Do you like coffee? How much do you like it and why? How it affects you? Can you live without it? I've found that it is real drug for me and if I am starting to drink it I became addicted and want to drink it everyday. I am talking about good real coffee. It gives me energy boosting effect for first week if I drink cup a day and second week I got headache and no energy at all if I am not drinking it. It's completely like a hangover for me. Do you have the same? I can tell you I quit. I don't want to be a slave of coffee anymore. It's better to wake up with more healthy ways like cold shower, warm ups, yogic breaths and light breakfast.
Once upon a time I had another character design commission. I had to draw character representing Vietnamese coffee for a package. This supposed to be local guy with authentic hat holding coffee fin (special device to prepare coffee).
References
What an inspiring task! Vietnam culture and people there are something inspiring itself but here is a mix with coffee! I like it's color, smell, taste and it's boosting effect if you drink it not too often and not using to wake up with a coffee daily.
These are few images I've found myself and my client sent me for this task.
Sketches
Guys called me few times trying to lower the price. I know, my services are bit higher than regular. I was pushing back for some time but they really had only that much for this project and I really wanted to draw it so I've agreed.
I've started to draw but we both (me and my client) had no clue how this character should look like to be attractive and recognizable. So we've tried different variants. It's okay, usually at the stage of sketches we can correct and try anything.
We had been searching and discussing untill I've found this guy. We decided he was too young, so I've added spectacles and mustache. They said it's perfect and asked me to start coloring process in Photoshop using separate layer for the background and his clothes so that we can try different colors later.
Coloring
Still he was too young again so we've decided to make his nose bigger, add some wrinkles and I've redrawn hand because they supposed to be one of the focal points on the pack. Tried different colors for back and front.
Then I've got the package dimensions and started to build it. Had to add more of his body there.
I would like to appreciate SenseAsia for this order. Hope to draw another character for them soon! They've sent me samples but since I quit coffe I am using them as a decoration only.
