Toolkit 2: Character Design - Sidekick

 In talking with my tutor about my current designs, the importance of keeping the transformations similar to the original character came forefront. It seems I have stray away a bit, and by blacking out the eyes have removed a bigger possibility of empathy and emotion towards main character.  So, I tried to place some of the original features to the "Zombie" state so to try and bring back the relation. 

  Moving forward, I had to work a bit more on the "sidekick", this being his his wife. Reviewing the two designs I did before (when I was poorly) and though further discussion, I felt that the more angular  style was more suit towards the transformation. Firstly I wanted to try and capture her facial expression to get more a sense of who she is. 

  In this review version, she is still kind and happy, but knows how to get her own way. She is a big support for her husband and they have a deep, trusting bond. This small detail will make her leading him further down to his downfall all the more deeper. She is more organised one around the home whilst working small part time job as a seamstress. she makes uniforms for soldier at war and for those around her village, still adding that sense of "helping her country". Below are some expression I though would suit her;

  In trying to add the 1930's German Expression, the follow designs. Firstly completing a more refine appearance for the wife, i was able to use this as a base to work the others from. Continuing forward with sketches, as I want her to be a seamstress, I may to to incorporate this into her continuing designs.  

  She is not going to be completely seen, maybe just face over his shoulder as she whispers to him. She may use their love/bond to encourage him further to his decent, tell him to keep going so they can be together again. These are still things to figure out. 

  As far as the German Expressionism goes, I feel I'm getting closer but it more exploration in the twisting/ deforming her will make this a lot closer to completion.  I went with the two inspirations I really liked, the first being a woodblock/ink (Erich Heckel) and the second a more painterly style (Karl Schmidt-Rottluff).