Redwall Abbey

Brian Jacques' Works (Spoilers) => Character Discussion => Topic started by: Tiria Wildlough on July 29, 2011, 11:20:29 AM

Title: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on July 29, 2011, 11:20:29 AM
I usually don't picture the animals unless I try, and it doesn't work when you've watched the movie, but I just wondered if anyone else did.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Gonff on July 29, 2011, 12:25:33 PM
Sometimes I do, but it's not like a real picture. It doesn't really make any sense, but it's not feasible like I can't tell you exactly what they look like. It's just a slight image. I picture other things a lot more like places, rivers, and items.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Lutra on July 29, 2011, 03:12:15 PM
Thinking back to when I had just read the books, never watched the tv series, I attempted to illustrate what I thought it would look like, sometimes I would do so as I worked along with the story.  I actually have stuff illustrated somewhere with colored pencils if I can find it from the late 90s.  I believe most of what I did at that time was relatively close to as the people at Nelvana saw it.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: daskar666 on July 29, 2011, 05:02:34 PM
I just imagine them as people. Works every time.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Nightfire on July 29, 2011, 05:19:40 PM
I usually get very vivid images in my head. I've had a very big imagination since I was three, so it's not really a problem for me to visualize squirrels walking upright and carrying weapons.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Taggerung_of_Redwall on July 29, 2011, 05:20:23 PM
Quote from: Lady Amber on July 29, 2011, 05:19:40 PM
I usually get very vivid images in my head. I've had a very big imagination since I was three, so it's not really a problem for me to visualize squirrels walking upright and carrying weapons.

Same here. I find it as easy to visualize Redwall as visualizing people
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Captain Tammo on July 29, 2011, 07:12:53 PM
I usually have that movie playing in my head when I read a book. The characters are usually pretty detailed
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Dotti on July 29, 2011, 10:33:38 PM
I usually have a movie of what I'm reading sort of playing out in my head as I read, but with Redwall, the characters are rather vague and based on the illustrations in the book.  I found the TV versions of Redwall characters too cartoon-y. :/
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Folgrimeo on July 30, 2011, 04:30:15 AM
I was enamored enough with the TV show that my visions of the characters took on the Nelvana TV series style (before that I imagined Matthias as a generic mouse, Mordalfus as a fat doofy mouse, and Cluny as a buff bruiser). It's somewhat between that and a more realistic style. I always have it play out in my head like a 20-hour cartoon episode. Has the look and structure of a cartoon, but without the we'll-be-right-back cliffhangers. I almost never draw inspiration from the illustrations... except for Taggerung.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on July 30, 2011, 04:30:53 AM
I actually draw some of the characters as humans. :P
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Osu on July 30, 2011, 02:09:32 PM
I've never had a problem picturing the characters, like a "movie" of sorts, as others have said. I see them like real-life animals that wear clothes (when clothes are mentioned, anyway.) ;D
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Log-a-Log on July 30, 2011, 09:53:18 PM
I can picture the vermin easily, but I have more trouble picturing the good creatures
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Matthias720 on July 31, 2011, 04:11:33 PM
I find it difficult to visualize people, but I don't have a problem doing it with the animals from Redwall. Go figure. ::)
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Skalrag of Marshank on July 31, 2011, 07:31:49 PM
Quote from: Captain Tammo on July 29, 2011, 07:12:53 PM
I usually have that movie playing in my head when I read a book. The characters are usually pretty detailed

Me too.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Gonff on July 31, 2011, 11:37:19 PM
Quote from: Matthias720 on July 31, 2011, 04:11:33 PM
I find it difficult to visualize people, but I don't have a problem doing it with the animals from Redwall. Go figure. ::)

It's easier for me to picture Redwall animals then people too.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Martha Braebuck on July 31, 2011, 11:56:57 PM
the characters aren't very hard to picture because they're animals, but I can believe that some people can't if you've watched the movies.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Skalrag of Marshank on August 01, 2011, 02:39:53 AM
My images of the characters are based almost completely on what they look like in the show. When I read Redwall, Mattimeo, or Martin the Warrior, I always have the show playing in my head.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Lily on August 01, 2011, 02:54:08 AM
My images of the characters are usually influenced by the cover art. I don't have a solid picture of what the characters look like, they're just... there, you know? An otter looks like an otter, a squirrel looks like a squirrel, but I couldn't tell you exactly what they look like. I do know that they walk on their hind legs in my imagination, though.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: DanielofRedwall on August 01, 2011, 10:09:50 AM
I imagine them to be like how they are in the TV shows.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Gonff on August 01, 2011, 12:45:12 PM
Quote from: Lily on August 01, 2011, 02:54:08 AM
My images of the characters are usually influenced by the cover art. I don't have a solid picture of what the characters look like, they're just... there, you know? An otter looks like an otter, a squirrel looks like a squirrel, but I couldn't tell you exactly what they look like. I do know that they walk on their hind legs in my imagination, though.

That is probably a better description of how I picture them than what I said.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Skalrag of Marshank on August 01, 2011, 03:20:27 PM
Except in my imagination, Ballaw from Martin the Warrior looks more like Basil Stag Hare. I do not like how he looks in the show.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Redwall Musician on August 01, 2011, 04:31:09 PM
I sometimes just close my eyes, and I can see it. I must say, the TV series helped me see them a little. I've always see them on their hind legs. I guess my brain works a little weird. Sometimes I draw out characters. Of coarse, since I draw cartoon looking pictures, it doesn't look like it does in my mind.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Taggerung_of_Redwall on August 01, 2011, 04:35:43 PM
I picture them all on their hind legs, with the exception of reptiles and amphibians, and also wildcats. Why? I have no clue, that's just how I picture wildcats, and also Bane. That fox strikes me different than the rest for some reason.
Quote from: Lily on August 01, 2011, 02:54:08 AM
My images of the characters are usually influenced by the cover art. I don't have a solid picture of what the characters look like, they're just... there, you know? An otter looks like an otter, a squirrel looks like a squirrel, but I couldn't tell you exactly what they look like. I do know that they walk on their hind legs in my imagination, though.
Same with me, on both points.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on August 02, 2011, 05:25:32 AM
@Skalrag of Marshank: I love the acting troupe, but I don't like how they did Ballaw very much either. Rowanoak too. >:(
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Skalrag of Marshank on August 02, 2011, 08:33:38 PM
Uh-huh. By the way, I read Martin the Warrior before watching it, and I totally did not imagine Skalrag like that.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Coobreedan on August 04, 2011, 01:28:33 PM
I picture them just as the animal they are, but in clothes. For some reason I picture Ragear as a robot rat....
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Skalrag of Marshank on August 04, 2011, 05:50:04 PM
When I was reading the book, I thought Skalrag wore all black, and was really sneaky, because of him and Druwp, I always thought he was "stealthy", or something. Boy, was I wrong.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Log-a-Log on August 04, 2011, 09:13:02 PM
Quote from: Coobreedan on August 04, 2011, 01:28:33 PM
I picture them just as the animal they are, but in clothes. For some reason I picture Ragear as a robot rat....
Interesting, now when I read Redwall again I will picture Ragear as a robot
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Skalrag of Marshank on August 05, 2011, 03:32:28 PM
Hmmmmm...I wonder if Asmodeus would enjoy eating a robot rat...
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on August 07, 2011, 02:15:09 PM
I hate how they did Rowanoak in the TV show. She looks like a bearded lady. XD.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Skalrag of Marshank on August 09, 2011, 11:23:24 PM
She does, Tiria, you're totally right! :P
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Excuse me sah! on August 10, 2011, 12:25:23 AM
I guess I picture them in a slight anthropomorphic state, kind of like how they are in the television series.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on August 10, 2011, 12:58:16 PM
I imagine Bella of Brockhall looking like a real badger, on all fours, without any clothes. Which is funny, because I imagine the rest of them with clothes.  :P
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: DanielofRedwall on August 10, 2011, 01:18:40 PM
Quote from: Nightfire on July 29, 2011, 05:19:40 PM
I usually get very vivid images in my head. I've had a very big imagination since I was three, so it's not really a problem for me to visualize squirrels walking upright and carrying weapons.
This is the same for me!
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Log-a-Log on August 10, 2011, 03:38:39 PM
Of all the characters, the one that I have the most trouble picturing are the mice, which seems kind of weird since they are pretty much the main characters of the series
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Mad Maudie on September 10, 2011, 09:00:20 PM
when i read it is like i am seeing a movie
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on September 11, 2011, 06:29:41 AM
Quote from: Mad Maudie on September 10, 2011, 09:00:20 PM
when i read it is like i am seeing a movie
Me too! ;D
I make Redwall movies in my head, and set music I like to them. :D
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Skalrag of Marshank on September 11, 2011, 05:12:26 PM
Once, when I was reading the end of Redwall, I set the battle scene to Dynamite. Go figure.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Redwall Musician on September 11, 2011, 08:43:24 PM
Have any of ye heard the song "If I Die Young"? Probably not. It's a country song, and it so reminds me of Rose.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on September 12, 2011, 07:55:29 AM
For some reason I picture Salixa with a slightly British accent.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Lily on September 12, 2011, 10:48:38 AM
Quote from: Tiria Wildlough on September 12, 2011, 07:55:29 AM
For some reason I picture Salixa with a slightly British accent.
I picture all of the characters with British accents.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Nightfire on September 12, 2011, 11:18:23 PM
Quote from: DanielofRedwall on August 10, 2011, 01:18:40 PM
Quote from: Nightfire on July 29, 2011, 05:19:40 PM
I usually get very vivid images in my head. I've had a very big imagination since I was three, so it's not really a problem for me to visualize squirrels walking upright and carrying weapons.
This is the same for me!

Yup, definitely. And his name is not supposed to be read as 'Ra gear' it is supposed to be read as 'Rag ear.' Thus, his ear looks like a rag.  :D
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Osu on September 12, 2011, 11:24:20 PM
Quote from: Redwall Musician on September 11, 2011, 08:43:24 PM
Have any of ye heard the song "If I Die Young"? Probably not. It's a country song, and it so reminds me of Rose.
Yes! Oh my goodness, you're right! I'd attributed it to a young hare soldier up until I read that. Rose makes more sense. XD

*cough* Right, back on topic. Tiria mentioned picturing Bella as walking on all fours - which is interesting, because whenever I read Redwall I see Constance as running around on all fours in the beginning but switching to two legs for the rest of the book. Weird. XD
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Redwall Musician on September 13, 2011, 02:26:01 AM
Quote from: Osu on September 12, 2011, 11:24:20 PM
Quote from: Redwall Musician on September 11, 2011, 08:43:24 PM
Have any of ye heard the song "If I Die Young"? Probably not. It's a country song, and it so reminds me of Rose.
Yes! Oh my goodness, you're right! I'd attributed it to a young hare soldier up until I read that. Rose makes more sense. XD

Of coarse, hares can have every song, because they are just so awesome....
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Osu on September 13, 2011, 04:46:26 AM
Quote from: Redwall Musician on September 13, 2011, 02:26:01 AM
Of coarse, hares can have every song, because they are just so awesome....
This is very true. *sage nod*
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Coobreedan on September 13, 2011, 05:52:10 PM
I picture some as Pokemon, because when I read Redwall, I had a Pokemon obsession.

Warbeak:
(http://cdn.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/thumb/f/f2/629Vullaby.png/180px-629Vullaby.png)

King Bull Sparra:
(http://cdn.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/thumb/c/cf/628Braviary.png/175px-628Braviary.png)


*Sees that Nighfire is about to ask a question* Yes, I do picture some as Kirby characters.

Lady Amber:
(http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110409045637/kirby/en/images/thumb/1/14/Tiff2.png/150px-Tiff2.png)
Not wearing those clothes though.

I know it looks nothing like a squirrel, but who cares.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Nightfire on September 13, 2011, 10:11:28 PM
Why would I ask a question?? Oh, wait...that WAS a question. HAHAHA! I'll admit, you got me there.  ::)
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Hari Ashsling on September 14, 2011, 09:03:57 PM
I picture them as animals. Not as people in the least. :blink:

I usually picture them like Narnian animals. ;D
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on September 22, 2011, 12:54:37 PM
I don't really picture them much. I just go by what I see in the pictures.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Coobreedan on September 22, 2011, 08:17:23 PM
Quote from: Hari Ashsling on September 14, 2011, 09:03:57 PM
I picture them as animals. Not as people in the least. :blink:

I usually picture them like Narnian animals. ;D
That's how you should picture them. I am a complete weirdo for making mine look like that. :P
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Log-a-Log on September 22, 2011, 08:21:28 PM
I picture them as animals, but I always picture their hands like human hands just covered in fur, not claws and paws
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Coobreedan on September 22, 2011, 08:25:05 PM
Me too, 'cos they wouldn't be able to hold a sword otherwise would they?
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Matthias Martin on December 18, 2011, 02:21:39 AM
i saw the cartoon first and then reald the books but even as reading the books. i always thought of the Abbey as human size abbeys, and teh mice as human size. then have the animals in ratios to the mice as human size.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: BadgerLordFiredrake on December 18, 2011, 09:13:30 PM
I don't know if this really counts, but I picture the moles with a Southern accent.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Folgrimeo on December 19, 2011, 02:00:14 AM
I think we can allow voices. I don't see a "how do you imagine the characters" thread, and "picturing" a character could be interpreted in a similar way. The TV series did give distinct accents to certain characters and groups (like how the Guosim shrews have Russian accents, and... whatever accent Rowanoak has). Some of those may have been unexpected.

Despite the many written accents in the books, I keep imagining everyone is American (not British since I can't naturally slip into that. Any time I see "scone" I hear it with a long 'O'). This creates problems when there's a unique accent like the one for molespeech, because then I imagine an American saying it as-is. I have to give credit to the TV series for the country-like accent the moles have, it makes complete sense, making molespeech easy to understand and charming. My only exception is that I give a Scottish accent to any character from the Highlands, even though I know the Highlands probably includes more places than Scotland.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on December 19, 2011, 03:12:31 AM
I think Rowanoak's accent was Irish, 'cos I know someone who talks like her.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Romsca on December 17, 2012, 02:37:45 AM
I usually picture my favorite characters as people, but the other characters I mostly picture as animals like in my pictures, you can see them in my picture request topic
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Redwallfan7 on December 17, 2012, 03:49:32 AM
I picture them like the t.v series and then for the books that weren't made into a t.v series I picture the animals as walking on two legs, having an anthro figure and wearing clothes.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Tam and Martin on December 17, 2012, 01:44:17 PM
me too
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Orinoco on December 17, 2012, 09:45:02 PM
I picture them pretty much how they appear on the covers. I also never picture vermin as "ugly"; rats and weasels are adorable in real life, so why shouldn't they also be in the Redwall series?
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Mattio on December 17, 2012, 10:12:47 PM
i can always see the characters in any book its kinda weird but its easy to see a giant badger carryin a mace and alotta hares behind them-typical day in the library
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Romsca on February 10, 2013, 04:16:53 PM
Quote from: Orinoco on December 17, 2012, 09:45:02 PM
I picture them pretty much how they appear on the covers. I also never picture vermin as "ugly"; rats and weasels are adorable in real life, so why shouldn't they also be in the Redwall series?

Weasels are so adorable!  :D
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: rachel25 on February 10, 2013, 04:21:30 PM
I do see the creatures I just can't describe what they look like  :-*
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Leatho Shellhound on February 10, 2013, 07:44:25 PM
Look at my drawings.
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: Redwallfan7 on February 11, 2013, 02:00:51 AM
Quote from: Romsca on February 10, 2013, 04:16:53 PM
Quote from: Orinoco on December 17, 2012, 09:45:02 PM
I picture them pretty much how they appear on the covers. I also never picture vermin as "ugly"; rats and weasels are adorable in real life, so why shouldn't they also be in the Redwall series?

Weasels are so adorable!  :D
I love the weasels!
Title: Re: How do you picture the characters?
Post by: mattimouse20 on February 19, 2013, 11:05:05 PM
i also picture the characters of the book off of the t.v. series. it's easier to get an idea from the tv series because it's already all laid out for me