Designing Characters for a Graphic Novel

Here is the process I went through while designing additional characters for my graphic novel. Usually, the first sketches aren't the best and I need to hammer away at it until I come up with something really good. I want to make sure the new characters I'm designing will work well with my existing characters, which is why I build them next to my other characters. I wouldn't want the new characters to have a head mass that was too big or too small, and I can size them all up next to each other and concentrate on using shapes that will bring variety to the lineup.

The feedback I get from others helps me to refine the characters even further.  I liked the girl on the top right the most, but both of my daughters thought her hair was too boring and plain. I did variations on the bottom and then got even more feedback to combine the bangs from one design and the ponytail from another.  Voila! I have a character that works and even got feedback from my family. *I also thought if I could design a younger Tahani from our favorite show "The Good Place," she'd be pretty cute.*

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For the next character, the inspiration came from a viral video of a high school percussionist...

I loved this kid so much! When I saw him, I knew I wanted my character to resemble him. 

Am I the only one who goes into designing characters with a distinct person in mind? Maybe. Sometimes I draw people that end up looking like someone I know inadvertently. Once I realize it, I usually go all in and make the character intentionally look like the person. It's fun to say, "Hey, Kevin! I put you in my illustration in Highlights Magazine!"
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