The Character Resume Spread Sheet
Here are a few things that can help you as an artist or author to make better characters
Name:
Race or Ethnicity:
Height:
Weight:
Age:
Eye(s):
Hair:
Social Class:
Salary:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Place of Birth:
Place of Death:
Occupation:
Ambitions:
Fears/ Phobia’s:
Pet Peeves:
Hobbies:
Skills:
Sense of Humor:
Morals:
Role Models:
Education:
Intelligence:
Disappointments:
Meaningful Experience:
Fond Memories:
Dreaded Nightmares:
Attitude toward life:
Attitude toward Death:
Philosophy of Life:
Most of these are just suggestions; not everybody will need this entire list, and some may need to add to this and that’s fine too. Do whatever it takes to help build a better stronger, and more believable character; or even an unbelievable character. I’m just offering tool that will help you on your way. Simple things like these can open up a new category of inspiration, It helps me when I work through story ideas and even building plots.
Just copy and paste. 
When it comes to the instruments that I use and rely on most of all would have to be the pencil. Generally I will use any pencil I come across but if you’re looking for a quality drawing I recommend the right tools for the job, carpenters won’t use a paintbrush to hammer in a nail and it is equally hard to paint a room with a hammer. It can work with a lot of time and every bit of patients you have; so why not make it easier on yourself and just own up to it and use the right tools for the job.
First things first the basic common pencil can be used to perfection in the right hands, I’m not a master at art nor will I claim to be for the moment. I use a Bic #2 0.7mm mechanical pencils for most of my drawings, because it is easier to keep a point and if your environmentally friendly; you’ll save a tree “YAY! Go You!”. I have used a mechanical pencil for as long as I can remember. I love Mechanical pencils and I tell them every night before I go to bed.
There are other types of pencils I recommend for anyone starting out, or anyone to afraid to change from one to the next. If you can’t draw worth a lick just stick with the mechanical until you can draw a good decent face with or without shading get your form down and go from there.
I use Staedtler Mars Lumograph 100 pencils each pencil has a letter; each letter is a level from light to dark, the ones mark with The pencils marked with an H are a hard lead the higher the number the harder the lead. These pencils are generally used to start a drawing roughing out the basic concept of the drawing, allowing you to come in with darker and softer pencils. Remember to keep your pencil strokes light to keep from digging ditches into the paper; those ditches will ruin your drawings latter. The Pencils marked with a B are a softer lead; allowing for softer shadows and stronger presence. A basic pencil will never get as dark as the 9B, and like wise you can never get as light as a 9H. Below is the numbering and lettering of the pencils.
9H 8H 7H 6H 5H 4H 3H 2H H F HB B 2B 3B 4B 5B 6B 7B 8B 9B
Hardest → Medium → Softest
Having the right tool for the job is one thing, but being able to adapt when you have very little to work with now that is talent. I can draw will a ballpoint pen very well, I would have never found this out unless I tried, do not be afraid to try out a new ways to be creative. Never say you can’t always know that you can. I believe in God and the skill he has given me I trust in Him, and know that I can do all things in Christ; from tying my shoe to drawing a complex illustration. I am not a master artist at this point and I look forward to growing; failure to grow is death and I have many years ahead and I look forward to seeing how far I get.
