Kevin BergquistSurreal Character

Process Work

Part One:Gorster

Part One:Gorster

Research

(left)In creating this evil dwarf-like creature the first step is research. The first place I went to find out more about this character was inside my own head. This page of my sketchbook was devoted to jotting down spur of the moment ideas and random thoughts that would eventually be-come the pieces of the final character. The name Gor-ster was actually added later after the final illustra-tion was complete, (it was my aunt Mary’s idea.)

(right)These are references for the character that in-spired different parts of the illustration such as the lightheartedness of the Lorax, the hair from Danny Devito, and the gross eyes from Ren and Stimpy.

Thumbnails

Next comes the thumbnail stage. Here we see several versions of little Gorster. The bean shaped body was a major Ren and Stimpy reference. Some of the sketches turned out looking far too much like Mr. Burns from the Simp-sons while others looked to closely like characters from a Tim Burton animation. In the end the nose was removed from the face and simply geometric shapes were used to illustrate his form and function.

Roughs

In these sketches the shapes and features of our little friend are really taking shape. Here I had to decide exactly what infor-mation to illustrate. Since this was eventually going to be just one illustration it was important to show several clues as to who this creature was and where he lived. The background shows the desolation that is his native land, destroyed years and years ago by a volcanic eruption. The face and gesture of the char-acter needed to show just how insane the little dwarf had become after living in relative isolation for so long.

Tight Rough/Comps

(left)This was the most exciting part of the project. With the initial shapes blocked in I was now ready to plan various details and create the final linework needed for the illustration. One of my favorite methods of inking linework is to use no ink at all and let the pencil do the job itself. This idea is inspired by my favorite illustrator/printmaker Jay Ryan who has been known to leave various process details such as construction lines of basic shapes in his final illustrations. When scanned in the pencil lines leave little marks and imperfections that just can’t be faked digitally.

(right)On this page you can see the final linework as well as various color choices.

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Part Two:Dave

Research

{left{Now the time has come to create Dave, Gorster’s sidekick and eating com-panion. The basic idea behind Dave is that he lives deep in a cave and eats weary travelers. Gorster lures in the travelers and the more powerful but less mobile Dave dismantles them when they are within his reach.

)right)On this page you can see some of the influences for Dave himself as well as references for his living habitiat. In the end Dave had a very loveable qual-ity to him, just like Chunk from the Goonies as well as the Muppets. His body shape was largely based on Snorlax from Pokemon, another creature with very little mobility.

Thumbnails

These initial thumbnails show the body shape of Dave seen from various angles.

{left}Simple circles were used to make up the body and give him his fat and hard-to-move shape.

(right)Here we have several sketches along with pos-sible attributes written on the side and not to mention the helpful practice of writ-ing what I believe to be a very British description of the old chap. I find that the most fruitful concepts are developed while employ-ing a British accent.

Roughs

This is Dave in the rough stage. As the process went further along Dave seemed to get worse and worse, only I didn’t realize this until after I had done what I thought would be his final linework. After this slight misstep I redirected ol Dave to be made of much more solid shapes. You can see these on the next pages in linework and then in color. Until then enjoy these various “how the heck didn’t I notice he’s a big blubbery blob” phases of my process. It’s fun to make mistakes.

Tight Rough

Dave is a hungry dude. Sometimes Dave has to sit for days in his cave wait-ing for Gorster to arrive with more travelers. During this time Dave gets increas-inbly upset, only there’s nothing much he can do about it since he’s about as mobile as Gilbert Grape’s mom (depressing refer-ence I know, hopefully you haven’t heard of this movie and therefore won’t have to feel sad about it.) Any-way, here’s Dave doing his thing. Raawwwrrrrrr.