Sunrise Combat - Secretary Bird Nomad
Done for the Character Design Challenge for January 2022, I designed a secretary bird nomad based on a mix of kicking-based African martial arts, and Trinidadian stick fighting. Secretary birds use their legs for fighting, and keep themselves elevated with their wings - it felt a natural fit, both biologically and culturally, to have this become using the stick for elevation.
Mawaa, a Secretary Bird nomad.
Some initial studies of secretary birds, exploring how I can personify them.
My initial idea for this character.
The main martial art inspiration was Engolo
I was also inspired by Dambe
And I took inspiration from Capoeira
Trinidadian Stick Fighting figure drawing
I looked up photos of kung fu using sticks, after the combination of my other references made me think of using the stick for elevation (which Secretary Birds do using their wings)