Character Design Artist Research

 Maxim Sergeev 

Maxim Sergeev is a Russian self-taught illustrator from Arzamas that has worked with big clients such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Finn Flare, Versace and Ekonika. Inspired by other illustrators e.g. Rene Gruau, he developed his own personal style by using mixed media. He mostly draws with watercolours, pencils, and gouache and adds some details by digital software. He loves sharp lines and contrasting colours, which is the direction that I'm taking with my drawings currently.

In his spare time, he delivers online courses and training specifically for fashion illustration. Maxim may be less known to the world by the lack of media information and doesn't have interviews, however, he is truly successful and independent with his career. 

I love his use of mixed media, and he's clearly not shying away by exploring all of his media options. His use of contrasting, vivid, colours look amazing behind a subtle background. It's very striking which is important for publishing and getting the audience's view. In this piece, he uses fine lines in different colour variations and a sketchy feel to the way he applied colour as they are mostly done by bold marks. Overall, he is a great inspiration to future aspiring artists.

acid-gallery. 2020. Max SERGEEV. [online] Available at: <https://www.acid-gallery.com/collections/max-sergeev#:~:text=Maxim%20Sergeevis%20a%20fashion%20illustrator%20living%20in%20Moscow.,he%20gradually%20began%20to%20develop%20his%20own%20style.> [Accessed 24 November 2020].

Behance.net. 2020. Behance. [online] Available at: <https://www.behance.net/tygodym> [Accessed 24 November 2020].

PeoplePerHour, M., 2020. Hire Maxim S. On Peopleperhour. [online] PeoplePerHour.com. Available at: <https://www.peopleperhour.com/freelancer/design/maxim-sergeev-fashion-illustrator-xqnxaqv> [Accessed 24 November 2020].

Glen Hanson

Born in Toronto, Glen Hanson is a Canadian caricaturist and cartoonist who works primarily in illustration and animation. He has worked with British Vogue, The Wall St. Journal, D.C Comics etc. But I know him from one of my favourite childhood cartoons, "Monster High" (by Matell), where he designed the characters, brand packaging, and the animated spin-off.

"Unless it’s a hand rendered, shaded pencil drawing or marker rendering I do for fun." - Glen H. Hanson's work is done by pencil and ink by hand, scan in and colouring with Photoshop, and delivered as digital jpg's/layered PSD files.  He studied animation in the Sheridan College Institute Of Technology and Advanced Learning where he developed the skills to create amazing, notable work such as the "Chelsea Boys" 1998-2008 strip in the New York NEXT magazine.

I have always loved the proportions of the MONSTER HIGH animation. The character design was so eye-catching with the slim figures to make the girls look more creepy. It was great to see these quirky personalities on t.v other than the perfect Barbie looking cartoons. I also love how they all have their own personal colour palette, this helps the audience connect to a specific character that suits their liking, whether its style, personality or colour wise. 

Hanson is a truly creative illustrator that can bring any idea to life with quality.

*His other works

MNaitoDesigns - Keeping it real, one drawing at a time. 2020. Interview With Glen Hanson - Mnaitodesigns - Keeping It Real, One Drawing At A Time.. [online] Available at: <http://mnaitodesigns.com/glen-hanson/> [Accessed 24 November 2020].

Hanson, G., 2020. Glen Hanson. [online] Glen Hanson. Available at: <http://www.glenhanson.com/about.php> [Accessed 24 November 2020].

David Silverman (Animator) 

 

David Silverman is an American animator best known for directing many of the Simpsons episodes and The Simpsons Movie. Born in New York, US, he studied in the University of California, LA, and the University of Maryland , College Park. He also attended UCLA and majored in animation. 

I took interest in Silverman for the way the Simpson characters are animated, each having their own bizarre behaviour and it's executed in a funny manner. "On the surface, they have very few lines...but their expressions require an underneath construction. When they turn in space, we have to find ways to convey their shape in 3-D. It does get complex". - David S. I believe that teamwork is the only way to have a great animator, as David consults with other directors on the show in deciding how to frame shots and draw characters. If I could take one thing away from animation, is that it's a true team effort and no one can do it alone, which applies to many aspects of art and learning. 

As for the character style, they all look like caricatures with a pastel colour palette to attract adult and young audiences, so that everyone can enjoy the show, and that's what makes The Simpsons so successful,

Beilinski, C., 1998. The Simpsons Archives. [online] https://www.simpsonsarchive.com/other/interviews/silverman98.html. Available at: <https://www.simpsonsarchive.com/other/interviews/silverman98.html> [Accessed 24 November 2020].

Moviepedia. 2020. David Silverman (Animator). [online] Available at: <https://movies.fandom.com/wiki/David_Silverman_(animator)> [Accessed 24 November 2020].