Acclaimed animator guides participants through expressions, poses and shape theory, offering a rare glimpse into the process of crafting memorable characters
Sharjah, May 2, 2025
The opening day of the 3rd Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC 2025) lit up with the creative spark and seasoned insights of Disney veteran Sandro Cleuzo, at his workshop, “Character Design Essentials: From Concept to Final Illustration”.
Addressing a full house, the acclaimed animator, known for his work in Mary Poppins Returns (2018), The Iron Giant (1999) and Nimona (2023), shared a masterful breakdown-technique of his character creation process. “Designing characters is like directing actors – you have to know who they are, how they move, and what they’re feeling”.
Drawing from decades of animation experience and a deep appreciation for cinema, he then emphasised the importance of studying not just how a character looks, but how they feel and move. From body posture to facial nuance, the veteran animator – who’s worked with major studios like Disney, DreamWorks and Warner Bros. – shared how observing real-world personalities can bring authenticity to animated creations.
“It’s always a good practice to keep drawing your character in different moods and poses,”he said. “He could be Clint Eastwood, he could be Jack Nicholson – actors are a great way to study expressions. Watch how they show being tired, shy, suspicious or happy – it adds life and believability to your character.”
“Costume design plays a huge role in character identity – the right suit, accessory or silhouette can say so much before a single word is spoken”, he added.
Cleuzo dedicated the latter half of the workshop to a live demo, sketching a mischievous cat character through a range of expressive moods – from sleepy and suspicious to gleefully confused. “I’m not worried about the perfect drawing, just the shape,” he said with a smile, adding a final flourish to the feline. “Now I have to draw him in a suit — that’s the fun of character design. You build the personality, then dress it.”
Among the workshop’s attendees was 20-year-old Aditi Nair, a designer and illustrator raised in the UAE. “What stood out to me was how we got to see his thought process unfold. Watching how he connects the idea to the final concept was so insightful.”
For 16-year-old Syrian Yanai Aljerf, the session was both inspiring and instructive. “I liked his process; it was calming and informative,” said the high school student who’s pursuing animation as a potential career.
Zoya Mir, 19, another animation student from India, said the session was a game changer. “I’ve always struggled with adding emotion to my designs – but watching Sandro draw and explain the logic behind every feature gave me so much clarity,” she shared.
For many, the biggest takeaway was the reminder that character design isn’t just about looks – it’s about heart.
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