August 3rd Thursday Notes

[Lee White]

Hey guys,

I just want to clarify a few things before you get too far into this months challenge. Remember that it is a character design assignment. Don't try to put all the characters into a scene. Don't paint a background at all (background can have a tone or texture if needed).

The big thing is to not try and re-write the script or change the personality of the characters. In other words, the original script should work with your characters too. Don't add sisters and brothers and pets, etc. Many of students go WAY too far in over thinking the problem and they get so complicated to the point that the story doesn't work anymore. Or, it becomes a completely different story. So watch out for that. You are basically changing the design and style, but NOT the story.

Here's some samples of how your work might look when submitted. Note: these are more "animation" style, but you can keep a kids books style or whatever you want. It does NOT have to be for animation (or have that "concept art" style). I've put some more "illustration: style characters at the bottom of the post.

Let me know if you have any other questions. : )

[smceccarelli]

Cool, thanks for clarifying! I was actually unsure whether a classic lineup or an illustration was wished - now it´s clear.

[Joy Heyer]

@Lee-White Quick Question: Are you looking for characters from MGM's classic movie Wizard of Oz or from L. Frank Baum's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? (The book has a few characters not in the movie...) Thanks!

[Lee White]

I was thinking the movie because most people aren't as familiar with the book.

[Dulcie]

Sorry another question for you @Lee-White - are we allowed to draw inspiration from the descriptions of characters in the original book, the ones that are also in the movie? I've started researching and thought it might be good to read the descriptions, to imagine a fresh take that's not too inspired by the film characters. I thought that would be okay but now I'm wondering.

[QuietYell]

I have a Pinterest board that has had plenty of Wizard of Oz illustrations with various styles & interpretations collected into it, but I just added several more this morning. Not all fit within the parameters of this project, but perhaps they might spark some ideas. So, I thought I’d share!

https://www.pinterest.com/ScottMonaco/genre-classic-stories/

(Note: Other “Classic Stories”, like Little Red Riding Hood, are intermixed in)

[smceccarelli]

@QuietYell Wonderful resource, thank you for sharing!

[QuietYell]

@smceccarelli Sure! Glad to share! Hope it helps!

[thuraya]

@QuietYell good stuff thanks

[thuraya]

great thanks for that very helpful

[QuietYell]

@thuraya You are very welcome!

[Jason Bowen]

Do you have to have a theme or can you just re-design the characters the way you would if they were your own? Just following the story.

[Lisa M Griffin]

@Lee-White Just read your feedback to Joy... you were thinking movie, but I have been working up ideas based on "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz". I found there to be more in the way of storytelling with L. Frank Baum's story.