top of page

Repurpose

A 2D illustrated piece featuring a large futuristic mecha and two young girls.

I wanted to juxtapose big futuristic mecha with organic traditionally dressed children. The story takes place post intergalactic war and the robot having no more use, is now being taught the peace it was fighting for by those who are too young to ever know a time of war, children, the most innocent of us all.

Compositional drafts

Machines being repurposed as guardians for civilians or to generally help out since their large stature can come in handy

  • Wanted the contrast of a strong cold war machine heeding to the whims of a fragile human child, untouched by the cruelties of life
  • Like seeing cobwebs in the artillery holes of a fortress. Unused in times of peace
  • Strong enough to be gentle
  • Tough battered steel with a gentle touch
  • Want sunlight to filter through the leaves of a tree
  • Atmospheric and storybook charm 
  • 2nd row 2nd column chosen for the warm and cozy feel it gives from its dusk lighting
  • Subjects being more cramped and squeezed together also aid in this feeling
     

Mecha Robot Design

Machines being repurposed as guardians for civilians or to generally help out since their large stature can come in handy

Reference Sheet+Damage

Action Poses

  • Many inspirations were taken but Transformers and Gundam were the ones that I stuck to the most

  • Avoided leaning into any one series to make sure it looked like its own unique design

  • Space war robot function in mind

Ideation Sketches

Design Refinement

Colour Tests

  • Chose a design I liked from ideation sketches and further expanded on it 

  • Chosen design denoted by arrow was chosen for its distinctive silhouette and semi rounded yet sleek features
  • Gave a feeling of speedy yet powerful in a futuristic sense
  • However, the back details of the chosen design were removed to not overcrowd the silhouette
  • The design was then further expanded upon by playing with the proportions of its limbs and torso
  • Eventually number 4 was chosen as it struck the desired balance of proportion 
  • A smaller head helped the design look less juvenile
  • Longer legs also aided in the more mature look and gave it a more imposing and powerful air

  • Tested out various colour schemes 

  • Tried both more realistic and fantastical colour schemes

  • As this design is for an illustration set in a bright sunny environment, I made sure the chosen colours would pop against such a backdrop

  • Chose the red design denoted by the arrow as it stood out the best while not clashing too much with the background

  • The more realistic colour palettes would make the overall piece too somber 

Girls Design

Juvenile innocence manifested, so young they know not of the era of war. They teach peace through existence

Reference Sheet

  • The poses highlight her still juvenile and innocent character.

  • They also showcase how the fabric on her will move in different states of motion. Be it spread out, fluttering or pinched between her fingers

  • This traditional and classic look juxtaposes the angular and futuristic appearance of the robot to emphasise the difference those who know war and those who never knew it

Action Poses

  • Wanted girls to wear long loose dresses such that the rendering of drapery can be highlighted in the illustration.

  • Their appearance takes large inspiration from the fashion of 1800s Europe.

  • The final design was decided on by picking out certain features of the iterations like hair and clothes, and them future edited .

Ideation sketches

  • Colours chosen were to be harmonious and not to striking

  • Not detract attention from robot
  • Yet the mutedness of her palette also draws attention
  • Contrasts with vibrant environment and robot
  • Colours to give girl a classic old fashioned look

Colour Tests

bottom of page