Character Changes...

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RonRaccoon's avatar
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So, it's about time I did this... As I'm sure some of you have noticed, I have been mentioning some changes to my characters designs. I have been drawing my characters in a very Angry Beavers-ish and Family Guy-ish style for many years now, and listening to advice from colleagues (and something I've been wanting to do for a while now) I've decided to try and find, well, my own style. I'm trying to redesign my characters to lesson the inspiration from other tv shows (Angry Beavers especially.) I do mean lesson by the way, like I've mentioned before, it's great to taken inspiration from others work, but it's another thing when someone sees your work and thinks of it belonging in someone else's world rather than your own. 

This will be a slow process as I try to find my own style, and I've made a few changes already. As for the comic series, I'm going to keep the original style for the rest of Chapter 1, as to not add confusion into sudden character changes. After this chapter though, I will apply changes as if nothing happened. 
To be honest, the changes aren't very big either. They are just some minor tweaks to the character' bodies (and Ron's nose of course)

I made this journal to help lesson confusion as to why I was making these changes and to know what was to be expected. Thank you all for understanding and supporting me in my art and helping me evolve as an artist!
© 2017 - 2024 RonRaccoon
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ThePortuguesePlayer's avatar
...
sta.sh/01srj56gneqz
Ahem... Anyway, I don't take a random feature that looks alike something existing as something bad, if it's recognizable, I actually think it gives character. ... To the character. I found Ron's nose funny.
Now, you came with a more generic design trying to solve a problem you made for yourself, but the question is, do you feel more comfortable drawing Ron like this, does the process come more natural, or, are you, in a way, forcing yourself to change your way of drawing afraid people make a connection to Angry Beavers and think of you as someone who's copying, basing himself on, or has problems coming up with original work? If it is a change truly on your own, then, very well. If the later, then you're making changes for the wrong reasons.
Don't get me wrong, both designs are great, but make sure you show something that is truly you, independently of what already exists. Your "own" style isn't something "different", it's what comes out naturally, even at the clumsiest sketch. All cartoon animals are copied from something, either other cartoons, or real life animals. They're animals, there's no way around it.
Stewie Griffin was based on Jimmy Corrigan, Stimpy was based on the red cat from A Gruesome Twosome, Nobita was based on Osomatsu-kun... Ever heard any of these being talked crap because of it? Nope, all great shows. Just that. x)