#lesgle

Grantaire (Aardwolf - Proteles cristata)

I wanted to give every character a pretty distinct vibe, a kind of character trait that could somehow translate their personality at first glance. To convey the cynical nature of drunkard Grantaire I said - why not a punkish/gothy vibe? I love hyenas (of course) so i picked the aardwolf, which has the perfect mane and color palette. It's pretty simple all in all but I like how he came out!

Jehan (Hebridean sheep - Ovis aries)

For Jehan I chose the Hebridean sheep (with a vitiligo-like white spot) and little braids. I felt that a sheep would match the soft personality - and the four horns of the Hebridean breed add a little edge and mystique!

Jolllly (European Hare - Lepus europaeus)

I gave Jolllly an open silouhette, lots of bandages (he's the hypocondriac doctor!) and the apperance of a hare! Hares are both cute and a bit uncanny at the same time, other than incredibly fast, fun and dynamic animals.

Lesgle/Bossuet (Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Ok, so this one was mostly fun wordplay! Not only for his nickname, which quite literally means The Eagle (long story) and he's also described as young bald man. And of course - I just had to pick the bald eagle!

Bahorel (American crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos)

A chatty animal fitting a chatty guy and a jet black plumage to contrast the colorful vest!

Combeferre (Vampire bat - Desmodus rotundus)

I kinda interpreted Combeferre as a little bit of a nerd and I thought it would be fun to give a bat tiny little glasses! Now - translating a bat in anthro design? That was truly something.

Courfeyrac (Amiata Donkey - Equus africanus asinus)

Well donkeys are kinda known for being brash, stubborn but overall well intentioned aren't they? I find them incredibly endearing. I think it fits Courfeyrac pretty well as the heart of the group!

Feuilly (Giant Panda - Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

A fan maker, the only non-student member of the friends! I gave him more work appropriate attire and a square albeit soft silhouette that conveys a sense of kind strength. Why the panda? It kinda came to me randomly, but I associated fans with the traditional bamboo fans used in Tai Chi - and bamboo naturally calls for pandas! Prosthetic copper-colored limbs for added interest.

Bonus: Le Café Musain!

I know I know, in the novels the Café Musain is just a small SECRET space in the back of another establishment! What's so secret about a gaudy building with big ol' horns on it? Nothing, but I really wanted to sell the idea of a chaotic, fun and diverse animal kingdom version of Paris and so I had fun coming up with this!

You are probably wondering (or not): why do things look like THAT(tm) in your project?

Well, while some things are kept more period-accurate, the setting of Les Museaurables is entirely fantasy and steampunk inspired! It's not meant to be a historically accurate adaptation, but more of a fun exercise of symbolism, character and environment design.