Character designs: Bear Cub

Native Americans

Some say that they where  created from earth, water and the stars however DNA says they originate from Siberia to what is now Alaska, Canada and US. They appear in many western films and are mostly portrayed as the antagonists however this is not true they are in fact the innocent, they where invaded, their land was invaded.

They where often called the red skins as they used ochre to decorate their bodies and face usually for spiritual and combat reasons, later on they received a proper name the Amerindians. They lived in communities called tribes where they all worked together and looked after the land. They where very good at hunting and using natural resources. The Indian man was the hunter and warrior, while the women took care of the children, harvesting food and maintaining the tents.

The Indian tribes were in constant war with each other, except from when peace and alliances where being made. All young men were eager to start the path as a warrior. The weapons they uses were a bow with arrows, a stone or bone knife, the tomahawk plus a mace provided with a stone ball, a club resembling a sword and a shield made from wood or bark.

Before war or any other important event they would chant and dance around as they where very spiritual and believe in the mother land and before battle certain requirements must be met to show respect for the land. The tomahawk wielded was a sign of aggression and battle however a buried tomahawk was a sign of peace and the pip would be brought out.

The religion of the red skins varied as some thought the sun was the supreme god, others worshiped the goddess of death, Manitu an immaterial god, dreams as they where considered revelations made by the gods. In the Indian community there where usually a shamen who claimed to have supernatural dreams and visions which where activated through dance and chanting. When the shamen fell tired due to the excitement and hallucinogen substances the Indian believe that a spirit from the gods had entered them.

"Some Real Facts about Native Americans

By Stefan Anitei: Link"

Clothing, items and weapons

Originally there were many different traditional clothing styles in North America. Nearly every Native American had its own distinctive style of dress, and the people could often tell each other's tribal identities by looking at their clothes, headdresses and ornamentation.

Weapons

Studies

These are the first concepts for one of the characters in the story. She is is guided and influenced by a mighty horned bear so i wanted to have signs of inspiration on her visuals. I want her to be based on a bear cub so she will be clumsy, short, chubby and a wanderer. I plan to progress this character through many stages as i want the final outcome to be at a high quality I will be studying human anatomy and looking how the facial structure of a child differs from an adult.

This is also another page in my art book as I have decided to add some progress sketches into the book as I feel that it will make the book far more personal.