Concept Art

I received a link to concept artwork for the model I am working with.  This is helpful, since it gives me a little bit of idea of how the character is supposed to move and deform.  Based on this sketches, it seems that sharp angles are important to the design of the character.  For example, the bend at the knees and at the elbows remains pointed, so its important to try and preserve that.  Also noted is the way the pants slide up the leg, revealing the body underneath and the way the stomach bulges in the sitting position.  There are also folds created in the crotch of the pants as they stretch to compensate for the leg being raised and bent.  Another deformation to consider is the back of the head where the skull connects to the neck.  When the head rotates back, there is a slight bulge and crease as the neck compresses.

The Promoter

Here is the model that I will be working with for the collaboration.  The biggest challenge with this character will be building a system to manipulate his considerable weight and assist with the deformations of his neck.  With characters that have large jowls, the geometry tends to collapse in on itself when the neck rotates, so a system to support and create a bulge will be necessary.  The same system will be applied to the gut for the same reasons.  Also, there is the issue of the pant legs: because the legs a far skinnier than the bottom of the pants, something will need to be put in place so that the pants will move and deform according to the shape of the leg and when it makes contact with the cloth.