Your Webcomic Protagonist

You are going to create a webcomic protagonist, from concept to finished design. The purpose of this project is to showcase the whole design process (not just a single illustration.)

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To start off, create a brief descriptive list of your characters traits and attributes. You don't need too many details about their past or personality; think about what you could see from a glance.

PROJECT ASSIGNMENT #1

Create a brief, concise list of words that describe your character. Don't make the list too long: challenge yourself to the abosolute simplest description possible. Divide the list into two sections, internal and external. This will help you understand your character's heart as well as their world.

Internal: Determined, precise, efficient, and hardened.

External: Desert nomad, only child, bounty hunter

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SHAPE AND SILHOUETTE

Next, you'll create a shape that will be recognizable. Try to break out of the standard formulas you may already know... just think about the overall shape for now. Later on, you can go back and draw something more polished and specific.

Enhancing your character's shape:

Movement - Unless you deliberately want your character to be stiff and rigid (like a robot), try to give your shapes movement and fluidity. Make loose, gestural marks that flow and show action.
Repetition/Rhythm - Look for ways to repeat shapes or lines. Giving your character a "rhythm" to their design helps them look more cohesive, and less like a jumble of random parts.
Contrast/Balance - Try to contrast size/textiles in your drawings. Give a large character tiny feet; give a tiny character large boots. This is especially helpful if you feel that your character is "typical" or predictable.

PROJECT ASSIGNMENT #2

Complete 5-12 sketches of your character. Your goal here IS NOT to draw anything finished or polished. You also DO NOT want to simply draw a formulaic body with a handful of accessories sprinkled on. Experiment with shape and movement in your sketches! You never know what you might discover.

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After you've created a solid shape (that's iconic and memorable), it's time to pick out colors that work! Do. Not. Pick. Random. Colors. Be deliberate with your color choices. Refer often to a color wheel!

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Feel free to right-click and save this color wheel if you wish!

Remember the "safe" color schemes:

Analagous - Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel
Complementary - Colors that are across each other on the color wheel

PROJECT ASSIGNMENT #3

Pick a handful of sketches to color. Keep in mind any different angles (like the back with her cape) that you need to explore. Also remember to "hide" your lines to see how your colors work when they're right next to each other!

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The last step is to tie shape and color together in a final illustration. My character is pretty minimal: she doesn't carry much on her person. I wanted her to look like she could easily blend in as a civilian, so I imagined that most of her weapons are hidden.

REMEMBER: You came up with a solid shape and color palette in a previous step. Be careful about adding details or colors that distract from the iconic design you already created.

PROJECT ASSIGNMENT #4

Choose 1-3 drawings to "finish." It's okay if these aren't completely polished, but make sure that they're clean enough to use as a reference in the future.

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Make sure you upload your progress to your project as you go! I can't wait to see what you come up with, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Petra Gamboa

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