Inhuman Shapes

Creating characters by sketching silhouettes is a quick, easy way to get some variety in your designs, and it works doubly well for alien creatures. To create unique looks, sometimes it’s easier to start out with shapes and not let the details bog you down. This technique is especially helpful for populating a crowd with many types of creatures.

HUMAN SHAPE

Before you start creating alien forms, begin by sketching a basic human silhouette for comparison.

ALIEN SHAPES

Next, create some outlines that look anything but human. Play around and scribble simple shapes. You don’t have to be too careful about detail yet.

FLESH OUT THE REST

Part of the fun with silhouette shapes is that you can translate them into fully clothed figures, as opposed to just the body. Taking simple outlines as inspiration, try creating detailed clothed figures.