Illustration is such a magical way to bring characters to life and lets you create bold, unique personalities that feel full of energy! I'm all about celebrating individuality and embracing what makes each character special in my work. In this post, I’m going to walk you through my process of crafting vibrant, empowering characters that truly stand out.

I’ve always been drawn to stories, whether it's through movies, music, writing, or any form of creative expression. Over time, I realized that creating characters is something I'm super passionate about. Without even realising it, I’d find myself bringing characters to life from just about anything!

In this post, I’ll be sharing my step-by-step process, breaking it down from that first spark of an idea to the final magical touches. Whether you're just starting out or have been illustrating for years, these tips will help you create authentic, fun, and unforgettable characters. So let’s dive in and get started!

Story First, Sketch Second, Build Their World!

Before you even pick up your pencil (or whatever tool you love to use), it’s important to really think about who your character is. What’s their purpose? What story do you want to tell through them? Maybe you’re imagining a brave knight on a mission to defeat evil, or perhaps you’re picturing a laid-back florist who loves getting tattoos of their favorite blooms. Don’t hold back, let your ideas flow and have fun brainstorming!

You should start getting a sense of the character you want to create. If you feel like diving a bit deeper, try coming up with a simple backstory. You don’t need to go into full detail, but think about what’s brought them to this moment. Are they a warrior? A romantic? A dreamer? Understanding who they are will help guide you as you make decisions throughout the creation process.

Once you have a good feel for your character’s personality, you’ll be ready to bring them to life in the most creative ways! Their poses, facial expressions, and even their fashion will all reflect their unique traits and make them feel real and vibrant. The possibilities are endless, let your character’s personality shine through every detail!

Shaping Your Character… Literally!

Let’s roll up our sleeves and start bringing your character to life on the page! We’ll begin by thinking about their facial features, pose, and clothing. These details are the heart of your character’s personality, and trust me, even the tiniest choices can tell a big story.

Illustration of a puffin with a silver fish in its mouth rejecting blue and pink — Want to go deeper? Play with shapes! A rebellious, edgy character might rock sharp angles and bold, jagged lines. Meanwhile, softer, romantic personalities (like many of my own characters) often shine through with gentle curves and flowing, rounded silhouettes. Shapes are like secret storytellers, they say so much without a single word!

Let Their Personality Pick the Colours

Okay so, this part can be a bit tricky. I’ve absolutely been there, staring at a rainbow of options, feeling totally overwhelmed. Maybe you’ve already got a colour palette you love (lucky you!), or maybe you’re still figuring it out (me too, some days!). Either way, start with your character’s personality. Are they fiery and energetic? Dive into bold reds, oranges, and sunny yellows. Or are they more on the mysterious, moody side? Try out dusty blues, muted greys, or rich, earthy tones.

The key is don’t overthink it. Just play! Give yourself space to experiment and permission to walk away and come back later with fresh eyes. It makes a world of difference.

The Little Things That Make a Big Impact

Illustration of a girl with afro hair, big daisy in her hair, wearing denim with shiny gold belt and earrings, leaning on a guitar, surrounded by amps, wires and a microphone — One of my favourite steps? Adding accessories and little objects that help tell the character’s story. These tiny details can speak volumes about who they are.
Take this guitarist character I made, for example, she’s got that cool, edgy vibe, but she’s also a peaceful activist. Her clothes and accessories reflect that balance.
So think about what your character carries or wears. A quirky pin, a funky hat, a sentimental object, these choices bring depth and uniqueness that really make your character shine.

Strike a Pose! Let the Body Speak!

Body language is everything! The way your character stands or moves can instantly give us insight into their personality. Want to show confidence? Try upright poses with the chest open and shoulders back. I also love playing with dynamic poses to make my characters feel alive.

Illustration of a girl with brown bob, 60s makeup, large jewellery and hair underarms framing her own face — In one piece, I was inspired by vogueing and used a dramatic pose to show a character beautifully framing her own face, it brought so much energy and elegance to the composition!

Look at fashion photography, dance, even movie stills, anywhere you can find poses full of emotion and drama.

Inspired by You: Infuse Your Personal Style

This whole process? It’s all about exploring what you love. For me, that’s retro fashion, vintage makeup, and queer culture. These passions show up again and again in my characters, giving them that special spark of authenticity.

Once you’ve sketched a few ideas, step back and check the overall balance. I love going wild with concepts (seriously, the crazier the better sometimes!), but even then, a quick breather helps me come back with fresh eyes and make sure everything flows.

Add Some Sparkle! It’s Time to Make Magic!

Then comes the most magical part, adding colour, texture, and those extra-special details that make your character truly yours. If you’re anything like me, you’ll love sneaking in a little glitter or sparkle to add some joy and emotion.

Illustration of two girls. one has long curly hair and a sparkly pink dress one has short hair wearing a white vest top and black jeans with a carabiner, the pink dress girl is kissing the other on the cheek, ombre colourful background and stars — I often use stars and sparkles to reflect how my characters are feeling, like in one piece, where I added a flurry of magic above the characters to show how affectionate and dreamy the moment was for them.

But maybe your version of magic is totally different. That’s the beauty of illustration. There’s no right or wrong here, just endless possibilities.

The Journey Doesn’t End Here! Your Characters Are Waiting!

Creating powerful, expressive characters is such a joyful way to connect with others. Illustration is a beautiful, accessible art form that transcends age, language, and borders. Through my work, I hope to celebrate individuality, spread kindness, and help people feel seen and accepted and I’d love for you to join me on that journey.

If you’re feeling inspired, I’ve got some fun character prompts linked HERE! to help you get started. Whether you follow them exactly or just use them as a jumping-off point, I hope they spark something exciting for you.

And if you do end up creating something, especially if you use one of the prompts, please tag me on instagram or send it my way! I’d absolutely love to see what you dream up.

Remember: there’s no limit to the characters you can create. So go wild, stay curious, and most importantly have fun. 🌟

To have a peek at more of my process, hop over to my instagram @joelymaria_illustration. I post more tips and tricks, views of my process and other things that inspire me.

Character Creation 101: How to Develop Unique, Empowering Characters for Your Illustrations