Primary colour sources

A first generation colour mood board, created using primary colour sources such as magazines, material and colour samples.

I decided that it was important to establish some boundaries for my colour palette to help maintain the dark essence of the story. It uses mainly blacks and greys with some deep tones of reds and blues to add some contrast when important features of illustrations need to be highlighted.

Kiki the Fire Sprite

This is Kiki, the fire sprite. He is the pet given to Lucy by Mr Stitches when she was seven, a slightly bittersweet gift to be honest. On the one hand he is cute and fluffy, on the other he is mischevious and was spawned in hell...

I enjoyed adding the concept of this little 'mascot' character to my overall design idea. He will be there to help the storyline along by acting as an emotional release when the charcters are alone, as opposed to using thought bubbles.

Toy Examples

These are some examples of the types of toys that Mr Stitches would give to children on their Birthdays. They are wonderfully hand crafted and Stitches put a lot of love and attention into making them.

The toys are all simplistic and modest, but beautiful, however in a modern climate such as todays children are unappreciative of these simple gifts...

Here are some expression designs for my main character. He is miserable most of the time but we are treated to a couple of different expressions later on in the story.

This is essential character development, and has helped me to illustrate Stitches personality. The visual representation of a characters emotions helps the audience to empathise with the character...it makes you happy to see him happy!

First Character Design of the Term!

Character Design-'Mr Stitches'

My first module assignment has produced the novel idea of adapting Birthdays into something dark yet comic, with an ultimate sense of repression and disillusioned innocence. What better way to create a foreboding atmosphere to a joyous occasion than to introduce

'Mr Stitches'

a melancholy and surly individual who's persona is greatly mismatched to his profession.

In short-He delivers Birthday presents, but doesn't enjoy it at all.

I've decided to record this as my first initial idea and character design, and to announce that with this first illustration I have kick-started my year at Uni!