Character mentor : learn by example to use expressions, poses, and staging to bring your characters to life / Tom Bancroft.

Includes index.

Now what: drawing basics for posing and expressions : Twinning ; Using perspective to create depth ; Clothing: depth killers? ; Using the core ; Line of action ; Drama is not vertical ; Step-by-step: creating a pose from start to finished color ; Clarity and silhouette -- Celebrity artist assignment : Bobby Rubio, storyboard artist -- The face: breaking down the elements of expression : Eyes ; Eyebrows ; The mouth ; The neck ; The nose ; Using the facial elements to emote ; Celebrity artist assignment : Sean "Cheeks" Galloway, comic book artist/character designer -- Posing your character: what are you trying to communicate? : Body language ; Weight and balance ; The mechanics of movement ; Walks and runs ; Celebrity artist assignment : Stephen Silver, character designer -- Acting: characters acting and reacting the way you want them to : Thumbnailing ; Subtext ; Purpose-driven acting ; Eye direction and proximity ; Using photo reference ; Characters listening to each other ; Celebrity artist assignment : Terry Dodson, comic book artist -- Staging your scene: using the elements of your scene to create a composition : The rule of thirds ; Choosing your shot ; Point of view ; Celebrity artist assignment : Brian Ajhar, illustrator/character designer -- Leading the eye: prioritizing by design : Visual "flow" and tonal studies ; Shape-based composition ; Determining priorities ; Compositing for a client ; Celebrity artist assignment : Marcus Hamilton, comic strip artist -- Putting it in action: creating an character-driven illustration from start to finish : Research, research, research ; Character design ; Thumbnail layouts ; Inks ; Color wizardry ; Celebrity artist assignment : Jeremiah Alcorn, illustrator/character designer.