THE NOT SO TYPICAL WAY OF CREATING CHARACTERS BY ANGELICA BACANI
Zine
The Not So Typical Way Of Creating Characters
By Angelica Bacani
Introduction I have a passion for illustrating characters based on different types of stories from mythical stories, fiction or non-fiction stories to my self-written stories. This zine will show my creative process when I am creating a character(s) based on a story a self-written story called “”. I here have the opportunity to be able to show my personal artistic and thought process when I am creating and developing a character. This process is neither right or wrong. It’s a process that I uniquely possess as an artist. I cherish each character that I illustrate, whether if they are a simple character for a solo illustration or illustrating a character with a whole story surrounding them. Shio is one of the characters that I’ve created where I have an attachment to as if she was my child. I hope that you enjoy looking through the upcoming pages, as much as I enjoyed creating this zine and my character Shio.
A story idea from the mind translated into a visual idea.
This is the first illustration that I have made after a thought for a possible idea for a story and a character. I would need to translate on my thoughts onto a visual outcome for me to develop the idea further. Having a visual material to look at helps to drive my creativity.
The Initial Rough Sketches.
After illustration the first illustration that started my passion for this character, I began to do very quick sketches situating the little girl in rought natural and woodland environments.
Sketchbook sketches to Digital Illustrations.
The Story A little girl who looks at the age of around 2 years old was dropped at an entrance of a forest by 2 mysterious figures which are assumed to be her parents. When the little girl woke up, she was all alone, surrounded by tall trees. She broke down crying, she cried very loudly which echoed through the woods. In between the trees, one by one mysterious figure once again slowly crept in. But these figures were not of the human-like figure. All of them were in different shapes and sizes. One of the mysterious figures appeared and disappeared quickly in front of her quick made her tears stop. The figure kept appearing and disappearing as if it was there to entertain the little girl. Another spirit made the leaves on the tree fall which created a beautiful scene as it rained tree leaves which made the little girl happy and started to run around catching the leaves. Over time the little girl lived amongst these mysterious creatures. She has learned to live like them and has become like them. But only keeping her human form. It’s been three years and the little girl has called herself Shio. She had become one of the guardians of the woods. One day, the spirits walked her to the place where she was left. And before reaching the place, from a distance they were cautious of two figures. Shio looked from afar and watched the two figures disappear after a while.
The Inspiration My story was inspired by Hotorubi No Mori E, which is a one-shot shĹ?jo manga written by Yuki Midorikawa. As for the idea surrounding my character, Shio, I wanted her to have the appearance of a Filippino child. Having tanned skin, big eyes, a button nose and the typical short hair, a full fringe cut which most Filippino parents would give their female child. Which I have experienced myself, as I am proud to have grown up in the Philippines till the age of 9. The story revolving Shio and being stuck in the surrounding that she was left in derived from my opinion where I think that adults and parents think children aren’t capable and brave enough to face some challenges in their life as they grow up from a young age. Whether that is taking their first step, learning how to safely get down from the sofa to the floor, or even being to sleep on their own and not be scared. I feel that the hardships of children is admirable. Because the fears and struggles that they will face and conquer, they’ll embody as they grow up. Through my illustrations and story, I want to portray that children can adapt and learn through small or big obstacles in a fictional world. Where Shio grows up in the woods, meet these spirits that may look scary monsters but are friendly monsters. She is able to adapt to her environment and survive amongst the spirits and become a spirit herself.
Rough Story Board.
The Coldness of a Winter Day.
The friendly spirits of the forest.
Small appearance considerations for Shio.
Hello, friendly monsters.
The Light After the Darkness.
A smile and the Blue Sky.