Okay, so today I decided to mess around with creating a character, and I went with “old man john hells angel”. Let’s see how it went.
First, I started by brainstorming. What does an “old man John” who’s also a “Hells Angel” even look like? I pictured a grizzled dude, probably with a long white beard, maybe a bit of a gut from too many beers over the years, but still tough as nails. Definitely needed the biker vest, tattoos, and probably some worn-out jeans and boots.
Fleshing Him Out
- Visuals: I started sketching. Lots of wrinkles, a weathered face, and a scowl that could curdle milk. I gave him a classic Hells Angels vest with the patches and all that. I also added a few tattoos – maybe a skull, some flames. I thought about giving it a shot。
- Backstory: I needed a bit of a story. Why is he still riding? Maybe he’s the chapter president, the old-timer everyone respects. Maybe he’s seen it all, done it all, and he’s just not ready to hang up his helmet yet. I scribbled down some notes about him being a Vietnam vet, maybe a bit of a loner, but fiercely loyal to his “brothers”.
- Personality: He’s gotta be gruff, right? Not someone you mess with. But maybe there’s a softer side, a hint of sadness or regret buried deep down. I imagined him having a dry sense of humor, the kind that makes you laugh even when you’re not sure if he’s joking.
Then I tried to put it all together. I did some more detailed sketches, playing around with his pose and expression. I wanted to capture that mix of toughness and weariness. I also started thinking about his bike – it would have to be an old Harley, of course, probably customized over the years. I didn’t get into the nitty-gritty, because I suck at drawing.
Finally, I took to it. I spent, say, four hours? It wasn’t easy, I must say. But I’m getting better, I guess. I’m satisfied, yeah.
It was a fun experiment! Definitely made me think about how much goes into creating a believable character, even if it’s just a rough idea.
