Thursday, June 30, 2011

Frollo Brooding II

Watercolour illustration from Hunchback of Notre Dame
I thought I'd try a closer view here. As a composition the previous post was more in line with my original idea. I had in mind a long shot with Frollo coming more towards us. Only his face and a few spots here and there were going to be illuminated. I also wanted him to be gliding smoothly through the shadows, but he looks more hurried here with his flapping cape.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Brooding Frollo - illustration

Claude Frollo once again. This was only meant to be a concept to work out composition etc, but I've already had several attempts at this one. Not sure yet if I will do one more version on good paper, or move on with the knowledge I gained from doing this one...

Thursday, June 16, 2011

scene from Hunchback

Watercolour illustration for Hunchback of Notre Dame
Extracted from Notre-Dame de Paris, Claude Frollo is interrogating Pierre Gringoire about his relationship with Esmeralda,


"Dom Claude had been listening in silence. Suddenly his deep-set eyes took on an expression so shrewd and penetrating that Gringoire felt them probe him to the very depths of his soul.."


This was only meant to be a preparatory study for a more finished illustration. You can still see my rough under-sketch in red if you look not so closely..

I wanted Frollo to look a bit scary - his lanky body protruding out from the shadows - while retaining some humour regarding his insecurity.

(Apologies for the watermarks, but it's either that or lower res images!)

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Claude Frollo II

Another character concept for Claude Frollo the archdeacon. I'm trying here to find the personality and degree of caricature that I feel is right.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Gypsie character concept

Quick watercolour sketch of Esmeralda from Hunchback of Notre Dame
At the moment I'm reading The Hunchback of Notre Dame or 'Notre-Dame de Paris' as it's called on my Penguin copy of the book. Here's a concept for Esmeralda the gypsie. It's a good read so far. The writing is beautiful and extremely vivid if you can get past the chapter on the history of Paris which is very, very dense with Middle Ages and architectural jargon.