The Animator

Create a new & original character. Give it personality, physical attributes, a story or purpose.

Will your character have a signature prop or gesture?

Your character might be for a new game.

Or for a new children’s book.

Or part of a new movie or TV series.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT Begin by answering some key questions. Then, sketch, sketch, sketch. The development is the most challenging part of the assignment and will take the most time.

What will your character be? Be ORIGINAL. No borrowing from an existing story, game or movie.

Where is it from? the planet Yorb! 10,000 years ago! Wisconsin! my gym locker!

What is the story?

What are its strengths and flaws? (quirks)

What are its props? Cat In the Hat’s trademark red and white striped hat, Harry Potter’s wand, the Batmobile, etc.

Give it some style: Outlines or solid shapes? Color schemes? Textures or patterns? Shadows? Exaggeration to make it stand out?

Gesture Drawing They are quick and not overly developed

Gesture drawings help to find that “Lean”

Use the gesture drawing to help us create a form that is less stiff and more alive!

This idea is called Contrapposto Contrapposto is an Italian term that means counterpose. It is used in the visual arts to describe a human figure standing with most of its weight on one foot so that its shoulders and arms twist off-axis from the hips and legs.

Create a “TURN-AROUND” This is a series of views of your character from different angles. front 2/3 front profile 2/3 back back

You’ll make just 3 views: 1. Front 2. Profile 3. Back front ¾ view profile back Or attempt the challenge option: Add a ¾ view

Tips: Keep your character simple! Some of the most famous characters are not overly complicated. To give your character personality, try exaggerating something. For example, the Simpsons have their trade-mark round eyes and each has distinctive hair:

NO VIOLENCE/ GUNS/ BLOOD/ DRUGS… IT MUST BE SCHOOL APPROPRIATE Remember:

The Decision Do you want to work with clay or create a story with comic strip panels?

From your turn-around drawing, create a painted sculpture

Ohhh... Nice texture!

Or create a colored comic strip that incorporates your character (establishing depth… foreground, middle ground, and background)

But first, figure out what type of character are you going to create? What genre? The more developed the better…

For some of you, go further by creating an expression sheet