Random Cowboy Sketches

Cowboy clothing ideas

• Just a few potential items of clothing for the cowboy character
• Vests and cowboy hats practical for the scorching desert heat
• Ordinary jeans instead of cowboy chaps, which would look weird and tacky
• A bandana to add a bit of edginess to the character
• Traditional cowboy boots to complete the outfit

Horse Jumping - Animation reference

This is the perfect video to use for jumping references as it shows how the horse and rider move over jumps in every angle.

Horse research - Model references

These are images of horses I have collected; they're simple ones showing off the posture of a horse so we can use them for modelling. I will collect further images of horses with saddles and tack.

Map Planning

 Map 1- This town has a busy market area; it shows that the place is popular for quick stops to pick up general items. The sheriffs office is big so trouble is low however the sheriff and deputies are often called away to investigate disturbances nearby.

 Map 2 - This town has a gate and large border around it; even though it's small it's secure limiting the amount of attempted robberies. However because of its closed in environment, it makes it a good spot to challenge enemies and corner them if they run.

Map 3 - This town is small and relatively quiet, apart from the constant stand off's between drunk and wandering cowboys due to the large busy saloon. There are few stalls used only to purchase needed essentials for travel and the shops/doctors are close together making stops as quick as possible for travellers. If not for the attractive saloon, the town would be quiet, with only short small bursts of activity when the train finally arrives.

Collection of images of landscapes

Landscapes and locations

• Arizona

• Texas

• New Mexico

Common characteristics for these Western landscapes must include:

• bright blue skies
• lots of sunshine
• Sand
• Bits of nature like grass, hay and cactuses
• Mountains in the horizon
• Wide open dusty roads
• Old simplistic looking buildings and barns
• Wooden shops and house
• Train tracks surrounding the outsides of the town
• Old cars and horse carriages
• Vast landscape
• Open deserts
• Small rivers/streams

Common Western themes/stories

• Westerns often tell stories where Cowboys face off with Native Americans
• Some stories include Western treks or journeys through the great outdoors where they come across great struggles
• Other common themes show conflicts between good cowboys and groups of evil bandits who intend on terrorising the small Western towns

• Blockbuster Cowboy film "The good the bad and the ugly" starring Clint Eastwood

• Classic Disney film "Pocahontas" tells story from a Native American character's point of view

Native American character references/examples

• Here is an example of the different classes within the Native American's culture
• Different style of attire differentiates the statuses among them

Cowboy character references/examples

• John Wayne from “Rio Bravo”

• Clint Eastwood from “The good the bad and the ugly”

• Common attire for a cowboy

Research Plan - Quick Notes

Introduction

'Above Snakes' is a western based game. The playable level will take place in a small square next to a train station. The square is a small town; although not thriving it's 'home' to the locals. It's situated in the West Midlands, 50 miles from a main city.

The name 'Above Snakes' came from researching western slang at http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-slang.html

'Above Snakes' means 'If you were "above snakes,” you were above ground - meaning still alive.'

I thought it was a good name to use as it sums the lives of a cowboy; watching your back and staying alive was the only way to go about.