10/14/22: Discovering Character Stylization

Over the past few weeks, I went through so many struggles on how I want to work on this character. The reason why I felt that way was because I had experience on making a character in realistic style. It is nice to understand the basics of anatomy, but working on stylization is a different experience. My whole life I never make a character in different style like how Pixar, Walt Disney, DreamWorks, and all other big studios create their own character stylization. I do admire how creative they are. My biggest challenge is knowing how creative should I be with this character and how can I make a 2D character out of 3D character. What was difficult for me was 2D had a flat proportion. I could not tell the three-quarter view of making a great cheek bones and other side details more balanced. I started over on the Hunter three times. I realized that working on characters do change over time, and it takes a lot of time and effort.

This was my first trial and error result. I realized the facial details were very off. I knew that putting into too much realism would impact the character style idea for the senior short. I decide to get feedback on how I can make this better. Instead of looking at realistic references, I had some support with one of my colleagues on how I can follow on stylization, and I did research on Walt Disney's Big Hero 6 film. The reason why I follow through that is because it helps me understand how I can follow on stylization and how to make the character more cartoony. As I follow the steps and suggestions from my colleague, this is my results below:

I never felt so proud on this sculpt work. I felt that I am starting to gain experience on how to make different styles on characters, and it really helped me build my goals for being a 3D Character Artist. I really hope that this experience can help me go what I dream for which is working in a big animation studio.

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As I am making progress on the Hunter, my next steps is sculpting the lips which is the last facial feature. After I finish his head, I may sculpt a little on the body to give a little touch up and showing his masculinity.