Character Studies: Pixel to Palette

2023

watercolor pen and ink

These pieces served as a testing ground for various technical skills, including anatomy and humanoid drawing, without losing the stylized essence of the original designs. Each study, from the sharp, contrasting yellow of KJ’s jacket to the dark, blended cloaking of Omen, required a different approach to light, shadows, and paint control. The goal was to master the “language” of character art, using watercolor to capture the weight and drape of fabrics and the precise placement of details like Gekko’s tattoos.

These pieces were a testing site for specific technical benchmarks. I used this series to fine-tune my control over:

• Lighting and Shadow:
  • Experimenting with how dark, blended tones define volume in cloaked figures like Omen.
• Clothing Drape and Texture:
  • Analyzing the way fabrics behave, from the sharp folds of KJ’s tactical jacket to the intricate layers of character gear.
• Contouring and Angles:
  • Utilizing line work to navigate complex perspectives and the specific silhouettes that define humanoid subjects.
• Color Control:
  • Testing the saturation and placement of paint, such as Gekko’s tattoos and pets, across surfaces like 140lb cold press and mixed media paper.

This transition into character study allowed me to refine my palette and brush control in ways that landscape work did not require. By focusing on the “humanoid” without the pressure of realism, I could prioritize the geometry of the body and the physical behavior of light. Each piece in this series served as a record of my evolution in technical precision and my ability to capture the essence of a designed subject through traditional media.