An Introduction to Character Studies

In an effort to help people draw their fan art better, Final Fantasy Illumina presents a series of intricate features, analyzing the designs of several characters from recent Final Fantasy games.

These studies of character designs are not technically tutorials, but rather a series of possibly-too-in-depth references for artists to use when drawing fan art. They could prove very useful for producing accurate details, understanding the underlying structure of clothing, or for capturing the essence of a character. If nothing more, I just hope they are a good read.

For this installment, I examine the character design of the popular sky pirate in Final Fantasy XII, Balthier. By far the most popular male subject of FFXII fan art, the "leading man" also has some of the most detailed clothing, sporting a black-and-gold vest that is almost guaranteed to frustrate any artist. From a personality standpoint, he is one of the more notable staples of the game, making the "essence of Balthier" an especially important detail to capture accurately.

I will be meticulously analyzing different parts of his design, in the order of: Overall Figure, Face and Hair, Upper Body, Arms and Legs, Expressions. I'm sure he wouldn't have it any other way.

June 5th, 2008 PAGE 00