The reason I was looking for pictures of front-view beaks, the other day

[capri0mni]

A few years ago, I came up with the monster design in the icon above this post for a specific boy, and put it on a tee-shirt for him (in the hopes that it would fend off doting adults who wanted to pet him, and call him a "Little Angel!").

Well, recently, I got a hankering for my own monster, that fits my personality. And this is what I came up with:


(Picture description: A loose pencil sketch of a one-legged bird monster in a motor chair, facing the viewer, with a flower growing out of her head)

It's still rough. I think, in my finished version, I'll give her the same pose as the monster above -- that is: with the chair in profile, and the creature's face turned toward the viewer. This would make the wheelchair more instantly recognizable (thanks to the international access symbol), and, to be honest, a heck less complicated, perspective-wise.

At first, because I have such a strong affinity with spiders, I thought to give her spider-like legs. But as I was drawing them, I got a visceral feeling that that was not me -- my hands are very much human!

...I don't think I'd have realized that if I hadn't tried to do something radically different...

Comments

[spiralsheep]

WIN. That facial expression of attentive curiosity is very you. Definitely yes to the bird head for that reason alone.

[capri0mni]

Oh, yay! I'm glad it works as intended.

Now, to work on a "cleaner" version -- settle on proportions and perspectives, and all that (may end up drawing a more iconic version of a wheelchair, for example), just to make it more tee-shirt-readable.

[redsixwing]

Oh my goodness, what an adorable bird-monster. <3

[capri0mni]

Thank you!

[vilakins]

I like it! I agree that the pose in the icon would be clearer. That's a great one too - also one of yours?

[capri0mni]

Thank you!

Yes, that icon's mine. I drew it five years ago as a t-shirt design for a five-year old boy (my aide's other client, also has C.P. but a different cause and type). He'll be 9 in July (how time flies!).

[pedanther]

That looks like a creature I'd like to get to know better.

[capri0mni]

^_^ So would I ... I'm in the process of getting to know her by drawing her. :-)

[jesse_the_k]

I don't know if the detail will survive the trip through the magic circle to 100x100 pix, but the size drawing you have is wonderful. I really prefer the head-on view; it highlights the flower, the beak, the foot, the wave. Those of us who are around powerchairs will notice yours right away.

(Although the burdens of perspective drawing are significant, I must say you did a great job here!)

[capri0mni]

I really prefer the head-on view; it highlights the flower, the beak, the foot, the wave.

Thank you! I will take that under advisement. ;-)

But bear in mind: I'm thinking of this primarily as a tee-shirt / sweatshirt design, so its clarity needs to survive the burden of fabric wrinkles / drapery, as well as the likelihood that either I, the viewer, or both, will be in motion. So while it's fine to have some details that need a moment to register (Say, if we pause to trade the time of day, or ask: "How's the folks?"), the main points should be recognizable in a flash.

(Although the burdens of perspective drawing are significant, I must say you did a great job here!)

Thank you again! Not sure about the bio-mechanics of her leg, though...

[jesse_the_k]

I think the bio-mechanics of her leg can be safely left as an exercise to the perceiver :,)

[capri0mni]

Yes, but I'm not sure if it's true to her, as a character. You know?