Saturday, July 10, 2010

Meet Camille Lyon...

This is still in its early stages – but I thought I'd share a small project I've been working on for David Colman's character design class. Below are some rough explorations of three main characters for a story I've been thinking about, tentatively titled Camille Lyon.  Here goes:

It's basically about a little French chameleon named Camille, who wants to be just like everyone else & blend in with her peers.  In having this mentality, she usually makes a habit out of trying to please others and conforming to popular standards.  Camille is sweet, eager, and earnest – but she is also deeply insecure, shy, and unsure of herself.  She'll even do things that she honestly doesn't like to do, just for the sake of fitting in & feeling accepted.  Since Camille is so preoccupied with mimicking others, she forgets all too often to reach deep within and discover her unique, special self.  As she learns to focus more on herself, she'll eventually come to realize that it's okay to be a bit different, break out of her comfort zone, and stand out from the crowd.



Camille's best friend is a little old lady named Nette, who owns a neighborhood cafe.  Having seen and gone through her share of life experiences, Nette is a constant source of guidance, support, and wisdom for Camille.  She embraces her individuality & relishes every moment of life, while encouraging Camille to do the same.  Nette can be known to be very blunt & honest as she "tells it like it is"...but she does this with Camille's best interest in mind, of course...



Art is a cuckoo bird who wants to become a renowned artist.  Always to be found with a brush or pencil nearby, Art is passionate about art. Sometimes in more ways than one.  You see, Art really does love Art...almost too much.  As talented as he is, Art can be rather conceited and overly into himself – often believing that he is more special and unique than everyone else.  He purposely rejects the idea of conforming, and prides himself in being different and doing things his way.  This makes Art an unlikely love interest for Camille, who is dazzled and awakened by Art's one-of-a-kind, capricious nature.  But Art does have the capacity and the conscience to better himself – especially when he eventually learns that it's okay to follow some rules, value others, and be responsible...all the while being yourself.
(For early explorations of Art, I wasn't sure if he should be a cat or a bird...needless to say, I went with the latter.)



Wow, long post! :P  Still working out the kinks...but I suppose it's a start.  Okay, back to some other work tonight...thanks for visiting.

12 comments:

shadi said...

viv this is all fantastic! great designs!

Shiho Nakaza said...

Great stuff! And this is done on the Cintiq, I presume? Now I want one :D

Viv said...

– Hey Shadi! Aww, thanks! Hope all is going well & hope to see you soon :)

– Thanks, Shiho! Yep, the Cintiq is working pretty well so far...I'm getting more used to it :)

Karin said...

Love Camille!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Great characters designs :)

I love Camille, she reminds me of someone who is very dear to me...

Nette is cute, I love her too!

And, Art..... I am not sure... Will see!!!

Your BIG fan

Megan Nicole Dong said...

Very cool, Vivian! Great work :)

Francesca said...

Brilliant! Really interesting characters, amazing drawings... Looking forward to know more about your project!

Viv said...

– Thanks so much, Karin!!!

– Thanks, Anonymous! :) I do want to create a good dynamic for the characters – but lest I sound too naive, I'm aware that art doesn't always imitate life & vice versa! I say that because I know you care ;)

– Thanks, Megan! I absolutely love your work. Hope to see you later this week in SD!

– Hi Ruby, nice to meet you & thanks for your kind comment! Best wishes :)

Rachel Long said...

Wow these are awesome, Vivian! :D

Viv said...

Thanks, Rachel! Your work is awesome too! See ya soon :)

Unknown said...

Wow, Vivian, such well thought out characters and yes, Camille seems to be a fictional self-portrait? Would love to see this become a finished product. So fun. Way to go girl!

Viv said...

Thanks so much, Mel! Too sweet! :) Yeah, I hope to do a bit more with this...thanks for the encouragement! See ya soon!