Color Palette
Inspired by Chí Phèo by Nam Cao, this character design reflects the impact of social injustice and isolation. I chose the dark, muted color palette to reflect poverty and worn-down clothes.
Sketches Phase
I added facial scars and rough textures to highlight both physical damage and emotional suffering. The overall design emphasizes his transformation into a discriminated, marginalized figure shaped by society.
Sketches Phase
I played around with uneven features, rough linework, and slouched posture to capture his instability and emotional weight. I kept the lines loose and messy to make him feel more raw and unpolished.
Final Character
I added a lò gạch in the background to reference where he was born and hint at his roots. His torn, yellowed, and gray clothing helps emphasize his poverty and worn-down lifestyle, while the wine vase he carries reflects his alcohol abuse as a result of societal pressure.
For the character turn, I chose to remove his facial expression. Since he was originally a harmless person, I wanted to keep a sense of that softness, showing that who he became was shaped by being pushed to the edge by society.