March contest. Feedback would BEE lovely thanks :)

lizardillo

Well, he briefly turned into a moth (a moth and firefly seem a better partnership), but I had trouble making a moth character appealing, have a backstory and not just be a moth (lots of moth research going on and wow there are some amazing moths in the world). I'm sticking to the bee-like 'Honey Farmer' from a the village who's honey is going to get ransacked. Wings are now fully mobile (although slightly bending the rules of physics) and are being used as a form of expression like horses ears. He can curl up in them to sleep (in a flower).

I know the wings were an issue to start with but I hope I can make this come across as not too far-fetched that it doesn't work as a concept.

Now I have to refine all this so all of the limbs, wings and facial expressions are consistent and add the extra details. I've given myself far too much work here!! My comfort zone is a distant memory

Rough sketches:

Jacy13

@lizardillo I think this guy is really unique. The wings are a challenge, but I think you're doing a great job working with that. I like that they are so expressive in the facial expressions! I say just keep working through. The end results are going to be way cool; I can tell

Asyas_illos

This little guy is so cute!

lizardillo

More development, now with his bag and traveller items (including teddy bear strapped to his bag) and I have reduced the wing size on his 'flying hat'. Add things to his belt as bees carry pollen in pouches on their legs although I think it may be becoming a little overcomplicated now. He has drawn a smiley mouth on the back of his hat as the wing sockets look like eyes. I think I may have lost the original eye/body proportions in this new pass but I can redo that in the next round/redraw/cleanup.

I'm having real trouble with the head and face as it's just not my style to use real eyes (I usually use small black ovals), the props I'm fine with. This is an absolute nightmare for me.

Still not 100% comfortable with the entire concept because of the head and face. Any feedback would be appreciated, thank you.

Georgios Christopoulos

@lizardillo Hello Liz!Love this character and love the props designing!!I think the eyes that present a problem to your view, can be a bit more cartoony.I took some time time to tweek with the eyes and facial features! i hope it helps in some way!! Cannot wait to see this finished!!!

lizardillo

@Georgios-Christopoulos thank you so much for this, it's a vast improvement. I have always had a problem with expression so this is really helpful.

Georgios Christopoulos

@lizardillo happy to help!!!

lizardillo

Progress so far... still needs some tweaking especially around the wings and put the top part of his pack showing over the shoulder on the left image, but I think I’m getting there. Hopefully the running, sitting, face will be easier now these stances are done. Thanks all. I really appreciate the help. I think I may be over my eye artists block at last!! This is meant to be his ‘stouthearted’ pose.

Georgios Christopoulos

@lizardillo this is getting beautiful!! Can't wait to see the poses!!

lizardillo

Some clean-up, arranging on one sheet and colour yet to do. And the face close-up (I’m leaving that till last!). So… only a bit to do on the last day and a bit… EEEK! I need my British Summer Time hour back

Kim Rosenlof

This is looking great! I like the way you showed the movement of the wings.

lizardillo

Sorry about the delay but I just wanted to say thank you for the help and support with this. It’s my first time posting a WIP and figure/face design is something I really need to work on which I why I took on the brief as a personal challenge. I actually decided to give up on this at one point because I was struggling a lot. The feedback helped me to decide to go for it at the last minute (and finished at 3.30am UK time to hit the MST time zone deadline). Thank you, I really appreciate it.