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 Viera sky pirate in Final Fantasy XII, Fran. With all of her intricate armor, she may be the most difficult character to draw in the game that isn't a Judge.

I will be meticulously analyzing different parts of her elegant figure, in the order of: Overall Figure, Face and Hair, Upper Body, Arms and Legs, Expressions. You'll never have problems with her headdress again.

June 6th, 2008 PAGE 00