Tuesday, 13 January 2009

Character Sketches


It seems like ages since I had a clean slate and was able to work on my new ideas. Now the accounts are done and gone off to the accountant (phew!), I am looking again at sketches for the baby book I'm planning. I have already written the text, but need to visualise a few pages.

I showed you some cute koalas and a baby tiger before Christmas (see Sketching New Ideas) but I have been working on a new character today: an octopus balancing jellies (I get to draw such great things...).

I started off with the quick sketch on the left.

When I was tidying him up, I got the idea to give him a birthday hat to go with the jellies. I also decided it was probably important for there to be 8 jellies, one for each leg. This is how he's looking now:

I might make his legs a little fatter so he's cuter for littlies. What do you think?

I've also added a little friend to the skateboarding dog I showed you before, which makes it much funnier.

11 comments:

quiltcat said...

It's hard to think of octopi being cute, but this one sure is! Yes, maybe making the legs fatter might make him a bit cuter. For very slight realism, you might want to turn the suction cups on the legs so that he's using them to hold the plates of quivery jelly in place. And the skateboarding dog's companion really does make it even funnier!

Lynne the Pencil said...

Good idea...

Buskitten said...

Sooo coolio Lynne! All your stuff is just lovely and full of fun and happiness!

Ira R said...

I like these characters a lot.

Have you heard about the octopus that was filmed leaving its tank, walking across the room and eating some fish in a tank and then returning to its tank and pulling the lid over itself?

Damian Harvey said...

Great pictures Lynne - your artwork always brightens up the day. Good to hear you've done your accounts - haven't got round to mine yet but they are on the 'to do in January' list. I really do need to get an accountant too.

Lynne the Pencil said...

Get yourself an accountant Damian - it doesn't cost much in the scheme of things (I paid £250 for last year) and makes life so much easier!

Yes Ira, I do remember that amazing story. They are obviously more intelligent than you would imagine.

Thanks all for the lovely feedback!

Karl Marxhausen said...

I have enjoyed the joy that comes out of children's books thru the illustrations. Steven Kellog was a favorite of mine. Illustrators like you get to join ridiculous and hilarious events together. Keep on dishing it out.

Lynne the Pencil said...

I haven't heard of Kellog: I'm showing the under-slip of my ignorance now (and there's no much hanging down all round, I'm beginning to wonder if the elastic has gone entirely...)

I'll look him up!

Unknown said...

Hi Lynne,
Great Jelly wobbling octopus - I like quiltcat's idea about suction cups.

Also, how about helmet and elbow/knee pads for the little doggy friend?

Lynne the Pencil said...

Excellent idea! I will try that out. Thank you!

weechuff said...

I love the octopus, and I also think that thicker legs may make it seem cuter, although it is wonderful already:0) What a good idea suggesting the knee/elbow pads and the helmet for the little doggie!