The Lion King - Character Design
Character designs done for a franchise that needs no introduction: The Lion King! Probably my favorite Disney classic. This project primarily focused on character design. I was motivated by criticisms aimed at the 2019 remake. The technology involved in the reboot is stunning, but I'll always like the 2D version best. I'm intruiged by art styles that combine semi-realistic anatomy and rendering details with exaggerated, cartoony features, so I attempted that here. Personally I think some designs were more successful then others, but I had so much fun making them all. I also took this as a chance to practice integrating sketchy ZBrush sculpts into 2D design work. This was limited primarily to the faces.
Originally created in May and June of 2020. Strictly a fan creation. Characters belong to the Walt Disney company.
Cub Simba. Check out those spots!
Adult Simba. The spots are still present, just very faint
Cub Nala. She's a "dark" leucistic/white lion
Adult Nala. Considerably pale compared to other lions in universe
Mufasa, the big daddy himself
Sarabi. I imagine her movement would put heaps of emphasis on her feline nature
Zazu. A mix between a Great Hornbill, Rhino Hornbill, and Southern Yellow Billed Hornbill
The eeevil Scar. He's miserable, weak, and skinny. Maybe even too skinny
Scar's spotted hyena minions, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed. They invariably lurk in the shadows
Rafiki. Mostly Mandrill, but I also mixed some Hamadryas and Oliver baboon in there
Timon. Not entirely satisfied with how I interpreted his hands, but I believe he needs them
Pumbaa. Toned down the inherent ugliness of the warthog and let him keep his red coat (just imagine it's clay dust)