The Eagle Hunter

Here are some process images for a splash piece, including compositional ideas and an overall step-by-step from sketch to rendered. I found it challenging to incorporate the character as well as his horse and eagle companions in the same shot, but I am happy with the color/mood of the final image!

To cap off this update, a name reveal; meet Altanbaatar - the runaway Eagle Hunter (or Altan for short). Altanbaatar in Mongolian, quite literally translates to “golden hero”.

In this update I chose a color scheme and gathered some material references. I wanted to draw a few turnarounds to get a better sense of the outfit as whole - especially the back, which had not been resolved until now. At this point I feel the costume design meets the practical requirements of the character’s profession, and if time permits I’d like to create some more expressive artwork to capture a sense of personality!

This update is a quick one; testing out some color variations :)

After the first round of designs, there were a few areas I wanted to resolve further. For one, I noticed that the “circus performer” trait wasn’t immediately obvious upon first read. Secondly, I had initially wanted to place heavy emphasis on the eagle gauntlet/falconry glove, but the proportions felt really unbalanced.

To approach the first problem, I explored variations of 3-piece suits with equestrian-esque bottoms, and added more elaborate embellishments/sequins. To approach the second problem, I resorted to basing the design off of a traditional leather falconry glove over the previous stylized gauntlet.

I’m looking forward to the next few steps, which will involve color variation, as well as designs for the eagle herself!

Hi everyone! Here are some thoughts about the development of this circus character, as well as a few initial sketches for his design.

As I researched different types of circus acts, I was drawn to the performances that also included animals. Historically, lions, elephants, bears, and horses, were among the creatures that were often performance headliners, but I found it rare for circus acts to incorporate birds. Despite this, birds certainly have the capacity to be trained to accomplish complex and amazing feats. Take for instance the tradition of hunting with eagles, as practiced in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and China.

Following this idea further, I began a simple story for a young Mongolian Eagle Hunter:

The young boy had grown a distaste for hunting foxes and riding across the monotonous steppes; he yearned to see the world beyond the plains. A chance encounter with a traveling acrobatic group sparked in him a curiosity for lands he never knew existed - their tales of bustling cities, roaring crowds, and dizzying sights were beyond his imagination, and he longed to see it for himself. With the blessings from his family (for this is a wholesome tale) he joins the band of acrobats, and is later recruited to perform with a larger circus. His incredible displays of agility, expert horseback riding, and seamless coordination with his eagle, never fails to draw crowds from near and from far...