Course: Sci-Fi Character Series

Hello everyone and welcome to this Free Tutorial Series with Tim Von Rueden on Creating a Sci-Fi Character!

In this Free tutorial series, Tim Von Rueden takes you through drawing Sci-Fi Character. In this 3 part series we go through creating a Sci-Fi character through silhouettes, base colors, and integrating textures to create a final image! Citizen members can download the resources, textures and HD Videos.

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The resources in this course include the following: All three of the Photoshop tutorial .PSDs, the Textures used and Citizen members can also download each part’s HD video.

While doing my research for reference and inspiration I noticed the stark difference between an “old school” style of design for a sci-fi character and a newer, sleek design for a more modern style. I am taking my main influences from Dead Space, Moon, District 9, Alien, 2001: Space Odyssesy and even Bioshock to create a mix of ideas for a concept all it’s own.

This subject matter is one I have not delved into enough. This series will be a great way for you guys to see how to tackle a less comfortable subject matter and how to work through those initial struggles and see how much can be learned from stepping outside of your comfort zone. You may surprise yourself with how well at drawing a subject matter that your not use to. When I drew the creature concept art, I never drew a creature/monster style concept before, and now it is one of, if not my favorite piece I’ve ever done to date.

Below are some video stills from the different stages of the first tutorial!

1. Starting off most of these silhouettes I fill in a solid black character outline and then use the eraser tool to create the inner detail

2. Continuing on with more of them, starting to include more dynamic poses

3. Added a touch of color to liven them up

So here are the final sci-fi character silhouettes, I numbered them and ask which three I should continue on with in the next tutorial!

In this step I took the three silhouettes I asked you guys to help chose in part 1 for me to continue on with. I lined them up, filled in the silhouette and went at it. I started by creating a main light source in mind that I would then use to place my values and create form from. So essentially the light was just a helpful reminder as to where the shades of grey should be placed depending on the material that is reflecting that light.

Overall I had fun working on these three concepts because of how different they were from each other, the three concepts I was running with in my mind was this:

1. The Rugged Manual Laborer - taking a break shift from his job to enjoy a cigarette and reflect on the day

2. The Proud Sharpshooter – An overconfident dead eye that is a little too arrogant and naive

3. The Runaway Unfinished Android – During his completion something triggered in his mind and he needed to get out of there, with cords still hanging off his unfinished build, he is escaping from his creation establishment

Below are some video stills from the different stages of this second tutorial!

1. First I lined up the three silhouettes from the initial tutorial that you guys chose for me to continue with.

2. Then I added in a light source to each and showed how to add value and shading accordingly to the characters.

3. The Final Result after adding value and form to each of the three. 

My FAVORITE step in creating concept art is the process of laying down the colors and adding shading to it! So for this one, I decided to pick the one that I saw the most potential for myself to really explore different bold splashes of color to express emotion. So, naturally, the first one, the Rugged Manual Laborer, was my choice. I am a greater fan of the older looking sci-fi suits and I felt this one already had a story behind the image so adding color would just enhance the picture as a whole!

This is part 3 and I know I would like a part 4 to cover creating an environment for him to sit in and I might have a part 5 for bringing it all together and finishing it.

Below are some video stills from the different stages of the final tutorial!

1. Getting a solid darker hued color base to work on top of

2. Laying on color on top to create values and an out of frame light source for placement of the lighter and darker colors.

3. Adding in extra details and other built in light sources that has to be carried and bounce accordingly around the character.

4. Grabbing appropriate textures to place on top in different blend modes.

5. The final outcome of part 3!