Some Character Designs

I've been experimenting a lot with character design and realized I haven't really been updating my website with drawings I've been doing. I am going to try to change that.
Here are some I did earlier this year that kind of have a consistent theme going on!

Christmas Card 2015

A small update sharing this years postcard I sent I out to my family and friends! :P

Inktober 2014

Sorry for the lack of updates! I promise I've been working on things!!!

If you want to stay in constant connection with me, follow me on Tumblr, Instragram or Twitter!

@StopRobSassi

Here is some of my favs from #inktober this year!

Artrage and stuff!

So it's been awhile since I've posted here!

Sorry about that... but I've been mainly using my Tumblr (StopSassi), as of lately.

I've been even thinking I might just use that as my main website... not sure...

Anyways... I've been pretty busy these past few months between working, and life stuff... but I have been still making progress on #TheWhiskeyChildFilm and other art stuff.

I've been really lovin' Art Rage lately.

Here is a one hour study I did!

This was a piece I contributed to the Muppet Collab (which was started by Zwoltopia)...

The Cosmic Fish (Duo)!

I also wanted to include this ink drawing I did for a tattoo commission for my co-worker's fiancé!

Nothing too special...

I think I might be moving out to California in the next few months... More on that later...

Character Designs (Outlaw)

Just doing a little character design with watercolor.

Here are some more concept pieces for my "Outlaw world."

My "Sand Slug" concept.
You might remember him from this older piece I did.

Then there is another main character I have been developing...

I've been leaning towards having the story told from his perspective instead of the Outlaw.

There are a lot of ideas stirring around for this project... I am taking it one day at a time, but I am feeling good about it!

More Outlaw Art

 I was trying to sketch in marker more. Watercolor/Marker.

This is another concept piece for my outlaw project. Considering the main character is an outlaw, he faces challenges against ordinary townspeople as well, This shot is suppose to be a part of a sequence where they are trying to jump the outlaw at the bar, while he is enjoying a drink.

I did something different with this process so far as well… I actually started it out digitally, but my computer kept overheating… so I actually printed out the line art with a pretty low opacity, and inked it traditionally (the characters at least…). I then scanned it back into the computer, and finished it back in Photoshop…

His Trusty Steed

If you’re an animator, you probably already understand this concept… the silhouette test. I’ll admit the silhouettes are a little rough, but the idea is to be able to tell the relations between characters through design.

This is my current design for the trusty steed, of my Outlaw character.

Announcing a New Animation Project

Hey guys! I was messing around with some action poses, and did a little model sheet of my Outlaw.

I’ve been trying to develop a new animation project to work on, and I've tossed around a lot of ideas. I messed with this guy for a bit and I don’t want to release too much information yet, but my plan is to do my next animated short with this character.

I’m going to do this step by step, and just focus on concept art and storyboarding for now… also, I am starting to tag all my work for this project as “Sassi Outlaw”, so feel free to browse some of the work so far.

I’m really excited for this idea, but like I said, I don’t want to jump the gun (hehe)… so stay tuned! I’m sure there’ll be more visual development art sooner than later.

And below is an unfinished ink and pen drawing I'm working on.

Byrd VS Worm (A Stop motion short by Rob Sassi)

 Everyone starts somewhere, and my somewhere was a walking skeleton named Byrd.

I initially made this character as a joke in MSPaint, while sitting in computer animation class, waiting for the rest of the class to catch up.
My neighbor thought it was hilarious, and at the time I was looking for a character to work with for my animation 2's walk cycle... and if you know me, I enjoy taking advantage on an open assignment.

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT, THE DEAD NAIVE WALKING BYRD WAS CREATED...

But he wasn't perfect.

This was my first turn around I did with my initial design, but I needed to add more appeal.

 Of course, I was pursuing a more stop motion approach at the time so I pushed the sculptural feel of Byrd... and this is what I came to before I started to build him. Somehow, everything I do turns out cute... oh well...

I wasn't as keen to documenting my process as much as I am now, so I am sorry to inform that I don't have much to show of the armature I used for Byrd, etc...

Also, this was my first "real" short that I invested time into, and I literally had no storyboards! I pretty much just had the general idea, and went with it... There were a lot of little things I added on the spot... But I really enjoyed how this turned out under the pressure... but wouldn't recommend it.

I was still pretty new to animating with a puppet, so experiencing first hand what I could get away with and such, was a very exciting time!

I made a simple story, a character with a goal, and it was reasonable for one person to handle. I honestly never thought Byrd would become such a big deal (or develop as much as he is at this point in my head!), but apparently people are still talking about him at Edinboro, even now that I am gone.
I did end up producing a sequel named Byrd vs Gravity, but I shall do a seperate post talking about that project.

Thanks for the read, and below is the link to my animated short, Byrd VS Worm!
(Filmed Fall 2010 @ Edinboro University)

PS. I composed the music in this!

Outlaw'd

Some outlaw design I am messing with. I may or may not make this into a puppet, maybe a maquette…