Chapter 1 - Chapitre 1: Introduction Chapitre 1 : ELABORATION des PERSONNAGES: It can be an exciting experience to create and develop an original cartoon character. Constructing and developing a character is not merely a matter of drawing the figure, each character also has its own shane, personality, features, and mannerisms. The animator has to take these qualities into consideration to make the characters Seem lifelike and believable. For example, there are various personality types such as "goofy, "cute," and "screwball", Think about the type of character you wish to design, then use the diagrams and guides, hown in this chapter to begin your drawing. When creating a character, you should begin by drawing rough laa" clatrhac ‘Thece will give yews dirartinn far tha type and nature af Hae character yrs wich tr create Develop the basic shape of the figure, then add the features and other details This procedure should be followed whether the character you are developing is a human, an animal, or an inanimate object you wish to bring to life (for exemple, drawing a face on a computer and making it dance). After you have developed the character and the proportions arc to your liking, develop the movement expressions of the body. head. and hands. Hands can tell a complete story with just a simple pose. Study and practice drawing the hands shown on page 28, then create same hand positions of your own. Also, the line of action” section Is a big help in creating attitudes in posture and movement. This chapter is the starting point to {a world of exciting cartoon animationChapter 1 - Page 10 CARTOON CONSTRUCTION PROPUKIIUN 1S UNE Ur THE MUST IMPUKIAN I FALIUKS IU LUNDIDEK WHEN LUND! KUCIING A CAKIUUN CHARACTER, THE ANIMATOR MUST KEEP IN MIND THE RELATIVE SIZES OF THE BODY PARTS, BECAUSE SPECIFIC PROPORTIONS ARE USED TO CREATE CHARACTER TYPES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE HEAVY, PUGNACIOUS. CHARACTER HAS A SMALL HEAD, LARGE CHEST OR SODY AREA, HEAVY ARMS AND LEGS, AND THE JAW AND CHIN NORMALLY PROTRUDE, THE CUTE CHARACTER IS BASED ON THE PROPORTIONS OF A BABY WITH A LARGE HEAD IN PROPORTION TO THE OVAL BODY, AHIGH FOREHEAD, AND A SMALL MOUTH/EYE/CHIN AREA, "SCREWBALL" TYPES HAVE EXAGGERATED PARTS AND FEATURES (DETAILED INFORMATION ON CHARACTER ‘TYPES BEGINS ON PAGE 32). CARTOON STUDIOS OFTEN USE HEAD SIZE TO MEASURE THE HEIGHT OF A CHARACTER - FOR INSTANCE, A CUTE BEAR MAY BE THREE HEADS HIGH, AND A PUGNACIOUS BEAR MIGHT BE FIVE OR SIX HEADS HIGH. THIS INFORMATION HELPS THE ANIMATOR TO KEEP THE PROPORTIONS AND HEIGHT OF A CHARACTER CONSITENT. STUDY THE CHARACTERS ON THIS PAGE, AND MEASURE EACH ONE IN "HEADS." WHEN ANIMATING, YOU" LL ALSO FIND IT HELPFUL TO MAKE A REFERENCE DRAWING OF THE CHARACTER ON ‘A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER. THIS WAY, THE ANIMATOR CAN REFER TO THE PROPORTION GUIDELINES WHEN DRAWING THE CHARACTER IN DIFFERENT POSES AND ACTIONS.