On Simple Character Design

Today I was working on a study of a horse from a Disney model sheet and it dawned on me that most of the form/volume that was achieved in the picture wasn't with details wrapping around the surface. But rather by implying it through the outline.

what the artist did

what I did

Here is a good model sheet done by Dave Hilberman.

He creates the form through curved overlapping shapes and rich linework.

This way the fundamental shapes retain most of their essence and you're able to think about humor in the structure. As an Illustrator I have a tendency to wrap lines around the surface and draw in little details to create dimension

we don't want to scare the kids into laughing

but I think one of the necessities in creating funny character designs is through simplicity and a contrast of shapes.

keep it simple but keep em laughin'

I'll try to work something up in this category and see what happens. I plan to continue the work with the horse but I might decide to animate a walk sequence of something a little easier first.

(It's worth mentioning that Hilberman was one of the leaders of the strike against Disney and was later hated by Walt. He formed his own animation studio that would later become UPA. He was one of the leading animators of the " Hell Bent for Election to support Roosevelt in 1944" all the more reason why his drawings are so awesome. Article on Hilberman and more of his layouts)

Also this is a funny walk sequence by Art Babbit when he worked with UPA
It does exactly what you mentioned about variations of walk sequences, Brent.

alright have fun

-Chance