Week 3 - Fundamentals Of Character Design

     Week 3 was about Visual Association.  Using the shape language of square, circle and triangle, we're to design three barbarians, one male, two females, describing the following archetypes:
- Routine, orderly, rule follower - but also timid and shy.
- Leader, proactive, aggressive -but also selfless and warm.
- Peace keeper, kindhearted - but also slightly sadistic and cynical, including their props.
Plus more sketchbook drawings, designing from life.

     David Colman always tell us, drawing or designing is more thinking than actual drawing.  By using the shape language of square, circle and triangle and combining them will achieve the design that conveys the personality and appeal of the characters. Each of the primary shapes is associated with certain meaning or evoke certain feelings, that we consciously or unconsciously perceive and understand. And if the right combination is done, good design results.
 

     So I spent most of the time thinking about the designs, poses, shapes, their meaning and doing rough sketches in the process. Part of  the challenge was to illustrate what seemed to be opposing or contradictory character descriptions like,

"kindhearted but slightly sadistic and cynical".  Wow, that really got me thinking. Nevertheless, that week's lecture have been very enlightening for me.

     As for the sketchbook drawings, I drew some animals from videos, as I didn't have enough time left. Fortunately, there's a good resource for artists like me, who sometimes can't go to the zoo. That is Rhino House. 

     I was really tired after that week's assignment.  And  in spite of my right hand becoming sore after, I totally enjoyed doing them,  (click to enlarge)

Leader, proactive, aggressive -but also selfless and warm.

Routine, orderly, rule follower--but also timid and shy.

Peace keeper, kind hearted --but also slightly sadistic and cynical.

Week 1 - Fundamentals Of Character Design

       I have been wanting to get back to drawing regularly, to improve my drawing skills.  So I decided to take another class again at CGMA.  I'm  presently doing David Colman's Fundamentals of Character Design. I have been an admirer of David's artwork for years.  So I'm really excited to be one of his students this term.

     So far, I'm really enjoying it, I just have to balance my schedule between my work and this course. I only  have weekends to really get into this.

     Here's what I've done, Week 1 assignment.  We're asked to do some outdoor/cafe sketching and copy Milt Kahl's Shere Khan. Copying drawings of Master artists like Milt Kahl is a great learning method.  I enjoyed doing them. Ooh... how I miss those Disney days....

   As for the sketches, I went to Auckland Zoo and different  foodcourts during the weekends. (click to enlarge)