WIA Puppet Making - Mentorship Circle Blog!
hi there! This page is dedicated to my current personal project within my WIA mentorship circle; a short animation about a sea slug alien musician. Throughout this page, I will document the whole process from start to finish.
Section 1: R & D (Research and Development)
Moodboards -
Concepts explored:
- Retrofuturism, 60's fashion, Jackie Kennedy
- Blues and yellows
- Ocean, sea slugs
- Glittery fabrics, twee, beaded pieces
- Glow!
Blog note 11-04-2024:
Looked a lot at the fashions of Pierre Cardin throughout the 1960s and '70s, as featured here. It has really helped develop where I want to go fashion and color-wise for Angel. I want her to feel alien but also very distinctly mod. I want to marry my love of a UPA style, 60's mod clothing, and a good theme!
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search?q=pierre+cardin&page=1
I have also found myself very inspired by Kid Koala's "music to draw to - satellite" album. I recently saw his show - The Storyville Mosquito, live! IT CHANGED MY LIFE and was so amazing. The show has such a lean into not hiding the hand of the artist, which I want to embrace in the puppet of Angel. I hope to also bring this aesthetic into any sets or props that are designed and created alongside her. The show also helped develop her character! She now plays the xylophone, or some alien version of it, haha.
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A big important part of Angel's design is her big bell-shaped coat which leads to a more doll-like movement, which will be not as flexible. This is intentional! I want her to have very distinct movements that are more poppy and less distinct.
I might add a hat or beret to her design in the future to balance out her details, not sure!
Anyway, signing off! Just a quick thought.
Concept Art and Visual Development
Final Designs and Storyboard Draft 1
Blog note 12-03-2024:
One month later, and not too much progress, but we're getting somewhere! Currently, I have all the limbs created with their k + s epoxied in. I recently bought a block of wood for her head to start carving and may just need to get my carving knife sharpened. As for her body, I'm not sure since it's so bulky. Mari mentioned. Maybe it's worth doing a smaller wood piece and then bulking it up even more. I'm not sure, but I definitely need to problem-solve!
