Lineup Preliminary Assignment: Silhouettes (Discussion)

*Note: This discussion has been converted to a Canvas page to facilitate viewing in this public course

Before we jump into designing our line-ups an effective method for preliminary work is creating Silhouettes. 

You can find examples of this process on the internet. For this assignment you are only required to work on the silhouettes, and not value studies. If you wish to go further with you value studies you may, but its important to note what is required and what is extra effort for the purposes of time management. 

Here are some links to creating silhouettes on YouTube: Character Silhouettes Links to an external site. Part 01 (note: after 6:00 into the video the artist goes into value studies which continues in Part 2 Links to an external site.). 

• Create 5 silhouettes for each of 3 following archetypes:
  • Hero (Protagonist)
  • Villain (Antagonist)
  • Sidekick (For either the protagonist or antagonist)
• It is essential to create variation not only with each archetype but within each character itself, explore different body types, heights, weights, outfits, props, genders, ages, but make sure the design fits the personality of the character. 
• Looking Ahead: After you have finished all 15 silhouettes you will pick the best 3 to assist you in completing your lineup assignment.

When You’re Done with Your Assignment:

Post your work as you complete it so your fellow students have chance to give you feedback as you work.

Below are student examples of Silhouettes from their Character Design Project.

Outcomes:

1. Creating a visually interesting set of characters though variation in archetypes or actions.
2. Exploring your chosen Digital Painting Program’s layer options, brushes and practicing painting/drawing digitally
3. Designing the layout and presentation of you assignment.
4. Following instructions for file submission.

Here are examples of value studies so you can know the difference between silhouettes and how there is a natural progression towards designing a finished product. 

Looking forward you can see how Silhouettes influences the different stages of art as shown by these examples below: