Character Design Collection: Heroines

FIGURE ART Scientist, pirate and archaeologist are just three of the 50 concept challenges taken on by artists, who reveal their creative processes in this new title

The new sketchbook series from 3dtotal kicks off with 50 artists concepting characters from a specific brief. The result is a book filled with original drawings and designs.

Each artist is allocated four pages, with their character concepts developing from initial loose sketches to, well, slightly more refined sketches by page four. Along the way the artist explores facial expressions and poses, with short captions revealing their thought process and reasons why they chose to take a character in a certain direction – or not. There are also Postit style graphics that feature more general character concept advice. There’s no practical drawing advice on offer, though. The book’s more focused on shining a light on the creative process of the 50 artists.

Character Design Collection: Heroines’ layout aims to replicate an artist’s typical sketchbook. This means that every page is packed with linedrawings; white space is a rare commodity. Initial fears that this might result in a confused presentation are soon dispelled – the busy layout actually works in the book’s favour to convey the energy involved in refining the look of the characters.

The characters, drawn by the likes of Thomas Chamberlain-keen, Jackie Droujko and Gretel Lusky, cover a wide range of styles that are well suited for original animation, video games and illustration projects. And there’s nothing stopping the reader from using the 50 design briefs to help them take their creative skills in new directions. A recommended purchase.

RATING ★★★★★

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