CHARACTER DESIGN - BEATRICE

"A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, or entertainment."

The word 'protection' stands out to me now I have reflected on my theme of anonymity, and subsequently scrapped it. It will still play a part in my concept series, but less so as an overarching tie to my research.

As the story of Inferno is set in Hell, it makes sense that (as with all characters/beings) that they are adapted and a product of their environment. This means that a form of protection should be worn against the chaotic weather systems in the circles of Hell.

I did some preliminary helmet/mask designs for my main characters (minus Dante):

Beatrice was the first character I decided to experiment with after the above, loose concepts. As her character does not appear in Hell (instead on the surface) I can indulge in a little more lavish design over practicality. 

As you can see, my initial sketch for Beatrice's mask/headdress was kind of an amalgamation of Padme Amidala's 'refugee dress' metal crown, and a Dragon Priest mask from Skyrim. 

In reflection, I added more feminine curves to the mask (as the Dragon Priest mask is, although fairly androgynous, still quite masculine with it's large chin and angular, pronounced cheekbones) and added a smiling mouth since Beatrice is supposed to be gentle and a benevolent being. 

This is also quite prominent in the design of the helmets in the Power Rangers/Super Sentai franchises. You can see above that the pink helmet has really super feminine shapes around the visor, the pinstriping is far more arched, and the overall cast of the helmet is much more round than its green counterpart. The mouth is also different - it has far less of a serious pose, and it is smaller in relation to the chin of the design (showing female proportions).

 I really liked the mouths on the early Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers helmets, because they gave a touch of humanity back to a character that is completely covered, and this is something I have considered (a little later).