MODERN ART LESSONS · STUDENT WORKSHEET
Map Owl: Build a Cartoon Character
Make an original character design page featuring an owl with an upside-down map. The character wants to find a treehouse, but follows the map in the wrong direction. One possible ending: it turns the map around and recognizes the tree. Invent a different kind ending if you prefer.
Character reference shared across ten skill lessons—not a picture of the completed assignment. Study the example for possibilities, then close or cover it. Your work should make different choices.
Story starter and example
The character wants to find a treehouse, but follows the map in the wrong direction. One possible ending: it turns the map around and recognizes the tree. Invent a different kind ending if you prefer. Two different body proportions can suggest the same character. Choose one, retain its identifying prop, and avoid tracing the reference.
What to do
- Your finished project is an original character design page featuring an owl with an upside-down map. Read the story seed: The character wants to find a treehouse, but follows the map in the wrong direction. One possible ending: it turns the map around and recognizes the tree. Invent a different kind ending if you prefer.
- Start with large eye circles, short wings, and folded map. These are helpful shapes, not a tracing template.
- Try a rounded version and an angular version of the same character using large simple shapes.
- Choose the shape arrangement that best fits the personality. Add the identifying feature and one useful prop.
- Draw a larger final version; simplify tiny details that disappear when viewed from an arm’s length.
- View the drawing from an arm’s length. Name the first three shapes you see and simplify an unclear detail. Compare two arrangements and revise one unclear visual clue after peer feedback.
My project: an original character design page featuring an owl with an upside-down map. My chosen ending is…
Try rounded shapes here. Try angular shapes here.
Circle your choice and explain its personality.
Draw the final design and mark its three identifying features.
Story clue: How will I show that the character follows the map in the wrong direction?
Before feedback, I wanted the reader to notice… The reader actually noticed…
Revision: I changed… because…
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