Hairstyle Choices [Critique Please]

[kelsaki]

Hello everyone! I am currently working on my first VN and am in the middle of designing the characters. Everything has worked itself out well except for this one fella.

The game is set in a medieval setting and the character in question is one of the 'love interests' I am having an internal battle between these two different styles for his hair. Here is a little bio to better identify him:

Name: Mitch (Itch)
Relation to female MC: Best Friend
Age: 19
Description: Long face and wide eyes. Tall and lanky with muscles strong only from climbing a lot. Has a tail that can change into whatever animal tail he wants it to be (though it's default is a fluffy white cat's tail).
Temperament: Friendly and hyper but very lonely in that he has few friends (but he is ferociously loyal to the few he has). Often is seen teasing/hanging out with MC.



(Sorry for the cruddy quality… no scanner at the moment so a quick photo is all I can manage at the moment.)

Thank you everyone in advance! Any critique is very welcome

[akemicchi]

Ahh, that's hard. It's really up to you to decide. :'D How do you want critique? Do you want us to analyze the hairstyles and help guide you into deciding which one you like more? Or do you want us to actually critique the hairstyles and tell you what aspects we think works or doesn't work? Because I think both could work out for Mitch, since they both look low maintenance and he seems like a guy that wouldn't care too much about his appearance. :D

[kelsaki]

Ah sorry! What you said Akemicchi makes sense I guess critique on different aspects or ways that someone might have done it differently. This is my first time really focusing on character design so I'm just not 100% sure if what I have here tells the person's personality well.

Thanks Akemicchi! Your reply helped me to clear up what I was asking

[trooper6]

For someone who is friendly and hyper, I like the first one.

[Taleweaver]

Threads about a single artist's work belong to Personal Art Threads.


Moving.

[kelsaki]

@trooper6 Thanks! I am kind of leaning toward that style now.

[angeliza]

Since he seems michevous and teases the main character, i'd go with the second one.
And then maybe at some point, the main character get's irritated at his bangs, and makes him the un willing victem of a hair cut, making his bangs more like the third image.
Something like that.

I also think that the second one fits better with the idea that his default tail is a cat tail, since it makes him look laid back, and maybe even secretive, like a cat.

Hope I helped!

[kelsaki]

@angeliza
- Thank you for your input It had not occurred to me about one hair style becoming another through such a fun antic XD That might just make it in there…

[Laniessa]

Well, instead of picking what you'd like, try to think what kind of hairstyle your character would want! If they're worried about pimples, they won't go for bangs, if they're lazy, they might have a ruffled hairstyle, if he's trying to impress, he'd have a neater hairstyle, for example.

Since he's athletic, I'd go for the first out of what you've drawn; long, untied hair gets sweaty and uncomfortable at the neck, so I would think he would grow it out to tie it up, or make it shorter entirely.

[angeliza]

Ah! You like my idea? Thanks.^^
I'm happy to have helped!

[kelsaki]

Well, instead of picking what you'd like, try to think what kind of hairstyle your character would want! If they're worried about pimples, they won't go for bangs, if they're lazy, they might have a ruffled hairstyle, if he's trying to impress, he'd have a neater hairstyle, for example.

- True I agree that he is more likely to have the style that fits his personality; I just almost think it is a mix between these styles XD Actually, what I've been thinking here lately would make him go from the first hair style to something choppy and shorter like in the other styles. (it would be because of things that happen in the story which lead to him having to do that )

Thank you for your input Laniessa


@angeliza your idea got me thinking in a different (better) direction to try and solve this hair(y) problem Thank you!

[angeliza]

You are very welcome!^^

[kelsaki]

[Just so I can keep using this thread for hair…]

I have another character for you guys to critic His demeanor is much more laid back than Mitch's and he also happens to be a prince.

Meet Adair. He is the heir to the throne but is far more likely to win in battle rather than at court. I think of his hair being kind of tousled because appearance is not really much of a concern for someone who wears a helmet a lot.

Really I would just like to see if his hair style is read in a princely/easy-going attitude kind of way. If not, is there something about it that throws you off or just doesn't looks right on him?

[If the picture shows up sideways… I'm not sure why it would be doing that >.<; If you click on it the picture is vertical… Sorry!]

[akemicchi]

I hear the word 'prince' and I think of elegant, majestic hairstyles or naturally curly/wavy hair in shimmering waves. xD But knowing about Prince Adair and his intense dislike for doing courtly stuff, it makes sense that his hair is tousled and kinda mussy. Not what I expected from a prince, but it fits his character!

The length looks like what I'd expect from a prince, but what's throwing me off is his bangs. Even if it's under a helmet, I think it should look more even. I don't think his hair should look too untidy.

[pineapplepocky]

I see this trend with messy stray hair. If that person is elegant, you need to think about how much he takes care of himself, as a contrast to your other character who isn't.

Of course, any hairstyle for anything could do, but also consider how their facial expressions can affect how the character could be. Don't worry you're heading on the right track, I just pointed it out so you can concentrate more on that.

Although you're not at the next step, which is color, some colors are more 'calm' than others, and that makes a huge difference too.