The little red dragon : ALL RESEARCH - CHARACTER POSES, STRUCTURE, BASIS AND EXPRESSION

Ok first of all I would just like to say that I had a ton of research on here and for some strange reason blogger decided to delete all of it. So I have to start again.

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/479633429042041095/

This is quite a good Pin I found, It shows the chibi body in various poses, which is great for what I'm looking for. I'm not expecting my character to actually BE chibi, but I wanted the cute factor there, with a little stocky body and sturdy limbs. It's nice to be able to see what the character looks like when in action and not just standing still. I will be referring to this in my book whenever I need poses.

The image below also is good for showing how the shape of the face changes depending on where the character is looking. Looking at different poses and angles of the face

It's also giving you information on how to draw hands semi realistically without them looking like sausages.

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/412783122070263608/

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/189221621824099133/
How to draw paws (baseline for dragons) I thought as Anxiety especially is based on a dog. that this would help in looking at how their claws move. Also Autism and depression have quite expressive hand gestures which means they'll be moving their hands and feet a lot. So This helps me see how the ankle bones work and how the toes and fingers curl.

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/14355292533367450/

LOOKING AT ROUND CHARACTERS - MY FAVOURITE CHILD CHARACTERS IN FILMS.

http://liloandstitch.wikia.com/wiki/Lilo_Pelekai

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/406872147560612426/

I love Lilo's character! She's basically made up of three circles: her head, her chest and her tummy. She's a very round, lovable character. This is the ideal sort of base I want for Ben and Charlie. Very approachable and cuddly sort of look.

http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/extended-discussion/avatar-movie-yellowfacing-in-hollywood/t.50168869_3556/

This character is essentially a circle. Very simple design structure-wise. he's incredibly fat and cute - but to the point where I don't think he actually has a neck. This is to show how diverse the range of children's characters can be: from long and lanky to squat and round.

http://www.disneyclips.com/imagesnewb/peterpan3.html

Peter Pan looks a lot older than my character looks. They're essentially the same age, as both of them are 12. But I wanted ben to appear more child-like than Peter. Peter could pass for a young adult if he acted mature enough, but with his long limbs and lanky posture I think he looks too old for my liking. Which is another reason I wanted to do Ben with stocky limbs.

http://kingdom-hearts-unlimited.wikia.com/wiki/Baby_Herman

Baby Herman was another drawn and animated character who looks cute and chubby but acts like a hooligan and swears like a sailor. His head, again like Boo's is bigger than it should be. He has wide eyes too and his hair sort of....blends into his head?

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/614952524088550175/

Boo, from Monsters Inc is a prime example of animated children. Round head, too big for the size of her relative body shape and height, and short stubby limbs. Wide eyes and always smiling. The look of wonderment that a child should have.

(I even watched a few Youtube videos on how Disney structure their older character's faces!) Because the link was deleted on the previous research page, unfortunately I cannot find the link to this. THIS IS NOT MY IMAGE IT IS PROPERTY OF DISNEY.

https://giphy.com/gifs/disney-pinocchio-classic-OFAHXH6R1qhS8

(Pinocchio - how he moves and his shape is more like what My character will look like.) Wide eyed wonderment and very curious about things and his surroundings.

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/13-things-learned-from-peter-pan

I would like to incorporate some of Peter Pan's naivety into my drawings too. He's just a boy that wants to have fun - with no regard for consequences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paH6T-H7Rso

(I watched a youtube tutorial on how to draw a sleeping child. Visual reference for when I draw Ben and charlie in their beds.)

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHARACTER CUTE

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/150378075034930669/

As is apparent in all the previous research I have done: huge head = cute factor. Also the fact that making your characters have no neck makes them cute is a bit strange to me. But I'll give it a go hahaha. Also not having skinny limbs is another obvious one: the skinnier the limbs the older the character looks. Rounded tummy and bigger forehead makes the character younger too? Did not know about the forehead thing I have to say....

Dragon studies

http://spyro.wikia.com/wiki/File:Spyro_005666.jpg

Who could forget the famous Spyro?! I loved his original design: I feel like the new designs are too spiky and he's too skinny and 'streamlined' The appealing thing about Spyro was that he WAS small and chubby. It was part of his character. He's also a perfect example of a brightly coloured dragon. Even though he has texture, he's pretty much just three coloured. Bronze, Yellow and Purple. It looks good. Even his eyes are purple....I could do that in my book...a little subtle addition to the book?

https://www.freecreatives.com/fine-art/dragon-drawing.html

Maybe primarily black with a vein of colour running through the scales? Lack of pupils add disturbing element to character. Makes him look evil.

https://uk.pinterest.com/explore/dragon-drawings/

Idea for Anxiety? Small and cute - almost bird-like?

http://myartmagazine.com/dragon-drawings

Sad eyes but not much expression on face. Also horns coming out of chin? Not just on top of head? Interesting idea....

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/41095415329651985/

An older bigger Spyro design: I like it. Looks sort of like my idea for ADHD. Longer back legs and a childish happiness and naivety about him.

http://myartmagazine.com/dragon-drawings

Fierce disposition - long serpent like tongue. lots of horns all over face?

http://myartmagazine.com/dragon-drawings

Fierce angry idea for Depression? Big. looking like he's got a big beard because his 'fins' or horns are so many and so big. Anger in his eyes - overbearing presence like he's about to smash or step on Ben?

http://myartmagazine.com/dragon-drawings?i=2961-i

Some very random and out of the box designs for dragons. I really like them. They look a bit too scary for a children's book however. They look like they belong in Lord of the Rings - the Mordor creatures or something. perhaps a bit too dark for a kid's book. I do especially love the T-rex based on in the top left. He reminds me of my Autistic dragon. He's based on a T-rex so perhaps I could do his face and snout short and fat like this idea?

http://www.catchooandcompany.com/wp346qny09kfw9a8u8c2tynwsybymm/2015/5/15/cute-dragons-go-rawr

Very cute and potato-like. I do love these Dragons but I don't feel like they're the right style for my book. The dragons, while being Child friendly, are still metaphors for mental disorders. These ones are too cute for that. I feel the metaphor would be lost in translation. I do love the colours though!!!

http://szgzmachine.com/awesome-easy-to-draw-dragons/how-to-draw-dragon-for-beginners-with-awesome-easy-to-draw-dragons/

Too evil looking, but I love the streamlined look of his horns towards his neck. Also the teeth overhanging his lips make him look rugged and bad. He just looks like a nasty piece of work basically. Too aggressive for this book - however might be an ok base for depression?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0P2MrzYUvw

The 'I'm so done' face. Ideal for Autism. I will use this expression to show boredom and distain.

http://crasharki.deviantart.com/art/Baby-Dragon-Spyro-Enter-the-Dragonfly-Model-611175205

More examples of coloured dragons. Similar design to my anxiety dragon. These dragons are good to look at for when I come to colour my dragons because it lets me see what dragons look like in weird colours (no the typical greens and brown and greys)

EACH OF MY DRAGONS IS BASED ON A CREATURE/DINOSAUR, so their poses would be more natural and believable.

Autism is based on a T-rex, so a lot of his poses are him stooping from the waist up because he has tree trunk legs and tiny arms.

http://www.scified.com/topic/40866

ADHD is based originally on a velociraptor - though he is a lot smaller and cuter now

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/363313894917209551/

Bipolar is based on an original hydra serpent. Similar, but not based on the dragon from Quest for Camelot. Dan pointed out the similarities to me after I had created the character. I had no idea that character even existed!

http://hero.wikia.com/wiki/Devon_and_Cornwall

Tourettes is based on a Liopleurodon (aquatic dinosaur) or the Loch ness if you want to compare it to something more recent. My theory was, as it was a water dweller, when it was on land, its movement's would be uncoordinated - like a fish. Hence it would fit 'Tourettes' quite well.

http://dinosaurpictures.org/Liopleurodon-pictures

Anxiety is based originally on a iguana/bulldog thing. But now he's turned into more of a dog structure. I wanted him to be cute like a puppy. I wanted him stocky.

http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/iguana

http://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/bulldog

Depression is based on a generic dragon idea - westernized.

http://dbzf.co.uk/topic/8562474/1/

Motherly poses - How the mother should interact with Ben and charlie

http://www.salon.com/2014/05/12/my_sons_oedipus_complex/

Visual references for various angles - Ben hugging his mum when coming home from park? Ignore the oedipus complex thing - I just liked the angle of the image.

http://idealistmom.com/how-to-reconnect-with-your-child/

Leaning in - close face to child, hugging. No regard for personal space. Closed happy eyes

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/321655598356672042/

Endearing eyes. lots of love in her expression. Eye contact, holding the child close.

I CANNOT FIND THE LINK TO THIS IMAGE. THIS IMAGE IS NOT MINE SO I CLAIM NO OWNERSHIP ON IT.

Exaggerated expressions and gestures - mothers seem to have a thing of holding their hands up like this when surprised. sitting straight backed also shows maturity as kids tend to slump.

https://uk.pinterest.com/ymwd123/digital-scrapbook-peter-pan/

Endearing looks again, hands held prim and proper - looking down lovingly on children. Hooded eyes show emotion - love.

https://judgmentalobserver.com/2012/07/09/brave-a-mother-and-her-daughter-weigh-in/

Being stern- holding child to get them to focus and listen. Harsh but fair - neck craned and eye contact to show she means business. Maybe not the touching bit though when it comes to Charlie, as Autistic people commonly don't like to be touched.

https://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/bedtime_story.html

Mother reading to child. Sitting on end of bed. respectable yet comfortable distance away from child. Also nice angle to draw?

http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-six-years-old-child-sleeping-in-bed-with-alarm-clock-92798709.html

Close up of Ben/Charlie sleeping before dragon appears? Birds eye view?

http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Sarah_Hawkins

Strict - mothers use hand gestures a lot to explain their point. narrowed eyes show anger or disappointment. Motherly clothes- baggy sleeve and covered up. No boobs or butt on show.

I CANNOT FIND THE LINK TO THIS IMAGE - NOT MINE: I DO NOT OWN THIS IMAGE.

Have children is submissive pose when being told off - mother's actions greatly emphasised to express her annoyance. Leaning into conversation.

http://www.hogwartsishere.com/courses/DLIT-2/lesson/426/

Enjoying time - playing and reading with her children

http://rebloggy.com/post/my-gifs-disney-treasure-planet-sarah-hawkins-elouafc/70706997748

Rolling her eyes, fond expression. Humours her children

http://gavillain.tumblr.com/post/68776486143/treasure-planet-appreciation-post

Visual reference for how to draw Ben hugging mum

http://rebloggy.com/post/my-gifs-disney-treasure-planet-sarah-hawkins-elouafc/70706997748

Exasperated - rubbing temples and frowning. Acting weary.

HOW DISNEY DRAWS MALE CHARACTERS

Looking at how disney draws the male characters (as females tend to have softer expressions and faces - Visual research for when I come to draw Ben and Charlie.)

https://uk.pinterest.com/crystalmascioli/disney-princes/

I think I favour the way Pinochio looks overall - alsoArthur from Sword in the stone, and Tim from Treasure planet. Very wide eyes make them look younger and more curious about things. The other characters have such stern, much older expressions.

http://www.mtv.co.uk/frozen/news/frozen-theory-confirmed-tarzan

Tarzan - the pointier the chin and more chilled the features, the older the character looks.

http://www.gurl.com/2014/06/24/male-celebrities-disney-character-doppelgangers/

Wide set faces also make character look older

http://www.entertainmentoutlook.com/2013/08/29/upon-time-prince-eric-cast/

Bushy eyebrows also show age - a child would not have such manly brows.

Expressions on dragons

http://vincevassallo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/dragon-painting-expressions.html

If I had time and were to take this book further, I would do expressions like this to show how my dragons are feeling. also I would redraw them more in this style.... its so cute!