial2419]

Need this, always come to struggling with BG shtuff

[@idontposthereanymore5881]

This showed up in my recommended right when I needed it- w o a h

[@DamienZshadow]

I honestly want to explore your world so much.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thank you! Cant wait for the pilot to release later this year!

[@DamienZshadow]

@@CharacterDesignForge So exciting! I need to make my world for my graphic novel as captivating. Best wishes!

[@Dylan-zo6zo]

I have a island I want to make and it fits with the characters ability’s or elements but it’s hard to make it all seem like a different place every spot

[@froggang_allert9370]

Thanks! This helps me so much!

[@bryprouty7004]

You were a fan of the "Lilo and Stitch" T.V. series.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

How do you figure?

[@bryprouty7004]

​@@CharacterDesignForge You admire a drawing style that is similar to that which was used in the Lilo & Stitch films, and the American series. Many of the characters that you created, that are seen in this video, are (somewhat) inspired elements from the design characteristics that would be seen in the facial features and body shape flow of Dr. Jumba's creatures on a visceral, but not direct level. Your creation at 00:17 very, very loosely resembles "Reuben", experiment 625. In the more mammalian experiments, a pattern of wide-set, all-black eyes, slightly curved eyebrows high-set above these eyes, a dome-shaped cranium, and a large-looking jaw with a wide mouth adorning the bottom can be seen as a frame of reference that the designers utilized for these fictional "experiments". Ears that curved at the bottom in a blob-shape were also signature of the aliens, but did not occur in all of them with ears. What also came along with these designs, were very bulked-up forearms. The design at 6:37 possesses the black and shiny eyes, but they are large, which is the more common size for the experiments' eyes. A few of Jumba's experiments have the cranium that follows more to a tapered behind, jutting notably from the back of the head. The Grand Councilwoman as well is recognizable in possessing this facet. The two, blobby stripes on this character's tail are semblant of Stitch's back stripes. That who appears at 8:42 is semblant of Dr. Jumba Jookiba himself, who is my favorite character in the franchise. The eyes are in the same shape and overall position as Dr. Jumba Jookiba's, and this creation has smooth-pointed teeth that would be in the same angle in the mouth as Jumba's bulbous internal tusks. The ears are very large, and bulbous, while Jumba's are concave. However, they are in the same position of hanging downward at an angle in the same place. One other character of yours which has been placed as the thumbnail in another of your videos is partially based on Stitch, where the eyes and the placement of the ears were recognizable, and you have changed some core elements in the design of your character, differentiating him from these aliens. This character is brick-pink, and (I believe) had white sideburns, indicating he coded for an aged individual, and the palm of his hand was facing upward, channeling a piece of floating technology which resembled the style of the tech in the original Lilo & Stitch film. A similarly-asthetisized piece of tech is carried on your character's back. These remind me particularly the scene in which Stitch is imprisoned upside-down while two guns, temporarily programmed to recognize his D.N.A., were closely watching him. I was obsessed with Lilo & Stitch at one point while I was a teenager, for the style and the design of the characters in that universe hold a unique and original aesthetic for their time. I drew OCs that held Stitch's head shape, and now draw things in other styles. Other people may or may not see how a person's chosen drawing style for an OC or a picture are inspired by, but I can tell you that I myself have two characters that look a lot like Aku from "Samurai Jack", and a style that mildly resembles the Walt Disney traditional animation style, for it is what I grew up watching the most of. I have one character that was spun off of "Ursula" from Disney's "The Little Mermaid", and he is overweight, has the 'large piece of black-colored clothing' color facet going on, with purple in his clothing, and his skin/fur color is dark gray, while Ursula's is light, lavender gray. Someone also told me he reminded them of Ratigan, the villain from "The Great Mouse Detective", which, although he was not inspired from him, I could see easily. Right now, I am drawing a character of mine who is easily almost a ripoff of the mythical "Sinbad the Sailor", but a lot of individuals wore what he would have worn for his ethnicity for his time period, and the character is a female, and has the head of a sea monster with boar's tusks. I can understand the process of inspiration and creative tweaking of only *parts* of the aspects of characters to make one's own an original, different character, so I'm not judging. : ) I have been listening to some of your videos while I draw in the last few days, and one that really helped me was the explanation of how a drawing can look lesser in awe than the original sketch. The drawing I am working on is looking like a clean version, and not a differently-shaped version, of the original sketch I produced, so thank you a lot! I have also experienced a pretty bad artistic-emotional burnout that has lasted for almost a year, and I never had heard of it before until I came to your vid on it. I was crunching the year before, and your video highlighted what causes a creative injury perfectly.

[@ChompyRex333]

How do you always know when to make a video when I’m struggling. Are you psychic?

[@zenebean]

Oh...oh yes...this is going to be useful

[@fluffykittens3585]

Hello I loved your video and I was wondering if a were to make a 3d model for my game can I code it?

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Sorry what are you asking?

[@Kyamusuku]

hype!

[@aiiiia9971]

I just realized I have been developing all kinds of stories and lore while neglecting worldbuilding entirely

[@ZephyrBW]

I hop[e to see you and your work one day at comic con

[@boswcheydoesart1314]

Duuuuude!

[@Bryan-dg9op]

4

[@pandoraarts7748]

Daring backgrounds and landscapes is scary. ....

[@mackenziediaz8780]

Biko Boi Broccoli (Who else understand this?) ↓

[@Swaamit_]

5

[@beyondthecamera333]

The fact that I found this channel, proves that God is real.

[@abdulhadibarodi6819]

I don't know. Why did you not make tutorial about how to draw a new character I mean human not ANIMAL

[@CharacterDesignForge]

If you are legitimately faulting me for not making the specific video you were anticipating, I'm not sure what to say to that. If you're looking for a video about human characters, I've made plenty. I've made hundreds of videos. This one is about Environment Design. Do you want me to apologize to you?

[@abdulhadibarodi6819]

@@CharacterDesignForge thank you for your response. Ya I wish if you make more videos and I am new guy to this channel so thanks a lot for your old videos and continue what you still doing

[@CharacterDesignForge]

I will not be apologizing for making this video. Enjoy.

[@TalmoTheSell]

@@CharacterDesignForge Big oof

[@mattdoesstuff8987]

Bro, this comment is mad cringe man

[@talltaletrainmaster938]

Your background is the color of cheetos. :)

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Cheetos are purple?

[@talltaletrainmaster938]

@@CharacterDesignForge your background also orange! I wish cheetos were purple