When making a character – consider shape language, colour cohesion, environmental factors, anatomy, balance, scale, contrast, dynamism and fitting the requirements of the script.

I decided I wanted to create an animal character – something big and heavy-set with a camouflage aspect. So I created a mood board of creatures I was reminded of when I thought about those characteristics.

I wanted realistic proportions and camouflage, but I was still unsure about the biome, environmental characteristics, size and domestication. I made several drawings based on the lecture to narrow down what I wanted.

I compiled references to create a bovine creature from two biomes to see which one sparked my imagination the most. 

Desert:

Tundra:

This is the design I decided to use.

Biome: Tundra 

Species: Bovine 

Physical description: Large, heavy-set mammal. Thick, curly coat for winter protection, white for camouflage. Twin horns. Head is flat and low-set, beneath a large hump on the shoulders. 

The mouth opens to reveal a blue bioluminescent glow. 

Temperament: Calm and sociable unless seriously threatened. 

Strengths: Very physically hardy, very strong. Sociable and can be domesticated to pull loads. Glow used by humans as torches in blizzards. 

Weaknesses: Slow and not very perceptive. Tends to ‘tough out’ most threats or accidentally stomp on them.