Fantasy cosplay reference – tribal costumes and body language for character design inspiration

Character Concept Art for Games & IP Development

Concept Art, Design, Visual Storytelling

Character concept art isn't just about looks — it’s about soul. Whether you’re designing for a game, a film, or a brand-new IP, the right character can carry your world on their shoulders. I design characters that feel like they belong — to your story, your world, and your audience.

This is perfect for indie studios figuring out who their hero is… and for AAA teams looking to push a design further. You might come in with a tight brief, or just a vibe. Either way, we’ll build something together that looks great, feels right, and works in production.

Expect a collaborative, creative process with research baked in. Expect reference boards, style guides, iteration, exploration, and clarity. And if you don’t yet know what you want — don’t worry. We’ll figure it out together.

Let’s make characters that look good and tell the story you need them to.

Post-apocalyptic character sketches – detailed outfit design and gear breakdown by concept artist

What’s Included:

  • Style explorations, thumbnails & silhouette studies

  • Character backstory development support (if needed)

  • Outfit, gear, and material variations

  • Expressions, poses, and personality passes

  • Sketch to color comp to final render

  • Optional: orthos, turnarounds & callouts for production

  • Style guide and art bible integration (if part of your pipeline)

  • Creative direction & feedback sessions built in

  • One point of contact — me — from start to finish

What’s NOT Included (but can be added):

  • 3D modeling & rigging

  • Full animation-ready builds

  • Voice acting, audio

  • Final production-ready game assets

Looking for a full art team? I’ve got a trusted network — just ask.

Discovery. Research. Iteration. Reference hunting. Mindmaps. Moodboards.

All the nerdy stuff that makes the visuals feel deliberate, not random. If it doesn't serve the story, it doesn’t go in.

Each deliverable is mapped into phases with clear milestones. We’ll have regular check-ins so you’re never left in the dark.

I’ll handle the flow so you can focus on the rest of your project.

Deliverables Available:

Initial Sketches
Silhouettes & Variants
Final Concept Sheets
Color Explorations
Styleguide Integration
Production Notes

You don’t just get pretty art — you get clarity, consistency, and a visual toolkit your team can build from.

Character Design Services

To book, we require a 33% deposit, a 33% by mid-milestones, and a 33% billed at the end of the project. Reach and and contact for a custom setup/day rate if you have on-going needs.

Stylized female character concept – clothing, pose, and lighting studies for modern visual storytelling

Pre-Production Work – Thumbnail sketches, silhouettes, and explorations to find the right shape language and tone.

Mechanical hand and foot concept – cyberpunk anatomy exploration for sci-fi character design

Concept Design – Finalized designs with turnarounds, expressions, and outfit options, built for clarity and production.

Character design breakdown – clothing and archetype guide presented on screen for development team

Lead/Director Work – Overseeing character pipelines, mentoring juniors, and maintaining visual consistency across a project.

66%

Pre-production time reduction: Slashed production costs by introducing 3D and other updated concept art methodologies with my latest client. AAA+ industry-standard, professional turnaround times.

33%

Art quality improvement: Maintaining and expanding a style guide and material library within a 3D render engine for concepting.

90%

Percentage of created assets included in the game or DLC while working with Frictional Games’ Amnesia Rebirth

Special pricing for those seeking long-term solutions. For bookings longer than 60 days, please contact me for a custom arrangement.

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  • It’s very hard to find a professional like Miguel. Very organized, prolific and effective with his workflow. Not to mention the impressive quality of ideas he brings to the table. It’s an honor to have worked with him!

    João Lira, Lead Concept Artist on Star Atlas, ATMTA Group

  • The director loved the works we just delivered from our collaboration! Thank you for helping us.

    Alice Zhang, Translator and Producer, NetEase Games

  • I want to say that your proposal was the most professional I’ve seen in a long time, even better than most freelancers and other AAA studios we’re working with.

    James Ohlen, VP Studio Head, Archetype Entertainment / Wizards of the Coast’ Company.

  • It was fantastic working with you on these, you're an exceptional talent with a wonderful work ethic. You had a tasteful process for creative exploration, and your balance of structure and freedom always invigorated our sessions. Looking forward to the future, Miguel.

    River Gandour, CEO of Third Book

Character Design Portfolio

Tribal warrior turnaround – full-body fantasy character design in high detail
Tribal warrior – full-body fantasy character design in high detail
Cowboy concept characters – wild west frontier clothing design and character sheets
Stylized western character painting – digital artwork for visual development in entertainment media
Fantasy outlaw character designs – gritty western-style visual development with silhouettes
Post-apocalyptic costume design – detailed clothing and accessories for sci-fi survivor characters
Streetwear-inspired characters – modern dystopian fashion design for world-building
Masked female character concepts – stylized post-apocalyptic fashion in sci-fi context
Realistic fantasy villain bust – dark character concept art with facial details and texture
Stylized female portrait – grunge and cyberpunk visual theme for character development
Futuristic soldier character – cyberpunk helmet and tech gear concept design
Digital female head sketches – character emotion and hair style exploration for narrative design
skate character design, stylized
Stylized female concept sketch – bold lines and colors in experimental character art
Fashion-forward RPG characters – diverse outfit and body type exploration for digital storytelling
Digital painting of character lineup – concept artist working on outfit variations in Photoshop
Creative workflow board – idea development and visual planning in concept art production

Before I draw anything, I think a lot.

Mindmaps, venn diagrams, narrative intersections — this is how I connect story, setting, gameplay, and emotion into a visual that makes sense. Good character design starts here, in the messy, beautiful tangle of ideas. You won’t get a random drawing. You’ll get a designed character — someone who belongs.

World-class concept art starts with structured thinking.

Professional character concept art setup – multi-monitor workflow with references and 3D models

Quest for the Right Reference

Reference isn’t cheating — it’s how we respect the project.


I build moodboards and visual libraries based on your brief, your tone, your target audience. These boards guide material choices, silhouette language, cultural cues, and color psychology. Whether you’re after stylized, grounded, sci-fi, or mythical, I’ll curate and create from a solid base.

  • wacom cintiq

    By the end of the project, you’ll have a complete character design package — plus a full process breakdown via a collaborative board like Miro (or one you prefer). I include video explanations, references, and if your project needs to grow, I’ll personally recommend vetted artists who align with your style, pipeline, and budget.

  • workstation for concept art

    I only take on one client at a time. That means your project becomes my project. My schedule is cleared for you, and you get my full creative commitment — not someone juggling five gigs and half-listening. Your character gets the focused attention it deserves.

  • macbook and designer taking notes

    From style guides to silhouette explorations, clothing logic, storytelling through gear, 3D base sculpts, and final painted key art — I work with production in mind. These aren’t just cool drawings, they’re functional visual blueprints for IP development, animation, or gameplay use. A good character sells itself and sells your world.

  • design books laying on a table

    Storytelling is the core. But it’s how you tell the story that gets people to care. I focus on characters that feel alive, with intention behind every design decision. Not just what looks good — but what emotionally connects. In a feed full of noise, memorable design still wins.

  • portfolio of sketchbooks

    I work with top-tier tools: Photoshop, ZBrush, Marvelous Designer, Maya, and more. I constantly evolve with industry tech — including Unreal Engine workflows, AI-accelerated pipelines, and advanced rendering — to make sure what I deliver is ahead of the curve and ready for production.

Tribal fantasy characters – costume-heavy warrior and shaman concept art lineup

From first pass to final — you’ll see it all.


My process is transparent and collaborative, so you’re never guessing where the project is at. We start rough and loose — sketching poses, faces, ideas. We talk. You give feedback. I refine. Then comes color, material rendering, final detailing. At the end, you’ll have a production-ready character and a process you can trust.

The art looks great — but the clarity feels even better.

Studio setup for moodboarding – reference gathering for visual world-building in concept art and processing feedback with clients

Feedback isn’t a step — it’s part of the art.

I review each major milestone with you in structured, easy-to-follow presentations. You’ll get a clear overview of what decisions were made and why. This helps you get internal buy-in, stay aligned with your team, and keep your IP consistent. Clients often say this phase makes everything “just click.”

Good art gets better with collaboration.

Concept artist podcasting – discussing workflow and techniques for professional character design

Collaboration

This is what it’s all about — humans making cool things together.
Working with me means honest communication, zero ego, and genuine excitement for your project. I’m here to make your characters come to life, but also to make your day easier. I’ve worked with AAA studios, indies, startups, and solo creators — and the best results always come from a good vibe and a shared goal.

Let’s make something rad, without the stress.

Color and environment reference board – visual development tools for mood and storytelling

Recipe for Success

Characters don’t live in isolation — they’re part of a world.
If your IP includes style guides or you need one created, I’ll make sure every character design reflects your visual language. Fonts, palettes, proportions, gestures — it all ties together. I’ll help you build something cohesive, not just cool.

Your universe deserves characters that fit — and stand out.

  • What if you’re not available when I reach out?

    My calendar usually books fast, since I only take on one project at a time. But if I’m unavailable, I won’t leave you hanging — I’ll recommend other trusted professionals I’ve worked with personally.

  • Do I need to know the lingo or be an art director to hire you?

    Absolutely not. Many of my clients don’t know terms like “turnaround sheets” or “style guides.” I’ll walk you through everything step-by-step, and we’ll adjust the process to your experience level. This is a collaboration — not a test.

  • Who do you typically design characters for?

    From indie creators to AAA studios — I work with directors, writers, game devs, marketing leads, and producers. Whether you're building an IP from scratch or need a lead designer to shape your vision, we find a model that works.

  • Can your character design help with funding or pitching to publishers?

    Yes — strong character design is crucial in IP development and pitch decks. I tailor the presentation for clarity and emotional impact, helping your characters stand out during investor or studio pitches. I help sell the reason of why a character looks the way it does, rather than just presenting the visual and allowing for multiple interpretations of it. This is good to control the narrative and perception of an investor or publisher. They will see what you want them to.

  • What’s the difference between designing a character and just drawing one?

    Character design is about storytelling, psychology, shape language, and fitting the world’s tone and gameplay. It’s not just drawing a cool outfit — it’s crafting a personality, a purpose, and a function in the project.

  • Can I book you for just the exploration phase or just final renders?

    Absolutely. You can hire me just to help explore the direction (pre-production), or to finalize designs with polish and marketing-ready visuals. The workflow adapts to your pipeline and needs.

  • What’s your timezone and working setup?

    I’m usually based in Porto, Portugal, but I often work remotely from different locations. I have professional-grade setups across nomad hubs, so I’m ready for real-time collaboration no matter your timezone.

  • Can I cancel and get a refund?

    Deposits are non-refundable — that’s how I ensure each client gets my full attention. Once I commit to your project, I turn others away. However, I’m always open to talk through unexpected issues and find a fair solution.

Digital painting of character lineup – concept artist working on outfit variations in Photoshop and many reference boards around

Want your characters to feel like real people, not just drawings?

Let’s give them a voice, a style, and a presence that connects — start your project today.