Character Development & Concept Art
The task was to select a limerick from Edward Lear's Nonsense Omnibus, then develop and flesh out concepts and assemble them into a portfolio of work.
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completed at QUT in 2021
"There was an Old Person of Mold, Who shrank from sensations of cold; So he purchased some muffs, Some furs and some fluffs, and wrapped himself from the cold." - Edward Lear
The context of this limerick is Welsh town called Mold, as a result I chose to use Welsh folklore and stories as inspiration. I interpreted the limerick as an old man (Brynmore) who is cursed by a witch (Gwyllion) to shink because of his cold heart. The developed character designs illustrate Brynmore the young and confident man, his transformation into Bryn the old man and the witch who places the curse on him. Thourgh my interpretation the limerick depicts a glimpse into the trials and tribulations of old age and pushes Brynmore to experience the classic plot device; rebirth.
Brynmore
Born into wealth, this silver spoon character has never had to raise a finger all his life. People pay him to be his friend. He never has to worry or do anything for anyone including himself. When Gwyllion comes knocking his whole world will shift.
Brynmores' character design is a reflection of his personality type - the silver spoon. A bowl oval-shaped head that sits on a narrow frame of a body.
Bryn
Upon receiving the curse Byrnmore becomes Bryn; an old weathered man who finds suffering from aging side-effects rapidly. He finds it hard to stay warm, he has to live from the land and is now completely alone.
Bryns Character design is based on a toad, harking back to the classic curse from a witch being turned into a toad. Brynmore has gone from a tall slender Lord to a short stout old man. He has the head shape of a toad, oval elongated at the sides and big ears. He has lost most of his hair and now has nothing to hide behind. He retains some small elements to link back to Brynmore such as; his boots and his eyes. Bryns colour palette was chosen to depict his eventual forced reconnection with nature, he consists of earth tones, varying greens and deep muddy browns.
Gwyllion
Gwyllion are mountain fae witch from Welsh folklore. I chose to give this character the same name as the folklore creatures. They appear to Brynmore and ask for shelter by the fire upon refusal they become more ‘other worldly’ and exaggerated. They leave after cursing Brynmore to be as cold as his heart.
Gwyllions character design is based on a combination of traditional welsh clothing for women and the scary depictions of the Gwyllion in folklore. When you glance in their direction you could mistake them for just an elderly hunched over woman but once they get too close all is revealed about the otherworldly entity they truly are. Their colour palette is filled with brown and red tones, that seem to draw you in against the natural landscape and act as an Aposematism colour (found in nature a colour that is advertised by a creature to potential predators that is not worth attacking or eating).
