Toad was actually one of the first characters I started designing for the Mario Project, originally intending him to be a much bigger part than he was in the games. I drew TONS of concept art for him... and hated all of them, then I hit a design I loved... once I removed the "mushroom hat". I later worked the hat back in for other characters, mostly for the guards. This was the design I went with... but after seeing it colored... I realize that his color scheme SUCKS BIG TIME! After I got this colored, I went back and looked at the mushroom retainer sprites for Super Mario Bros 1 (the sprites is where I like to get my palettes from... to remain "true" to the game... that sounds geeky...), and I found NO blue whatsoever... just red, white, and peach color. I'll have to recolor him sometime with a red motif.

More Toad at the bottom... looks like he had too much Taco Bell and is getting ready to fart or something. o_O

Koopa Troopa on the right. Another one of the characters that are giving me problems. I like the design... but it looks like a better hammer brother than a troopa. *shrug*

Incidentally, I drew all these in straight pen. I don't draw in pen... I usually don't even ink my stuff. These were the product of not having any MONEY for lunch today, and scrounging up just enough money for a cupcake and a mountain dew. Guess something good came out of it. I got weird looks for the troopa in the break room... BAH! They just don't appreciate the troops of Bowser...