Page 6 - Creating Whimsical Characters

Designs and Patterns

There are many ways to develop designs and patterns. And
multiple tools for doing them. Below are a list of my favorite

design tools.

Sketchpad

Pencils of choice for sketching

Eraser of choice

Graph paper

Reference Photos

Card Stock - For printing Reference Photos to scale

Box for holding scissors and catching paper scraps

Dedicated scissors for cutting patterns - I use the 4 piece set
from Loops & Threads™ Sewing Scissors (Michaels Item

Number: 10454191 for $10)

Pencil sharpener

White eraser

Watercolor pencils - For sketching the pattern onto the panel
or sculpture. I use Derwent. They come in sets of 12, 24, 36,

and 72 with retail prices ranging from $26 to $175 and
discounted prices from $16 to $94 (Dick Blick). Watch for sales
online and Micheal’s 40 to 50% of 1 item coupons.

I usually start my design with a concept (a gargoyle chess set) or a

story (Dev wants to sail a toy boat). Once I know the story or the
character, I start doing rough sketches. I think about what form I

might be using to sculpt the character (like a small wooden people
form) and how it works as the skeleton for my character.

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