Creative Strategies: Cut Out Shape Drawing Exercise for Character Design

I'm going to show you one of my favorite design exercises and how I use it to help me design my picture book characters. Something some old people like me have a hard time with is a tendency to get too rigid, too stiff, too caught up in the same idea of how things should be. I want my drawings and ideas to be loose, carefree, and original. This is why I like creative drawing strategies to help me loosen up and see things differently. This particular strategy is to cut out random shapes and see what I can see in those shapes. It’s a really easy, fun way to encourage your brain to see things a little differently and an approachable shape drawing exercise for all ages.

Let’s say you’re trying to figure out what a fish character will look like. You could cut out a bunch of different shapes from colored construction paper (the more variety, the better). Then, glue the shapes to a piece of white paper. With a black marker, add details to turn each shape into a fish. Experiment with different shapes for the eyes, gills, and fins and play around with where you place the different parts of the fish. Try to be as weird as you can, even if you are afraid it might not end up looking like a fish at all. The point is to shake up any boring ideas about how you think a fish should look and push yourself to come up with some new ways of thinking.

Some cut out shape character exploration for Gil the goldfish in Too Crowded. I think I could have gone crazier, especially with my eye placement and fin shapes. What do you think?

Kids are naturally good at this exercise and it’s great fun to do together and see what kind of silly results you come up with. I pick my favorite ones and use them as the basis for my final character designs. This kind of cut-out shape drawing activity works equally well for adults looking to boost creativity or kids experimenting with art.

Materials Needed (for Cut Out Shape Drawings)

• scissors

• colored paper

• black felt tip marker

• glue stick

• white paper

How to Do the Cut Out Shape Drawing Exercise

1. Cut out shapes — try to make them as different as possible: different sizes, curvy and straight lines, square, circle, triangle. Try not to think about the end result as you’re cutting; just let the scissors lead.

2. Glue the shapes down on white paper.

3. Add details with the black marker. Let the shapes inform you and try to vary where on the shapes you are placing the details, the sizes and shapes of any elements you are adding, and the types of marks you are making. Have fun with it. Try not to analyze your marks or look at your designs critically until you are totally done.

4. When you are done adding lines, and only when you’re done adding lines, you can pick your favorites. You might be surprised by which ones you like the most and hopefully you’ll discover a few ideas you didn’t have before.

How many different types os shapes can you cut out?

Good for all ages — If they haven't mastered scissors yet, little ones will have fun working with shapes that are already cut out. Cutting out random shapes is great practice for slightly older kids who are learning to use scissors. I might be immature, but I'm still a grown-up and I love this activity. So, there you go, fun for all ages. Hope you have a blast and find some surprises along the way.