ANATOMY AND CHARACTER SCULPTURE
DST 60404/Exercise
LIU CHENG RUI (0370930)
DST 60404/ANATOMY AND CHARACTER SCULPTURE/ Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative
Media / Taylor's University
INSTRUCTION
Exercise
week2
This week, we have gained an understanding of the course of this module
and started our exercise. First, we need to find some moodboards as our
references.
My design concept is to build the character with the "head of a turtle
(especially a snapping turtle or a snapping turtle and other fierce
types)" as the core prototype.
Fig2.1 moodboards
I named it "Swamp Lurker" and wrote a description and background
about it.
Born from the deep marshes where ancient creatures still linger, this
character embodies the raw resilience of the snapping turtle.
His hardened shell and jagged scales carry the weight of
centuries, making him a living fortress. Once a guardian spirit
of forgotten waters, he has now taken form as a warrior, striding
between beast and man.
Stoic and silent, his personality reflects the patience of the turtle:
slow to anger, but relentless once provoked. Beneath his monstrous
appearance lies a deep sense of duty, a protector’s will forged by
countless battles. He is cautious, always observing before
striking, but when he does, his crushing jaws and overwhelming strength
leave no chance of escape.
In his role, he serves as both shield and punisher. To allies, he
is an unbreakable wall, absorbing the brunt of enemy assaults. To
foes, he is a reminder of nature’s untamed power—unyielding, primal, and unstoppable. His presence on the
battlefield shifts momentum, inspiring courage while instilling
fear.
After that, I began to do some silhouettes.Since I'm not sure which character form is more suitable, I tried to draw
silhouettes of different forms to explore.
Fig2.2 Silhouette 1
Fig2.3 Silhouette 2
Fig2.4 Silhouette 3
Fig2.5 Silhouette 4
Fig2.6 Silhouette 5
Fig2.7 Silhouette 6
In addition, I also picked out a few silhouettes to make some
simple clothing decorations.
Fig2.8 Simple clothes and decorations 1
Fig2.9 Simple clothes and decorations 2
Fig2.10 Simple clothes and decorations 3
week3
This week we need to continue to complete the tasks
in Exercise 1.
1.Character description
Born from the deep swamps and rocky shores, Torgar
is a creature that combines the resilience of a
snapping turtle with the ferocity of a predator.
His stone-like blue skin acts as both armor and
camouflage, allowing him to blend into his harsh
environment. The rough wrappings and torn fabric
around his limbs are remnants of an ancient tribe
that once tried to capture him, now serving as
both memory and protection.
Torgar’s massive frame and single-minded
aggression make him a formidable guardian of his
territory. Despite his monstrous appearance, he
possesses a primal intelligence and a deep
connection to the earth and water that sustain
him. When provoked, he charges forward with
explosive strength, his claws and fists capable of
crushing stone. However, beneath his savage nature
lies a silent loyalty — to his home, his kind, and
the balance of the natural world.
2.Moodboard
3.Silhouette
4.Outfits
5.Final Character design(colored, full body,
front, dynamic pose)
Fig3.4 Final Character design
6.Presentation Sheet
Fig3.5 Presentation Sheet
FEEDBACK
week2
Your different costumes need to be changed for the same character, not for different characters. These silhouettes are all fine. Choose one to proceed to the next step.
REFLECTION
Experience
I find that the key to a good character design is to be logical and have a sense of story. For instance, when I think of snapping turtles living in wetlands, I naturally make the characters' costumes heavier and darker in color, making them look like they are living in a damp environment.
I also found the silhouette stage particularly useful. Just by using black and white shapes, one can tell whether a character is special and recognizable.
Most importantly, I realized that character design is not just about drawing a person, but telling a story through their appearance. The poses, proportions and costumes of the characters actually all express who they are and what they have experienced.
Observation
In this exercise of character design, I found that "observation" is really important. By studying the appearance of the snapping turtle, I noticed that it has very distinct features, such as a thick shell, rough skin, and a strong sense of defense. These characteristics made me think that it could be transformed into a powerful, steady and even somewhat mysterious character.
I also observed that different body proportions and postures can make the characters give people completely different impressions. Some silhouettes look very powerful, while others are more flexible. This made me understand that shape itself can express personality.
Findings
Throughout the entire production process, I started by looking for reference pictures and making mood boards, then moved on to drawing silhouettes and designing costumes. Step by step, I learned a lot.
At first, I did several different sets of clothing designs, but found that they looked like different people. It was only later that I realized that to maintain the "sense of unity" of the characters, consistency is necessary in terms of proportion, details and color.
The feedback from my mentor also made me understand that there should be a reason for a role change, such as what he has experienced and grown, rather than simply changing his style. This experience enabled me to know more clearly how to make adjustments in the subsequent designs.
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