How To Create Cat Characters
Combine MsPaint and Photoshop Elements to Draw Cats With Character
Drawn simply these cat illustrations suggest intriguing feline stories. They don't tell the viewer what is happening in the picture. Students guess the ending.
This artistic process is very versatile as a Literacy Booster. It is another way to talk to students about Multivariant Story Boarding. Illustrating stories is an interesting way to inspire students to explore simple Computer Art Programmes while at the same time creating context for literacy projects.
In this picture the cat is hanging from the tree and it seems apparent that he has slipped when stung by bees that have been disturbed.
In this picture the cat is looking at something but the viewer does not know what it is. The picture "The Cat On The Bridge" lends itself to a more imaginative and inventive project because there is more mystery about what is happening and what is being looked at.
When the students have brainstormed a wide variety of endings, ask them to illustrate their chosen ending. Once each student has illustrated their own version of the story, all of the projects can be combined. The story will have one beginning but a series of possible endings connected by a choice button or connector. A multivariant text will have been created. Such a project would become a welcome addition to any digital library.
Expected Project Outcomes
This project creates a context within which teachers will demonstrate how to
- draw cats
- photograph, draw or paint backgrounds
- combine elements such as characters, backgrounds, props and facial expressions to suggest story
- use facial expression to suggest feeling/s
- use thought bubbles and speech bubbles
Method
In MSPaint use the Brush Tool paint the main cat character.
Use
- a circle for the head
- triangles for ears
- oval for the tummy
- S or snake for the tail
- Use the Paint Bucket Tool to colour and fill in this character and the Pencil Tool to draw eyes and whiskers or other smaller lines.
- Do not create the background in this frame. The background is to be created separately in a variety of ways. Either paint a scene and scan or digitally photograph it.
- Open both the cat and the background in Photoshop Elements. Keep them open in cascaded windows.
- Use the Move Tool to drag the cat across and drop it into the background. This will create a second layer. Place it in the space you think will suite it and use the Transform Tool to change the size of the cat image. Fit it snugly so that it is in proportion to its surroundings.
- Select the Eraser Tool to rub out any section of the cat that is behind elements of the background.
- Use the Brush and Pencil Tools to retouch any small elements that may have been lost when blending the two images.
Once the two pictures have been combined you may want to add small features to add to the story.
Check in frequently with the students during each stage of the project.
Talk with them at every stage of the process about what they have achieved and what the next stage will be. As they look at the work together they will be surprised at how different each version of the story can be.
If you have experimented with ways of creating Multivariant Text please post about them on the discussion boards.
