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Character Drawing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Skydance

Character Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in drawing, a keen sense of storytelling through design ... Create clear and expressive character turnarounds, pose sheets, and supplementary drawings in 2D ...

Skydance

Character Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in drawing, a keen sense of storytelling through design ... Create clear and expressive character turnarounds, pose sheets, and supplementary drawings in 2D ...

Apply Early

Exodus Aerospace Inc

Mechanical Engineer 1

Los Alamitos, CA · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

... work character. Technical Skills: General knowledge of or coursework in manufacturing, design and drawing practices including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing Familiarity with ANSIY14.5 ...

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Amtec Contract

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MECHANICAL CHECKER

Irvine, CA · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

Tolerances, bill of materials, checking drawings, and stack-up tolerancing. Qualification ... It's our purpose to help you find meaningful work by matching your character, competence, and ...

New

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Skydance

Story Artist

Santa Monica, CA

$2.3K - $4.2K/wk

Strong drawing and visual storytelling skills with the ability to communicate emotion, character performance, acting, staging, and cinematic clarity through storyboard work * Proficiency with ...

Amtec Contract

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CNC MACHINIST - MILL and LATHE

Northridge, CA · On-site

$28 - $32/hr

Ability to read blueprints and technical drawings. * Experience using precision measuring tools ... It's our purpose to help you find meaningful work by matching your character, competence, and ...

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WSLicensing, Inc.

Marketing Manager

Downey, CA · On-site

Were a growing character IP company on a mission to spread joy, build our brand, and make people ... Illustration or drawing skills * A good eye for cute, colorful, and fun visuals What Were Looking ...

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Partner with other art leadership (Production Designers, Art Directors, and Lead Character ... Proficiency in drawing (including human and animal anatomy), design, perspective, composition ...

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Skydance

Associate Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$67 - $75/hr

Resolve design issues with Production Designer, Lead Character Designer, and rest of Visual ... Proficiency in drawing (including human and animal anatomy), design, perspective, composition ...

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Delectus, LLC

Manual Machinist

Santa Maria, CA

$37.62/hr

Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and schematics * Use precision measuring tools ... Our core values of character, capability, and responsibility shape our approach, ensuring precise ...

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Delectus LLC

Electronic Technician

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$43.56/hr

Utilize available drawings and technical descriptions to ensure equipment functionality. * Set up ... Our core values of character, capability, and responsibility shape our approach, ensuring precise ...

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Delectus LLC

Electronic Technician

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$43.56/hr

Utilize available drawings and technical descriptions to ensure equipment functionality. * Set up ... Our core values of character, capability, and responsibility shape our approach, ensuring precise ...

Apply Early

Heico

Wire Harness Technician

Fresno, CA

$18 - $24.25/hr

Is your character one of "Innovation, integrity and dedication"? Then we definitely want to talk to ... Continuous laces, flat laces and spot ties wire into bundles and routings according to drawing ...

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Character Drawing information

What are some common challenges character drawing artists face when working as part of a creative team?

Character drawing artists often encounter challenges such as balancing their unique artistic style with the project's established visual guidelines and meeting tight deadlines. Collaborating with writers, animators, and art directors requires clear communication to ensure the characters’ designs align with narrative and functional needs. Additionally, adapting to feedback and making iterative changes while maintaining high-quality work is a frequent part of the process. These challenges help artists grow their skills in flexibility, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Character Drawing Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Character Drawing Artist, you need strong foundational skills in figure drawing, anatomy, and visual storytelling, often supported by formal art education or a strong portfolio. Familiarity with digital illustration tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate is typically required, and knowledge of graphic tablets and animation software can be beneficial. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate and interpret feedback are essential soft skills in this field. These abilities ensure that artists can produce compelling, marketable characters that meet client or project specifications in various creative industries.

What is the difference between Character Drawing vs Character Illustration?

AspectCharacter DrawingCharacter Illustration
CredentialsTypically no formal certification, but strong drawing skills and understanding of anatomySimilar; often requires portfolio showcasing both drawing and illustrative skills
Work EnvironmentFreelance, studio, or personal projectsCommercial projects, publishing, advertising, or entertainment
Industry UsageUsed in concept art, character design, and personal artUsed in books, games, animation, and marketing
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding basic character creation and drawing techniquesLooking for detailed, polished character artwork for commercial use

While both character drawing and character illustration involve creating images of characters, character drawing focuses on the fundamental skills of sketching and anatomy, often for personal or conceptual purposes. Character illustration, on the other hand, emphasizes polished, detailed artwork intended for commercial or publication use. Both roles require strong artistic skills, but their applications and end goals differ.

What is character drawing?

Character drawing is the art of creating visual representations of fictional or real characters, often for use in animation, comics, video games, or illustration. It involves designing the appearance, posture, and expressions of a character to convey their personality and story. Artists use various techniques and styles, from traditional pencil and paper to digital tools, to bring characters to life. Strong fundamentals in anatomy, gesture, and imagination are essential for effective character drawing.
What are popular job titles related to Character Drawing jobs in California? For Character Drawing jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Character Drawing jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Character Drawing jobs in California are:
Character Drawing jobs near you
Character Designer

Character Designer

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in bringing stories to life by shaping the look, personality, and visual identity of our characters. From early concept exploration to final design execution, you will craft compelling, expressive designs that resonate with both the narrative and audience.
Working closely with directors, art leads, and fellow creatives, the Character Designer will contribute to the development of unique character styles, produce high-quality design assets, and help maintain a cohesive visual language throughout the film. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in drawing, a keen sense of storytelling through design, and the versatility to explore a wide range of shapes, styles, and emotional expression.
Previous experience on a feature animated film is required.
This position is based in Los Angeles, California, and requires the selected candidate to work in an on-site hybrid capacity.
Responsibilities
  • Develop original artwork for project concepts and characters, including exploratory designs, refined assets, and surface details
  • Produce a wide range of visual development work from quick sketches and rough ideation to fully realized, production-ready character designs
  • Create clear and expressive character turnarounds, pose sheets, and supplementary drawings in 2D and/or CG visual development formats
  • Conduct visual and thematic research to inform design choices, ensuring authenticity, originality, and alignment with the story and world
  • Design and assemble compelling presentation materials that effectively communicate creative ideas to internal teams and leadership
  • Collaborate in brainstorming sessions to generate inventive concepts that enhance storytelling, bringing depth, humor, emotion, and personality to each character
  • Apply a strong understanding of human and/or animal anatomy to create believable, dynamic, and appealing character designs
  • Contribute creative problem-solving solutions, respond thoughtfully to feedback, and iterate efficiently on designs throughout the production process
  • Manage time effectively to meet production schedules and deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality
  • Maintain organized, production-ready files in accordance with the show's naming conventions and versioning systems
  • Communicate proactively with supervisors and production partners regarding progress, questions, and any potential challenges
  • Revise and update designs as needed based on feedback, ensuring all work meets the creative vision before final approval
  • Partner closely with the Production Designer, Art Director, Lead Character Designer, and production staff to provide status updates and address any issues that arise

Requirements
  • 8+ years of character design experience on animated feature films
  • Strong visual storytelling skills, with the ability to design characters that support narrative and performance
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present work and respond effectively to feedback
  • Solid understanding of human and/or animal anatomy
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively within a team
  • Adaptable and responsive to evolving creative direction and production needs
  • Working knowledge of Autodesk Maya, Blender, or ZBrush is a plus
  • Must be, or be willing to become, a member of The Animation Guild Local 839

The compensation range for this non-exempt position in Los Angeles, CA is $2,900-4,000/week. The rate offered may vary based on the candidate's location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors. The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc.
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