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character design Tag

Character 182 – Stoney (Set it Off)

This is Stoney played by Jada Pinkett Smith in the 90s film Set it Off. There are four main characters in the film which I’ve painted here : Frankie, Cleo, and TT. But, the film centers around four friends but the story is really Stoney’s as she was the heart of the film, her brother, relationship, etc. Jada did a phenomenal job in this classic film.

On the film: I saw Set It Off when it came out. I think it was shortly after F. Gary Gray did “Friday” with Ice Cube, Nia Long, and Chris Tucker. I loved it back then. You never got to see 4 Black women wreck shit in a heist film back then so I was excited. I loved all of their characters, how they struggled, cared for each other, and I think writer Takashi Bufford who wrote the screenplay did a great job. I know he’s mentioned there are things that he’d change if he could redo the film. But I think it still stands up today. Shout out to Jada, Latifah, Vivica, Kimberly, and all of the cast and crew.

About me: My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I’m an author/illustrator from the Bay Area and my most recent book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco”. Get it at your local public library or independent bookstore.

Dig this? Check out my throwback drawings of three characters from the 90’s film Mi Vida Loca

July 25, 2025
in Character Design
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Character 181 – Frankie (Set it Off)

This is Frankie, played by the incredible Vivica A. Fox. Frankie in the film Set it Off was brave, traumatized, enraged, strategic, and fierce. She had lead her team, with her own flaws, and a comradery for her girls that was inspiring to see. One of Vivica’s best performances. The captain, the ring leader, the one to set it off.

On the film: I saw Set It Off when it came out. I think it was shortly after F. Gary Gray did “Friday” with Ice Cube, Nia Long, and Chris Tucker. I loved it back then. You never got to see 4 Black women wreck shit in a heist film back then so I was excited. I loved all of their characters, how they struggled, cared for each other, and I think writer Takashi Bufford who wrote the screenplay did a great job. I know he’s mentioned there are things that he’d change if he could redo the film. But I think it still stands up today. Shout out to Jada, Latifah, Vivica, Kimberly, and all of the cast and crew.

About me: My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I’m an author/illustrator from the Bay Area and my most recent book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco”. Get it at your local public library or independent bookstore.

Dig this? Check out my throwback drawings of three characters from the 90’s film Mi Vida Loca

July 23, 2025
in Character Design, General
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Character 180- Cleo (Set it Off)

This is Cleo from the 1996 film “Set It Off” played by actor and emcee extraordinaire Queen Latifah. I try to do these characters as my fan art, for fun in between books and other projects to practice. In Set it Off Cleo is a lowrider, a masculine queer woman, a get away driver, and a big source of strength within the crew of friends. In order to escape poverty, she and three of her friends pull off multiple bank heists. Stay tuned for more.

On the film: I saw Set It Off when it came out. I think it was shortly after F. Gary Gray did “Friday” with Ice Cube, Nia Long, and Chris Tucker. I loved it back then. You never got to see 4 Black women wreck shit in a heist film back then so I was excited. I loved all of their characters, how they struggled, cared for each other, and I think writer Takashi Bufford who wrote the screenplay did a great job. I know he’s mentioned there are things that he’d change if he could redo the film. But I think it still stands up today. Shout out to Jada, Latifah, Vivica, Kimberly, and all of the cast and crew.

About me: My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I’m an author/illustrator from the Bay Area and my most recent book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco”. Get it at your local public library or independent bookstore.

Dig this? Check out my throwback drawings of three characters from the 90’s film Mi Vida Loca

June 5, 2025
in Character Design
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Character 179 – TT (Set It Off)

This is Tisean or TT from the 1996 film “Set It Off” played by actor Kimberly Elise. I’ve been slacking on my characters and its nice to stretch out by doing this illustration of TT. In the film she was quiet, timid, a single mother, but a fierce ally and team member of the crew. In order to escape poverty, she and three of her friends pull off multiple bank heists. Stay tuned for more.

On the film: I saw Set It Off when it came out. I think it was shortly after F. Gary Gray did “Friday” with Ice Cube, Nia Long, and Chris Tucker. I loved it back then. You never got to see 4 Black women wreck shit in a heist film back then so I was excited. I loved all of their characters, how they struggled, cared for each other, and I think writer Takashi Bufford who wrote the screenplay did a great job. I know he’s mentioned there are things that he’d change if he could redo the film. But I think it still stands up today. Shout out to Jada, Latifah, Vivica, Kimberly, and all of the cast and crew.

About me: My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I’m an author/illustrator from the Bay Area and my most recent book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco”. Get it at your local public library or independent bookstore.

Dig this? Check out my throwback drawings of three characters from the 90’s film Mi Vida Loca

May 19, 2025
in Character Design, Ilustration
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School Visit – Alvarado Elementary

This was cool. I’ve never ever done a school visit in Union City. I met an educator named Roxanne Ramirez at the San Jose Made last year who has been a teacher for over 20 years. Not only that but shes an ethnic studies educator. Anyways, she invited me to her school in the Southern part of the Bay Area and I spoke to a whole bunch of students from 1st grade up to 5th.

They kids were super sweet, curious, and inquisitive so I had fun chopping it up with them, asking them questions, and being silly.

Some of the things we talked about or did on the first day were:

  • Several picture book readings
  • Q & A about writing and drawing
  • Revising your work, working with a team
  • Fruits, veggies, and community
  • Different types of family structures

Some of the things we talked about on the second day were more focused on:

  • Character design
  • Art Books
  • Figure drawing
  • Collaboration
  • Public Art/ Graffiti
  • Video Games, Animation, Film
  • Social Justice

I really had a blast drawing with them and talking with these young minds, meeting their teachers, their principal, and many of the staff members. And I hope to make it back to this school again in the future.

School and Library Visits: I’ve been visiting students as a storyteller since 2012 yall. I started as an illustrator first and then I became an author. I visit many schools every single year. I’ve been all over the Bay Area and Ive read to students in California, Texas, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, and Ohio. At this point I’ve visited over 100 libraries and schools. Recently I put out the call to visit more cities in Northern and Central California. If you’d like to invite me to visit your school or library in the Bay or outside of it, I’m open to travel! Shoot me an email at info@robdontstop.com

Dig this? I did a picture book workshop for CCA college students in the comics MFA program.

These are the educators who spend countless hours prepping, reading, researching, and teaching our babies. They were kind enough to take a picture with me. Photos by Victor Guzman Benitez and Roxanne Ramirez. Shout out to the Social Justice Academy and the Ethnic Studies educators there. Hella appreciate y’all!

Videos:

March 19, 2025
in General, School or Library Visit
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ArtVsArtist 2025

Ok. These are fun to do to look back and share work that I reeally liked. As an artist I do a bunch of art and wear many hats but I dont always love every project. These are a feew that I love. Top to bottom, left to right. These are usually shared in December of each year I think, but hey-better late than never. #ArtVsArtist2025 #artVSartist

  1. Story time Print 8– I wanted to draw a teacher or librarian reading to some children, simple yet joyful.
  2. Short story 31– A fun exercise to make some promo art and get back to my series of short stories. Read it!
  3. Postcard -This postcard I made in the new year to get back to basic self promo. It has some nice gold finishing.
  4. Rights of Every Child – This is a collab to illustrate a line from the UN convention on the rights of the child.
  5. Photo– Shot of me speaking at Modesto Jr College thx to Dr Theresa Rojas.
  6. Social Justice Children’s Book Fair– Heres the art I did for the 2023 fair!
  7. Branding/ Self portrait– This is the art for my 2023 branding.
  8. Character 171– Mama and daughter character for fun.
  9. Fridays for Falestin– Art to assist a GoFundMe for a Palestinian family w/ Artists for Radical Imagination.

Dig this? Check out my most recent book Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco. Or check out the last time I did #artVSartist in 2023. Check that out here.

January 30, 2025
in General
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Character 176 – Teen Blade REDO

I drew and painted this character in 2011 and redoing in 2025 is a challenging yet fun exercise to build momentum. Its a trip to see how much I’ve grown as an artist and I can see theres still so much to learn. But in the meantime, check out the comparison below.

This is the original version. In the late 90s film starring Wesley Snipes his partner and friend Whistler said he discovered Blade as a homeless teenager. Here I imagine him making a way into civilian life, high school maybe for the first time after getting some support. Whatcha think? Holler.

Dig this? If you like my characters check out my last character collage of figures from 2020-2024

January 17, 2025
in General
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Character 175 – Butterfly boy REDO

I drew and painted this character in 2014 and while I have lots of shit to do, sometimes its fun to just revisit or in this case redo old work. Part of it is to see how much I’ve grown and pat myself on the back for a moment. Part of it is to think about where I want to go skills wise. Soooo…

Here’s a side by side comparison of this “Butterfly Boy”. 2014 version and a 2025 version. Thoughts? Improvements? Thoughts?

Dig this? If you like my characters check out my last character collage of figures from 2020-2024

January 9, 2025
in Character Design, General
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