VTuber Model Drawing Process — Full Breakdown & Transcript

[00:00] Hello, I’m Hanacue, your local digital 

[00:05] making my own VTuber model these days, and 

[00:10] process of making a VTuber model from scratch. 

[00:16] enjoy making things harder for myself – let’s 

[00:21] this video is going to be a two-parter, with 

[00:25] drawing and cutting the model, and the second 

[00:32] BUT first! I need to call out some people. Do 

[00:38] neglecting to come up with a backstory for? 

[00:42] hundreds of OCs just sitting around, waiting 

[00:47] you are. Well, I am calling out all artists with 

[00:54] on UnVale! UnVale is a new social art sharing 

[01:00] writers, and worldbuilders. You can 

[01:04] fill in details about their backstory, add tons 

[01:08] traits to them. I love using the pages as a 

[01:12] and color coding them to their exact aesthetics. 

[01:17] to categorize them, and there’s even a diverse 

[01:21] pages! I hope you can’t tell how excited I am 

[01:27] heart. I’ve even added a bunch of story tidbits 

[01:32] Zori and Gin, if you want to go ahead and check 

[01:37] like this because they’re vast yet tight knit, so 

[01:42] It’s time to pull your OCs out from the cupboards 

[01:47] them on UnVale! If you’re interested, please feel 

[01:52] if you do create a profile, make sure to tag 

[01:57] so we can all find each other. And so I can 

[02:02] to UnVale for sponsoring today’s video. 

[02:08] So some of you might be familiar with my past 

[02:13] my YouTube channel to share my findings on 

[02:18] since then, and have shared hundreds of short form 

[02:23] 2021 to 2022. The first three models I made from 

[02:29] art, to rigging/animating, were the iconic 

[02:35] Rhi’a and Kurone, and of course the purple fox 

[02:40] which means all I did was make the model move, 

[02:45] also be making a model from scratch for later 

[02:51] Keen observers might notice that all of these 

[02:56] my own persona for years, I have never attempted 

[03:01] is, well, I’ve just never felt compelled to. 

[03:06] so I simply never found the time to. But 

[03:11] this was a point of curiosity for people. It 

[03:18] never made myself a VTuber to use. But today, that 

[03:25] and I will finally become a VTuber.

[03:30] disclaimer that this is not a tutorial video. 

[03:36] where I’ll loosely explain what I’m doing and how 

[03:41] that’s great! Just please don’t expect a full 

[03:45] a join me along as I make something kind 

[03:49] nice. Let’s move on ahead to the first step.

[03:56] For the VTuber’s design, I obviously have my  

[03:59] current persona that I use in all my videos, 

[04:03] a little white dress with a fuzzy cardigan. This 

[04:08] personas I’ve had. Before green braids, I was a 

[04:14] little white dress. This version actually had its 

[04:19] a friend got for me, which was pretty cool for a 

[04:23] braids and a simple get up. And even before all 

[04:31] classified for another video, hehe.

[04:35] unabashedly girly, with all my favorite colors, 

[04:41] and more. And most of all, I love all the fanart 

[04:46] to love her even more. But that also makes me 

[04:52] the design just a little bit. In my first iteration of the design,  

[04:55] I loved everything but felt like some parts were a 

[05:01] a new sketch to simplify a lot of parts, and make 

[05:06] here, I promise the final VTuber is going to be 

[05:12] but sometimes you need to reduce things to their 

[05:17] The parts that were important for me to clarify 

[05:22] heart-shaped braids, and the overall silhouette 

[05:28] heart shapes everywhere. The top is heart shaped, 

[05:33] silhouette is also meant to reflect a vague upside 

[05:38] was clear, I had to emphasize the most important 

[05:44] short skirt, and long legs. Basically, I want this 

[05:49] everything girly, cute, and doll-like.

[05:54] from the original designs. Some of them will 

[06:00] For example, these arm sleeves, and arm 

[06:05] to have the character wearing the large fuzzy 

[06:09] and the logic of design choices like the placement 

[06:14] thicker ribbon. This is very important for later 

[06:19] I’m pretty happy with the clarified design, and I 

[06:24] to only keep the essentials, what would I keep? 

[06:28] design! Similar to before, but a little clearer. 

[06:34] some of you don’t know what a VTuber is.

[06:39] So what is a VTuber? I’m going to explain to  

[06:43] you what VTubing is to me, from strictly an 

[06:49] avatar that you use to represent yourself, which 

[06:53] camera. Ever seen mocap actors and how that then 

[06:59] The term VTuber is short for Virtual YouTuber, 

[07:05] content creators outside of just YouTube alone.

[07:09] YouTube with popular 3D VTubers like Kizuna 

[07:15] popularity during the pandemic lockdown, when 

[07:19] online entertainment. During this time, with the 

[07:24] of streaming in general, VTubers became extremely 

[07:30] grew quickly due to its intersection with other 

[07:37] voice acting, singing, and many others!

[07:42] which are avatars you can sometimes use in apps 

[07:47] or 3D models. However, a new type of VTuber 

[07:53] well. These were called Live2D models, which were 

[07:59] and morphing technology in a program called Live2D 

[08:05] that is popular in newer animation shows, because 

[08:10] model and adding what we call a skeleton under, 

[08:16] instead of redrawing them over and over.

[08:21] different benefits that a show that uses the same 

[08:26] But this technology became useful as the idea of 

[08:32] could essentially draw a flat 2D image, and morph 

[08:38] it was turning left and right, or up and down. 

[08:42] skilled at art, but not so much at 3D modeling, a 

[08:48] ding, ding, you guessed it. I’m one of 

[08:52] Now there are many benefits to making a Live2D 

[08:59] of being a drawn image that is different from a 

[09:03] but it is a different appeal. 2: You are able to 

[09:09] you can in a 3D model. 3D models tend to have 

[09:14] unable to 100% control the way the model operates. 

[09:20] aspect of the model to appear only how you like. 

[09:27] models are easier to get into because most of us 

[09:32] us will have learned 3D modeling or sculpting 

[09:38] does not mean a Live2D model is easier to make. 

[09:44] doable for anyone who has some art skills.

[09:49] all happen is Live2D Cubism. I’ll talk 

[09:53] but as I am currently aware, Live2D Cubism 

[09:58] you can make a 2D model in.

[10:01] and the different kinds there are, now let’s 

[10:10] When it comes to sketching and planning the model, 

[10:14] and this is not a hard rule, but it will make 

[10:19] symmetrical on the left and right side. It’s 

[10:23] are approximately the same because you can 

[10:27] other. So I’ll just draw the body and head 

[10:32] Paint. Most art programs should have this tool. 

[10:37] I’ll create a guide for placement, then draw 

[10:41] model in a program that can save to a .psd file, 

[10:47] Again, Clip Studio Paint works for me so I’ll 

[10:51] think about 2D models is as if they’re paper dolls 

[10:56] advanced as they will have joints that allow you 

[11:00] to imagine that you’ll be building the dolls up 

[11:05] but gets easier as you do it more.

[11:09] I’m going to sketch and plan the model. As 

[11:13] for a doll type of pose, because I personally 

[11:18] all the body parts completely detached from the 

[11:22] character in the future if I want.

[11:26] other than the bouncy boobas and jiggle physics, 

[11:31] This is definitely on purpose, because the more 

[11:36] the more physics you can add later on. For 

[11:40] a lot of dynamic physics when the character 

[11:44] a lot more interest around the hair and face 

[11:48] will also help create dynamic movements. So while 

[11:53] a lot of VTuber artists will add them because 

[11:57] is more advanced and dynamic, with more physics 

[12:02] preference, but it’s certainly something I try 

[12:06] To continue my planning, I add colors to get an 

[12:11] before I jump straight into lining and rendering. 

[12:16] aren’t able to tell if the model is unbalanced 

[12:21] are on, so I really recommend you create this 

[12:25] just enough to give you an idea how it 

[12:28] Now, it’s time to plan some poses for my 

[12:32] to be different arm attachments. I wanted to 

[12:37] so it didn’t feel like anything was lost when I 

[12:42] you add too many arm poses if you’re a beginner 

[12:48] and hectic. You will see later how much 

[12:53] the time to explore different facial expressions 

[12:57] rigging later on. And that wraps up everything 

[13:05] Hello, hello, it’s day 3 and I’m making sure to be 

[13:11] will be lining the model. Sketching the model is 

[13:15] you really get a full taste of what it feels like 

[13:20] By the way, VTuber mama and papa are the terms 

[13:24] VTuber models. Pretty cute, right? Remember how I 

[13:29] like paper dolls, where you build up pieces? 

[13:33] every part separately, and what needs to be 

[13:38] like to keep a lot of parts separate though.

[13:42] layer, and do the ears. If you’re a beginner, 

[13:46] for yourself. You can always go back and do more 

[13:51] don’t need to be excessive. However, since this is 

[13:56] techniques in my lining and cutting process. 

[14:00] having an outside line and an inner line, so I can 

[14:05] Lining is easy to explain, but a lot of work to 

[14:10] of each layer part of the model. You’ll also 

[14:14] neck for example. We make the neck extremely long 

[14:19] of area to make it look natural. I also made my 

[14:24] an idea of my workflow. As a reminder, this is not 

[14:30] like you have to do exactly what I’m doing. The 

[14:35] it is hard to keep track of. But to make VTuber 

[14:40] recommend naming your layers when you can and even 

[14:45] to help your eyes with the process. I’m making 

[14:49] items on top. And I’m using the symmetry tool 

[14:54] work as possible. I like to line my work even if I 

[14:59] because it also helps create clean bases which 

[15:04] Here on out is just me lining the model, so 

[15:34] So that entire lining process has taken me 

[15:39] drawing in a day so I’m going to return back to 

[15:47] Base coloring is a pretty essential process 

[15:52] that no blank spaces or weird pixels are out of 

[15:57] base colors and also fixing up some lines. The 

[16:01] is understanding the layer hierarchy - that is, 

[16:06] so that the layer parts show in their appropriate 

[16:10] in the 2D model art. The second part to cutting 

[16:14] corresponding “back layers” as needed. For 

[16:19] to have it as just a floating part with no back 

[16:24] make sure the layer order is to the back behind 

[16:28] here for this, but typically parts that may need 

[16:33] I’ll just continue coloring and organizing 

[16:37] so I’ll see you guys in a bit!

[16:53] We’re dipping into day 5 here, as I’m  

[16:55] working on lining and coloring all those arm poses 

[17:00] of redrawing and imagining how the arms will work 

[17:05] about 8 different arm and hand sets I’m drawing, 

[17:11] extremely painful, and took a lot of brain power. 

[17:16] 4 hours which is the same amount of time I took 

[17:22] actually not sure if it will be worth it, because 

[17:27] press toggles to change poses to begin with. So 

[17:32] from my mistakes, and maybe skip the alternate arm 

[17:38] finish the model because it is really draining. 

[17:42] part because I am gonna need the energy to 

[17:50] Ah, it’s finally time to do some rendering. I 

[17:54] of a Live2D model is the fact that you get an 

[17:59] is no better time to sell that effect than in 

[18:03] is that I’m going to add some detailed coloring 

[18:07] This is the time to make it as detailed as you 

[18:12] to put extra care because people will be looking 

[18:17] to try and make the work stunning for people 

[18:21] I want to mention that the traditional way to 

[18:25] it’s the base color, line, and rendering all 

[18:30] to simply rig the art later. And I recommend this 

[18:34] another Live2D rigger. However, since I plan to 

[18:39] want to keep the lines, base color, and detail 

[18:44] so I can create a more 3D look in my model as I 

[18:49] additional way of looking at this is that, I’m 

[18:53] the detailed coloring where I’m overdrawing the 

[18:57] when the layer is moved to the right or left, it 

[19:02] It’s a similar concept to wrapping texture in 3D 

[19:08] and you can simulate a 3D look with one layer, 

[19:12] wanna see what kind of look I can achieve with 

[19:16] layers, but hopefully the result is worth it.

[19:20] here, but as I explained earlier, I drew the bare 

[19:25] Which means I was coloring some skin areas that 

[19:30] so sadly I didn’t include those parts! But if 

[19:35] I may release part of it elsewhere if you like!

[19:39] and overcoloring all the way until we’ve 

[19:43] was the bulk of the work I did for days 6 and 

[20:16] Alright, so I may have grossly overestimated how 

[20:23] some cutting as well this week, but somehow 

[20:28] draw an entire model, try and plan and draw an 

[20:33] I’m crazy, and also edit the entire video in 

[20:40] human and for some reason can’t spontaneously 

[20:45] edit at the same time. So I tried to finish the 

[20:50] but ultimately I think the art is only about 75% 

[20:55] myself and take it easy, and save the rest of the 

[21:00] goodies like cutting the model, finishing the arms 

[21:05] and rigging and animating the model. I am dead 

[21:10] isn’t yet finished, I feel like there’s enough to 

[21:14] reveal. So please do enjoy the final reveal 

[22:35] Thank you so much for watching! I’ve always 

[22:40] on the process of making a VTuber model because 

[22:45] definitely a lot easier to capture just my process 

[22:49] do it in a little bit of an informative process 

[22:54] usual type of video, but I hope you can find the 

[22:59] because I know this entire thing can be really 

[23:04] you guys to the process and familiarize you 

[23:08] little! And if not, I’ll try my best to get 

[23:13] a showcase of all of the lovely fanart you guys 

[23:17] and I hope this new model can live up to the 

[23:22] next time, I’m wishing you all the best on your