VTuber Design and Art: A Beginner's Guide

As part of our series on creating a VTuber debut, we're diving into the world of designing and rigging a model. In this post, we'll explore the design process, from initial sketches to the final product, and share some valuable tips and insights along the way.

Initial Sketches

The journey began with initial sketches of the front-facing view of the model. The design aimed to evoke Eldritch horror hunter vibes, with a rich backstory involving the creator, Chuu, as an Eldritch horror hunter who sealed away the Gastly Beast Chuu within herself.

Design Process

The initial design was complex and detailed, with too much shading. However, after reworking the design, we landed on a simpler, more matte look that incorporates the creator's personal preferences and style. This process taught us the importance of simplicity and flexibility in design.

Design Tips

If you're just starting out, here are some design tips to keep in mind:

• Go for a design that you like and that reflects your personality.
• Consider getting feedback on your design from others.
• Watch videos on YouTuber design and what makes a good design.
• Think about how your design will translate to live 2D.
• Consider the silhouette, colors, themes, and aesthetics of your design.

Model Art

The model art will be created using Clip Studio Paint, and we'll be sharing our workflow tips and process in the video. While there are other art programs available, Clip Studio Paint is our preferred choice.

Next Video

In our next video, we'll focus on separation and rigging the model. If you have any questions about separation, feel free to ask in the comments below.

Hair Design

The hair design underwent significant changes before landing on the current blue hair in the back, with light gray hair on top, except for the swoopy front hair, which is blue. This design creates a nicer silhouette and adds interest to the overall look. The pigtails are now lower and swoop out, adding to the design's visual appeal.

Facial Features

The art style used for the model is a mix of anime and the artist's current style. The eyes are now more gray, as initially intended, but were previously deemed too gray before the addition of blue hair.

Piercings

The piercings are asymmetrical, with a different design on the left ear cartilage, which is not being worn due to discomfort. The piercings are matched to the artist's real-life piercings, adding a personal touch to the design.

Clothing

The outfit is inspired by an Eldritch horror hunter theme, with a mix of tech wear and softer elements. The apron is worn over a cropped hoodie with long sleeves, which were originally shorter but were lengthened to allow for easier arm toggles. The apron features a tentacle design and is fastened with skeleton hands instead of a traditional tie. The artist's clothes are designed to resemble those of a workshop YouTuber, with an apron to reflect their artistic and crafting pursuits.

Accessories

• The seals on the apron are inspired by Han cocon toilet and reflect the artist's connection to Eldritch horror and being an Eldritch horror hunter.
• The Necronomicon is featured, with an eyeball that will blink in the rig.
• Chains are worn over the apron, adding to the overall design.
• A black metal necklace with a silver design adds contrast to the outfit.
• A backpack with straps is worn, which will be visible in side views.

Design Philosophy

The artist prioritizes having a complete design, even if parts of it may not be visible, to allow for flexibility in future outfits and animations. A naked base body is worn underneath the clothes, allowing for easy creation of new outfits and designs.

Canvas Size and DPI

When it comes to canvas size and DPI, we recommend the following:

• Canvas size: 4000 x 6000 pixels (personal preference)
• DPI: 300 (not necessary for digital use, 72 DPI is fine)

Notes:

• Large canvas and file sizes can cause lag in Live 2D and VTuber Studio.
• Small canvas size can result in pixelation when zooming in.
• Recommended to test canvas size by zooming in and checking for pixelation.

Procreate Guide

If you're using Procreate, here are some settings and tips to keep in mind:

• Settings:
  • Canvas size and DPI
  • Drawing guide edit: symmetry tool
• Symmetry tools:
  • Assisted layer: draws symmetrically
  • Non-assisted layer: draws asymmetrically
  • Can toggle symmetry on/off for individual layers
• Limitations:
  • Layer limit in Procreate can make model making difficult
  • Workaround: separate model into chunks, work on each chunk separately, and combine later
  • Alternatively, duplicate canvas and separate chunks further, then export as PSD and combine in another program

Clip Studio Paint Guide

If you're using Clip Studio Paint, here are some settings and tips to keep in mind:

• Settings:
  • Canvas size and DPI
• Symmetry tools:
  • Symmetry ruler: creates a symmetry line in the middle of the canvas
  • Folder creation: creates a new folder for organizing layers
  • Object selection tool: allows moving and adjusting the symmetry ruler
  • Tool property tab: adjusts ruler properties (center x, y, angle, etc.)
• Notes:
  • Important to have art in the middle of the canvas for symmetry
  • Can use multiple symmetry rulers for more complex models

Clip Studio Paint Symmetry and Snapping Tools

• Enabling Snapping: Enable snapping to make your brush do symmetry functions when drawing. This option can be found in the subtool details by clicking the wrench icon at the bottom of the tool properties.
• Symmetry Ruler: When symmetry ruler is enabled, the brush will draw symmetrically. If you turn it off, you can draw without symmetry.
• Toggling Snapping: You can toggle snapping on and off by clicking on the eyeball icon next to the "Enable Snapping" option in the subtool details.

Demonstration of Symmetry and Snapping

Stay tuned for our demonstration of symmetry and snapping tools in Clip Studio Paint.