This week I focused on solidifying Rapunzel's design and creating her facial expressions, expressive poses, and orthographic. I was originally going to be working on Frau Gothel this week but major story changes happened, allowing me to continue Rapunzel instead.
The Story
The story is set in the early 18th century, during the Rococo movement in Italy. The story begins with Rapunzel being adopted by Frau Gothel --> Gothel is NOT the bad guy. Rapunzel lives with Gothel in her tower that oversees Gothel's beautiful garden. Rapunzel and the kingdom's prince, Prince Luca, become best friends at a very young age. They of course have a crush on each other but are too young to realize or admit it. Prince Luca expresses to Rapunzel that he loves her hair, so he is the reason Rapunzel keeps her hair long. As Rapunzel grows older, she starts developing agoraphobia, a severe anxiety specifically related to her leaving her house, the environment she feels safest in. Rapunzel resorts to reading to allow her mind to explore different worlds in the comfort of her home. Gothel and Prince Luca spoil Rapunzel and bring her as many books as she wants.
Rapunzel is now 16 and it is time for her to be looking for a suitor. By this time her tower is filled to the brim with books. Prince Luca visits whenever he is free of his duties. Even though the tower has stairs, Prince Luca enjoys climbing up Rapunzel's hair. Gothel treats the prince as if he is one of the family. Gothel keeps pressuring Rapunzel that she needs to get out of the tower and find a suitor, someone to take care of her. Rapunzel is still very resistant to leaving, though the prince invites her to a ball. It is not the first time he has invited her to one, she has refused too many invitations for him to count, but that doesn't stop him from asking again. 16 year old Rapunzel still has a crush on Prince Luca and gives this invitation more thought, ultimately giving him a promising "Yes." Gothel becomes ecstatic.
Gothel and Rapunzel are getting ready for the ball. From the outside it looks like they have a wonderful time putting on their dresses, makeup, and fixing up their hair. Although in Rapunzel's mind, the thought of leaving scared her more and more. When it comes time to leave, Rapunzel changes her mind and decides not to go. Gothel is distraught and she begins arguing with Rapunzel. Rapunzel becomes very defensive and argues back. Suddenly Gothel breaks down crying and expresses a sad truth to Rapunzel that she has been keeping secret. After multiple visits to the doctor, she has been diagnosed with an illness that will eventually take her life. After she is gone, there will be no one left to take care of Rapunzel, thus the urgency for Rapunzel to find a suitor. This shakes Rapunzel to her core, giving her the courage to overcome her fear.
Prince Luca comes back to the tower after the ball has ended, in search of Rapunzel. Rapunzel tells him what happens and asks him for help in dealing with her anxiety. Prince Luca starts working with Rapunzel through exposure therapy to ease her out into the world more and more. After some time, Rapunzel successfully leaves her tower. Prince Luca proposes to her and they are wed. Gothel is able to attend the wedding and watch the couple live happily ever after.
After solidifying the story I will be designing everything off of, here are the final designs of Rapunzel.
Character Illustration
Facial Expressions
Poses
Orthographic
This next week, I will begin working on Frau Gothel's designs and finish.
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