the job - research

before diving in head first into this project I felt that I should make some research. I already know a lot about star wars and the franchise so I have a head start when it comes to that side of things but I feel that researching the background of the visual elements to the saga. the main concept artists for the original 3 was Ralf McQueary and the concept artists from the later film 'the force awakens' was influenced by his work they got to see his work in person and get to work from it. so I felt I should have that advantage also...so my first steps was to research rules work, get influenced by his creations and designs. I have a collection of things star wars and I turned to my book, illustration and concepts. looking through these or guidance for creating characters and influenced to creating the creatures.


the brief states this has to be star wars its as if this is part of the saga. so its super important it feels star wars. researching the concepts and the development of the characters and creatures should influence my concept also and if I'm good enough my work will have that star wars voice.


I spent a long time looking through photos on google through my books, through books at the library so instead of listing them all I made a semi short issue of all the images that i consider to be the images i found that will influence my practice, also the notes that i took when bookmarking them.

and of course, I watched the saga again...

joking aside, watching the films again and being taken to the world of star wars was inspirational, being that lets my imagination go wild and images pop into my head that then vomit onto the pages of my sketchbook. 

the research has shown me that I need to keep the characters playful and somewhat tongue and cheek I have to remember this is a kids film, I don't want to push it too far and end up with a scene from alien...but at the same time I don't want to come out with a character too much for kids. I need to get the feeling that I got when I was 8 watching it. 'oooh he looks cool' i don't like him, he creepy' 'ha ha dad he's ugly' nothing too scary or characters into darkness

also, I have to remind myself that in the star wars scenes there's a good balance between creatures and humanoids, a good balance between characters that are actors and some that are costume and puppets. I have to get the right balance also.

good composition and good lighting to explain the mood the area and the atmosphere.



image above is dark and damp, leaves you feeling that its closed in, underground or back ally pub, the kind you wouldnt want to go in, unless your wanting to sell next doors blue rey dvd player.