Best way to draw Charactors

[Scuzling]

what would the best way be for drawing a Charactor?

in a paint program like PhotoShop or what about hand drawn & then scanned into a paint program to add colour?

i am good at hand drawing on paper but cant draw with a mouse on computer

[veryweirdguy]

Do what suits you best.

Many here like to scan characters in, yeah, some use graphics tablets, some (like me) do it all by hand.

Everyone has their own preferences, you just have to find your own. Try out different styles to find the one you like most.

[Pessi]

It's true, everyone does it their own way because everyone has their own ways to draw. However, there might be something to add - just to make your experimentation faster.

It's great if you can draw things by hand and then scan it in. However, you would have to be really accurate if you wanted the frames to be consistent (size and proportions of the character, for example). Of course I'm not saying it's a bad way to go around it, quite the contrary: it's the best. The thing is though, you'll need lots of practice to make it work. You should have some kind of transparency or perhaps a light under the paper (like the professionals have) to make the frames consistent. If it's what you want to do, it sure will get you where you want, but it's equally sure that it'll take time to get there.

When working with computer through all the stages, you get the advantages of the undo button, consistent proportions etc., through the use of multiple layers and quick previews of the animation - no need for scanning the frames in first.

The way I go about the issue, is using a drawing tablet. I get the advantages of both aforementioned ways. It's easy to draw using a pen and I don't have to scan the drawings - no need for the post-processing and fine tuning. The only disadvantages that I can think of are the fact that you would have to buy the tablet (prices vary from $100 and less to $500) and that you have to get used to it. It is a pencil, but when you have to look at the monitor to see the result of your pen-pushing, it is quite different!

Anyway, good luck in finding the way that fits you!

[Igor]

Agree with Pessi that technic is completely a matter of personal preferences.
Personally, i'm for classic approach- hand drawn and scaned. I feel, i have much greater control over lines and shapes while drawing on paper. As it was aready said, you'll need animation light table to do animation this way, but it's not that expensive (or you can even make it yourself) and with some practice it really pays off

On the other hand, this method is more suitable for "full" animation, while for game characters, in some cases, works better pixel-pushing (again, depends on style). It's your choice