$19.99 FIRST MONTH SPECIAL (promo-code SDA2023)

LEARN CHARACTER DESIGN IN 10 MINUTES A DAY

 

ON-LINE LESSONS AND WEEKLY LIVE ZOOM MEETINGS

 

FOR BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED ARTISTS

 

Bite-sized lessons with daily drawing challenges

 

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"I just joined 3 days ago and I already feel like I’m learning so much!" 

 Student- Emma White

WATCH FREE SAMPLE LESSONS

Your Teacher: Stephen Silver

Born in London and currently residing in Los Angeles with his wife, Stephen Silver has been a professional working artist, character designer, and teacher in the industry for over 30 years. He developed intellectual properties for some of the largest media companies in the world, such as Disney, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Sony, MAD Magazine, Reel FX, Bento box, Hasbro, Universal, DreamWorks, and more.

Stephen is responsible for the visual character development and design of some of animation’s most iconic shows; including Disney’s Kim Possible, Nickelodeon’s Danny Phantom, and Disney’s Clerks: The Animated Series, to name a few. 

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Josh Ohmes

"Since starting the classes, I've seen a huge improvement in skill, and confidence. I do highly recommend this online school for anyone looking to push themselves. Self teaching is good, but with structure. it helps to see fast improvement, plus the weekend drawing with stephen  drawing is a main reason to sign up."

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Ahmed Sidky

"SDA is a valuable learning resource if you’re looking for an online art school that teaches easy to understand and practical lessons that you can apply instantly to improve your drawing skills. Stephen Silver is a genuinely outstanding teacher and is devoted to sharing his 30+ years of art experience, wisdom and techniques so you can grow as an artist."

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Juana Mool

"I watched a 4 minute lesson and after it, I was able to focus on the right things and catch the feeling of a pose for the first time in my life (I think), it also helped me to push things (which is something I struggle with). In a matter of seconds my drawings changed dramatically for the better, it’s pretty insane. Go join if you can is worth every single penny."

 

WHAT'S INSIDE

 
1. The whole process! A step-by-step guide to character design creation.

 

2. Over 400 video lessons offering how-to's and challenges.

 

3. Each lesson is short and concise. 5 minute tops. Watch and draw!.

 

4. 5 live meetings each month for accountability. Join me and the community to draw, reinforce and add more content to the lessons. Let's draw together and share our thoughts.

 

5. A worldwide, beautiful community! It's like a family but in a good way.

 

(Video lessons are under 5 minutes for concentrated learning)

 

 HOW IT WORKS

 

 
 

"I am really learning a lot and gaining valuable information even early on to the program. It is so mind-blowing!" - Jeni Francisco/ Member

GET STARTED

Program Description

The program was specially designed to introduce students to drawing, character design, gesture, caricature, and the business of art. Students will learn industry-standard techniques for producing top-notch character designs and get the tools they need to begin a flourishing art career. This proven program builds confidence while inspiring students with new ideas and daily drills to help them grow.


 Program Objective

Upon successful completion of the daily drawings, you will be able to:

•  Push your ideas and poses
•  Gain insight into shape language
•  Create characters based off a description
•  Understand design fundamentals
•  Quick sketch from life
•  Break down and exaggerate the human face
•  Bring your characters to life using multiple techniques
•  Assemble an effective portfolio
•  Use new skills to become a studio or freelance artist
•  Utilize business strategies to create your own IPs

 

For Just $29 gain access to all the topics below

Take your character design skills to the next level and unlock your potential with these proven online lessons!

GET STARTED

 FORMER  STUDENTS 

Bobby Pontillas • Grant Alexander • Alan Stewart • Mitch Leeuwe • Chris Ayres • Shaun Bryant • Will Terrell • John Jagusak • David Colman • Mark Mcdonnell • David Wolter • Justin Rodrigues • Cedric Hohnstadt • Jesse Aclin • and many more...

 

STUDENT WORK

Watch lessons • Do the assignments • Share in the community • Get feedback

WHAT'S INSIDE:

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Weekly Live Meetups

Join 5 live sessions each month to stay connected, motivated, and active. Ask me questions as we draw together.

"I want to thank you for all the amazing work that you are putting into SDA, it's been really a great experience for me and I have definitely seen an improvement in my work."
- Diana Luna / Member
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Art Gym

Bulk up your skills with a daily drawing exercise routine. Art Gym provides the structure to fuel improvement. Use this drawing plan alongside the video lessons and witness your gains.

"Thank you so much for the critiques, it was so much help!, I already feel stronger about my skills."
- Dwayne Biddix / Member

Mindset

Develop a creative mindset and learn how to organize a clear path to your art career goals during these encouraging and thought provoking sessions.

"Stephen gave me the tools to improve my drawings, lessons that I still use today."
- Bobby Pontillas / Art director
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Beginning Techniques

Whether you're a beginner or seasoned professional; this is a great place to start. Get an exciting refresher on the fundamentals.

"I definitely learned a lot in these lessons! The skull is so simple, yet has always been something I’ve struggled with and avoided. This broke it down in such a great, easy to understand way I feel like I could draw them no problem now!
- Phillip Rauschkolb / Member

 

 

Drawing Heads

Learn how to construct and draw the human head in a variety of styles, angles, and shapes

"I Love the fact that your site allows each lesson to be marked complete, It helps me organize the lessons I have already worked on."
- Erica Bey / Member
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Gesture

Add life and energy to a range of poses. Discover how to observe and capture movement in any drawing you create. These techniques can be applied to animation, illustration, and more.

"I watched a 4 minute lesson and after it, I was able to focus on the right things and catch the feeling of a pose for the first time in my life."
- Juana Mool / Member
 

Party Caricature

Sharpen your observation skills and learn how to break down a face, accurately capture likeness, and produce studio quality caricatures. Become equipped to take on freelance work.

"I've taken a lot of classes online for art throughout the years and these courses have progressed me more than all the other ones combined."
- Theodore Fergason / Member

The Silver Way Overview

Access video lessons reviewing the core principles of The Silver Way, one of the top ranked books on character design. Receive step by step breakdowns of concepts outlined in the text to reinforce what you’ve read.

"You Learn the ropes around art techniques, the art business as well as the right attitude for success."
- James Francis / Member

 

Developing Characters

Discover industry standards for character design; including clean-up, turnarounds, lineups, expression sheets, and more. Design an array of characters in different styles. Understand what you need to show potential clients in order to get work.

"The short video format works perfectly for me as a father of 2 daughters and a full time job."
- Ka Yin / Member
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Drawing Animals

Watch as I break down animal shapes and explain my methods. Learn how to find the character in references and explore different art styles as the course progresses.

"You've truly created something amazing and I was overwhelmed at the amount of high quality content on offer."
- David Woodgate
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Drawing Drills

Explore daily drawing drills specially designed to polish observation and drafting skills while boosting confidence.

"I've seen a huge improvement in skills and confidence."

- Josh Ohmes / Member
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Character Drawing Prompts

Do you struggle to come up with character ideas? This category will help by providing innumerable suggestions for you to draw.

"SDA is a valuable learning resource if you're looking for an online school that teaches easy to understand and practical lessons that you can apply instantly to improve your drawing skills ."
- Ahmed Sidky / Member
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Resources

Utilize our library of handpicked reference websites, drawing exercises, animation resources, and more.

"This site is filled with hundreds of short and positive drawing tutorial videos. It's great for busy people who may only have a few spare minutes per day to sketch."
- Matt Watts / Member

 

 

GET STARTED
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8 Week Instructor-Led Fundamentals Of Character Design Course

Next Semester Begins 

September 20th 2024

"This course has been one of the best investments I have ever made. Right from the end of week one I saw improvement in my drawing that has continued to progress over the course of the eight weeks that I have taken the class. I have learned a tremendous amount, seen my skills improve, and have been encouraged by taking this course. I highly recommend taking it to anyone who wants to learn character design or for designers, like me, who want to improve and be better at their craft."

Tad Butler/ Member

⭐️This is a separate program from the Character Design Program.⭐️

LEARN MORE
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