Kimchi
In the world of late-2000s animation, few shows were as visually inventive and uniquely bizarre in their own style as Chowder, created by C.H. Greenblatt. Set in the vibrant and surreal Marzipan City, the show was famous for its unique "static pattern" animation style and its cast of food-themed characters. Among the most bizarre and lovable of these was Kimchi, the main character’s best friend and pet.
This practice drawing, completed somewhere between 2008 and 2012, was an attempt to capture one of the most unique characters in cartoon history. Kimchi is, quite literally, a fart cloud (LOL). He doesn't speak in words, but rather in a series of "poot" sounds, yet he possesses a deep emotional range that makes him an essential part of this world. As a fan of the series, I was fascinated by how this putrid stink cloud could be soo "gross" yet be somewhat sweet and endearing: it seemed like the ultimate contradiction.
One of the most interesting aspects of this practice drawing was trying to depict a "smelly" character. How do you draw a scent? In Chowder, Kimchi’s smell is often represented by his greenish hue and the way other characters react to him. In a black-and-white pencil sketch, you have to rely entirely on the character’s silhouette and posture to convey his nature. I wanted to ensure that even without color, anyone who knew the show would immediately recognize this "silent yet smelly" companion. It taught me a valuable lesson in character recognition: if a character is well-designed, they should be identifiable by their outline alone.
By the time I drew Kimchi, I had moved away from drawing kindergarten like drawings and moved on to drawing and coloring more accurately. It encourages a focus on technical precision and shading. 1.Defining the "Indefinite": The biggest challenge with Kimchi is that he has no solid form. He is a cloud. To draw him effectively, I had to focus on the "puffy" outlines and the floating trail of gas that follows him. 2.The Power of Line Weight: Unlike the "Western Dragon" or "Larry the Cucumber," which had more rigid structures, Kimchi required a softer touch. Using the pencil, I practiced varying my line weight—making some parts of his cloud-like body thicker to suggest shadow and keeping other parts light to suggest transparency. 3.Minimalism: Kimchi’s face consists only of two simple eyes and a small mouth. In art, "less is more," and getting the placement of those features just right was key to capturing his silent personality.
By the time I drew Kimchi, I had moved away from drawing kindergarten like drawings and moved on to drawing and coloring more accurately. It encourages a focus on technical precision and shading. 1.Defining the "Indefinite": The biggest challenge with Kimchi is that he has no solid form. He is a cloud. To draw him effectively, I had to focus on the "puffy" outlines and the floating trail of gas that follows him. 2.The Power of Line Weight: Unlike the "Western Dragon" or "Larry the Cucumber," which had more rigid structures, Kimchi required a softer touch. Using the pencil, I practiced varying my line weight—making some parts of his cloud-like body thicker to suggest shadow and keeping other parts light to suggest transparency. 3.Minimalism: Kimchi’s face consists only of two simple eyes and a small mouth. In art, "less is more," and getting the placement of those features just right was key to capturing his silent personality.I hope this drawing brings a smile to your face but just keep your nose held!
Date: 2008/2012
Medium: white printing paper with HB pencil