MJ took 10 minutes to draw this. This is a design revision for Harmony’s Kamen Rider-like armor, leaning into Bishojou Kamen Poitrine.
#author #mjmunoz #writer #fantasy #storyovereverything #Grobug #GrobugTales
What do you think of the results?
Look out for a 10 Minute Writing video next!
Here is a draft blog post based on the commentary in the transcript:
Finding Inspiration: Designing an Original Character
As an artist and designer, I’m often inspired by the creative work of others. Recently, I set out to create an original character that took influence from a few different sources that I admire.
The primary inspiration for this Harmony revision was Ishinomori’s character Bishoujo Kamen Poitrine. As far as I can tell, Poitrine pioneered the playful “magical girl” aesthetic that later influenced franchises like Sailor Moon and Precure. I wanted to emulate Ishinomori’s lively, cute style for this character.
My daughter. made her own version of Harmony that leaned much more “magical girl” with Chrysallis-themed boots fighting for justice. I took this idea and adjusted it to keep this costume an homage to Ishinomori’s Kamen Rider designs. The end result is a colorful, upbeat superheroine design that combines ideas from multiple places.
As artists, we often subconsciously synthesize ideas from the culture around us. Being aware of your influences allows you to intentionally build on the work of masters who came before you. While I strive for originality, I don’t think any creation exists in a vacuum. It’s important we acknowledge our inspirations even as we add our own spin.
Let me know in the comments about some of your own artistic muses! I believe recognizing the interconnectedness of creativity helps us appreciate art on a deeper level. I hope you enjoyed this quick look at the process behind designing a new character.
MJ Muñoz 