Creature Design

Brynn Metheney finishes up.

Throughout this series, I’ve covered how to build an animal from the skeleton to the surface level. We can use those same techniques to show its anatomy, working from gesture, to a planar view, to a more detailed study of the inner anatomy. From here, we can explore the face in depth. This helps make the creature a solid creation.

We can use the Col-Erase pencils to help build up forms and then solidify details with the Blackwing pencils. Vellum paper makes it simple to revise drawings as we find the details of our creature. Drawing it in motion to show behavioural attributes is also important.

Remember to use the boxes to help guide where your creature’s anatomy will fall in perspective. This is where using reference becomes important. But don’t be a slave to your reference. Instead, use it as a guide or as inspiration to grasp form, anatomy and overall gestures of animals and creatures. Observing how animals move and act in their habitat will inform your drawing and help you create a more believable and grounded creature.

Write notes about what your creature eats, how it hunts or forages and moves. Consider what your creature could look like if it were male or female. Always look to nature: it’s designed some of the most outlandish creatures in terms of colour, behaviour, dimorphism and anatomy. Brynn specialises in creature design, fantasy illustration and paints for film, games and publishing. www.brynnart.com