Moon girl

[pixelmech]

For a book I wrote with my daughter. Been trying for a long time to come up with her and I think I am on the right track stylewise. She is supposed to be like 5-6 years old. Crits welcome.

[Bryan E.Warner]

Hey Tom
As Childrens books go I think your on the Money.So far my only published Story is a Childrens book Writen by Mildred Severin called " Mother Robin an the Promise " it was about a mother bird and her babys Mary an Larry
Keep it up!
Bryan

[pixelmech]

Thanks! Cool you got to do a children's book. I've been trying to figure this girl out for a year so it's good to at least be on the right track.

[Bryan E.Warner]

Your on the right trail all right... I'm thinking or get the feel of a Mr MaGoo type characters ( you remember ) Simple but "oh it gets your attention."
I want to see more..

[Super Rats]

The style is pleasant, but it looks more like an older sister to the character you're designing.

She's a little long for 5-6. Young children tend to be squat. True this figure is only 3.5 heads high, but covering her head, her limbs read long. Cover her body and the head definitely does not read that young, as that hairstyle isn't overtly child-like. It needs something more to tag it as a child's hairstyle.

[pixelmech]

Thanks a lot for the crits, it really helps. (Yes I sure do remember Magoo!).

Here's an update, I have been working on her. Super Rats, I see what you mean (I just now read your post). Would you say she is still too old looking? (My daughter said the same thing too). From where I am at now, is it just a matter of her being too longish or is there more? I see what you mean about length though. I think I just made her 4 heads high too...rats.

[pixelmech]

Ok, a quick redo here - made her shorter and stockier and yeah it looks better I think, but would love some more feedback. It seems if I move her eyes lower on the head it helps too. Hid her hands for a quick sketch :P

[Super Rats]

In the last one, she's definitely looking closer to her intended age. Bow or a cute hair clip would also help imply youth.

Something I would consider is getting rid of or including just a minimal indication of a neck. Traditionally, children aren't cartooned with long necks and usually have short or no necks, probably due to how it ages them. The other reason why you don't want a long neck on a child character is, proportionately they have huge heads and here with her large round head, it's moving to balloonhead territory. I'd also work on the torso proportions, generally, the head and the torso area should be the same size.

[Garf]

I used to do a lot of work for Dollar-Store colouring books, and I found that a quick and easy way of drawing kids is to draw them 3 heads high, and their heads the same width as their bodies.
Big eyes, round noses, and thick lines.

I took a few minutes to draw Moon Girl from my perspective, because I find it easier to show than to explain.

Hope it helps.

Actually...do you mind if I use this on my blog, giving you the credit?

[pixelmech]

Really helpful you guys, thanks a lot. I'll do another revision. The point about the neck is well-taken. Garf - please do use it, absolutely!