In Reference to: Chad

I recently had to remind myself to stop collecting "reference". I can't scroll through Instagram without screengrabbing 5 images for later use when I am "drawing". I have enough already that I've barely used and honestly, how many pictures of half naked guys does one person need. No one on their deathbed has ever uttered the words: "I wish... I found more reference..."

So between raising a sick puppy, my day job and trying to catch up on 12-Inch comics, I've been trying to streamline the reference I already have. I usually start with the character stuff because that's the easiest place to make cuts - it is either good reference for that character or it isn't. 

I've mentioned my design on Chad from my Jockstrap Academy story before. But I'm bringing him up again because it really is an example of where I am happy I used reference to refine his design. When I originally drew Chad (probably back in 2005 idk) he looked like the big image on the left, but when I began re-conceiving the Jockstrap world, he began an evolution to what is currently the collection of images on the right.

Chad has always been a wrestler, so I've always drawn him in a singlet. I really like the singlet because not only is it distinctly athletic and body conscious, it can be worn up, or peeled down or off the shoulder - it has moods. Over the course of collecting reference and putting them together for inspiration, I eventually came to a conclusion that Chad would also wear a hoodie. Which - like the singlet - also has moods: hood up, drawstring pulled tight, unzipped, hands bunched into pouch, etc. And to top it off, he would also have the option of wearing shorts over the singlet, which I like because layers are always good. 

Chad has always been a big, clueless - but optimistic - meathead. And now I feel like I have costume ideas for him that can help reflect his personality.

I also started by collecting images of thick necked guys with big chests and arms, and over time, I began to pare those images down to specific guys (see above right) and Chad began to take on a small cranium'd, toothy, big nosed look - which was a really nice way to distinguish him from not only the other characters but his original design as well. 

So now in my head, I don't just think about drawing a wrestler showing off his big arms and nipples, I think of a character who, may... doze off in class with his hoodie drawn over his face with his big nose sticking out. Or someone who sleeps in his singlet and then falls out of bed in the morning and immediately does push ups... Or someone who has the singlet peeled down when he's chill and then slides it up when he gets competitive...