Character Design Inspiration: Mr Sterling
Added 2023-03-02 23:06:52 +0000 UTCMr Sterling is one of the first humans we see in Emmy's story. His design underwent some subtle changes as I developed the narrative and figured out the character designs.
My first initial finished illustration of Mr Sterling was the giant portrait we see in the hallway at Sterling Robotics. This early concept art would become an early scene in the comic with his final design.
Mr Sterling didn't give me too much trouble to design. I wanted a distinguished gentleman with a grandfatherly demeanor. I also wanted a design that suggested power and leadership. The real-life inspirations are somewhat obvious as I clearly took inspiration from 20th century moguls such as Walt Disney and Howard Hughes.
However, since they are American and Mr Sterling is not, I removed their more folksy undertones and replaced it with an air of English/Northern European aloofness. Actors such as Max Von Sydow, Christopher Plummer, and Peter O'Toole immediately came to mind for me.
Being that Mr Sterling rose to notoriety during an era analogous to the 30s and 40s, I looked to J.C. Leyendecker's famous men's fashion illustrations as well. The men of these illustrations are statuesque, idealized men of the era, and felt like the perfect reference point for someone who is both so idealized by Emmy, and also elusive and unknowable as well.
Comments
Interesting point, Ginnyβs father was prolly a competitor to Sterling and he thought his roots of his familyβs golden-age era wealth would guarantee his success in early robotics presumably during the 30s-40s, but gambling is implied/shown in the family tree & the 30s were not a great time to stay financially stable. Most likely he lost the capital to stay competitive & Sterling rolled him over with his Swiss robotic empire.
Dr. Rodin
2023-05-04 21:45:54 +0000 UTCOh ok π I was guessing it was like a technology advance fiftes but oh well
Seth
2023-03-05 06:23:03 +0000 UTCThe story doesn't take place in a set year. It's an anachronistic time period, that isn't meant to reflect exact present day either.
Dominic Cellini
2023-03-04 17:15:57 +0000 UTCQuestion: what year does this take place
Seth
2023-03-04 04:38:59 +0000 UTCU certainly got younger Sterling have the same vibe as the young businessman from Leyendecker π
Dr. Rodin
2023-03-03 02:14:23 +0000 UTCThat's cool π
Miy Eterp
2023-03-02 23:54:06 +0000 UTCFascinating. They were quite successful inspirations. But, he also gave me an air of Andrew Ryan from BioShock, like a very skilled, charismatic, very intelligent but ruthless businessman, so much that he doesn't mind using and discarding people when it doesn't serve them. And this impression of Sterling is heightened when we see the painting in the abandoned mansion, a man cast in Sterling's likeness but forgotten while the Father of Nandroids is glorified. That housekeeper's father is related to Sterling, and that's why he didn't end up well, with his merits stolen from him, and forgotten.
polonsus
2023-03-02 23:18:43 +0000 UTCPatronage for this webcomic is so rewarding.
Matt Heninger
2023-03-02 23:17:16 +0000 UTC
