Character Design | ShannonParayil

Below: Double click the gallery below to view my process along with descriptions!

This is a step by step break down of the design thought process of a character I designed.

I started off with a scribble I made because I was having a hard time coming up with a character, I thought I'd attempt to find something I could see in my scribble.

This is what I saw.

I added a body and a pose,

and began to clean him up.

I also thought it would be helpful to draw another pose of him. Initially I went with 3/4 view,

but then I changed it to a front view.

I cleaned him up a bit so he was more on model,

and then I tied him down,

and added extra details on both the front and side.

Then I began a color pass. I thought it would be a good idea to attempt to use a plein air painting I had done digitally to inform the colors I would choose.

I also looked up reference from the artist Annette Marnat, I thought I could try utilizing some of the ways she used texture and color. I also looked up these pair of shoes I had really liked and thought it would be fun to try utilizing some of the color designs they have present in these shoes from Free People.

I also looked at some Sailor Moon characters. I thought their colors were funky and suited the mood I was trying to capture with my old man.

I also looked at some Sailor Moon characters. I thought their colors were funky and suited the mood I was trying to capture with my old man.

I also looked at some fashion from today that is inspired by 1970s fashion.

Here is the flat colors I ended up with at the time.

Then I looked up Jasmine Lai. I really liked the mood and colors of her paintings and thought I could try using her use of graphic shapes with vibrant colors.

So I added some shadows and pushed highlights with bright blues and greens and pinks

Then I asked a mentor of mine, John Thacker for feedback.

His approach was much more realistic which I felt wasn't what I was going for but I really liked his color variations so I implemented his feedback in away that was more graphic and complimented the design of my character.

Here is my final result along with a rendered front view!

Below: Here's a sped up video of my process. It's fun to watch to understand my approach!