Learn the Art of Character Design from One of Animation’s Most Influential Teachers

 Build stronger character design skills through easy to follow, practical lessons you can apply immediately, taught by Stephen Silver, creator, mentor, recruiter, and teacher to artists around the world.

What’s Inside

Who This Is For

Beginners & Aspiring Artists

Perfect for artists who want clear, structured guidance to build strong character design fundamentals and grow their creative confidence.

Students & Creative Professionals

Designed for art students and working creatives looking to sharpen their skills, strengthen portfolios, and gain real industry insight.

Hobbyists & Career Builders

Great for creatives at any level, whether you draw for fun or want to build a strong portfolio for industry opportunities.

LEARN TO DESIGN CHARACTERS WITH CONFIDENCE

✔ Understand the principles of professional character design

âś” Create original characters from imagination

✔ Build a strong portfolio that stands out

How silver drawing academy works!

Watch Short Lessons

Easy to follow video lessons designed to fit your schedule.

Apply Immediately

Complete exercises after each lesson to strengthen your skills through practice.

ATTEND WEEKLY LIVE DRAWING SESSIONS

Practice your skills live and get answers from Stephen in real time.

 

Everything you need

To Master Character Design

 

✔ Easy-to-follow video lessons

✔ Learn the fundamentals of professional character design, caricature, gesture, and expression

✔ Guided exercises and downloadable worksheets to strengthen your skills

✔ Weekly live sessions, mentorship, and real industry insight

✔ Learn anytime, anywhere, at your own pace

 

View All Lessons

Learn from one of the industry's top Character Designers

 

Stephen Silver is the acclaimed character designer behind some of animation’s most iconic shows, including Kim Possible, Danny Phantom, and Clerks: The Animated Series.

With decades of industry experience, Stephen has created original characters and developed intellectual properties for some of the world’s leading entertainment companies, including Disney, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Hasbro, and many more — helping shape the look and feel of modern animation for an entire generation of artists and fans.

Learn More about Stephen

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What student are saying

"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

"Stephen Silver is a fantastic teacher with an impressive career. He helped me to learn and understand how to draw and design strong and appealing characters. His way of teaching is very accessible and challenging at the same time. This combined gave me that well needed push in the right direction to develop my skills. Besides all the technical skills I learned by following his classes, he also gave me the motivation and mentorship I needed to grow as an artist. After his lessons I knew exactly what I needed to improve and what to do next to develop myself even more in my craft. Stephen played an important role on my path to become an artist and I can highly recommend other artists to follow his lessons."

Mitch Leeuwe

"I have known Stephen Silver for many years. And in that time he has always been an incredible teacher, sharing lessons from afar, unveiling the mysteries of cartooning and animation. But it wasn’t till getting to take his classes, at first online, and then in person, that I was truly able to level up as far as character design is concerned. He not only was able to explain the process, but also the thinking you need as a professional to be able to work in the industry. But my favorite part of Stephen Silver’s lessons is that he always seems to care more about the person, and wants us not only to be good artists, but to be our best selves. And that’s something you can’t put a price on."

Will Terrell

"A massive, comprehensive, and organized collection of videos that alone are worth the subscription. What truly sets Stephen apart is his genuine interest in the success of his students and his openness to talk about the ups and downs of being an artist, including tips on transforming your thought process!"

Sondra Mantle
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