WEEK 1 – FORM AND SHAPE
During Week 1 the class was given the task to study the forms and shapes of various characters and objects.
First, we had to practice by creating 3D forms from 2D shapes such as circles, squares and triangles and then making them into objects such as spheres, cylinders and cubes. We then added contour lines as well as then manipulating the shapes, squishing and twisting them. Below are my examples I created during the lecture.
I found these exercises really helpful and enjoyable as I was able to learn how to warm up for drawing as well as how to properly construct certain forms using basic shapes. I also enjoyed being able to warp and change these shapes into a more interesting form, especially by adding contour lines.
For the next exercise we had to sketch a flour sack made up out of a sphere and cube merged together. This exercise was also very helpful for drawing the forms of and creating characters from basic shapes into a recognisable form. Below are a couple of my examples.
Homework:
For our homework, we were assigned to choose three of our favourite characters from animated TV shows or films, and then find out the various shapes that make up their character and form. For each of my characters, I found a full body image and traced out block shapes that made up the character which I then copied and pasted to use as a reference to try and redraw them.
Firstly, I decided to start with Toph Beifong from Avatar: The Last Airbender. She is from a Western animation that took inspiration from Japanese animation style, so her character is a standard human shape with slight exaggerations. The round shape of her hair and strong form (to earth bend) make her a recognisable character.
Next, I chose Todoroki Shōto from the anime and manga series My Hero Academia (Boko No Hero Academia) as this time I wanted to try to do a Japanese Shōnen animation style. His form was similar to Toph’s as a human figure, however he taller, more muscled and built, as well as somewhat sharper, as Japanese anime style often is. Todoroki’s form is much more basic and simpler than other characters in the show, however it is his asymmetrical design and colour scheme that make him a very recognisable character.
Finally, for my third character I drew Donatello (Donnie) from Rise of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The main character designs in this show are incredibly interesting to me as the style is extremely angular and exaggerated throughout, including in the character designs. I discovered how the animators made up the form of a mutant turtle using very angular, sharp, block forms. Donnie’s form consists mostly of shapes such as cubes, cuboids and trapezoids which make his character design very unique compared to other TV shows. He also has his tech goggles and technologically advanced shell which separates his design from his brothers’ and makes him instantly recognisable as a character.
At the end of this assignment, I found that breaking down characters into their basic shapes helped me to really understand what their forms were made up of and also allowed me to be able to draw them more accurately in my own style. I will definitely use this technique in the future and practice using it in my art more often.
I really enjoyed this assignment as I would love to study further into character design in more depth as well as being able to create my own unique and effective character designs at some point!