Think about the images that you love. Maybe it’s Baby Yoda with his soup bowl. The Andy Warhol Campbells can. Any sequence from 2001: A Space Odyssey. These images come from wildly different contexts, but they have something in common: they have appeal.
What is appeal? While you might not have a precise definition, you probably know it when you see it. Appealing images draw viewers in, and creating appeal is key to making art people love.
Whether you sketch in your free time or want to understand what artists do, appeal is a great place to start. Its fundamentals are intuitive and applicable to anything you'd like to design or draw.
Expert Insights on Appeal
We spoke with Archer Dougherty and Casey Robin, two Laetro artists with extensive experience in animation, illustration, fine art, character design, and visual development. They share essential principles for creating appealing art.
Appeal: the key to drawing things people love
Understanding the Essence of Appeal
When an image has charisma or "screen presence" that draws the viewer in, we say it has appeal. An appealing image is compelling, making viewers keep looking. But appeal isn't just about beauty. Consider villainous characters like Jafar or the Other Mother from Coraline – they're terrifying, yet you can't look away because they possess appeal.
CASEY ROBIN
Award-winning animator and illustrator whose work has been featured at Pixar and Disney Animation Studios.
These images captivate us because they tap into human instincts. They contain pleasing combinations of shape, color, and repetition that we've evolved to find attractive. "Appealing images have a harmony of shape, color, and form," says Casey. "They show us patterns that we recognize, so we understand the visual cues we're getting. But they also put a twist on those recognizable patterns. They're balanced but dynamic."
Since Ancient Egypt, artists and designers have studied patterns and proportions – like the Golden Ratio – that humans naturally find appealing. While mastering these techniques requires technical knowledge, you can develop your eye by observing images that draw you in and analyzing their shapes and colors.
Key Concepts in Creating Appeal
What Makes Art Appealing?
- A magnetic quality that makes artwork impossible to ignore
- "Screen presence" that keeps viewers engaged
- Impact beyond beauty (even villains can be appealing)
- The essential ingredient that makes artwork memorable
Why Appeal Works
- Taps into human instincts
- Built on recognizable patterns
- Combines familiar elements with unexpected twists
- Creates harmony through shapes, colors, and repetition
- Rooted in ancient design principles
Expert Insights from Casey Robin
- Seek harmony of shape, color, and form
- Use recognizable patterns as foundation
- Add dynamic twists for interest
- Balance familiarity with surprise
Getting Started with Appeal
No formal training needed – build your skills by:
- Observing what draws your eye
- Studying shapes and colors in everyday life
- Noticing recurring patterns
- Practicing regular observation
- Trusting your developing instincts
Every character needs a context
The Importance of Context
Every character needs context. While shapes and proportions form the technical foundation of appeal, bringing a drawing to life requires creative exploration and research – skills anyone can develop.
When telling a visual story, you'll typically start with a character. While characters often become the heart of a story, avoid building them in isolation. The Toy Story artists didn't create Woody first and drop him into Andy's house later. The richest stories emerge when characters and their environments develop together.
ARCHER DOUGHERTY
Visual development artist with 15+ years of experience in animation and fine arts, specializing in design exploration work including Kipling's Just So Stories
"The secret to holistic appeal is to create the character and their environment so that they're actually inseparable," says Archer. "Each would be lesser without the other."
Creating the Right Environment
"The character's environment should reflect their psychological state," Archer explains. "Stories take the protagonist on a journey with an emotional arc, and their environment should reflect those changes."
Consider Carl from Pixar's Up – his house physically manifests his emotional state. Stuck in the past after his wife's death, his fading, antiquated house mirrors his inner world. Only when he embarks on his adventure with Russell does his environment brighten with youthful colors as he rediscovers joy.
Creating rich environments requires cultural, historical, and demographic research. When drawing a piece set in a specific culture or time period, study the shapes, colors, textures, and materials common to that setting.
Drawing from Nature
Every drawing starts with basic shapes. "I always start with a circle," says Casey. Carl from Up is based mostly on rectangles. Nature provides the best inspiration for these foundational elements.
All art stems from nature. Artists process the world through their perspective and share what they see. "Nature is a better designer than you are," Casey tells her students. "When you draw from nature, you'll discover color combinations you've never imagined."
Practical Tips for Nature-Inspired Art
- Observe your surroundings mindfully
- Study natural color combinations
- Build a mental library of shapes and patterns
- Apply these elements in your work
At Laetro, we believe ideas are living creatures. "When I draw fairies on Instagram Live," says Casey, "I start with the largest element, like the water lily the fairy rests on. I study its shape, then ask: Where is the fairy? How is it made? The natural shape of the lily guides the fairy's design."
Starting Your Creative Process
Begin with large forms and work toward details. "You wouldn't begin sewing a wedding dress by embroidering the lace," Casey notes. Like sculpting from marble, start with big shapes. "In plein air painting," says Archer, "I squint to eliminate detail and sketch big chunks of color and value [light and dark areas]. I ensure they work together before adding detail."
When working on the broader composition, note any sudden inspiration for details – a piece of clothing, expression, or texture. These elements will add personality to your work later. For example, a character's feline personality might be reflected in their facial proportions.
Key Takeaways and Conclusion
Essential Elements of Appeal
- Universal Recognition: Appeal draws viewers in instinctively
- Beyond Beauty: Appeal works for both beautiful and unsettling subjects
- Natural Foundations: Effective art builds on natural patterns
- Balance and Harmony: Combine familiar elements with fresh perspectives
Character and Context
- Unified Development: Create characters and environments together
- Emotional Depth: Let environments reflect character growth
- Cultural Authenticity: Research enriches your creative world
- Holistic Design: Every element should serve the story
Practical Approaches
- Start Big: Begin with basic shapes before details
- Natural Inspiration: Let nature guide your design choices
- Observational Practice: Develop your artistic eye through study
- Progressive Detail: Work methodically from general to specific
Professional Tips
- Use basic shapes as your foundation
- Let environments evolve with characters
- Research thoroughly for authenticity
- Trust your developing instincts
- Learn from nature's design principles
- Build complexity gradually
Final Thoughts
Appeal bridges the gap between your art and your audience, transforming basic shapes into resonant creations. Whether you're sketching for pleasure or pursuing professional artistry, understanding appeal launches your creative journey. Success comes through careful observation, consistent practice, and the thoughtful blend of technical skill with creative intuition.
