How do you get so comfortable drawing characters transforming? I have a lot of OCs that do so since itās a favorite gimmick of mine, but I can just never get myself to fully draw it or write it out. It just feels kinda awkward
Honestly, this kind of stuff does kind of just come naturally to me since I like playing around with body horror. But Iāll try to provide a few tips that might help.
I think it can help a lot to draw out a transformation sequence. Iām talking from start to finish. Split the transformation up into phases, maybe jot down a few of the symptoms in each stage if youāre feeling crazy. Doing this can help you decide on which stage of the transformation theyāre in and how theyāll be reacting to it. Itās also just in general a good visual guide.
When Iām coming up with ideas for a transforming character (at least for a lot of my more angsty ones) I tend to approach their transformations like a sort of medical condition if that makes sense? If the transformations happen unwillingly, then a lot of the times, it can make a person feel like their body is betraying them. I love to lean into that and detail just how the transformations affect their body. Obviously itās not exactly like writing an actual disability, but if you want the transforming character to be extra sad, make the transformations uncomfortable. You know, if youāre into that.
in terms of writing, I think one mistake you could make would be accidentally getting caught up in describing the visual changes and kind of going outside of the POV of the character. Think about how all of the changes are making the character feel, both physically and emotionally. Are they hurting? Are they even able to process it? Can they actively feel everything happening? Or are they so out of it that everything seems to go by in a blear? (Last question could be a little bit lack lustre tho IMO) but most importantly, TRY NOT TO DESCRIBE ALL THE CHANGES IN FULL DETAIL. I find that if you tell the reader exactly what is happening to the characterās body before they find out about it, then it pulls away that shock from the character finally discovering it. Wait until your character has a moment to finally look at themselves OR have them be described from another personās perspective if you like to switch POVs.
Something that I find really fun is remembering that the bones are a thing. If the transformation is extremely drastic, then their bone structure will have to literally rearrange itself. If youāre writing, describe the bones popping out of place as the spine lengthens. The more solid structures like the hip bones and ribcage breaking apart and reforming around the growing body. Literally, I encourage you to get gross with the descriptions. It is really fun.
and finally, just in terms of how I detail Shifter Samās transformations, I like to base the growth of extra limbs off of lizard regeneration. Like, most of the times, the arm doesnāt pop out fully formed. It starts as just a bump, then lengthens and grows in the additional stuff like the elbows and fingers. Fingers are usually formed last. You donāt have to do this, I just think itās fun.
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