How do I make comic characters consistent?

GEORGE, CANADA: I TRY TO MAKE ALL MY CHARACTERS LOOK DIFFERENT WHEN I DESIGN THEM, BUT I END UP PUTTING THE SAME FACE ON EVERYONE. HOW CAN I MAKE SURE EACH CHARACTER LOOKS UNIQUE EVERY TIME I DRAW THEM?

Topic: Character Consistency
Answered: Yes
Episode: Episode 1
Time mark: 46:50
Full Ep. Notes: Ep1 Show Notes

RESPONSES

CONSISTENCY IS IMPORTANT - BUT GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

• OF COURSE CONSISTENCY IN CHARACTER TRAITS IS VERY IMPORTANT WITHIN YOUR COMIC.
• THERE ARE REALLY ONLY A COUPLE TECHNICAL WAYS TO GET BETTER AT THIS:
  • DRAW LOTS AND LOTS OF TURNAROUNDS OF EACH CHARACTER
  • TAKE A LIFE DRAWING COURSE OR GET A MODEL (ALA ALEX ROSS) * CREATE YOUR CHARACTERS IN A 3D MODELING PROGRAM, SCREENGRAB AND TRACE
  • I RECOMMEND THAT YOU LOOK AT THESE METHODS ONLY AFTER CONSIDERING THE COMMUNICATION ASPECT OF YOUR COMIC
  • REMEMBER THAT COMICS ARE PRIMARILY A STORYTELLING MEDIUM SO COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR ART IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN TECHNICAL ABILITY.
  • CLOCK EXAMPLE FROM SCOTT MCCLOUD
  • USE IDENTIFIERS: COLOR OF HAIR, THE LINE OF THE FOREHEAD, EXAGGERATED GLASSES.
• HAWK FROM HIPSTER-PICNIC.COM AS AN EXAMPLE: