#oc design tips

[redtailarts101]

Design tip: adding "imperfections" to your character designs helps differentiate and diversify them, and makes each individual design more interesting. Add acne. Blemishes. Moles. Freckles. Keratosis pilaris. Vitiligo. Eczema. Other skin conditions. Give them an overbite or crooked nose. Your designs will be more unique this way and they'll be visually interesting even without having to clutter other parts of the design.

"but I don't know how to do any of that" okay look up tutorials or just go in blind and try! You're allowed to do it "bad" and then get better with time.

[monstatron]

ANKETHIA, THE GRANDMOTHER OF TRANQUILITY

( character is a woman, she/her ! )

feeling the hype for the new predator films so i've decided to revisit my main yautja OC's new design! i've been working on her on and off for a couple of months now. took a break from my current WIPs to just have fun and finally give this big ol' lady the reference she deserves!

enjoy some lore on ankethia :)

Ankethia is the respected leader and ancient of the secluded and mysterious clan of "Resting Blade". Located in the ruins of an abandoned moon, Ankethia had founded Resting Blade thousands of years ago as a sanctuary and a place of retirement for elderly warriors such as herself and provided asylum for travelers or warriors who needed it as well. Even some Bad Bloods have found a place at Resting Blade. Prior to founding her clan, Ankethia was dedicated to the hunt like many others.

In her prime, Ankethia was nothing short of a beast, a revered warrior known for slaying multiple Xenomorph queens alongside her wife, Mak'arhu. The two of them were an unconventional yet deadly duo. Unfortunately, Mak'arhu had succumbed to illness and died in Ankethia's arms. This did not deter her, however. Following the death of Mak'arhu, Ankethia set out on extinguishing an unknown amount of hives in memory of her fallen mate. She would hunt until her body told her that it was time to stop, until her heart was full and she was content.

Currently, Ankethia lives out the last of her days not in bloodshed and glory, but in peace and tranquility (and a little partying here and there!). Ankethia is quite the diva, preferring to live in luxury, gorging herself in home-brewed winery and only hunting when she wants a good meal. She ensures the same luxury for all those who seek refuge at Resting Blade.

[rheas-chaos-anthology]

What you HAVE TO know about your characters

Name:

Appearence:

Age:

Role:

Why the have that role, not based on the plot but based on the characters core beliefs and how that affects the plot:

Beliefs:

Motivations:

Who they were raised to be vs who they are/are becoming:

Plans for the future:

How they feel about themselves and how it affects their behavior:

Why do they even matter to the story:

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

50 Dark Academia Names For Your Female Characters + Meanings & Origins

Alecto - unceasing in anger (Greek mythology)

Ariadne - most holy (Greek mythology)

Cassiopeia - she who entangles (Greek mythology)

Circe - hawk (Greek mythology)

Drusilla - dewy-eyed (Roman)

Eris - strife (Greek mythology)

Fionnuala - fair shouldered (Irish)

Galatea - she who is milk-white (Greek mythology)

Hekate - will (Greek mythology)

Idony - ancient wisdom (Scandinavian)

Isolde - ice battle (Arthurian)

Kore - maiden (Greek mythology)

Lenore - light (Spanish/French)

Lilitu - monstrous woman (Mesopotamian mythology)

Maeve - she who intoxicates (Irish)

Nyx - night (Greek mythology)

Orion - rising (Greek mythology)

Pandora - all-gifted (Greek mythology)

Queenie - noble queen (English)

Rhaenyra - dark reign (Game of Thrones)

Selene - moon goddess (Greek mythology)

Themis - justice (Greek mythology)

Ursula - little female bear (German)

Valeria - strength (Roman)

Willow - willow tree (English)

Xanthe - golden flower (Greek)

Yseult - ice battle (Arthurian)

Zelda - dark battle (Germanic)

Zephyrine - from the west wind (Greek)

Aella - whirlwind (Greek mythology)

Brynhild - armored battle maiden (Norse mythology)

Catriona - pure (Scottish Gaelic)

Deirdre - sorrowful (Irish)

Elspeth - God's promise (Scottish)

Felicity - good fortune (Latin)

Gwendolyn - white ring/circle (Welsh)

Harlow - rock clearing (English)

Idalia - from Idalium (Greek mythology)

Jericho - scent of beauty (Hebrew)

Kalliope - beautiful voice (Greek mythology)

Lumen - light (Latin)

Morana - death (Slavic mythology)

Nerissa - mermaid (Greek mythology)

Octavia - eighth (Roman)

Persephone - bringer of death (Greek mythology)

Quintessa - fifth (Latin)

Seraphina - fiery serpent (Hebrew)

Theda - goddess (Greek)

Umbriel - shade (Roman mythology)

Xenia - hospitality (Greek)

[moodyskeletonart]

easy way to add variety with simple clothes for characters is just to change the way they style them

like, jeans and t shirt for example

do they tuck in their shirt? half-tucked? it tight fitting? baggy? what type of jeans? baggy? boot-cut? bell bottoms? skinny? do they roll them up? are they ripped? how ripped? patched? do they wear a belt? are they stained? acid wash?

[spade-12]

My Yuusona… This is so cringe & ugly, but I am free…..

People have such scrumptious yuus and ocs, and look at this abomination

I don’t have a name, or any info about them, but I’ve been aching to create a yuu oc, because the persona I’ve been using is so simple

ITS SO BASIC HHHHH

Might just go back to drawing people’s ocs and pretend this never existed because what is this (also hi! Back again so soon ^^) - ♠️

[broncoburro]

Lucas got a portrait update. A small selection of them, in which he is exhibiting his natural behavior: alternating smirking and scowling.

[kittydisk]

here is a master list of great art tools that can make your workflow easier! 👇 (consistently updating)

posemaniacs.com/en

if you want to learn human anatomy with the benefit of preset poses, this is for you! you can use it standalone, but as a bonus you can also import poses into the clip studio paint 3D models. (File -> Import -> 3D Pose (Posemaniacs)

line-of-action.com

great for gestures and observational sketches!

zvork.fr/vls/

browser based rig for lighting & shadows

MY FAVORITE BRUSHPACKS

truegrit texture supply - https://www.truegrittexturesupply.com

thedawner procreate & csp packs - https://ko-fi.com/thedawner/

ADDITIONAL TOOLS COMING!

[vivsinkpot]

Writing Characters with Fairy or Dragonfly Wings: Fragile, Fierce, and Not to Be Underestimated

So maybe your winged character doesn’t have feathered angelic wings or leathery dragon limbs. Maybe their wings are translucent, gossamer, or glittering in the light — the kind of wings that hum like crystal and tear like silk. Let’s talk about fairy, insectoid, dragonfly-like wings — and how to write them in a way that makes them feel real.

This is a follow-up to my original winged character guide — if you’re writing any kind of winged character, definitely check that out first for biomechanics, symbolism, and physical challenges.

Anatomy of a Gossamer Dream

Fairy-style wings are typically modeled on insect wings — dragonflies, butterflies, moths, cicadas — all those delicate, veined wonders of nature.

Lightweight but Strong (Sort Of)

These wings are made of thin membranes stretched over a network of veins.

Dragonfly wings in particular are rigid, allowing agile flight with independent movement (yes — each wing can flap separately).

Butterfly wings are softer, more fluttery, designed for gliding and visual display rather than speed.

✍️ If your character has dragonfly-style wings, think precision, agility, rapid changes of direction. If they have moth or butterfly wings, think grace, drift, allure.

Placement Matters

Insects have multiple pairs of wings (usually two pairs — forewings and hindwings).

You’ll want to decide: do your characters have just one pair, or four wings? Are they stacked or spread out?

✍️ Tip: A four-wing structure gives your character more balance, lift, and complexity — but also more space needed, more room for injury, and more movement to coordinate.

Fragility and Function

These wings may be beautiful, but they are vulnerable. Treat them that way in your writing.

Delicate Damage

Gossamer wings tear easily — on thorns, rough walls, during fights, even in bad weather.

Once damaged, they might be painful, irreparable, or regrow slowly.

This vulnerability can be symbolic — a representation of your character’s innocence, past traumas, or changing identity.

✍️ A torn wing might be your character’s equivalent of a limp, a scar, or a lost voice. Or it might be something they’re deeply ashamed of — a mark of exile from a fae court, perhaps.

Environmental Hazards

Rain is heavier than it looks — it can ground or drown tiny-winged creatures.

Smoke, dust, and cobwebs can destroy the delicate membranes.

Cold weather makes membranes brittle and prone to cracking.

✍️ Think about a scene where a fairy-like character has to crawl to shelter in a storm, or shelter their wings under a cloak, or cut their flight short to preserve their mobility.

Aesthetic and Symbolism

Fairy wings are rarely just functional. They are emblems — of status, magic, mood, and identity.

Wings As Personal Expression

Wing color, shape, and shimmer could be tied to emotion, rank, or species.

Maybe your characters’ wings change with age, seasons, or personal development (think: molting, metamorphosis, magical flux).

Transparent wings might become iridescent when touched, or darken with grief.

✍️ Describe how the wings catch the light. Make it matter when someone sees their reflection ripple across them. That’s character, not just costume.

Courtly Hierarchies

Wings could denote nobility, caste, or function in a fae society.

Torn or clipped wings might signal punishment or shame.

Artificial wings — prosthetic, magical, or glamoured — could reflect ambition, bitterness, or resilience.

✍️ Imagine a fairy queen with tattered, barely functional wings — not from battle, but because she gave her flight for power.

Combat, Flight, and Movement

Small wings don’t mean weak characters. In fact, they’re often deadliest in motion.

Zipping Through Battle

Think hummingbird/dragonfly logic: speed, agility, unpredictability.

Fae warriors might use flight to dodge, dart, or launch from trees like wasps with knives.

Your character may not overpower their enemies, but they can outmaneuver them.

When They Can’t Fly

When grounded, wings get in the way. They might drag, snag, or shimmer too brightly in stealth situations.

Some characters might hide them, fold them tightly, or even glamour them away to pass as human.

✍️ Wings as a visible difference can signal everything — pride, alienation, vulnerability. Decide how your character handles being seen.

Worldbuilding Ideas for Faerie/Dragonfly-Winged Characters

Here’s some bonus worldbuilding to enrich your story:

Doorways shaped like arches to allow winged movement.

Suspended walkways, canopy villages, or vertical cities designed for aerial beings.

Wing-care stations: like spas or temples, for grooming, magical repair, or seasonal molting.

Winged court etiquette: a lowered wing as submission, a flare as threat, brushing wings as a form of intimacy.

Final Thoughts

Fairy wings are more than just sparkles and flutter. They can be a lens through which you explore vulnerability, pride, identity, and transformation. They can make your character otherworldly, but also deeply human.

Let them shine. Let them tear. Let them shimmer and fall and rise again.

💬 Reblog and tell me what color your OC’s wings are. Do they hum like cicadas? Pulse like flame? Or barely hold together after what they’ve been through?

And don’t forget to check out Part One: Writing Characters with Wings for everything on wingspans, anatomy, and the practical realities of flight.

[cry-ptidd]

hey Nev! Out of curiosity, do you have any other ocs besides Laura?

I find your stuff super neat!

Thank you so much!! And yes, I got a few!

I've posted about Bojana and Síomha before, however briefly,

Then there's these two which are quite old (from my demon slayer hyperfixation in 2022). Nobuko was a self-insert from an AU with friends.

I can also share the characters I made for my end of the year project for school, for a folk fairytale-inspired type of story based on Serbian and slavic stories I grew up with.

[ostriches-because-i-said-so]

Ways to get to know your characters:

These are just some ways I do t, feel free to add your own tips!

Google sheets. Just google sheets. Make a sheet for your story and create categories to fill on your character's traits. Very simple example:

2. Making Pinterest boards. Listen maybe I'm biased because I'm on Pinterest more than I'm on Tumblr and it gives me the most intense nostalgia of any website/app ever, but it may be my most helpful tactic. This works in plenty of ways. Making a board for one story's character designs and making individual categories for each character in that board. Making individual board for each character's design, aesthetic, personality, whatever. No example but I think you get it.

3. I might sound like you lame ass ELA teacher from 9th grade or whatever when I say this, but plot mountains are really helpful. Now I don't mean the plot plot for all you, "I just start writing and am as surprised as my characters when everything goes to shit." writers like me, I'm talking about an internal plot. To explain, there is an external plot (exposition, rising action, climax, etc.) and internal plot (character development,) making external plot mountains isn't helpful for me because I want freedom in my writing. I know where it starts and sometimes where it stops and that's good enough, but writing the development of a character is good to outline just for the foreshadowing and because CHARACTER FLAWS ARE FUCKING IMPORTANT. (Cue the one post about eating mayo packets)

4. Mark their birthdays in your calendar. Like google calendar or whatever the fuck you use. Anyway, dedicate their birthday to just getting to know them. Make a wish list of presents they'd like, or a slideshow about the party activities they'd like, or a pinterest board about what their party theme would be. It's fun, I swear.

5. Make lists of a bunch of stuff. Their flaws, their strengths, their favourite thing, their pet peeves, their favourite people, their pets, their little quirks they have, etc.

6. Physical objects. Make them, buy them, or just stuff you already have. Make a little box of things they'd like or have. Treat them like a friend. A real person. It'll inspire you to write or draw more and you can come up with little backstories on the items.

7. Give them a catchphrase. Even if they never say it, it's cute. I like them. Most people do, I think.

[rheas-chaos-anthology]

HOW TO FIND A PLOT WHEN ALL YOU HAVE IS CHARACTERS AND A SETTING (and has built in character development!)

I'm looking at you oc community

YAY you have a world. Great! Now write down what happens on a normally- what are your character's daily routine. And my favorite part, why is that their routine. What makes them choose that? Are they constantly doing new thing cause they're afraid to be by themselves? Are they constantly by themselves because they are afraid of rejection? What would take this comfort zone and burn it to the ground. Create a list of ideas and pick your favorite.

Create a list of each character's goals and motivation, I'll be making a post on how to find that soon btw. Can the plot be based of these goals?

Pick THE MOST IMPORTANT goals.

Find the characters with different goals. YAY conflict!

You have to know your characters fears for this part. Not like heights like no one will ever love me if I'm not always perfect.

How are they dissatisfied with life:

What do they think will bring them happiness:

What could they do to be happy: 

How has their fear stopped them from taking this action:

How do they think they can get their goal without doing the thing that makes them afraid:

6. Then use the situation in point 1 to create the environment that kick starts it. Use the goals and motivations to show why they do actions and boom!

Happy writing!

[michaeladrianwright]

Knight Process

[cowsabungus]

I'm making a lil info graphic about writing characters with chronic pain, it anyone has any thing they'd like said, pls lemme know (+where you want to be tagged, I.e. if u want ur tumble user, insta or timtok etc)

Thanks!

[marquisecubey]

I have a new dnd character and I’ve been drawing her so much for the past week uuuuuuhhhhhh anyway here’s sister Frenelle I named her after a type of light fixture

(Congratulations! You have clicked on the Read More and you have unlocked her long ass backstory. Enjoy this thing I sent to my dm, which I can only assume that she must have liked because she gave me a free legendary magic item lmfao. Don’t worry if you’re not up to snuff on Eberron specific lore, I catch you up on the important bits.)

The secret child of an elven nobleman and a human scholar, Frenelle Albright was born in the isolated island nation of Aerenal.

Aerenal was not a kind place to anyone who was not a full-blooded elf, and with very few flesh and blood friends to talk to, her mother's wide collection of books became her dearest companions. From an early age, the doctor saw great intelligence and curiosity in her daughter; the tomes she pulled from her mother’s shelves were leagues above her expected reading level, and by the age of eight, she could even hold entire conversations about complex historical topics.

Humans cannot wander freely across Aerenal with no reason, but it was a vital place when it came to Dr. Albright’s research. The goal of the books she was writing was to help the rest of the world gain a greater understanding of Aereni society, and to hopefully encourage them be less afraid of their open practice of necromancy. But sadly, while it was a fantastic place for a researcher, there were also very few opportunities for her bright young daughter to truly flourish and learn at her own pace. So one day, she had a difficult conversation with her daughter: For the next several years, she would stay on the island, while Frenelle would be moving across the sea to attend a boarding school in Fairhaven on her father’s coin.

Frenelle was terrified at first of being alone. She was already a terribly shy girl by nature, and the new city and climate were overwhelming. For the first month, she hardly spoke to anyone at all, not even to her teachers. However, over the next few months as she properly settled into Fairhaven, she was taken aback by how welcoming the new environment was, especially compared to the coldness of her hometown. People actually wanted to talk to her, and they remembered her name. She had peers that she could talk to about all of the math and magic and history that were bottled up for so long, and when she excelled at a topic, she was rewarded instead of scolded.

The most exciting thing about the academy was that she wasn't even the only half-elf there. Or rather, Khoravar as they called themselves, and as they called her too. The main group of khoravar who took her under their wing were a group of rambunctious kids from House Lyrandar, and it was here that she met her best friend, a boy named Leeko.

Leeko was outgoing, kind, and a bit of a hothead, but he was also passionate and smart in the same way she was. He loved all of the flying machines and massive airships that his family was building, and he talked intensely about how excited he was to pilot them one day, proudly showing off the Dragonmark of the Storm on his right hand. Despite them seeming like total opposites at a glance, the two couldn't have been closer. Every time they met up to try and study for classes, they'd end up talking for hours on end about everything from old magic to new technology. For the first time in her life, Frenelle wasn't alone.

Each year, she would return home to her mother for a couple of weeks, but as she continued to thrive in Fairview, she began to notice that the doctor was growing more isolated and depressed each year back on the island of the dead. Eventually, she was able to convince her mother to leave behind her studies, coming home with her daughter, never to return.

Frenelle quickly rose to become one of the top students in her class, graduating from her boarding school with honours and moving on to study divination magic and history at the University of Wynarn. By then, Leeko had left for the island of Stormhome to train as a pilot, but the two continued to write long, cascading letters to one another every single week.

Her unconventional background gave her a unique perspective when it came to her studies at Wynarn. This was all well and good, until it led to her constantly interrupting professors during lectures to question their biases. This was especially true when it came to the taboo field of necromancy, which she had grown up seeing as a very normal thing in her culture. Eventually, however, she quickly grew wise to the fact that if she wanted to succeed as an academic, she would need to suck up to her less worldly professors every now and again. After all, if she wanted to make her point of view known, she should attempt to hear them out as well.

While working on one of her Master's degrees, Frenelle's work ethic and passion managed to attract the attention of a temple of Aureon in Arcanix, where she was offered a position as a novice. She was hesitant to quit her studies at first, but at the urging of Leeko, who just had gotten a job as an air shuttle pilot at the floating towers, she dropped everything and accepted the massive opportunity.

In fact, the chance to see Leeko again may have been her biggest reason for moving to Arcanix, because it turns out, she had started to develop romantic feelings for him. And, as she would later come to find, he felt the exact same way. She would even learn that he had planned on marrying her, which was no small deal of course. After all, Leeko wasn’t simply just her best friend, he was an heir to House Lyrandar, the Half-Elven dynasty who controlled the rapidly growing industry of air travel across the civilized world, using the Dragonmark of the Storm that ran in their blood.

A proper, pure Dragonmark gives a person tremendous power. Most importantly to those in the twelve Dragonmarked houses, it is a predictable power. However, the same cannot be said of the unpredictable power that results when people from two different houses produce a child. Unpredictability is volatility, and volatility is danger. For the sake and the preservation of society, all marriages and sexual relations between those with different Dragonmarks are strictly prohibited.

Frenelle didn't actually notice her mark for the first few days. She had figured it was some benign skin condition, a small rash around her eye. When it didn't go away, she went to see one of the healers at the temple, who laughed when she said she had no idea what it was. When he realized she was being serious, he explained that she was a foundling, a Dragonmarked person with no previous ties to a house.

He explained that her Dragonmark of Detection was an incredible thing.

With the power of her newly manifested mark, Frenelle became an obvious standout among the rest of the clergy in ways she hadn't even thought were possible. She could look into people's thoughts, see entirely new creatures from beyond the material world. She could protect people from danger.

The royal family of Aundair was in search of a governess for their children, but not just any regular teacher would do. They needed a cleric, a person who could embody the very will of Aureon, the god of magic, knowledge, and the law itself. Their job wouldn't be just to teach, but to physically protect the future of the kingdom. And, who in the world could possibly be better for that than the gifted foundling who just landed on the steps of Arcanix?

Frenelle walked past the cockpit as she boarded the air shuttle. The pilot smiled as he called her name and waved with a childlike excitement. She lowered her head. Words that he’d never get to speak reverberated through her skull. She felt his heart sink like a rock through her own chest. He wanted to marry her.

Vows of celibacy aren't necessarily a requirement for becoming a cleric. However, many choose to take them on in an effort to avoid mortal matters clouding their judgment. It's not as though she had much of a choice in the matter. After all, when the queen who funded your schools and the god who bestowed you these powers give you a call to action, to uphold and protect the law, you listen.

So, as a cleric with a high stakes mission, Frenelle simply chose to take that mission very seriously. And you see, it's actually fine. She's fine. They're fine. It’s fine. He’s fine. They’re fine. They're all fine. She's fine. It’s fine.

[ghostlyfirn]

lethal company oc guy yayyyy!!!!! the loot bug humanoid thang!!!!!

his name isnt actually shithead i dont have a name for him yet