Character Concepts: Sketchbook

After a tutorial of looking through all the work I had so far, both myself and the tutor agreed that although I enjoy creating digital work, I should branch out and create a few of my final pieces using traditional media. The pencil sketches and watercolor had a lot more life and character to them, and the digital painting was making the design look too flat and lifeless.
Because of this, I've decided to draw the final three designs depicting the Hoopoe at the beginning, middle and end of the play by hand. This could be pencil, but I may also experiment with charcoal or paints too! However, if there's a character or scene that I feel would suit digital work better then I will still use Photoshop to complete this.
Below are a few photos I took from my sketchbook, showing a few of my favourite hand drawn drawn concepts, as well some designs for the characters of Euelpides and Pisthetairus; names now shortened to Yool and Ty, to make them easier to remember and pronounce. 

The Hoopoe: Beginning of the film

Developed mask designs for the Hoopoe. He uses this is keep himself from physically falling apart in an attempt to maintain dignity. It eventually does the opposite and just makes him appear more pathetic. 

Beginning and Middle sketches for the Hoopoe.

Developed designs for 'Yool' and 'Ty'. I considered what they may look like before and after eating the root and growing wings. 

Mermaid Redesign

In discussion with a central narrative writer it was made aware that the characterisation they wanted was for a sassier, punkier mermaid, but they still definitely enjoyed the catfish aspect from the original designs, e.g. barbels and whiskers. Taking this on board, I drafted up some quick sketches of makeup designs not requiring prosthetics. Currently I'm concerned about drifting too far into beauty and fashion styled makeup but through a little bit of further research into drag and punk aesthetics, I plan to redesign and practise this look to make sure that that is avoided.

Initial Mermaid Designs: Sketchbook.

Being given the mermaid character to research and draft as part of the design team in this project, I went straight to my sketchbook to doodle up some fashion inspired designs. I started with a basic human figure (top left), drawing out leotards and dresses, (the sketchbook containing the rest of the designs and development will be submitted with the rest of this project.) This led me into figuring out an original design for a wearable mermaid tail, as well as variations on the aesthetic and colour scheme.
Doodling out a range of tops, tails and makeup definitely allowed me to get a handle on designing the mermaid creature, but through this development I realised I didn't want a character conventionally beautiful, and definitely wanted to avoid Disney's 'Little Mermaid' type looks. Because of these decisions, I began looking into different body types and alternative fashions.

From left to right:
1) Average body type. Hips in proportion to shoulders, natural curves.
2) Athletic build. Realistic for a mermaid whose swimming everywhere, squarer shapes, muscular.
3) Curvier body shape. Rounder shapes and curved lines, rounder face shape too.
4) Pear shaped body type. Hips larger than shoulders, unconventional, mix of previous three.

I currently have no preference in body type, as I'd like to further my designs before deciding on this aspect of the character. It will be helpful when looking for a model though and the consideration will assist in my unorthodox mermaid design.