LAUAN 404 - Character Background and Secondary Characters (3)

This is my first character line up. I may alter some details of the characters, such as colour and shading. However the size of my characters will remain the same. 

LAUAN 404 - Character Background and Secondary Characters (2)

Originally I imagined Valda's setting to be a high school but on second thought I realised I could create a more unique setting. I took inspiration from Adventure Time and Lord of the Rings and began designing a new world. On beginning to do so I noticed that a whole world is not necessary so I shrunk it down to one section. An imaginary world is much less limiting creatively.

Next I thought if she lives by the sea she could have a sea creature friend, which might be fun and unique. I began to explore a more gestural and expressive method for the background art which i think would work really well in a comic book. I also approached some more unusual characters for her friends, beginning with a ghost and an orca.

LAUAN 404 - Character Design 4

This is my (almost) final turn around for Valda, which will be used for the model making. I intend to go back in and tidy up some of the proportions- I'm aware her head is too big and far back in the side angle, arms are too long in the 3/4 and I'd also like her legs to be longer in general as I imagine her to be kind of lanky and move in slightly floppy spaghetti way. Despite tweaking the proportions, this is Valda's final costume and character design.


WWW - Colours, appeal, shape, costume
EBI - I may possibly further develop my character's face as I feel that it needs to be more simple- in order for it to work in the Beano. I'd like to change her eyes to be more easily repeatable. Further develop logo.

LAUAN 404 - Character Design 3

Once I had the initial ideas solidified about Valda I then began on some facial expressions and poses to see how she would move. I first put her in a kind of gym outfit, in running with the high school theme. However, my background concept developed away from this idea and thus I redesigned some costume ideas for her- trying to keep the 60's theme in mind. I also touched some ideas for her logo.

-Dynamic Poses and Facial Expressions 

WWW- good variation in poses to demonstrate full character movement, good demonstration of expression and volume of body, good colour scheme.

EBI - could have done side angle expressions, solidity of drawings. 

-Costume Design Ideas

WWW - diversity of colour, simplicity, more original ideas

EBI - more detail, explore different garment options eg trousers 

LAUAN 404 - Character Design 2

I decided to change Valda's animal from a rabbit to a fox. As I am aiming her at teenage girls I thought a fox would have more appeal as stereo typically they're more wily, smart and cunning where as rabbits are cute and soft. Originally I thought the ears on a rabbit could be another fun form to illustrate expression, this way I can still do so. I'd like my Valda to have a tougher persona so I thought a fox was more fitting. I chose a colour palate directly from a fox reference.

- Initial digital sketches of fox idea. 

LAUAN 404 - Character Background and Secondary Characters (1)

Here I began initial sketches and colour ideas for Valda's friends. I imagined her in a high school environment as I'm aiming for a teenage target audience. However the high school setting has been quite over used so I may think of a more creative and unusual setting for her.
As for her friends, I firstly went for some typical high school stereotypes - the cool kid, the goth and the popular girl.
WWW- character design style, good base point for development, appeal
EBI- more detail, more unique character ideas

LAUAN 404 - Character Design 1

Initial design for VALDA

I chose Valda because she is the oldest and most outdated of the available characters. I also liked her slightly older audience and surrounding story as a kind of mystic super hero- keeps options quite open as to where to take her. 

Initial T Pose: 

-I wanted her to have ears to make her more expressive. Also the Beano hasn't had an animal-human character yet so this could be a fun twist. 

-Initially I depicted her as a rabbit but feel that she too girly and soft- I wanted her to be a bit more of a tough, sister, role model type character.

-Practically also, if I stood her ears up she'd be too tall.