Workin' through unique and appealing character design

[braden H]

Something that bugs me is that all my kid character use the same shapes. They're very much cut out of the same blanks with minor aesthetic changes. And this works 'okay' but I really want to get more into the swing of really pushing the shapes I use for character design, particularly for younger characters.

So I'm workin' though 'unique and appealing character design' (I know there was a sharing thread, but I have no idea where it is).

I'm doing Hansel and Gretel instead of Beauty and the Beast (because I am NOT a fan). Thought I'd share as I went

Here's work for the first two lessons

[Kori Jensen]

From what I understood about the original tale of Hansel and Gretel, The wife was cruel and uncaring towards the children, so I am so glad that you decided to go that route. The words you said to describe the father was also accurate. I am so excited to see how this turns out. I love the shapes you created. however for the witch, is there to be a transformation? will her shape language evolve? I would be very interested in that.

[MichaelaH]

@Braden-Hallett said in Workin' through unique and appealing character design:

'unique and appealing character design' (I know there was a sharing thread, but I have no idea where it is).
I'm doing Hansel and Gretel instead of Beauty and the Beast (because I am NOT a fan)

OMG I am at the course too and didn't want to do the assignments, because I am NOT a fan of Beauty and the Beast too...why didn't I also came with the idea to draw soemthing different.
Love your sketches of all the characters, looking to see more Braden.

[braden H]

@Kori-Jensen Thanks! And yes there's gonna be a transformation with the witch. She's gonna be all friendly and round with a huge 'hump' on her back. Later on she removes her cloak and reveals that she's a troll with a bunch of cages strapped to her back filled with chidrin bones.

[braden H]

@MichaelaH said in Workin' through unique and appealing character design:

@Braden-Hallett said in Workin' through unique and appealing character design:

'unique and appealing character design' (I know there was a sharing thread, but I have no idea where it is).
I'm doing Hansel and Gretel instead of Beauty and the Beast (because I am NOT a fan)

OMG I am at the course too and didn't want to do the assignments, because I am NOT a fan of Beauty and the Beast too...why didn't I also came with the idea to draw soemthing different.
Love your sketches of all the characters, looking to see more Braden.

You should draw something different anyways liked the idea of Hansel and Gretel because there were 5 core characters which was perfect for the course.

[DaveLeekArt]

@Braden-Hallett great share here man, it’s nice to see the thought that’s going into your shapes and character design. I can’t wait to get to this course because I could really use a boost to my skills in this department. Until then, I’ll just creep around and admire the great work shared by others in here.

[Kori Jensen]

@Braden-Hallett Thats seriously epic

[braden H]

@DaveLeekArt said in Workin' through unique and appealing character design:

@Braden-Hallett great share here man, it’s nice to see the thought that’s going into your shapes and character design. I can’t wait to get to this course because I could really use a boost to my skills in this department. Until then, I’ll just creep around and admire the great work shared by others in here.

Are you working through the fundemantals in order?

[braden H]

@Kori-Jensen thanks

[braden H]

Lesson three: proportion.

I've definitely got some more pronounced variation in relative size and shape after this!

[DaveLeekArt]

@Braden-Hallett yeah, I figured that was the way to go. Jake had emailed me a list of classes to do in order a while back before the curriculum was created so I had picked away a few already but then the curriculum was designed and I went back to the start to hit them in sequence.

[Asyas_illos]

These are great character designs! Good job!

[braden H]

Viking Hansel.

Costuming is something I rarely spend much time on. This is a great exercise!

[braden H]

Viking woodcutter and viking wife

[DaveLeekArt]

@Braden-Hallett ooh this looks fun. Are you getting any points deducted for changing to Hansel and Gretel?

[braden H]

@DaveLeekArt the SVS police have yet to knock down my door

[braden H]

[braden H]

Revised lineup so far. I think i skipped ahead to details accidentally, lol.

[MichaelaH]

@Braden-Hallett Love all 4, you can see their personalities.

[Kori Jensen]

BEAUTIFULLY DONE!