Another "How to" Guide

Introduction
I am fully aware of the fact, that there are other guides on how to create a monster high OC. I do not want to say that they are bad or that mine is better, I just want to give you a different approach on that topic. Note that I am still working on this guide. If you have any ideas or critique, please use the comment section below- Now please enjoy my guide.

Monster Parents
The best thing is to start with looking for a monster parent, e.g. what kind of monster your OC will be. That way it will be easier to create an appearance and might be more helpful for the character building.

If you want to create a new OC based on a common monster of the universe, such as Vampires, Zombies, Werewolves/Werecats or Ghosts, it may not be very original, but it is totally fine IF you do not make one of the following mistakes:
 * copy from canon designs

If your OC looks alot like a canon because it has only few alterations from it (e.g. hair color/length/style change, skin color change...) it's just a carbon copy of the canon. Just because your OC is a Mummy, it does not have to look like Cleo DeNile. It may also lead to copy&paste the canons profile with only few alterations. So don't do that.


 * making siblings for canons

This might also lead you to make a carbon copy of the canon you were trying to create a sibling for...plus it's really unoriginal. So better not create OCs related to canons. Monster High isn't the only franchise with monsters. However not every monster is considered a good monster parent. For example made up monsters such as Pokémon and Digimon are a really bad pick for monster parents. You should stick to folklore, mythology (and fairytales).

The appearance however can be based on made up monsters: Did you know that many monsters out of other franchises actually have a mythological counterpart? For example Vulpix and Ninetales are based on the Kitsune. The Ragnarok Online Monster Miyabi Ningyo is based on the Futakuchi-Onna, Zoras and Ritos from the Zelda franchise are based on Sirens - just to name a few.

Dig deep and try to find out the origin of the monster you consider to transform into a Monster High OC. One more tip here: generalize. Please don't make your ice themed monster daughter of Elsa from Frozen, just because you based the appearance on her.

„Son of Medusa“, „Daughter of Dracula“. Yes, Mattel did it as well but you will be better off to use more universal terms. Say „son of the Gorgons“ or „daugther of the vampires“ instead, especially if the monster parent you wanted to choose is canon. If it is not be aware that this might be changing faster than you think, as the franchise is growing constantly.

Also: do not forget the “monster” in monster parents. Humans, even if they are mean and evil, are no monsters. So for instance Cruella de Vil is NOT a monster parent. She also would be a very specific parent to pick when I just suggested to stay universal. So picking her (or anybody alike) would be wrong in more ways than one.

Art Design
So, if you finally found a Monster to base your OC on, it is time for the design. Maybe you might as well think of a very dominant character trait first, so that you can “put” that into the design. For instance, if your OC is rather shy, then this trait can be pointed out by drawing his or her arms near to her body, maybe even holding on to him/herself in some way and let him or her look too the ground, rather than facing the viewer. If your OC is conceited you can literally draw attention to that by drawing him or her head up while the eyes looking down. A bright, silly grin can make him or her appear sassy and if the arms are away from the body that could suggest the OC being friendly and open. These are just a few examples on how you can point out a dominant character trait only by the way you are presenting the OC.

Don't hesitate to search for and use bases! Human anatomy is not that easy (even though Monster High is far from having a correct human anatomy, but I think you get the point) and you may look for references (so not only bases though, but they are the best to start with) on the internet, to get that specific pose right. However you should NOT simply trace it. Try to copy it. It's really hard the first few times, but trust me, if you get the hang of it, you eventually will be able to draw your own bases with less or even without any need for references.

Adding monster traits
When you finished your base its time to 'make it monster'. Go to Google image search and type in your monster parent. If it's not something very unique and rare, you should find a load of pictures, where you can copy striking traits of the chosen monster such as horns, tails and wings. Add details like scales, fur, feathers, wood grain, joints...of course depending on your monster parent. You may also get rid of huge parts of the human in case your monster parent is part beast...like Satyrs, Centaurs or Nagas – to name a few. Again, don't hesitate to look for references for said creatures to get the anatomy right.

Fashion
Now it's time to dress up your OC. To be honest with you here, this, for me always is the hardest task as I am not really involved with fashion. Also, keep in mind that a shy OC will most likely not run around in flashy 'look at me' outfits. But again: Google is your friend: just google some nice outfits and put them on your OC. Depending on the pose this might get a little tricky though but if you use a new layer – that is a transparent piece of paper if you draw by hand – and try to figure out how the clothing works on the chosen pose. When you are done with that it is time for the coloration. Again look for some tutorials on the internet if you are having trouble with that.

Bio Page
Now that you are done with the artwork, it is time to give your character some depth. This may be more difficult than you actually think but for me looking at my art helps me a lot to figure things out. That is why I start with the drawing part most of the time and that is why this tutorial is structured like that as well. You can and should also read wikipedia articles of the monster parent. Maybe you will find information that helps you create a personality for your OC. For me I always find it hard to give the OC a fitting

Monster Quirk/Freaky Flaw
Mattel for instance loves to reverse the usual monster trait. Draculaura hating blood even though she's a vampire, Cleo DeNile being afraid of the dark even though Mummies usually 'populate' dark places – pyramids - and sleep in sarcophagi, Lorna McNessie loving to photobomb even though she is the daughter of the Loch Ness monster and should, by mythology, rather avoid cameras, Ghoulia Yelpes who is rather smart for a Zombie and so on. And if they do not reverse the trait, they like to exaggerate it, as we can see it with the character of Clawd Wolf and maybe even Heath Burns and/or Abbey Bominable. Some of these (reversed or exaggerated) traits make good monster quirks. However, here is an (uncomplete) list of freaky flaws/monster quirks from canons that might help you find a good one for your OC.

Abbey: lacking in tact

Aery: knack for knowing what others are thinking before they say it

Amanita: likes to hear herself talking

Astranova: gets lost in translation

Avea: stubbornness

Bay: can't dance

Batsy: has a hang-up with monsters that don't care about the world

Bonita: chews on cloths when nervous

Catrine: Perfectionist

Catty: Superstitious

Casta: mixing up words and put spells on others by accident because of this

Clawd: Sheding

Clawdia: chewing on pencils, paper clips, … when nervous

Clawdeen: quick hair growth

Cleo: afraid of the dark

Deuce: turn people into stone with his gaze

Draculaura: drawbacks of no reflection in the mirror

Elissabet: terrible stage fright

Elle: blow a fuse when too amped

Fawntine: doesn't like large crowds

Finnegan: dives in headfirst too quickly

Flara: singering her mane and tail when get too fired up

Frankie: loose stitches

Frets: slow

Garrott: Perfectionist

Ghoulia: not spontaneous, slow walking, terrible in showing/making facial expressions

Gigi: claustrophobic

Gillington: afraid of (or rather biased) ocean monsters

Gilda: jumpy (doesn't like loud noises)

Goolippe: afraid of not fitting in

Heath: impulsive/self-control issue

...

As we can see by this excerpt, freaky flaws or monster quirks can be everything; from very universal character traits/fears to very specific drawbacks concerning their monster side to things they simply can't do (like dancing). However, (mental or physical) disabilities aren't usually displayed as a flaw.

Pet Peeve
Something that your OC really can't stand. Easy enough? Well this can be sometimes tricky as well. To help you with that section, you can for example address the OCs flaw again. Or you could read through the wikipedia article of your monster parent and look for known weaknesses of or how humans tried to deal with/get rid of said monster in the myths. You can also think of stuff that you rather dislike.

Killer Style
In this section, just explain/describe the cloth your OC is wearing in the art. Maybe you can figure out the name of the style, but if you are not that into fashion, as I am, this also could be a hard task to complete.

Other Sections
Favourite/Least Favorite everything. These sections are speaking for themselves. Just look at your OC design to find out a favorite color, look at the streingths and weaknesses of your monster to find out in which school subject he/she might do well and so on.