So I'm making ok progress with the character. Was fighting with proportions a bit so that the chair doesn't look too big or small but I think I got it.

When designing something my first impulse is to cram as much moving parts/mechanics as I can into something and in most cases I end up dialing it back because it is either unrealistic to put it all in or completely unnecessary. In the end the character should be able to look alive and tell a story and blinking eyes doesn't necessarily guarantee that in my opinion. That said...

...Even using the magnet system in order to keep the movements realistically manageable certain movements will have to be condensed which in turn restricts certain movements. So my question is this: Do I allow the mouth to move for speech?

Part of this rides on the use of the puppet but since I'm just building it to build it with no future function in mind it's hard to go one way or another. Obviously a working mouth would make for a more flexible character of sorts but if I don't go that route and take the route of the simple moving painting I will be able to add more body language movements in exchange for mouth mechanics.

I'm leaning towards the simple moving painting but I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts one way or another.

I say skip the articulated mouth for this one. Keep it simple and concentrate on the magnets and getting them to move the limbs. Once you master that you can think of other movements for your next puppet.   Also since this is in the same vein as a shadow puppet, most of them do not have articulated mouths.

I think there's another suggestion: make one of each. If it's just for fun, then you can try both versions and see what is the best for you. But maybe start with the simpler version.

I think there's another suggestion: make one of each.

Haha....no. At this point I'm pushing myself to finish the one. I try to keep my options open and try different styles and techniques but honestly I don't think this one is for me. It's cool and I am excited to see the final product but in the end my mind keeps drifting to other projects I want to do. If I make anything else similar to this it is going to be on a much smaller and simpler scale. I'm glad I chose to tackle it but I don't foresee any more to follow.

On a progress note I have the initial mock up of the character.

A few adjustments here and there but overall I'm happy with it. Still need to get some magnets but I figure I'll mess with that once everything is completed construction/paint wise.

Haha....no. At this point I'm pushing myself to finish the one. I try to keep my options open and try different styles and techniques but honestly I don't think this one is for me. It's cool and I am excited to see the final product but in the end my mind keeps drifting to other projects I want to do. If I make anything else similar to this it is going to be on a much smaller and simpler scale. I'm glad I chose to tackle it but I don't foresee any more to follow.

I totally understand. I do like the look of your puppet character, I think it will work well. It's kind of hard to tell where the joints will be from that pic, but it looks like it should do some good basic movements. Do you have joints in the hands or just at the elbows? I'm just thinking that if at the hands it might be better because you'd get more movement overall, especially if the shoulders are jointed too. Then you have magnets at the hands and you can get quite a lot of range of movement just from that.

I was for sure going to joint the hand with the cup to allow flexibility. The shoulders will be jointed to allow the arm to (hopefully) follow along in the movements. The empty hand I was originally going to just do the elbow and shoulder to give it a more simpler control but now that you say that and I picture it from the hands it would be a lot nicer overall. And the legs will be jointed and I'm leaning towards the feet/ankles to allow that bit of flexibility.

He shouldn't have to do jumping jacks or anything but I want to have a nice balance of movement but at the same time I don't want it to be a mess trying to keep him from slipping into an awkward position due to over jointing.

Ok, that's what I thought - just couldn't tell exactly from the photo. I agree doing joints at the ankles would add in similar range of movement.

You shouldn't have a problem with awkward positioning. Shawn's right, it's basically using the same concept as shadow puppets. If you need to prevent a joint from going too far in the wrong direction, then you can attach a string or elastic to limit movement. I can't recall the details of how to do this right now and don't have time to look it up but if you try Hobey Ford's site there might be something written about that - or try a book on shadow puppets.

Mostly I don't worry about preventing body parts from going too far in the other direction because it's easy to see and control, but you might need it considering your particular design.

I don't foresee any major issues especially since the character itself shouldn't be moving quickly enough to bend incorrectly but I'll look into that just in case I need it. Better to have a fix on hand and not use it.

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions. It's much appreciated.

Looking good!  I really like him. Glad you took on this challenge.

I don't foresee any major issues especially since the character itself shouldn't be moving quickly enough to bend incorrectly but I'll look into that just in case I need it. Better to have a fix on hand and not use it.

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions. It's much appreciated.

No problems. I'm curious to see the result as this kind of thing is somewhat in my line of interest.