Struggling with plus size characters, please help!

[versed whale]

Currently trying to work on diversifying my skills in body types and plus size characters as I tend to draw all my characters using myself as reference and i'm more of an 'athletic' body type. I plan to do all of them but i've started with the 'apple' body type. Any thoughts or things i could do to improve this character? I'm struggling with making the clothes look nice or flattering, i feel like i might offend someone? i don't know, i'm really not used to drawing other body types😅

[tribal robin]

Hi, I drew over some parts on the right and added arrows to show what i did! The most important part is to broaden the body as a whole, just adding bodyfat in a small build will look a bit weird, so I made the shoulders, neck and torso wider, I pushed the belly down as i think it looks more natural and remove some of the collarbone lines. I made the head, hands and feet slightly bigger, the image on the right I found might help to give the idea Im talking about making the body itself bigger, not just adding body fat!

[versed whale]

Thanks! I naturally draw my hands and feet small, so i tend to struggle with proportions😅 I'll make some edits when i get home.🌸

[tribal robin]

One other thing I think is important tho is that the image you are using for female body shapes is very limited! Body diversity is really cool but I do understand it can be a challenge to find helpful references for fat and chubby bodies so i found some other references that might be helpful on pinterest

[versed whale]

And i can see what you mean by making the weight distribution even across the body. Thanks again! I'll take a look at other refs. Any comments on the clothes?

[tribal robin]

For the clothes i suggest searching plus size fashion and youll find lots of very flattering and fun examples! The main thing is: The clothes will be affected by the body, and the body will be affected by the clothes!

the first girl is arlenett_ on pinterest, she has many many examples that can help

[versed whale]

Thanks for the help and suggestions! I really appreciate it. I’ve been wanting to expand my style to include different body types and skin tones and only recently got over the fear of offending people. A stupid fear but as someone who’s not in that demographic, I always felt as if people will get offended if I try because I didn’t do it ‘right’. But it’s hindering my growth as a character artist and I want more diversity in my own characters. 🌸l

[fallen idol]

i was gonna write the same thing as kallis! they've done a great job with the edit to show you what they mean

it's always harder to draw a body type you aren't used to, try looking up lingerie for plus sized models, those usually have some great models that you can research for how different bodies work

[versed whale]

Thank you! I’ll go over it again when I’m home and take all suggestions to heart. I’ll post the updated version when it’s done. Hopefully I’ll have made improvements🌸

[obtuse hedge]

I find that Pinterest tutorials can be exceptionally helpful in doing body types. They point out simple mistakes and show how it would more accurately look.

If you draw plus size characters, definitely try searching for Pinterest tutorials!

[versed whale]

Thank you! I'll take a look🌸

@tribal robin @fallen idol I made some adjustment and changed the clothes a little. How did i do? any further improvements i could make?

[slate robin]

Also just for future reference as you look for different body types, I'd definitely recommend https://www.fatphotoref.com/! You have to request access and be 18+ but once it's granted it's such a great place for ethically sourced references. Also the Morpho book on fat and skin folds is exceptionally helpful!!

[versed whale]

Thank you!🌸

I really appreciate all your suggestions and help. I really want to up my skills in character design and learning body types outside my own is a big part of it, so thank you for being kind and patient with me❣️ 😊

[fallen idol]

it's better for sure! but maybe a fatfold around the belly button would make it look better? just a small one, because when you sit down - even if youre skinny- your skin still folds and you can see how it looks, that kind of stays like an imprint almost? on fuller bodies. cuz right now she just looks slightly pregnant cuz there's no fat folds o:

[versed whale]

Oooh, I see what you mean! Thanks🌸 I’m glad I’m getting there. Just need more practice and hopefully my next characters will look more natural and less pregnant😅

[fallen idol]

good luck!!!

[tribal robin]

omg you did really well! I think it looks really good

[versed whale]

Thank you❣️

[versed whale]

I started coloring her🌸 I based her on a Jersey cow. i'm not sure wether to color the lines or not, they kind of get lost in the color version but a haven't done shading which would help them stand out but the darker lines stand out on their own.