two alien characters
In my fantasy tale I have included several alien species. Two of these are in the category of ‘bad guys’. Neither species is sympathetic to human ideals and concerns.
- The Dock-winders are intelligent aliens, natives of the planet Meniscus and primarily interested in the economics of buying and selling other sentient beings. They are called Dock-winders because, when they invaded Earth, their long necks reminded people of the big tie-ups at ships’ wharves.
- The Gel-heads are also aliens of the planet Meniscus. No one would call them intelligent. They are mostly interested in enjoying themselves and letting others do their work for them. Through the eons they have settled into a trading relationship with the Dock-winders. They are called Gel-heads because their skin is green, transparent and gelatinous, allowing their skulls and musculature to show through.
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Drawing these aliens was fun, but I realise I am in the trap of copying humanoid characteristics such as bi-symmetry, bi-pedalism and head-near-the-top. Two eyes, a nose and a mouth. Oh well, all in fun.
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Dock-winders try to look benign and naïve. They blink a lot.
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Gel-heads cannot hide the cavities in their teeth.
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I am glad I will never have to meet up with either species.
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Copyright 2016 Jane Tims
nichepoetryandprose 
It’s interesting to think about the characteristics that work well (or don’t) for aliens. Until I read this post, I never really thought about how our perceptions of aliens might might be confined by our experiences. (I don’t think that I said that quite right, but hopefully you understand what I meant.)
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Sheryl
November 21, 2016 at 10:25 am
Hi Sheryl. I am a biologist so I’ve studied form and function. However I don’t know how adaptation might have resulted in my aliens. Why would Dock-winders have those long necks? There’s a whole field out there called exo-biology. Jane
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jane tims
November 21, 2016 at 2:06 pm
It’s hard o imagine non-human aliens … ants and beetles and daleks … though even they were humanoid in their origins. Don’t worry: you’re doing great.
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rogermoorepoet
November 20, 2016 at 4:25 pm
Star Trek was a master of humanoid life forms and even they just modified heads and foreheads. Once they had a sentient stone.
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jane tims
November 20, 2016 at 7:23 pm
Absolutely: good point. And often a mere transforming of already prevalent characteristics. I see you missed Corked today. Me too.
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rogermoorepoet
November 20, 2016 at 8:02 pm
Oh my! You’ve got me sitting here wondering what it would be like having transparent and gelatinous skin! Maybe I could get a better idea about what is causing my various aches and pains!
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Barbara Rodgers
November 19, 2016 at 8:12 am
Hi Barbara. Yes it could come in handy. I had a hard time deciding if this physiology would be durable. Whoops, I just fell and squashed my jello-head!
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jane tims
November 19, 2016 at 6:21 pm