Centaurs of the Cenzoic
These are my character sheets for my final centaur design. This was for my creature design class, where l was briefed to create a unique depiction of a centaur without using the typical 'humanoid features'. This centaur was created as an animal that could have theoretically existed on earth in the Cenozoic, living alongside early humans and Smilodons. This meant I had to remain grounded to make this a believable creature that once walked earth. Cave art of this animal has been misunderstood by humans through the years - resulting in the modern version of the centaur we know today.
A project inspired by Cave Paintings and Mythology
Bull males are the eldest and strongest of the herd. They have domed heads that look similar to human skulls and arm like horns. These are the members most likely to have a mate as they have the best genetics.
Centaurs display sexual Dimorphism - as centaurs are generally mythologically depicted as male. As such the female has very small facial protrusions. Their fur sports spots that mimic eyes, these patterns help them keep predators at bay.
A page depicting various behaviours of these Centaurs.
The beginning of the idea process. Doing as many drawings as possible to try to find good paths and avenues to explore - trying to stay away from the typical depiction of a Centaurs. I looked towards a few avenues of horror and cryptic type creatures.
Here I looked towards a sort of aposable fingered trunked animal. A large blubbery equine built for cold weathered plains. This page also started to veer into parasitic avenues
Parasitic and insectoid designs
Further insectoid Designs
Horror and Parasitic
Moving into colour iteration to test effectiveness of designs in the different design direction avenues.
Testing the Cenzoic designs. This was the avenue that was followed further.
Iterative designs based upon the Cenzoic Era Centaur. Looking at badgers face shapes and their snuffly noses - this was to try to break away from faces being too equine.
Colour Iterations - based on other earthly animals such as the okapi and the Thompson gazelle.
Conceptual designs Cave paintings and how they could’ve influenced mythology.
I decided on a more regal upright posture.
Testing feet shapes for this animal. Different types of feet developed to different needs.
Humanoid feet push the idea further into the original mythology of half man half horse. Four toes and a ‘dew claw’ fifth thumb. These toed are functional like the tapir - though they are also rubbery (like a mountain goat) to help them expend less energy
Testing eye shapes - ranging from equine, to cuttlefish to humanoid.
Environment thumbnail for an idea of environmental setting. Late state Cenzoic era during a warmer period.
Family dynamic based upon real horse behaviour. Alluding to tight herd and family dynamics within the species.
Size references to each other.
