Pup's Evolution

Early Pup Sketch

Pup didn't really change to much but the species of seal did. At first pup seemed more based on a Galapagos Fur Seal, characterized by his ears and much larger fins. I enjoyed this but I really wanted it to be set in a more English seaside and as the name suggests these types of seals were not commonly found in the English shores.

I researched what seals would be near the British seas and I discovered the most common were the aptly named Common (or Harbor) Seal. I enjoy the common seals small pudgy bodies and smaller fins as it creates an enjoyable waddle, or slide.

Pup with boots (scrapped concept)

More Harbor Seal looking pup

Final Character Sheet

Pup's design came together rather quickly although his snout was still to long and needed to be brought in a bit. Also his back fins could do with being simplified for not only animation purposes but also sometimes his fins seemed a bit to realistic compared the rest of his very simplified body.


Soon his design became even rounder and more solid. The ear hole though in the final design was scrapped as I found it wasn't entirely to appealing to the overall design and would just be another thing to animate that may have cause some issues. In the end I feel that Pup is an appealing character that will complement Jenny's design quite nicely.

Evolution Of Jenny

Jenny, first sketches.

Jenny was a very vague idea to begin with. I knew I wanted a young girl but I wasn't sure how young. In these first drawings she is about 11-12. The original concept was that not only would she give up her scarf, but also her boots. The seal would grow fond of the boots and keep those as a memento. I didn't like this concept as she would have to walk around on pebbled roads with no boots (as pictures on the left). I felt it would just be better if the seal kept the scarf instead. Simpler in many aspects in terms of animation and the poor girl get to keep her feet safe from the harsh pavement.

First Sketchbook concept drawings.

Picture of Jenny and Pup

Eventually when I got a sketchbook she began to develop into a younger and chubbier child. Her hair became messy and her eyes became smaller and rounder. Her shapes became more baby like. Now she was around about 6 years old. I felt more appeal in her smaller eyes are larger head, more innocence was conveyed in her face but she also brimmed with confidence with her large smile.

I liked the look the pens would give to the image. This is something I'd like to transfer over to the animation. It'll add an interesting shimmering movement to the over film with I hope can add appeal.

First draft of Jenny's character sheet.

The first character sheet didn't quite work. Her hair was to symmetrical and her face shape made it seem like she had a marshmallow skull. The overall character needed to become more solid and her hair needed to be simple to animate but not so simple her hair suffered from being to neat. She was a girl who explores the seaside and here it is clear that her hair is just to tidy.

I also found I was drawing her boots in a the wrong perspective. Sometimes her mouth would be to close to her nose. All in all not a great character in terms of animation. She wasn't terrible but needed improvement.

Improved Sketches

In these images Jenny's skull became more defined and more appealing and her over all her structure was more solid. Still her hair wasn't quite right but the strand that was near her eyes gave her hair a bit more of a scruffy look and add a nice asymmetry to her over all design.

Final Character Sheet

The finale sheet has her hair behind one ear and just neatens the overall design. I feel Jenny has come a long way and has become the character I wanted her to be when I first envisioned this idea.

Wrex Harrison

Wrex and Tiggles Abella

Wrex Harrison is an idea I have for a point-and-click adventure game, which will probably never be fully produced (I'm not a programmer), but I would like to use the world, and its characters, for my showreel.

The story is set in an everyday-looking town, but the plot centres on a secret animal society where the household pets go to at night to socialise, hidden under the city streets. The main character is Wrex Harrison, a Doberman who runs the most popular bar in the area. Recent murders near his bar, combined with his chequered past, have made Wrex suspect number one. In an effort to restore the reputation of himself and his business, Wrex uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to drive animals and humans apart...

Wrex encounters many colourful characters and species, including Tiggles Abella, a cat who dreams to sing centre stage in a bar where dogs get the best gigs; a hamster scientist who keeps to himself and may be harbouring dark secrets; and the animal Mafia (working title), a shady organisation run by an embittered bunny rabbit.

This is an idea that I have had in the back of my head for a while now. Although not as prominent in my mind as Pups, it helps to break up my workload and focus on a wider variety of ideas. I don't know how much I will actually revisit this idea for my final show reel but I am planning on doing something with at least the main character Wrex. Time will tell.

Reel of Examples

I find when looking at showreels the best are usually around a minute and showing a variety of character and animation styles.
You get something like this. A Calarts student who has shown her skills right off the bat with sturdy drawings and animations filled to brim with character.
The only problem is this it goes on to long but this is only a minor flaw. Overall it's a confident reel.

On the more flash based reels you get examples like this. The most impressive is there work on  El Tigre which showcases good character motions and design. The video proudly showcases the competence use of Flash.  
The timing doesn't go on for to long the only real problem is the animation falls a bit flat at the end but it has already gained so much interest from the beginning.


 
This one above is my favorite as it shows a variety of styles and a wide knowledge of multiple programs. It doesn't last to long and over all gets straight to the point. You can see this persons talent from start to finish.