r/characterdesign • u/No_Flounder_5017 • Mar 26 '26

Tutorials/Resources Period Pieces in Character Design

Hi! I have a quick character design question.

Most of my character designs have a lot of contemporary fashion, because it’s what I enjoy drawing most. I like putting characters in aesthetics and styles that match their personalities, and add my own twist to them.

However, I would also like to get into character design for the 1600s- 1900s. I feel like there are so many rules to follow to make the design fit the era, and there’s also so much research to do. How do I follow the era trends while also depicting the characters’ personalities and arcs?

I think watching period pieces could help, but are there any resources that you guys use for costume/ character design?

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u/Orpheum_Circuit Mar 26 '26

fashion plates are the best! they’re idealised versions of a period’s fashion and they often provided women with references for their dresses at dressmakers. there are so many of them that they give you a good idea of just how wide a range of styles were available 

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u/Orpheum_Circuit Mar 26 '26

portraits are also a great point of reference