PLAYGROUNDS ACADEMY | CHARACTER DESIGN BY WOUTER TULP

This in-depth workshop offers an inspiring and hands-on experience in a small, personal group setting. It is designed for professionals and graduates with some experience in character design who want to further develop their skills.

For this special edition, Wouter will place extra emphasis on facial expressions, one of the most powerful tools for bringing characters to life. Together, you’ll take a deeper look at how to shape design, gesture, and character consistency can be used to create expressive, believable faces that communicate emotion and personality.

Date
10 October 2026
Location(s)
Playgrounds HQ, Klokgebouw 126, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Time
10:30 - 19:00

WHAT TO EXPECT
➡️ A special deep dive into facial expressions and character consistency across a wide range of expressions
➡️ Shape language: How to use shapes to evoke liveliness
➡️ Proportions: Creating appeal by carefully designing proportions
➡️ Volume: A sound understanding of volumes, and keeping them consistent
➡️ Gesture: Finding the long axis curve of a pose
➡️ Body language: Showing weight and movement in design

Throughout the day, you explore these concepts through live demonstrations by Wouter, practical exercises, assignments and personal feedback in a small group setting.

This workshop features brand-new material on facial expressions, a topic Wouter is currently developing. 10 October marks the very first time he will share these insights in a live workshop.

ABOUT WOUTER TULP
Wouter Tulp started his career as a freelance illustrator, creating many different kinds of illustrations, like children’s books, book covers, editorial illustrations and caricatures. This variety of work helped him shape and refine his technique and craft, that eventually led to him becoming a versatile character designer for feature animation. Which is currently his core business.

Wouter has worked for studios such as Sony Pictures Animation, Paramount Pictures Animation, Netflix, Skydance and many more. He loves to share what he has learned and help aspiring artists improve their craft.

DINNER OPTIONS
Would you like to join us for dinner afterward from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM? For an additional €34 ex VAT, you can enjoy a shared meal before we wrap up the day.

This year, we are launching Playgrounds Academy: in-depth workshops at Playgrounds HQ and other locations throughout the year. Expect top-notch artists to guide small groups as you dive deep to enhance your skills, techniques, and tools.

Tickets

PLGR Academy is made possible by

Wacom