Project: Creatures and Characters

This is a one week illustration project which requires you to explore and develop characters. You will be working with both random shapes and given characteristics to inspire your illustrations.   Throughout the week you will be introduced to a number of techniques and processes and be expected to explore them in sessions and independently.  It is important that you work extensively in your observational drawing sketchbook as observation is key to character development.

Learning outcomes:  By the end of the week you will: ·         Be able to explore character design through the use of random shapes and given characteristics ·         Be able to identify the importance of observation in character development ·         Be able to identify illustration techniques and experimental processes to develop characters ·         Be able to evaluate your own and each other’s work, identifying areas of success and areas for improvement.

A minimum of x3 character designs.

A written evaluation of the project, describing your journey, you’re learning experiences and a self-critique of your project work.

A minimum of 21 observational drawings in your A5 sketchbook. I this project I have used several different techniques to create a creature or character. This includes using a random splodge of ink as a starting point, then adding small details to turn it into a character and then adding characteristics. We also began with a printed packaging shape and used that to create a character. In this exercise we were limited to 3 added marks and 4 cuts/folds of the shape. This made us think more about the possibilities of one shape. Finally we were given a physical characteristic, an occupation and a personality trait and told to come up with a character keeping to these 3 attributes. I found this one the most difficult because the attributes were contrasting, when we were starting from a shape then adding characteristics it was much easier because you could come up with absolutely anything in figure, then just fit personality to the creature. To develop this project I would have liked to make models of the characters we created so that you can think about what they would look like from every angle and what they would look like in different positions. This would also give opportunities for a bit of animation.