Draw With Jazza Creating Characters by Josiah Brooks - Review

An encouraging on-ramp for total beginners, though it trades depth for accessibility in ways that will eventually send developing artists elsewhere. Josiah Brooks, the creative force behind the popular "Draw with Jazza" YouTube channel, has built a reputation for making art instruction accessible and entertaining. His book "Draw With Jazza - Creating Characters: Fun and Easy Guide to Drawing Cartoons and Comics" promises to translate that online teaching style into print form. For aspiring artists wondering is Draw With Jazza Creating Characters good for beginners, the answer largely depends on your learning style and artistic goals.

The book's vibrant cover immediately signals Brooks's approach—colorful, energetic, and decidedly fun. Unlike the sterile academic tone found in traditional art instruction books like Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, Brooks maintains his characteristic enthusiasm throughout, making complex concepts feel approachable rather than intimidating.

Brooks structures his instruction around building confidence rather than perfection. His approach breaks character creation into manageable steps, starting with basic shapes and gradually adding complexity. This mirrors his YouTube style but benefits from the permanence of print—readers can reference techniques without rewinding videos or pausing at crucial moments.

The author emphasizes experimentation over rigid rules, encouraging readers to develop their own style rather than copy his exactly. This philosophy sets the book apart from more prescriptive guides that focus on technical accuracy above creative expression.

The progression from simple geometric forms to fully realized characters follows a logical path that accommodates different skill levels. Brooks demonstrates how circles, squares, and triangles can become the foundation for memorable cartoon personalities. His step-by-step breakdowns show the thinking process behind character design, not just the final result.

What makes this approach particularly effective is Brooks's focus on personality-driven design. Rather than starting with anatomy textbooks, he encourages readers to think about what makes a character interesting or memorable first, then build the visual representation around those traits.

The book balances instruction with hands-on practice through carefully designed exercises. Brooks provides specific techniques for facial expressions, body language, and proportion while maintaining his "fun first" philosophy. The exercises progress logically, with each building on previously learned skills.

However, the book's strength in accessibility occasionally becomes a limitation. More advanced artists might find the pace too gradual, and some fundamental drawing principles receive lighter treatment than they would in more comprehensive instructional texts.

Brooks excels at making character creation feel achievable for complete beginners. His encouraging tone and clear visual examples create a supportive learning environment that many traditional art books lack. The book successfully translates his online teaching charisma to the printed page.

The main weakness lies in depth of instruction. While the "fun and easy" approach removes barriers to entry, it sometimes skips over technical fundamentals that would benefit developing artists long-term. Readers seeking comprehensive anatomy instruction or advanced rendering techniques will need to supplement with additional resources.

For beginners intimidated by traditional art instruction, Brooks delivers on his promise of making character creation accessible and enjoyable. The book works best as an encouraging first step rather than a complete artistic education — think of it as the spark, not the syllabus. Those who connect with Brooks's teaching style online will likely appreciate having his guidance in a permanent, reference-friendly format.

Artists seeking rigorous technical instruction will find the approach too simplified. But for building confidence and sparking creativity in someone who has never picked up a pencil for cartooning, Brooks succeeds. The book's real achievement is proving that character creation can be both learnable and fun — a harder case to make than it looks.

If you're a total beginner who wants to start drawing cartoon characters without being overwhelmed, this is the book to grab first — the Amazon link in the sidebar has the current price.