How to Create Classic Comic Character Illustrations

Scarecrow character with text "Character Design Made Simple.

Whether you’re into drawing comics, designing your own villains, or building out worlds for games and stories, this tutorial breaks it all down step-by-step (no art school required).

Watch the full Crow Walker tutorial here and grab the same RetroSupply brushes and textures used in the video to bring your own characters to life.

Ever wonder how to design a comic character from scratch? One that feels alive, creepy, and totally original?

In this new RetroSupply tutorial, we walk through the full process of drawing characters and creating comic character designs that tell a story.

Our guinea pig: The Crow Walker, a sinister scarecrow with gnarled limbs, burlap skin, and a bad attitude. You’ll learn every stage of character design, from brainstorming and silhouettes to rough sketches, inking, and color.

Along the way, we’ll show how tools like Funny Papers, ColorLab, and the Standard Pens Pack help give your art that gritty, vintage comic feel.