Bringing Character to Life: A Study of Aaron Blaise’s Librarian

When diving into character design and animation studies, there’s no better teacher than the legendary Aaron Blaise. Recently, I challenged myself to recreate one of his character sketches – a stern-looking librarian who embodies that perfect balance of authority and subtle humor that great character design requires.

The subject is a masterclass in character storytelling: a prim and proper librarian, her hair pulled up in an elaborate bun, glasses perched precisely on her nose, clutching a stack of books with long-nailed fingers. Everything about her posture and expression tells a story – from her slightly raised chin suggesting pride in her profession to the way she holds her books close like precious cargo.

Starting with pencil, I carefully mapped out the key elements of Blaise’s design. The proportions were crucial here – the exaggerated features that make her both believable and subtly caricatured. Her nose is prominently angular, her neck elegantly elongated, and her posture speaks volumes about her character. The pencil stage was all about capturing these defining characteristics while maintaining the fluid, animated quality of Blaise’s original work.

Moving to the fineliner was where precision became paramount. Each line needed to capture the confidence of animation-style artwork. The flowing curves of her clothing – that wonderful contrast between the structured brown vest and the billowing white sleeves – required steady hand control. The details in her face were particularly challenging: those expressive eyebrows, the sharp glance through her glasses, and the slightly pursed lips that suggest she might be about to shush someone.

The coloring stage with alcohol markers was where the character really came to life. I started with the skin tones, building up layers to create dimension in her face and hands. Her hair required a careful blend of warm browns and golds to capture that perfectly maintained librarian bun. The clothing was a study in textures – the crisp white of her blouse, the rich brown of her vest, and that magnificent blue skirt that grounds the whole composition.

What I particularly love about this piece is how the dark background, created with layers of cool grey marker, makes the character pop forward while adding a sense of atmosphere – perhaps suggesting the quiet, studious environment of her library domain. The blue earring adds that perfect pop of color, a small detail that suggests there might be more to this stern librarian than meets the eye.

The small details really make the character sing – the perfectly manicured red nails gripping the stack of books, the slight wrinkles in her blouse suggesting movement, and the way her glasses sit just so on her distinguished nose. These elements combine to create a character who feels like she could step right off the page and start organizing your bookshelf.

Working from Aaron Blaise’s design was an incredible learning experience in character construction. His ability to capture personality through exaggerated yet believable features, and the way he uses posture and expression to tell a story, are hallmarks of his legendary animation career. This exercise helped me understand how each element of a character design – from the largest shapes to the smallest details – works together to create a compelling and believable personality.

The piece now serves as a reminder of the power of character design in storytelling. Without speaking a word, this librarian communicates volumes about who she is and what she values. It’s a testament to Blaise’s mastery of his craft and the enduring appeal of well-designed characters.

Dated December 2023, this study sits in my sketchbook as both a homage to a master animator and a personal milestone in my journey to understand character design. It’s a reminder that great characters aren’t just drawn – they’re built from the ground up with purpose, personality, and that magical touch of exaggeration that brings them to life.