Character development - would love your opinion!

[Melissa_Bailey]

Hi, all!

Working on developing the main character in a chapter book project (for ages 6-9). The text describes her as bright-eyed, energetic, smiley, and creative. She loves to dress up as a princess and dreams BIG.

Which of these character sketches do you feel best fits that description?

*Full disclosure: sharing this with permission from the author.

[Michael Angelo Go]

My favorite is between 2 and 3, but I leaned more towards 3 because her face feels more softer here.

[Kevin Longueil]

@Melissa-Bailey-0 Number one for me. I think it is the eyes and eyebrows that nail your key words. I took a minute to cut and past the eyes and eyebrows from number one onto the other three and it gave them all the bright-eyed and energetic vibe that one seems to have. I do like the head shape of one too…but they are all very good really

[TaniaGomesArt]

@Melissa-Bailey-0 I would go with 1. Mostly because it is the one where I feel the bright eyed the most. I'm super drawn to them, in a "oh, how much is in these eyes", like if there is an entire world in that person. I also feel that there is a very special kind of wit and energy in her. The 2, 3, and 4 seem a more relaxed kind of person to me.

They are all amazing nonetheless, just going by your description.
I really love your art.

[Janette]

I was stuck between 1 and 4. One has a lovely face (they all do) but the others seemed a bit older. However, 1 seems maybe the youngest, at about 5 or 6, so maybe she needs to be a tad older looking. I just like the sweetness and soft expression she has. Maybe 4's face, but with 1's nose and mouth? 4's eyes make her look just that littel bit older, more 8 or 9. Obviously just my opinion. How are you planning to reproduce her hair over and over? It's beautiful!

[Sabrina Gosselin]

I was initially drawn to 3, but ultimately I think 1 fits the description best particularly because of the eyes.

She also looks the most innocent, I think

[Asyas_illos]

Number one she looks like a big dreamer with bright eyes who likes to play Princess ️

[Ellinor]

For me number 1 stands out the most and I think fits the text description. She looks open, friendly and curious. Number 2 and 4 read for me as a bit more shy and 3 as more calm and mature. They all look great though, really nice work!

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Kevin-Longueil wow, thanks for doing that! You confirmed what I thought might be the case. Well, it's one opinion anyway. Everyone sees things a little differently, which is so interesting!

Yes, I always tell a client that we can mix and match features if they feel a character needs just a little tweaking. But I also warn them it's very much like plastic surgery -- any changes will change how the character looks and is perceived. But it's always good to have options.

[Jeremy Ross]

Hi @Melissa-Bailey-0, I like 1 and 4 the best, but 1 seems to capture your description best. 2 and 3 are also really good, but have a chapter feel to them.

Is this for a picturebook or chapterbook?

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Michael-Angelo-Go thanks for sharing your opinion. It's so appreciated!

[Melissa_Bailey]

@TaniaGomesArt wow, thanks so much! The eyes have it for me, too. One of my all-time favorite things to draw! (Sometimes I hold off on finishing the eyes on a piece as sort of a reward for doing the boring stuff.)

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Janette thanks for the input! Yes, it's a challenge to illustrate 8-to-9-year-olds because they're at that stage in their life where it can be really difficult to guess their age. My niece was a very mature-looking 9-year-old. When I was 9 I looked about 6!

Reproducing the hair is actually the least of my worries -- it's a "simple" 3-step process in Procreate and easy to replicate. Some of the facial features will be more of a challenge to draw consistently, so I'm secretly hoping my client doesn't choose those options! (Of course, not impossible -- I wouldn't offer an option I didn't think I could render consistently -- but definitely a challenge.)

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Sabrina-Gosselin thanks for sharing your perspective. Really nice to hear.

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Asyas_illos this character is definitely a princess!

Thanks for the feedback!

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Ellinor thank you! And thanks for the feedback on each character. All the feedback I've been getting is super helpful!

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Jeremy-Ross thanks! This is for a chapter book -- the story never states how old the character is but the character brief says she's meant to be around 8-9. That's why we stuck with b&w for the character sketches -- I wanted to make sure that the values were right.

[KGatto]

I think 1 best illustrates the description. Really nice illustrations.

[Melissa_Bailey]

@KGatto thank you! ️

[demotlj]

Late to the party but if you are still looking for feedback, I'd say #4. #1 looks the most bright eyed and playful but also looks younger. For me #4 combines both the creative playful soul look and the age. (They're all great.)