I sometimes doodle characters with the idea of using negative space between them. Negative space in general makes things read more clearly and it also helps me with character design. 

After I draw one character on a page I try to make the next one fit into the negative spaces of the other one's silhouette.  The more characters I draw on the page the more challenging it becomes to fit a new character between the negative spaces of the surrounding characters.

This forces me to draw shapes that I might not otherwise think of if I was just drawing straight ahead.

Here are some HB style animals as examples:

..and some random animals

..some humans

I've also been working on some beatnik mice. A friend suggested I call them "Squeakniks".

I put some on T shirts.
 

If you like any you can find them here:

I was having lunch with Eddie and Sandra and telling them about some great new nature shows I've been watching called "Wild Australia". There are a lot more marsupials than just the regular ones we all knew about. I used to think marsupials were an earlier form or mammals than the rest of us, but the specials seemed to infer that we aren't so sure anymore. I wish I knew the answer!
When I doodle mindlessly I tend to play with proportions and design more than when I try to on purpose. It's a good trick for loosening up and breaking conservative habits.

http://johnkdesign.blogspot.com/

Hey folks

I am putting together a new blog site just for my design work - mostly from commercials and short spots.

That image above is a layout from Rex Hackelberg's fancy designs.

Take a gander if you are interested...

This is some nice looking stylish and cartoony stuff. I wonder who designed and animated it.