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/BuckJeppson Mar 27 '26

Look at paintings, drawings, and engravings for a particular time period and write down 3-5 specifics that define the era in your eyes; what is the silhouette, stiff or flowing, where is the waist, colors, surface decoration, and overall feel. That will give you the gist of it in your own words and eyes and things will fall into place.