SVS Building Backgrounds for Characters is an online class from the School of Visual Storytelling, taught by illustrator Will Terry. It solves a common problem: you have drawn a character you like and want to place it in an equally good background, but the two never quite fit. The class shows how to identify a character's perspective and value, design a background to match, decide where to place the character, and build focal points and eye movement. It has 13 lessons with about an hour and a half of video, a workbook and three assignments, and is included in the SVS Learn membership.

It ends with two demonstrations, an exterior scene with a scarecrow character and an interior scene with a mouse, which show the full process from existing character to finished composition.

What You Will Learn

Where to place a character in a composition, and where not to
Identifying a character's perspective and fixing it when it is wrong
Designing a background that matches the character's perspective
Matching the background's value to the character
Focal points, light on dark and the rule of thirds
Creating objects and elements that support the story
Building both exterior and interior backgrounds

Who Is SVS Building Backgrounds for Characters For?

The class suits illustrators with a portfolio full of characters on white backgrounds, and anyone preparing finished scenes for picture books or comics. It assumes you can already draw characters and environments separately.

How the Class Works

The class follows three steps, each with an assignment: adding a background to an existing character, finding the perspective, and placing characters in full scenes. The two demonstrations then show Will's process in exterior and interior settings. You finish with refined sketches for two compositions, which are designed to be coloured in the next Level 4 class, Painting Color and Light.

Course Structure

Overview: introduction, workbook, Assignment 1: Adding a Background
Perspective: identifying the perspective, fixing existing character perspective, Assignment 2
Placement and Composition: focal points and character placement, placing characters in scenes
Demos: exterior with a scarecrow character, interior with a mouse character
Assignment 3: building backgrounds

What You Will Make

You will end with two refined compositions that combine one of your characters with a designed background, one exterior and one interior. They are ready to paint, and finished versions make strong portfolio pieces because they show storytelling, not just character design.

Price and Access

The class is included in the SVS Learn membership. SVS lists its Studio membership at $29.95 a month, and class pages show a $300 annual option. A 14-day free trial is available with a card and becomes a paid subscription unless you cancel. Membership includes live events and a monthly art challenge.

About the Instructor

Will Terry has been a freelance illustrator for 26 years and has illustrated about 30 children's books for publishers including Random House, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic and Penguin. He teaches from the SVS office in Provo, Utah.

How It Fits the SVS Curriculum

The class is part of Level 4 of SVS Essentials. It brings together the characters of Level 2 and the environments of Level 3, and hands its compositions on to Painting Color and Light.

Things to Consider

Time: an hour and a half of video and three assignments.
Bring a character: use one you designed in earlier classes.
Before this: the Level 2 character classes and Level 3 environment classes.
Next steps: Painting Color and Light.
Feedback: share your compositions in the SVS community.

Start the Course

Interested in learning with SVS Learn?

Start Building Backgrounds for Characters

For the full curriculum and membership options, visit the official SVS Learn website.

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Last verified: October 26, 2026

Building Backgrounds for Characters by SVS Learn