Character Designs & Illustrations for A+E Networks
Tools: Charcoal on paper, Adobe Photoshop
I delivered services to A+E networks and created multiple illustrations for key historic figures related to a “Biography” series. I worked with Creative Director and Associate Art Director to develop character designs and make illustrations for A+E networks featured on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Apple TV, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
The Virgin Mary
Character Brief from Creative Director:
MARY OF NAZARETH:
As you already noted, Mary has been portrayed in a number of ways. We would like to represent her as an ethnicity that feels more true to where she was from. We had our research team pull some info together for us on these titles, and here’s what they sent us for Mary: Mary may have closely remembered members of the modern population of Iraqi Jews. She was probably 15 or 16 years older than Jesus, so would have been 45-48 at the time of his ministry. She would have worn a longer outer garment than the men did, cinched with a belt.
She could be drawn more head on, but the angle could also be from a POV that is slightly above her w her head bowed and hands raised in prayer.
Drawing does not need to be full body- can be drawn from waist or mid torso up.
Character design deliverable "The Virgin Mary"
Graphite and pencil on paper
30" x 22"
Initial Rejected Sketch.
Notes from creative director:
We want her to look more feminine and confident because it's her before the crucifixion. We would like her gazing up and out confidently
Character design deliverable 2 "The Virgin Mary"
Graphite and pencil on paper
30" x 22"
Approved
Character design deliverable "The Virgin Mary"
Graphite and pencil on paper
30" x 22"
Final
Finished graphic of The Virgin Mary used on streaming platforms.
Samson & Delilah
Character Brief from Creative Director:
SAMSON & DELILAH:
Notes from research: Samson was a Hebrew Nazirite — had taken a vow to not cut his hair or beard. He was physically strong — capable of heroic feats in battle and displays of strength. Both he and Delilah would likely have had a general middle eastern look about him, similar to today's Palestinians or Iraqi Jews. Samson would have probably worn a tunic and might have had his hair arranged in seven braids (or seven locks).
Moment shown between them could be something like the attached reference- the idea of a couple gazing at one another- Delilah could even be reaching for/handling some of his hair. Another option for this title would be focus in on the act of cutting his hair- so a tighter crop of her hand with the knife (am thinking it would be a knife, as I’m not sure they would have had scissors at this time.) Just some ideas for how to present this story.
My initial sketch
Pencil on paper, I added the black digitally.
I kept Samson shirtless to underscore his strength. Again the clothing is very simple as not to detract from the psychology and interaction of the figures. I chose to portray him in a classical heroic pose; his strength and greatness romanticized. He is totally unaware that Delilah, behind him playing with his hair like a lover would, has hatched a plan behind his back. I wanted her to be seductive, slightly devious and looking directly at the viewer as if to say he might be big and strong but I’m the one with the power.
Approved.
Character design deliverable "Samson & Delilah" final
Graphite and pencil on paper
30" x 22"
Finished graphic of Samson & Delilah used on streaming platforms.
Solomon & Sheba
Character Brief from Creative Director:
SOLOMON & SHEBA:
Here are the notes from our research team: Solomon would be dressed as a wealthy Hebrew ruler (and would have a middle eastern / Iraqi Jewish physical appearance, most likely). The Queen of Sheba likely came from Saba, in present-day southern Yemen/southern Arabia.
A lot of the paintings that cover this subject are very Euro-centric, and often show Sheeba bowing her head to Solomon. We would like to present them as equals, as they were both strong rulers in their own right. Moment depicted could be the moment of meeting, or hands clasped as a couple would do, because they do become romantically linked for at least a portion of their stories.
Drawing does not need to be full body- can be drawn from waist or mid torso up.
My initial sketch
Pencil on paper, I added the black digitally.
I did some extra research to figure out their costumes.
I discovered that Ethiopia claims Sheba as their known as Queen Makeda and the Persians and Arabs claim her as being from Southern Arabia. Scholars don't agree but some pointed out that the ancient Himyarites of Southern Arabia had many Jews that migrated to and settled in Ethiopia and their modern descendants are the Northern Ethiopian Amhara people who also speak a semitic language. I plan to make her look as if she could be from either place.
As for her clothing, apparently Southern Arabia/Yemen was the center of silver mining in the ancient world so she would have been wearing a lot of silver. I also based it on the cultural dress Jewish women in Yemen still wear, especially their wedding dresses, based on their ancient Jewish ancestors: a ton of silver jewelry.
For him, I did research on what he or ancient kings would have worn. A lot of silver as well.
Approved.
Character design deliverable "Samson & Delilah" final
Graphite and pencil on paper
30" x 22"
Finished graphic of Samson & Delilah used on streaming platforms.
Mary of Magdalene
Character Brief from Creative Director:
MARY OF MAGDALENE
...we would like for you to do Mary Magdalene....the main focus can be mid-torso up, but you can provide more of the person as well. The thing to keep in mind though is that we do not want to portray her as a prostitute or “wonton woman”; this was propaganda by the early church in an attempt to disempower women and we don’t want to feed into that. Modern interpretation thinks that she was actually one of his earliest and most loyal disciples. Below is a description of the program:
For nearly 2,000 years, she was believed to be a prostitute who repented and became a disciple of Jesus. But we reveal the truth about Mary that is finally emerging. In interviews, scholars tell us that she was almost certainly not a prostitute, but a wealthy woman whose support helped early Christianity to survive.
My initial sketch
Pencil and charcoal on paper.
Notes from creative director:
Love the confidence in her face and the details in her clothing,
concerned she feels a little too similar to Mary of Nazareth pose-wise.
Please adjust her body and head scarf. We don’t want her face to look apprehensive ; keep her feeling calm and confident, just thinking it could be good to adjust her shoulder position, and bring part of her head scarf around her neck.
Character design deliverable "Samson & Delilah" final
Graphite and pencil on paper
30" x 22"
