Paper BatFront cover of From Sketch to Character — a girl in overalls sits on a gold frame beside the title, sketching; acorns by Ema Malyauka's name, on a green cloth coverWeek 1 opening spread — The Magic of Line, with Ema's welcome noteSpread of character artwork by students who took the courseSpread on gentle sketching — build a simple line scheme, then add details step by stepTips spread — Look Around You and Secret Snapshots, with sketchbook examplesFrom Ema's deskFrom Sketch to CharacterA drawing course in the form of a book, grown out of the course Ema taught her patrons: one theme a week, one or two exercises, a pencil and cheap paper.You'll draw people and characters without fear — and have your day-one and last-day drawings side by side to prove it.56 landscape spreads (about 112 pages) · PDF · English · one theme and one or two exercises a week · a pencil and cheap paper
Coming this OctoberThe first book arrives this October — leave your email and you'll hear first.
You'll hear about the book first, then get Ema's letters: a drawing prompt now and then, and the first word when a course opens. Unsubscribe any time. PrivacyInside the bookFour weeks, one closing ritualOne theme a week, one or two exercises each. Open a row to see what you'll do.
You'll do: Read for fifteen minutes, then draw the reference character once, exactly as you draw today.
You'll do: One character, many tools: simple line, very fast, non-dominant hand, blind, continuous. Three pencil grips, line weight, when to close a gap.
You'll do: The silhouette from one filled shape (gouache, ink or watercolour); then exaggerate on purpose — big head, big body, big legs.
You'll do: Playful Portrait: cut a face into strips, rearrange, draw it. Character Constructor: pose, hat and clothes from several references.
You'll do: A publisher's brief. Write the personality, find a reference, make a visual collage, draw the character, choose a palette.
You'll do: Draw the day-one character again and choose one of three practice rhythms to keep going.
Coming this OctoberYou'll find this useful if…
  • ✓are self-taught and learn by doing, not by reading theory.
  • ✓are just starting and holding a pencil for the first time — week 1 asks for nothing but a line.
  • ✓have been drawing for a while but freeze when it's a person, or every character comes out realistic, "correct" and a little dull.
  • ✓dream of picture books — week 4 is a publisher's brief: one storybook character, from written personality to final sketch.
  • ✓have little time and can't join live sessions — it's self-paced, in ten-to-fifteen-minute rhythms, and yours to keep.
  • ✓own a pencil and cheap paper. That's the materials list.
It's not for you if…
  • —you want anatomy and construction lines, photo realism, caricature, or a digital-only workflow.
From the course this book grew out ofWhat people made & feltThe book is the four-week course Ema taught on Patreon, rebuilt as a book you keep. These are her students' words about that course, and the drawings they made in it.←→It was fun to apply the techniques and examples in the final illustration. I learned a lot.- MandiI just decided, for the first time in my life, to start and make it to the end! And I did it!!!- LiliiaTo me, the course was perfect: I loved your tips, the rhythm of the weeks…- DanielaI had an amazing time following the drawing exercises!- MichelaIt was intense - but GOOD intense! … it's been such a lovely course, thank you for putting so much heart into it!- WinnieBefore you buyHow it worksThis isn't just a book about drawing characters. It's a 5-week course, in book form: From Sketch to Character 🖤I built it so you actually finish something, not just collect tips you'll never use. Every exercise is simple, sequenced, and leads somewhere. Follow it start to finish and you'll walk away with dozens of sketches and one fully finished character.Frequently asked questions
That's the point. Week 1 asks for nothing but a line — no anatomy, no construction.
One theme a week at your own pace, or slower. After the book: ten to fifteen minutes, three times a week.
A pencil and cheap paper. Ink, gouache or watercolour for week 2 if you have them.
Weeks 2–4 are about exaggeration, stylisation and building a character with a personality — the part most experienced illustrators never practise.
A PDF of 56 landscape spreads (about 112 pages). It reads best on a tablet or a laptop, landscape like an open book, and prints well. On a phone it works too, just with more zooming.
Yes — it's that path, rebuilt as a book you keep, with the references, the tips and the students' work. Patrons get €5 off with the code from the Patreon post.
The book opens and closes with the same character. You'll see.
From the authorHi, I'm EmaIllustrator · 180K on Instagram · 17K students on Domestika · teaches on Patreon and in live workshopsI'm an illustrator of children's books, and I'm completely self-taught. No art school. Just years of drawing, messing up, trying again and slowly figuring out what actually works.Characters are my favorite thing in the world! For years I've been teaching other artists how to create them: on Patreon and Domestika, in live workshops and on Instagram. This book is everything I wish I'd had when I was starting out. A clear path, simple exercises, and a lot of joy along the way.I live in the Netherlands with my husband and three cats, who supervise every single drawing.Emaletters from EmaHear first when the book opensThe first book arrives this October — leave your email and you'll hear first. Then Ema's letters: a drawing prompt now and then. Unsubscribe any time.
Paper Bat — The Drawing CircleEvery drawing is a small spell.Letters from Ema — book and course news first
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