[Riot Art Contest] - Ice Queen Castle

Enalya

Latest update 20/11:



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Hey there,

For this contest I've decided to join in and give it a try, mostly to improve - I'm only a student Digital Artist ^^
I play League on a regular basis, so it's a familiar area to me. I love ice (moves, champions) and the splash art they make of such. This idea came to me:



Frost Queen Janna's , Lissandra's and Anivia's skillshots collapse in the middle, with a beautiful ice castle as result.

Feedback is highly appreciated!

AmandaJane

Looking great so far!

Adam Chilton

Great composition and sense of depth. The main issue is that the characters face isn't visible. It makes the tower seem like the focal point of the image, whereas the focus should be about the character.

Enalya

Thank you!
I see, you're right However, if I would change that, it would mess up my composition and idea.. You think it wouldn't be accepted? If so, do you have an idea how I can change this the best way? (:

Adam Chilton

You could move the whole composition left and move the main character right a bit, and looking towards the viewer. Make it as though the character is directing an army which way to charge, looking back at them. Make the focal point the character, and the distant tower the secondary focal point.

Enalya

Thanks for your extensive reply, I'll see what I can do!

AdrenalineAngel

I agree. Since the contest rules ask you to focus on the characters and the castle is in the center your eye moves to where Jana's staff is pointing rather than looking at the champions themselves.

AlexandraVo

Have you tried taking a look and studying more of the group splash art? Here's the summer one they did as reference:

http://alvinlee.deviantart.com/art/League-of-Legends-Pool-Party-399775869
And a fan made one by Quirkilicious with people from Freljord that was pretty neat.


http://quirkilicious.deviantart.com/art/Freljord-472208492

Notice how both of them, the majority of the characters face is towards the camera somehow. This doesn't mean they directly have to look at it, but just seeing more of it would be nice.

Another thing is that the majority of the environment in your painting is pointing towards the castle, which causes it to be the focal point, perhaps try framing the characters instead.

I hope that helps!

Enalya

It does, thanks a lot! Very nice art.

I meant to make the ice castle the focal point, as was my concept. But I see now that I have to switch the focus to Janna. I really appreciate your tips and my planning is to update tonight ^^

TeddyDxC

Wow! Looking great!!!

AdrenalineAngel

Enalya wrote: »

It does, thanks a lot! Very nice art.

I meant to make the ice castle the focal point, as was my concept. But I see now that I have to switch the focus to Janna. I really appreciate your tips and my planning is to update tonight ^^

No problem! I wasn't originally aware till someone told me they should be the focus as well, so thought I should pass the knowledge along. It has great potential though!

Enalya

Thanks all! Tried improving the piece by changing the focus:



It's just a composition try - I went a bit overboard with values already. Damn it xD
What do you think?

Sceolang

Wow what a nice work we have here. You have a great sense of perspective. The only thing I can attach to is Janna's leg (please don't do me wrong, I do want to help c: ) Personally I think it's unnecessary and makes me wondering in what pose she actually is. Keep it up!

Enalya

Lol, now that you mention it, that leg is totally off :'D I'll probably chop it off or so xD

cohare

I love the changes you made to it. The composition is a lot more engaging now. Out of curiosity are you planning to make Janna a big focus in this piece at all? I like that Lissandra and Anivia are also present but it feels like she's a big focal point.

If thats the case perhaps pull Janna back a little from the foreground so we see a little more than just above her torso? Those are just my thoughts but you have a lovely piece going on so far.

ramaeia

I hope I wrote this with the intention of constructive criticism and not offend the artist. Just trying to point out what I see and help .

What exactly is Janna looking at, I liked it better in the original where she was looking towards the castle. Now she looks like she isn't part of whatever is happening. She just has her arm sticking towards the castle, but her face doesn't match with the action. Also maybe think about how she is holding her staff? It looks completely off on how someone would hold a staff.

Enalya

Thanks all!

@cohare: Janna is now meant to be a big focal point, so I will pull her back a bit and up, so you'll be able to see her legs.
@ramaeia: Please do, I appreciate it! But most people suggested to change the focus to a champion, because the contest requires that. Besides, the piece will be more enganging when I show Janna's face.
I wasn't happy with the staff thing either, so I will change how she holds it.

^_^

Enalya

Reference board:


I changed Janna's pose to a more splash art like pose. I like that you can see more of her body now (didn't do any values yet). You guys think this works better?

Enalya

Hey all!

Unfortunately work has been first priority and this piece was turning out too ambitious for me to complete. I decided to take another direction and pick one champion I love. I still want to keep the ice theme in, so I'm going for a skin for Syndra: Ice Queen Syndra.

Some armor exploration:


I'd really like to hear which one you prefer or maybe hear about features I can mix.

Jelligeth

Nice, the thumbnails are looking great.
Though 1, 3 and 5 looks like she'd have trouble bending her legs xD

I like the shoulders on 3!

Enalya

Thanks for your thoughts! Yea, now that you mention it, I will fix them legs

chains16

daaaang them syndra concepts are cool af
i think 2 and 5 are the best, but the headdress on 3 is fantastic

Crumplemunch

wow this is great! I'm loving 2nd and 5th. Also, nice job on the first few sketches.

Enalya

I really appreciate your comments, thanks
I'll try to make a cool (huehue) mix of 2 and 5 and post it soon.

Enalya

Finally found time to proceed! I mixed 2 and 5 with some adjustments and redid her body and pose:



I also did some color exploration:



Which one do you prefer or maybe I should make a mix again?
Thanks for watching!

pmiller001

I dont play league of legends, so i may not be the most qualified. That being said, i think i know about color!
number 3 gets the icey feeling thru the most for me.
Also, as far as lighting goes on the big piece. I like it amigo. compositionally its very interesting.
I almost wish you were seeing this thru a fish eye lens.
Whoop please finish these. I like where its headed!

Enalya

Thanks a bunch! I won't be finishing that big piece as I said before, due to time and priorities, but it's good to hear.

Here's an update, I've started rendering her in a messy background:

Enalya

To my disappointment I did not have to time for her that I wished to have, but I will try to finish the piece as far as possible before Friday.

I suck at backgrounds, but trying some things out (the castle at the bottom is not rendered yet, obviously). I would really appreciate some feedback or ideas!

Here is where I am now:

Enalya

Today I spent time polishing things up and I think I will leave it at this. Thanks for watching and may my favorites in this contest win!