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    Character development - would love your opinion!

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    • Kevin Longueil
      Kevin Longueil SVS OG @Melissa_Bailey last edited by Kevin Longueil

      @Melissa-Bailey-0 Number one for me. I think it is the eyes and eyebrows that nail your key words. I took a minute to cut and past the eyes and eyebrows from number one onto the other three and it gave them all the bright-eyed and energetic vibe that one seems to have. I do like the head shape of one too…but they are all very good really πŸ™‚

      Portfolio: kevinlongueil.com
      https://www.instagram.com/kevinlongueil/

      Melissa_Bailey 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • TaniaGomesArt
        TaniaGomesArt last edited by

        @Melissa-Bailey-0 I would go with 1. Mostly because it is the one where I feel the bright eyed the most. I'm super drawn to them, in a "oh, how much is in these eyes", like if there is an entire world in that person. I also feel that there is a very special kind of wit and energy in her. The 2, 3, and 4 seem a more relaxed kind of person to me.

        They are all amazing nonetheless, just going by your description. πŸ™‚
        I really love your art. ❀

        Melissa_Bailey 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • Janette
          Janette last edited by

          I was stuck between 1 and 4. One has a lovely face (they all do) but the others seemed a bit older. However, 1 seems maybe the youngest, at about 5 or 6, so maybe she needs to be a tad older looking. I just like the sweetness and soft expression she has. Maybe 4's face, but with 1's nose and mouth? 4's eyes make her look just that littel bit older, more 8 or 9. Obviously just my opinion. How are you planning to reproduce her hair over and over? It's beautiful!

          Art is hard.
          https://www.instagram.com/janettehillart/

          Melissa_Bailey 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • Sabrina Gosselin
            Sabrina Gosselin @Melissa_Bailey last edited by Sabrina Gosselin

            I was initially drawn to 3, but ultimately I think 1 fits the description best πŸ™‚ particularly because of the eyes.

            She also looks the most innocent, I think 😊

            Sabrina Gosselin

            Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabbygimagery/
            Website (currently a WIP): https://sabbygimagery.com/

            Melissa_Bailey 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • Asyas_illos
              Asyas_illos last edited by Asyas_illos

              Number one she looks like a big dreamer with bright eyes who likes to play Princess β˜ΊοΈπŸ‘πŸΌ

              Asyasewardillos@gmail.com
              www.Instagram.com/asyas_illos/
              https://asyasewardillos.wixsite.com/mysite

              Melissa_Bailey 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • Ellinor
                Ellinor last edited by

                For me number 1 stands out the most and I think fits the text description. She looks open, friendly and curious. Number 2 and 4 read for me as a bit more shy and 3 as more calm and mature. They all look great though, really nice work!

                https://www.ellinorvinghammar.com/
                https://www.instagram.com/ellinorvinghammarart/

                Melissa_Bailey 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • Melissa_Bailey
                  Melissa_Bailey @Kevin Longueil last edited by

                  @Kevin-Longueil wow, thanks for doing that! You confirmed what I thought might be the case. Well, it's one opinion anyway. Everyone sees things a little differently, which is so interesting!

                  Yes, I always tell a client that we can mix and match features if they feel a character needs just a little tweaking. But I also warn them it's very much like plastic surgery -- any changes will change how the character looks and is perceived. But it's always good to have options.

                  illustrator - author - smiley person
                  mbaileyart.com
                  instagram.com/mbaileyart/

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • Jeremy Ross
                    Jeremy Ross @Melissa_Bailey last edited by

                    Hi @Melissa-Bailey-0, I like 1 and 4 the best, but 1 seems to capture your description best. 2 and 3 are also really good, but have a chapter feel to them.

                    Is this for a picturebook or chapterbook?

                    https://www.instagram.com/jeremyrayross
                    https://www.jeremyrayross.com/
                    https://twitter.com/jeremyrayross
                    https://jeremyrayross.substack.com/

                    Melissa_Bailey 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • Melissa_Bailey
                      Melissa_Bailey @Michael Angelo Go last edited by

                      @Michael-Angelo-Go thanks for sharing your opinion. It's so appreciated! ☺

                      illustrator - author - smiley person
                      mbaileyart.com
                      instagram.com/mbaileyart/

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • Melissa_Bailey
                        Melissa_Bailey @TaniaGomesArt last edited by

                        @TaniaGomesArt wow, thanks so much! The eyes have it for me, too. One of my all-time favorite things to draw! (Sometimes I hold off on finishing the eyes on a piece as sort of a reward for doing the boring stuff.) πŸ˜‚

                        illustrator - author - smiley person
                        mbaileyart.com
                        instagram.com/mbaileyart/

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                        • Melissa_Bailey
                          Melissa_Bailey @Janette last edited by

                          @Janette thanks for the input! Yes, it's a challenge to illustrate 8-to-9-year-olds because they're at that stage in their life where it can be really difficult to guess their age. My niece was a very mature-looking 9-year-old. When I was 9 I looked about 6! πŸ˜‚

                          Reproducing the hair is actually the least of my worries -- it's a "simple" 3-step process in Procreate and easy to replicate. Some of the facial features will be more of a challenge to draw consistently, so I'm secretly hoping my client doesn't choose those options! (Of course, not impossible -- I wouldn't offer an option I didn't think I could render consistently -- but definitely a challenge.)

                          illustrator - author - smiley person
                          mbaileyart.com
                          instagram.com/mbaileyart/

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • Melissa_Bailey
                            Melissa_Bailey @Sabrina Gosselin last edited by

                            @Sabrina-Gosselin thanks for sharing your perspective. Really nice to hear.

                            illustrator - author - smiley person
                            mbaileyart.com
                            instagram.com/mbaileyart/

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • Melissa_Bailey
                              Melissa_Bailey @Asyas_illos last edited by

                              @Asyas_illos this character is definitely a princess! πŸ˜‚

                              Thanks for the feedback!

                              illustrator - author - smiley person
                              mbaileyart.com
                              instagram.com/mbaileyart/

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • Melissa_Bailey
                                Melissa_Bailey @Ellinor last edited by

                                @Ellinor thank you! And thanks for the feedback on each character. All the feedback I've been getting is super helpful!

                                illustrator - author - smiley person
                                mbaileyart.com
                                instagram.com/mbaileyart/

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • Melissa_Bailey
                                  Melissa_Bailey @Jeremy Ross last edited by

                                  @Jeremy-Ross thanks! This is for a chapter book -- the story never states how old the character is but the character brief says she's meant to be around 8-9. That's why we stuck with b&w for the character sketches -- I wanted to make sure that the values were right.

                                  illustrator - author - smiley person
                                  mbaileyart.com
                                  instagram.com/mbaileyart/

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                  • KGatto
                                    KGatto last edited by

                                    I think 1 best illustrates the description. Really nice illustrations.

                                    Melissa_Bailey 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                    • Melissa_Bailey
                                      Melissa_Bailey @KGatto last edited by

                                      @KGatto thank you! 😊❀️

                                      illustrator - author - smiley person
                                      mbaileyart.com
                                      instagram.com/mbaileyart/

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • demotlj
                                        demotlj SVS OG last edited by

                                        Late to the party but if you are still looking for feedback, I'd say #4. #1 looks the most bright eyed and playful but also looks younger. For me #4 combines both the creative playful soul look and the age. (They're all great.)

                                        Laurie DeMott
                                        instagram.com/demotlj

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
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