I especially like the shape of the top left head-dress, I think it's also less visually distracting without eyes and fangs. Having the front paws hang down over the shoulders is also a cool look. I had an idea that each paw could be tied together with twine so that the pelt sits on the character like a cross between a backpack and a hooded cloak.
Here's some reference for his rifle. I wasn't sure which direction to take so I looked at all styles and periods of weaponry before sketching some that I thought might work. At the top is an American blunderbuss. I like the flared barrel but the purpose of the gun is more shotgun than sharpshooter like I had intended for my character. Below that is a fantasy hunter's rifle. I liked the steampunk look and the oversized barrel on this. Second from bottom is a Japanese musket. I thought the rounded off grip made more sense for a character with huge paws than the conventional grip and stock. Finally, A Mosin Nagant bolt-action, a classic sharpshooter's rifle.
These sketches are of various things I intend to use. At the top are a couple of different Gemshorns. I'll almost definitely go for an over-emphasised curved Gemshorn, hung from string. Below those on the left are a few varieties of bamboo. I thought bamboo would make an interesting alternate material for the barrel of my character's rifle. On the bottom right is a sketch of some natural hemp twine.Finally, a revision of my character's basic shape:
I really bulked him up this time around, and he now resembles a fierce hunchback bear rather than a kangaroo hybrid. I also made a slight change to his feet, giving him a raised ankle which I think gives him more poise than the previous flat-footed iteration. The musculature is probably a bit over-emphasised in these sketches but that's just so I have a good idea where to put it on the final model.Phew! Next up, I think I'll attempt some proper character drafts with all accessories added and some different facial markings.
