Character sketching

Posted Aug 17, 2020, 5:26:46 PM UTC

Working on a new character concept. Not sure where I'm going with this yet. Colors were not that nice, so I'm posting the greyscale, since I think the values are okay. 

Design in progress!

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Constructive Critique requested.

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  • Aug 28, 2020, 11:59:32 PM UTC
    This is nice concept work, I especially like the feet- they're distinctly different from what I've seen before, is there any reason they're species has them split like so?
    • Aug 29, 2020, 12:42:28 AM UTC
      I was thinking about how to add bird elements to an otherwise mammal/human-looking creature (but without just drawing bird feet). I suppose by having fused toes, it creates more of a pad for landing, perhaps they prevent the smaller bones from breaking accidentally? It 'felt' safe when I was sorting out the shape. Wanted to see if I could make a bit of a mitt without making the foot look less nimble. (mitts look so lumpy)
      Big toes are useful for running and turning, so I liked the idea of keeping it, and making it somewhat human looking, for some expression. However, that toe that looks like our big toe is actually our second toe. Our big toe would be his dewclaw, and a bit small.
      There's probably a version of this where the dew claw could look a bit more useful/stronger looking. Some animals use it to help with tearing/hold down the meat while they eat. That might seem more raptor-like. (bird and dinosaur n_n)

      Mostly, I'm overthinking the mechanics of a what I intend to be an entirely non-literal character. He ought to be a 'part' of the forest, rather than a creature. But I think that's just the way I see the world ; j

      Hopefully the superficial touches are strange enough to carry that idea, and the most finished mechanical details will help the idea seem plausible, rather than the opposite way around, pulling you out of believing in the strangeness with too many legitimate parts! When I think hard about it, I think Miyazaki does this pretty well in some stuff. There's a solidity there that you wouldn't expect in the fantastical. I'm not quite sure how you do it on purpose!

      I don't mind too much though, if it fails to be entirely fantastic - the character is for practice - it's one of the reasons he has so many different things going on - they're all different parts of things I want to practice! ~_n

      Thank you so much!

      I intend to revisit this sometime for a few more revisions/tightening up - so I'm super glad you came by to ask some questions! It helps me think about things :3

      Thank you!
      • Aug 30, 2020, 5:11:49 AM UTC
        Avians have a lot of neat features besides wings, so I can see where you're coming from. I have a species where I was working avian and mammalian traits into it- they were inspired by the modern view of harpies in frame, completely coated in feathers, but they have paws and horns. Playing with fusing different aspects is fun and a bit like a puzzle, but it has endless answers. I also enjoy anatomy a lot, which is probably why I was drawn to this, haha.