Students will gather reference images of animals that coincide with the creature description given by the client. This will teach them the importance of gathering and using reference and show them the importance of observing the real world.

Using rough, quick gesture sketches and basic shapes, students will begin exploring creature shapes. This stage is meant to be quick and dirty and will help you loosen up and mitigate the stubborn need for immediate details.

Students will learn how to narrow down their selections and will begin fleshing out their creatures using the references gathered and their imaginations. Since anatomy is vital in making the creatures believable, they will study the skeletal and muscle structure of the referenced animals they chose. The students then will begin to sketch the skeletons and muscles of their creatures.

Students will make head and face studies while putting emphasis on the eyes of the creatures, since the eyes tell a lot about the creature’s attitude. They will make a detailed sketch of the creatures’ skulls in the process using the animal reference images to make it believable.

Students will begin sketching their creatures in action poses while giving them at least one major function. This could be a defensive function, offensive, feeding etc. Each function has to be unique to the individual creature and cannot be repeated among the other choices. By using the animal reference images, the students will have a good idea of how their creatures might move and they will use those images throughout this stage.

At this stage, the client has narrowed down his or her choice to one creature and needs the creature fleshed out and rendered. This is when the students begin learning to put it all together. They will determine final stances with both front and rear poses plus one head shot. Sketches will be done in a more refined fashion but not fully rendered yet. Sample sketches will be shown.

Students will begin making final design choices on the face and sketch a detailed head shot. By doing so, it will become easier for them to implement the head on the full body sketches.

This stage is vital in showcasing what the client wants. The students will have a detailed head shot, a front and back ¾ view of the creature, and call-outs showcasing skin textures and materials as well as an important and unique function.