Ghost OC Ideas

Press the button for one gentle ghost: who they were, where they stay, how they show and why.

Ghost OC Ideas: 30 ghosts

The ghost of a seamstress cousin with a mouthful of pins. Stays in a boathouse with no boat. Shows as a column of dust motes shaped like a person. Still looks after the orchestra pit's music stands. Would rest if the buried cookie tin of keepsakes were unearthed.

Padlock: keep a part. Arrows: change only that part.

Who they wereseamstress cousin with a mouthful of pins
Where they stayin a boathouse with no boat
How they showa column of dust motes shaped like a person
What they look afterthe orchestra pit's music stands
What lets them restthe buried cookie tin of keepsakes were unearthed

History (0)

Every ghost you make is kept here, newest first, up to the last 20. The list stays in this browser.

Ghost of the day

The ghost of a seamstress cousin with a mouthful of pins. Stays in a boathouse with no boat. Shows as a column of dust motes shaped like a person. Still looks after the orchestra pit's music stands. Would rest if the buried cookie tin of keepsakes were unearthed.
The ghost of a vaudeville magician's assistant. Stays under the weeping willow at the millpond. Shows as a dent in the grass or a cushion, shaped like a sitter. Still looks after a lone goldfish at the orthodontist's. Would rest if their nickname were used once more.
The ghost of a lamp trimmer on a river steamer. Stays in the pantry's coldest corner. Shows as a sneeze from the dustiest corner. Still looks after the spare button jar. Would rest if their signature were noticed under the mural.
The ghost of a hotel switchboard operator. Stays in the projection booth of a one-screen movie house. Shows as a moth-colored blur that keeps its hat on. Still looks after the skating pond's thin corner. Would rest if a goodbye were said on the right platform.
The ghost of a grandfather who whittled on the stoop. Stays in the sunroom, among the potted lemons. Shows as a glow the color of weak tea. Still looks after a flight of harbor steps, slick with weed. Would rest if the boat were painted the color they chose.
The ghost of a milliner famous for ostrich plumes. Stays in the hollow of a lightning-split beech. Shows as one word written in breath on cold glass. Still looks after one surviving quince among the stumps. Would rest if the choir sang the verse they always skipped.
The ghost of a milliner famous for ostrich plumes. Stays on the third stair, which is why it squeaks. Shows as a kite string pulled taut with no kite on it. Still looks after a ship in a bottle on the mantel. Would rest if someone admitted that they had been right about the roof.
The ghost of a conductor who clipped tickets on the river crossing. Stays on platform two, beside the weighing machine. Shows as a polite cough from just behind you. Still looks after a tabletop stage with a cast cut from card. Would rest if the attic window were finally shut.
The ghost of a silent film pianist. Stays in the warm cupboard where the towels are kept. Shows as a pair of spectacle glints with nobody behind them. Still looks after the school trophy nobody polishes. Would rest if the other earring turned up.
The ghost of a family dog's favorite person. Stays on the window seat, in the afternoon sun. Shows as a reflection in spoons and nowhere else. Still looks after the pencil marks where the children were measured. Would rest if the sweet peas were tied in before the wind.
The ghost of a great-uncle who lost every hide-and-seek on purpose. Stays in a storefront display once the awning is rolled. Shows as a hat tipped to you from an empty bench. Still looks after a tide table chalked on the harbor wall. Would rest if their final postcard got a hearing.
The ghost of a radio announcer with a famous voice. Stays in the porch swing, on still evenings. Shows as a torso as cloudy as a bathroom pane. Still looks after an unfinished jigsaw of a harbor. Would rest if a goodbye were said on the right platform.
The ghost of an ice harvester with a long saw. Stays in a greenhouse with one cracked pane. Shows as a torso as cloudy as a bathroom pane. Still looks after whichever child is last to be picked up from school. Would rest if the choir sang the verse they always skipped.
The ghost of a seamstress cousin with a mouthful of pins. Stays in a storefront display once the awning is rolled. Shows as a pale blue outline, filled with whatever is behind it. Still looks after a jewelry box whose dancer lost an arm. Would rest if someone admitted that they had been right about the roof.
The ghost of a keeper of an alpine refuge. Stays in the sewing basket, among the spools. Shows as the scent of shaving soap and oranges. Still looks after the lost property shelf at the bus depot. Would rest if the wainscot's secret hatch were sprung.
The ghost of a stamp dealer who crossed three borders. Stays at the stile where two footpaths cross. Shows as a marble rolling uphill. Still looks after the turnstile at a ballpark long closed. Would rest if a goodbye were said on the right platform.
The ghost of a telegraph operator with quick fingers. Stays upstairs at the engine house, by the alarm gong. Shows as a heat shimmer on a cold day. Still looks after a nervous new lodger in their old room. Would rest if their final postcard got a hearing.
The ghost of a nanny who knew forty lullabies. Stays in the shepherd's wagon on the hill. Shows as a flag or a curtain stirring with no wind. Still looks after a jewelry box whose dancer lost an arm. Would rest if their signature were noticed under the mural.
The ghost of a nanny who knew forty lullabies. Stays behind the wallpaper's second layer. Shows as a marble rolling uphill. Still looks after a parrot that outlived three owners. Would rest if the last row of the scarf were cast off.
The ghost of a balloonist from the county fair. Stays in the walled kitchen garden, by the sundial. Shows as tulips swiveling to face a vacant seat. Still looks after whichever child is last to be picked up from school. Would rest if the thank-you letters were mailed.
The ghost of a balloonist from the county fair. Stays on platform two, beside the weighing machine. Shows as a candle flame that walks. Still looks after the reading room's one working radiator. Would rest if the attic window were finally shut.
The ghost of a lamp trimmer on a river steamer. Stays under the bandstand in the municipal park. Shows as a candle flame that walks. Still looks after a patchwork coverlet lacking its final block. Would rest if the wainscot's secret hatch were sprung.
The ghost of a stamp dealer who crossed three borders. Stays on platform two, beside the weighing machine. Shows as a white smudge near the edge of every snapshot. Still looks after a ship in a bottle on the mantel. Would rest if a goodbye were said on the right platform.
The ghost of a milliner famous for ostrich plumes. Stays in the walled kitchen garden, by the sundial. Shows as a flag or a curtain stirring with no wind. Still looks after the pencil marks where the children were measured. Would rest if the treehouse rope were replaced.
The ghost of a zoo night keeper. Stays on the footbridge over the railway cutting. Shows as the scratch of a pen with no page in sight. Still looks after the cane rack in the front passage. Would rest if a goodbye were said on the right platform.
The ghost of a telegraph operator with quick fingers. Stays in the lifeguard chair after the beach closes. Shows as a candle flame that walks. Still looks after a jewelry box whose dancer lost an arm. Would rest if their spectacles were found in the piano stool.
The ghost of a hotel switchboard operator. Stays on a shoal that surfaces twice a day. Shows as a heat shimmer on a cold day. Still looks after a colony of bats in the belfry. Would rest if their final postcard got a hearing.
The ghost of a butterfly collector with a long net. Stays under the weeping willow at the millpond. Shows as a yo-yo that sleeps at the end of its string. Still looks after the ledger of who owes whom on the street. Would rest if the piano were tuned at last.
The ghost of a seamstress cousin with a mouthful of pins. Stays in the box room with the dress forms. Shows as wet rings where no cup stood. Still looks after a toolshed whose latch always jams. Would rest if a stranger laughed at the story of the goat.
The ghost of a great-grandmother who ran the household accounts. Stays under the bandstand in the municipal park. Shows as a moth-colored blur that keeps its hat on. Still looks after the reading room's one working radiator. Would rest if the piano were tuned at last.

Next step Get a scene to draw this ghost in Draw more for Halloween

Who they were: all 42 people

Working people 14

bookbinder who smelled of paste A bone folder in the apron pocket, and thread on the cuff.
conductor who clipped tickets on the river crossing A brass punch in one hand, and confetti dots drifting where a ticket would be.
dairy roundsman with a patient horse A wire crate of bottles that clink without sound.
hotel switchboard operator A headset pushed back, and cords held like reins.
ice harvester with a long saw Frost that never melts off the mustache, and mittens on a string.
lamp trimmer on a river steamer A wick scissor on a chain, and a glow kept cupped in the palm.
milliner famous for ostrich plumes A hatpin held between the lips, and ribbon over one arm.
newsstand keeper at the tram stop A stack of papers with every date left blank.
orchard grafter who knew each tree by name Twine round the wrist and a pruning knife folded shut.
pastry apprentice on the predawn shift A piping bag drawn in the same pale line as the hands.
pipe organ tuner Head tilted, one hand raised to mean hold that note.
railway porter, proud of the brass buttons A luggage trolley that rolls an inch above the platform.
telegraph operator with quick fingers One finger tapping the air. Draw the taps as tiny rings.
zoo night keeper A ring of keys and a pocket that bulges with peanuts.

House and family 14

bachelor uncle who fixed the clocks A watch glass screwed into one eye.
boarder who paid in piano lessons Hands held at keyboard height wherever they stand.
butler with a perfect memory for names A slight bow from the neck, and a tray held level forever.
family cook with flour to the elbows The forearms are whiter than the rest of the figure.
family dog's favorite person One hand always held low, at petting height.
grandfather who whittled on the stoop Shavings fall from his hands and fade before they land.
great-grandmother who ran the household accounts A pencil behind the ear and a ledger held closed on one finger.
great-uncle who lost every hide-and-seek on purpose Peeking round an edge. Never draw the whole of him.
maiden aunt with the good scissors Scissors on a ribbon at the waist, and a thimble finger held up.
nanny who knew forty lullabies A rocking sway in the pose, and a shawl with long fringe.
seamstress cousin with a mouthful of pins A tape measure round the neck, and lips pressed shut on a row of pins.
stepmother who walked everyone to school Arms held a little out, as if herding.
twin who answered to both names Head half turned, as if two people had called at once.
under-gardener who slept in the potting shed Seed packets fan out of the back pocket.

Travelers and performers 14

balloonist from the county fair Goggles on the forehead, and a rope held that goes straight up.
butterfly collector with a long net The net trails behind like a second, smaller ghost.
circus bandmaster A baton, a frogged jacket, and a downbeat that is about to fall.
encyclopedia seller, door to door A sample volume under one arm and a foot placed for the door.
keeper of an alpine refuge A lantern hooked on a walking pole, and a rope coiled at the hip.
long-distance swimmer Hair slicked back, and a pool of nothing spreading round the feet.
marathon dancer from the hall on the pier A paper number pinned to the back, and one arm round nobody.
radio announcer with a famous voice A hand cupped behind one ear. The mouth is the clearest part.
riverboat pilot who read the water One hand on a wheel that is not there, and eyes on the far bank.
silent film pianist Looking up and to the left, at a screen, while the hands play.
stamp dealer who crossed three borders A magnifier on a cord, and tweezers held like chopsticks.
trapeze catcher Arms out and wrists turned, forever ready.
traveling knife grinder A grinding wheel on a barrow, turned by one foot.
vaudeville magician's assistant Arms in a flourish, presenting an empty cabinet.

How this list was compiled

Original list written for Draw This Next on 2026-10-03. Made up for this list: working people, people of a household, and travelers and performers. None is a real person or a named ghost from a book, a film, a show or a game, and no entry says how anyone died. The notes are our own drawing advice. Licence: own work

Where they stay: all 42 places

In a house 14

at the bottom of the laundry chute Looking up a square tunnel of light.
behind the wallpaper's second layer A torn corner shows an older pattern, and someone in it.
in a greenhouse with one cracked pane Condensation everywhere except a clear oval at head height.
in the box room with the dress forms Three headless forms and a fourth shape that has a head.
in the dumbwaiter between kitchen and nursery A small square hatch, with two eyes level with the shelf.
in the pantry's coldest corner Jars in rows, and frost on just one lid.
in the porch swing, on still evenings Chains drawn slightly off vertical.
in the sewing basket, among the spools A wicker lid lifted an inch, and two points of shine between the reels of thread.
in the sunroom, among the potted lemons One leafy branch bent as if by an elbow.
in the warm cupboard where the towels are kept Folded towels on slatted shelves, and one stack with a face-shaped dent.
inside the upright piano The front panel is off. A face shows between the hammers.
on the third stair, which is why it squeaks Draw one tread a little bowed.
on the window seat, in the afternoon sun The cushion is paler in the shape of someone sitting.
under the eaves, among the swallows' nests Mud cups in a row, and one bigger shadow tucked in beside them.

In town 14

among the gears over the council chamber Huge gears behind, and a small figure oiling nothing.
at the back table of an all-night diner A cup with steam but no coffee.
between the stacks of a lending library Seen through a gap where one book is missing.
in a storefront display once the awning is rolled Among the mannequins, and standing just as still.
in the coat check of the old dance hall Numbered hooks, and one coat that hangs with shoulders in it.
in the post office's dead letter drawer A drawer a finger's width open, and light coming out.
in the projection booth of a one-screen movie house A cone of dusty light with a figure cut out of it.
in the prompt box of a shuttered theater A hooded slot at the front of the stage, glowing faintly.
inside the carousel's mirrored center A face in each mirror panel, at a different age.
on platform two, beside the weighing machine A dial that reads zero with someone standing on it.
on the rooftop where the pigeons roost Birds on every ledge, and one gap that they leave.
under the bandstand in the municipal park Lattice shadow in diamonds across a pale face.
upstairs at the engine house, by the alarm gong A brass pole going down through a hole in the floor.
where the diving board overhangs dry tiles Tile lines converge, and a figure floats where the water was.

Out of doors 14

among the beach huts, in the blue one A row of striped doors, and one standing ajar.
among the hop poles after picking Rows of bare poles and one that seems to lean out.
at the mouth of a disused canal tunnel A black arch, with a pale shape poling a boat that is not there.
at the stile where two footpaths cross Seated on the top bar with the heels hooked.
in a boathouse with no boat Empty water between two walkways, and a reflection with nothing above it.
in a brick-lined ice pit under the knoll A low brick doorway breathing fog.
in the hollow of a lightning-split beech A dark seam in pale bark, with two points of shine.
in the lifeguard chair after the beach closes A tall white chair on empty sand, with a towel folded over one arm.
in the shepherd's wagon on the hill A curved roof, a stove pipe, and a face at the half door.
in the walled kitchen garden, by the sundial The sundial's shadow has a second, fainter shadow.
on a shoal that surfaces twice a day Footprints that begin in the middle of clean sand.
on the bench at the heart of the hedge maze Green walls on three sides, and a bench.
on the footbridge over the railway cutting Leaning on the rail, when steam comes up through the planks.
under the weeping willow at the millpond A curtain of leaves parted by one hand.

How this list was compiled

Original list written for Draw This Next on 2026-10-03. Made up for this list: corners of houses, public places and places out of doors. No real building or place is named. The notes are our own drawing advice. Licence: own work

How they show: all 42 appearances

Light and shape 14

a candle flame that walks A teardrop of light at chest height, with footprints under it.
a column of dust motes shaped like a person Dots only, densest at the middle.
a face in the grain of whatever wood is near Two knots for eyes and a curve of grain for the mouth. Keep it almost not there.
a figure in the steam off a hot drink Let the vapor above a cup thicken into shoulders and a head.
a glow the color of weak tea Sepia over one corner of the picture only.
a heat shimmer on a cold day Wavy lines in front of straight ones.
a moth-colored blur that keeps its hat on Soft everywhere except the brim.
a pair of spectacle glints with nobody behind them Two small crescents at eye height.
a pale blue outline, filled with whatever is behind it Draw the room first, then one soft contour over it.
a reflection in spoons and nowhere else A row of cutlery, each bowl holding a tiny upside-down figure.
a shadow with no caster, cast uphill A long dark shape lying on a staircase.
a torso as cloudy as a bathroom pane Blurred edges, and a sharp hat.
a white smudge near the edge of every snapshot A pale blur near the frame's edge, different in each print.
an inverted likeness: pale hair, inky teeth Shade everything the wrong way round, as in a negative.

Sound 14

a few bars of dance music from nowhere nearby A drift of confetti with no party, and one foot starting to tap.
a hummed tune with nobody near enough to hum it Draw the notes threading between people who all have their mouths shut.
a polite cough from just behind you A figure half turned, and a small puff of nothing at the shoulder.
a slow clap after anyone sings The singer startled, and two pale palms in the doorway.
a sneeze from the dustiest corner A puff of dust blown outward from one spot.
a soft shushing when voices get loud A finger of mist held upright in front of nothing.
a throat cleared before the clock strikes Clock hands at a minute to the hour.
a two-note whistle for a long-gone terrier A dog in the room sits up, ears forward, at nothing.
a weather forecast muttered at the sky A pale chin lifted toward the clouds, and an umbrella already half open.
the clink of a spoon against a cup at four A saucer with a spoon just settling.
the rustle of a starched apron Fabric folds drawn in air, with no fabric.
the scratch of a pen with no page in sight A looping line of ink drawn straight onto the air.
slippers shuffling a few steps behind Two scuff marks that follow a walker at a polite distance.
two soft taps on the nearest glass Fingertip rings fading on the glass.

Small disturbances 14

a chess piece moved overnight One square of dust disturbed on the board.
a cold spot that follows the cat A cat fluffed to twice its size, looking back.
a dent in the grass or a cushion, shaped like a sitter A shallow bowl pressed into the surface, with the edges still springing back.
a flag or a curtain stirring with no wind Two positions of the same cloth, overlapped, with still trees behind.
a hat tipped to you from an empty bench A hat an inch above a bench, tilted forward at the brim.
a kite string pulled taut with no kite on it A line going up from a spool into empty sky.
a marble rolling uphill A trail in the dust behind it.
a pair of footprints in dew that stop to admire the view Two prints side by side at a fence, toes pointing at the horizon.
a thumbprint in fresh paint that nobody touched One oval dent in a wet glossy rail.
a yo-yo that sleeps at the end of its string The string held straight by an unseen finger.
one word written in breath on cold glass One word, backward, and dripping.
the scent of shaving soap and oranges Draw it as two thin ribbons crossing.
tulips swiveling to face a vacant seat Every bloom in the vase facing the same way.
wet rings where no cup stood Three overlapping circles, still shining.

How this list was compiled

Original list written for Draw This Next on 2026-10-03. Made up for this list: light and shape, sound, and small disturbances. All are gentle, and some are stock signs of ghost stories. The notes are our own drawing advice. Licence: own work

What they look after: all 43 charges

Living things 14

a colony of bats in the belfry Dozens of folded shapes, and one pale shape among them, upright.
a lone goldfish at the orthodontist's A round bowl, and a face magnified through it.
a nervous new lodger in their old room A blanket pulled up while the sleeper sleeps.
a parrot that outlived three owners A gray parrot on a chair back, head cocked at an empty doorway.
a rose grown from a cutting sixty years ago An old thick stem, and a new bud held up by nothing.
a stray tabby that sleeps on the old doormat A cat curled against ankles that are not quite there.
an old gray mare in the lower paddock A horse standing easy, with one ear turned to the side.
the newest baby on the street A mobile above a crib, turning the wrong way.
one surviving quince among the stumps One tree in a field of stumps, propped with a forked stick.
the seedlings on a schoolroom windowsill Paper cups in a row, each one turned to the light.
sparrows that nest in a broken streetlamp A lamp head full of straw.
the town's oldest carp A slow gold back in green water, and breadcrumbs falling.
whichever child is last to be picked up from school A bench by the gate, with two shadows on it.
whoever now works the ovens before sunrise A second pair of hands steadying a tray.

A place 15

a fairground after the trucks have left Flattened grass in circles, and one paper cup picked up.
a flight of harbor steps, slick with weed A rope rail knotted tighter than anyone alive ties it.
a footpath that floods each March Stepping stones set out in a line overnight.
a level crossing with a hand-cranked gate A lantern swung in a small slow arc.
a tide table chalked on the harbor wall Fresh chalk over fifty faded layers.
a toolshed whose latch always jams A door propped open with half a brick.
a treehouse with one rotten board The bad plank marked with a chalk cross.
the cistern on the roof, and its rungs A wrench hung on the bottom rung.
the corner where the streetcar used to turn Rails shining under asphalt in one worn patch.
the lost property shelf at the bus depot Umbrellas sorted by length.
the orchestra pit's music stands Stands straightened into a perfect curve.
the reading room's one working radiator A hand flat on the iron ribs, testing.
the skating pond's thin corner A branch laid across the ice as a warning.
the turnstile at a ballpark long closed A bar that still clicks round once at dusk.
the well cover in the schoolyard A stone lid, and a pale figure sitting on it.

A thing 14

a herbarium scrapbook, ninth leaf Tissue paper laid back down, gently.
a jewelry box whose dancer lost an arm A lid held open a crack, to listen.
a patchwork coverlet lacking its final block A threaded needle parked in the border.
a pocket watch that loses a minute a day Wound each night by a thumb and finger of mist.
a ship in a bottle on the mantel A tiny flag, straightened.
a tabletop stage with a cast cut from card A cardboard curtain, half raised.
an unfinished jigsaw of a harbor One piece turned the right way up.
the cane rack in the front passage One stick lifted an inch and put back.
the good china, counted nightly A stack of plates, and a hovering finger.
the ledger of who owes whom on the street A pencil tick added to a column.
the pencil marks where the children were measured A new faint line above the last, with no name beside it.
the recipe tin, especially the card for plum cake Index cards with one corner turned up.
the school trophy nobody polishes One clean streak across tarnish.
the spare button jar A lid unscrewed, and one button set aside.

How this list was compiled

Original list written for Draw This Next on 2026-10-03. Made up for this list: living things, places and objects that a kind ghost might go on minding. The notes are our own drawing advice. Licence: own work

What lets them rest: all 43 wishes

Something were said 14

a goodbye were said on the right platform A raised hand on an empty station.
a stranger laughed at the story of the goat One figure doubled over, and a goat in a thought bubble.
a youngster wanted to hear about gaslight and trams A small person on a step, chin on fists, looking at empty air.
the brass plate got the vowels of their surname right A brass plate, and one letter circled in grease pencil.
the choir sang the verse they always skipped Songbooks open at a page marked with a ribbon.
the new owners introduced themselves A hand held out toward the staircase.
the punchline of their joke were finally got A face in the room breaking, late, into a grin.
the radio played their request A dial, a glow, and a figure sitting down at last.
somebody said the house looked well cared for A visitor in a doorway, nodding at the banisters.
someone admitted that they had been right about the roof A bucket under a drip, and a rueful face.
someone told the dog it was a good dog A hand on a head, and a tail drawn three times.
their final postcard got a hearing A card held to the light, with the handwriting sloping uphill.
their nickname were used once more A word in a speech bubble, with the tail pointing at nothing.
their recipe were praised by a person who cooks A fork paused in the air, and the eyebrows up.

Something were finished 14

an overdue atlas reached the returns desk A date stamp, and a librarian's raised eyebrow.
the apple cellar were emptied before the frost Crates on a stair, with the top one missing.
the attic window were finally shut A sash halfway, and rain marks on the floor.
the boat were painted the color they chose A hull half green and half primer.
the chess game by mail got its final move A postcard that says only one square.
the clock on the landing were set right A stepladder, and hands at the true time.
the garden gate were oiled A hinge with a bright drop on it.
the kite were fetched down from the elm A tangle of string in bare branches, and a ladder.
the last row of the scarf were cast off Needles crossed, and one loop left on.
the piano were tuned at last A felt strip between strings, and a tuning lever.
the porch light were mended A new bulb, and moths arriving.
the sweet peas were tied in before the wind Canes in a row, and twine.
the thank-you letters were mailed A bundle tied with string beside a mailbox.
the treehouse rope were replaced A fresh pale rope against gray planks.

Something were found 15

the baby shoes were lifted from the chimney ledge Two tiny shapes, sooty, on a brick shelf.
the buried cookie tin of keepsakes were unearthed A cookie tin in a hole, and a trowel.
the dime in the hem were discovered A coat turned inside out on a table.
the initials under the varnish were noticed at last Two letters and a year, under layers of varnish.
the key to the garden shed surfaced A rusty shape in a flowerpot.
the lost canary sang from the hedge again A small yellow shape on a twig, with its beak wide open.
the lost verse of the school song were remembered A blackboard with three verses and room for a fourth.
the missing stair rod were put back Eleven brass rods, and a gap.
the name of the tune came back to somebody A person stopping in the street with one finger up.
the other earring turned up One drop of pearl on a floorboard seam.
the photograph behind the mirror came to light A backing board pried up at one corner.
the stray mitten met its partner One glove on a railing spike, waiting.
their signature were noticed under the mural Small letters in a painted corner.
their spectacles were found in the piano stool A lid lifted, sheet music, and two round glints.
the wainscot's secret hatch were sprung A seam in the woodwork, and a draft.

How this list was compiled

Original list written for Draw This Next on 2026-10-03. Made up for this list: something said, something finished or something found. Each is small and kind, and none calls for a ritual of any faith. The notes are our own drawing advice. Licence: own work

How it works

These ghost OC ideas come in five parts: who the ghost was, where they stay, how they show themselves, what they still look after and what would let them rest. Gentle ghosts, with no fright in them.

Read the full guide

Ghost character ideas begin with a job

Each ghost keeps one gesture from its work: a telegraph operator still taps the air, a railway porter pushes a trolley an inch above the platform. Draw that gesture first and the rest of the figure can stay faint.

Give the ghost something to mind

A ghost that looks after something has a reason to appear: a parrot that outlived three owners, a tide table chalked on the harbor wall, a patchwork coverlet lacking its final block. The last part is the ending, and it is always small enough to grant.

Draw the place in full and the ghost in one soft line over it.

Questions and answers

Are these ghosts scary?

No. They are kind ghosts who mind a place, a creature or a thing. No part says how anyone died, and what would let each one rest is small: the garden gate oiled, the other earring turning up.

How do I draw a ghost OC so it reads as a ghost?

Pick one way of showing and keep to it. The third list has fourteen made of light and shape, such as a pale blue outline filled with whatever is behind it, and others that are only a sound or a small disturbance.

Are they from a film, a game or a real haunting?

No. Every part was made up for this page. No named ghost, real person or real building is used, and nothing here claims that a place is haunted.

Can a ghost OC have a story?

It already has one. Each result ends with what would let the ghost rest, so the story is whoever finally does it: gives the final postcard a hearing, or fetches the kite down from the elm.

Who they were: all 42 people

Working people 14

House and family 14

Travelers and performers 14

Where they stay: all 42 places

In a house 14

In town 14

Out of doors 14

How they show: all 42 appearances

Light and shape 14

Sound 14

Small disturbances 14

What they look after: all 43 charges

Living things 14

A place 15

A thing 14

What lets them rest: all 43 wishes

Something were said 14

Something were finished 14

Something were found 15

How it works

Ghost character ideas begin with a job

Give the ghost something to mind

Questions and answers

More tools