A Varmint's World

With all my Bayou Arcana character sketches recently, I feel I've been neglecting that little town in vermont home to the Varmint.

Following correspondence with Don after my last post featuring the Varmint, he mentioned that the character designs were getting a little too complex for the art style he wanted to be referenced. So I've taken a step back from character designs and am trying to suss out the Varmint's world.

Then once I have the environment sorted hopefully it'll be a simple matter of adapting my previous designs to fit the setting!

The art style Don has asked me to base the illustrations on is American Folk Art, apparently very very popular over there, with artists such as Warren Kimble being the most popular!

Here is an example of what I was trying to achieve the look of -

As you can see from these pics, American Folk Art is pretty flat and two-dimensional, with little perspective. With my adaptations of the style for the Varmint stories I have tried to keep these aspects but train them for a modern setting that is timeless and more familiar for children to identify with.

So first up then is Emma's House... (Emma is the main character in the stories)

Can you spot the Varmint hiding??

This is Emma's town, or part of it at least... Can you spot which house is Emma's?

That little Varmint!!

Last week Don came over to discuss the few drawings I'd previously done of the Varmint character. He also dropped round a book and some photos, along with a cuddly toy that he'd picked up several years ago that reminded him of what the Varmint might look like!

Here's the beast varminting around while I try and re-define my character sketches.

I incorporated Don's suggestion for the Varmint's colouring to be more red, white and dusky blue, he is after all an American animal!

I also tried to make him look a little less like a Red Panda and more a new animal entirely that has a blend of Panda, Raccoon and Tabby cat.

The Varmint is the cause for various little every day annoyances, like a sock that has gone missing...

And he is always there, just out of sight. Especially when there is food to be had!

The Varmint from Vermont

I've been at the new flat for over a month now and have gotten to know my Landlords pretty well, their a lovely old couple who have been very kind and helpful towards my boyfriend and I, what with this flat being our first n'all.

I graduated on Nov 16th,and they were very keen to hear about my course when I told them I'd studied Illustration.

It just so happens that Don (the husband), is in the book business and has written a series of 6 children's books and needed an illustrator! Of course I offered my talents at once!

So here are the first few designs for a character that is known as the Varmint!