Character & Object Design

Week 8 : Environments
This week we learned about the importance of environments in relation to your character's design. We reviewed the characters Batman and Dracula and we saw an online environment tutorial from concept artist Feng Zhu. Please review his tutorials page by clicking the link below.

http://www.fengzhudesign.com/tutorials.html



HOMEWORK:
You have three assignments this week.

• Ink your inclass assignment (You as a Batman Villain).
• Create another version of the above, inked and colored using flat tones.
• Illustrate your character in an environment, this must be full color. Concentrate on your color achieving a mood. If you are unsure, be sure you seek reference and keep this next to you as you work. We will do a demo on this in class the next time we meet.

Week 7 : Object & Weapon Design
This week learned about how to design weapons and objects. The design of these objects help with storytelling as they reflect the character's personality, history, environment and time in which they live.



TOPICS COVERED IN CLASS:
• Appleseed Weaponry.
• In class assignment "Synthesis".
• Weapons reflect the character of the individual. What are some examples of this?

HOMEWORK:
• Design 5 objects that fit in your world.
• Draw a detail of one of these objects. For example, if you choose a sword, show the hilt.
• Draw your character using this object.
• All images must be inked and should have full value, ready for your portfolio.

Week 6 : Influence of Environments

TOPICS COVERED IN CLASS:
• Influence of Environments in LOTR Discussion.
• Two Towers character design presentation.
• Creating variety in your silhouettes Photoshop.
• Character drawing and inking demonstration.


HOMEWORK:
1) Design 2 secondary characters (20 points)
Think of visual opposites for your antihero if you have one.

2) 6 Costume variation using a modified silhouette technique.

3) A typed character bio and description of the world.
Include:
origins / birth
weaknesses
strengths
overall attitude on life and why he is this way.

All work should be inked for clarity for maximum points.

Week 5 : Model Sheets & Gesture



TOPICS COVERED IN CLASS:
• The Importance of the model sheet
• Character turnarounds.
• Utilizing proportion lines
• Gesture
• Woody's Relative Character Design
• Importance of quantity

HOMEWORK:

1) Take your main character and create a model sheet. Include a front view, side profile and back. Include proportion lines for alignment.

2) Take your main character and draw him in 6 - 8 gesture poses representative of his personality. Add full value to one of them. Some poses include: a resting pose, an angry pose, an attack pose, frustrated pose, questioning pose, etc....the list is endless.

Tip: Use photoreference if you are unsure what to draw. You may also use the posemainiac site to hlep you with your poses.

http://www.posemaniacs.com/blog/pose/

Week 4 : Silhouette Exercise
Its nice to meet all of you. I am looking forward to seeing the characters that you create. If you can tell, I'm also excited about our text.



Topics Covered:
• Class critique: Attention to detail
• Silhouette Assignment: For this exercise, quantity is more important than quality. In this assignment, you will be given two words. You are to combine the two words and generate a detailed outline of that character. See example below.



HOMEWORK:
• Generate 25 detailed silhouettes.
• Be sure these silhouettes are inked.
• Include the words you used to generate your images, so we can see your thought process. Variety and quality is more important than quality.

NEXT WEEK:
• Creating Model sheets.
• Silhouette Variations.

Weeks 1 - 3 : Retelling of a Fairytale
Choose a famous fairytale and redesign the characters and world to reflect a different time or environment.