Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Be inspired by real life to create truly original characters.
A beetle crossed my path on a walk yesterday. I filmed it and took photos. When I enlarged the photos, there were elements of its design that inspired me to sketch out some ideas.
I triangle them emerged and I developed that further, each time trying to simplify the character to make it easier to draw again and again.
Consistency is the secret to drawing characters - you have to recognise them in each frame of animation or page of book. So, simplicity and definite character identifiers are really important.
It's difficult dreaming up new ideas from your head.
Go out and look at what nature has already designed and work with those shapes and ideas.
Have fun and good luck!
If you have drawing or illustration questions you would like Shoo to answer - put them in the comments box below the video. or contact through his website - shoorayner.com
Subscribe to this channel on YouTube for lots more drawing videos from award-winning illustrator, Shoo Rayner ➡️ bit.ly/Sub2Shoo
00:00:00 Introduction
00:39:28 Analyse beetle photo
02:10:00 sketch ideas
06:13:00 plan character drawing in pencil
07:00:12 Ink the drawing
10:50:17 Paint in watercolour
18:55:00 Conclusion
Twitter twitter.com/shoorayner
instagram.com/shoorayner
Website shoorayner.com
music by youtube.com/cleffernotes
Everyone asks about the tools I use when I'm out using my sketchbook. here's a video to show you what and how I use them. youtu.be/QJwjV1FKdyg
Rotring Tikky Graphic Pen
amzn.to/2hLNgQo in the UK
amzn.to/2zRyH4y in the USA
amzn.to/2E3qL08 in Canada
The Pentel Aquash Brush
amzn.to/2hL5MZe in the UK
amzn.to/2zQFD1H in the USA
amzn.to/2BpMRHg In Canada
Huion A4 Tracing Light Pad
amzn.to/2G8VglQ in the UK
amzn.to/2E4CStW in the USA
amzn.to/2DEDt7P in Canada
The Seawhite of Brighton a5 travel journal
amzn.to/2hLANfw in the UK
amzn.to/2zU9dkU in the USA
Seawhite 350gsm Watercolour paper
amzn.to/2PEdMf7 in the UK
(Try Canson in the US amzn.to/3qrZYBk )
Seawhite layout Pad
amzn.to/2Oyyw7u in the UK
(Try Strathmnore Layout Bond in the US
amzn.to/2Oyyw7u )
The Cotman sketching watercolour set
amzn.to/2hPgKgl in the UK
amzn.to/2yWquIV in the USA
amzn.to/2BpN0KO in Canada
Neutral Tint Half Pan Watercolour Paint
amzn.to/2ymFRJI in the UK
amzn.to/2Cbk5f5 in the USA
amzn.to/2E5E3t4 in Canada
Naples Yellow Half Pan Watercolour Paint
amzn.to/2z9o9gt in the UK
amzn.to/2z9nKdX in the USA
amzn.to/2E3HQHj in Canada
Sharpie White China Marker
amzn.to/2jEkSAg in the UK
amzn.to/2zU9UL2 in the USA
amzn.to/2E3EqnS in Canada
Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils
amzn.to/2GR7oIp in the UK
amzn.to/2qoExnP in the USA
amzn.to/2JA6XE4 in Canada
Sailor Fude Fountain Pen amzn.to/2DAbWTF in the UK
amzn.to/2IUPcS0 in the USA
amzn.to/2PCI2TTin the UK
Carbon Black ink amzn.to/2ZyO1gT in the UK
amzn.to/2GGWiYQ in the USA
amzn.to/2GGWmYA in Canada
Twitter twitter.com/shoorayner
instagram.com/shoorayner
Website shooraynerdrawing.com
music by youtube.com/cleffernotes
Shoo Rayner is an award-winning illustrator and author of over 200 books for children.
The Shoo Rayner Drawing Channel won the 2011 YouTube NextUp award.
Make sure you are subscribed for new videos every week delivered to your inbox. ➡️ bit.ly/Sub2Shoo
Be inspired by real life to create truly original characters.
A beetle crossed my path on a walk yesterday. I filmed it and took photos. When I enlarged the photos, there were elements of its design that inspired me to sketch out some ideas.
I triangle them emerged and I developed that further, each time trying to simplify the character to make it easier to draw again and again.
Consistency is the secret to drawing characters - you have to recognise them in each frame of animation or page of book. So, simplicity and definite character identifiers are really important.
It's difficult dreaming up new ideas from your head.
Go out and look at what nature has already designed and work with those shapes and ideas.
Have fun and good luck!
If you have drawing or illustration questions you would like Shoo to answer - put them in the comments box below the video. or contact through his website - shoorayner.com
Subscribe to this channel on YouTube for lots more drawing videos from award-winning illustrator, Shoo Rayner ➡️ bit.ly/Sub2Shoo
00:00:00 Introduction
00:39:28 Analyse beetle photo
02:10:00 sketch ideas
06:13:00 plan character drawing in pencil
07:00:12 Ink the drawing
10:50:17 Paint in watercolour
18:55:00 Conclusion
Twitter twitter.com/shoorayner
instagram.com/shoorayner
Website shoorayner.com
music by youtube.com/cleffernotes
Everyone asks about the tools I use when I'm out using my sketchbook. here's a video to show you what and how I use them. youtu.be/QJwjV1FKdyg
Rotring Tikky Graphic Pen
amzn.to/2hLNgQo in the UK
amzn.to/2zRyH4y in the USA
amzn.to/2E3qL08 in Canada
The Pentel Aquash Brush
amzn.to/2hL5MZe in the UK
amzn.to/2zQFD1H in the USA
amzn.to/2BpMRHg In Canada
Huion A4 Tracing Light Pad
amzn.to/2G8VglQ in the UK
amzn.to/2E4CStW in the USA
amzn.to/2DEDt7P in Canada
The Seawhite of Brighton a5 travel journal
amzn.to/2hLANfw in the UK
amzn.to/2zU9dkU in the USA
Seawhite 350gsm Watercolour paper
amzn.to/2PEdMf7 in the UK
(Try Canson in the US amzn.to/3qrZYBk )
Seawhite layout Pad
amzn.to/2Oyyw7u in the UK
(Try Strathmnore Layout Bond in the US
amzn.to/2Oyyw7u )
The Cotman sketching watercolour set
amzn.to/2hPgKgl in the UK
amzn.to/2yWquIV in the USA
amzn.to/2BpN0KO in Canada
Neutral Tint Half Pan Watercolour Paint
amzn.to/2ymFRJI in the UK
amzn.to/2Cbk5f5 in the USA
amzn.to/2E5E3t4 in Canada
Naples Yellow Half Pan Watercolour Paint
amzn.to/2z9o9gt in the UK
amzn.to/2z9nKdX in the USA
amzn.to/2E3HQHj in Canada
Sharpie White China Marker
amzn.to/2jEkSAg in the UK
amzn.to/2zU9UL2 in the USA
amzn.to/2E3EqnS in Canada
Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils
amzn.to/2GR7oIp in the UK
amzn.to/2qoExnP in the USA
amzn.to/2JA6XE4 in Canada
Sailor Fude Fountain Pen amzn.to/2DAbWTF in the UK
amzn.to/2IUPcS0 in the USA
amzn.to/2PCI2TTin the UK
Carbon Black ink amzn.to/2ZyO1gT in the UK
amzn.to/2GGWiYQ in the USA
amzn.to/2GGWmYA in Canada
Twitter twitter.com/shoorayner
instagram.com/shoorayner
Website shooraynerdrawing.com
music by youtube.com/cleffernotes
Shoo Rayner is an award-winning illustrator and author of over 200 books for children.
The Shoo Rayner Drawing Channel won the 2011 YouTube NextUp award.
Make sure you are subscribed for new videos every week delivered to your inbox. ➡️ bit.ly/Sub2Shoo
