[Riot Art Contest] - Headhunter Nidalee

LeoJr

Latest update:

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Original post:


So, originally I had this idea in my head of Nidalee (My fav char) out in the woods/jungle, stalking some loggers - a reference to a point in her lore. A buddy of mine suggested I change it up and do something else - given I'm a huge Predator fan, and the Headhunter Nidalee skin is awesome, I decided to go with the idea of a Predalee headhuntin' some Noxians up in their concrete jungle of Noxus. Probably going to be some head military guy surrounded by troops - maybe Swain? I want her to be overlooking them from the shadows up on one of those mean lookin' Noxian statues, ready to spear/pounce.

References:

Original skin concept by Zeronis (Paul Kwon):


Headhunter Nida splash art (not sure who the artist is - help appreciated!)


Ingame:

Noxus concept:


League Architecture ref:



Random EPIC Machiko

Good luck to everyone! Can't wait to see all of the awesome art this is going to produce!

LeoJr

Initial progress (attached)... :thumbup:

Adam Chilton

One standard with the LoL character splash screens, is that they all have the characters face visible. You may want to rethink the angle of the head.

LeoJr

Hi Adam,

Reading the contest guidelines, it didn't seem to me a splash screen is a must:
"Mission: Reimagine a splash/illustration of your favorite champion/skin"

And a bunch of stuff below about narrative. Did I read that wrong/ I thought it can be a splash OR an illustration.

Enalya

LeoJr wrote: »

"Mission: Reimagine a splash/illustration of your favorite champion/skin"

I read it that way as well. Plus the fact you can insert more champions in the piece. I trust they meant OR

Adam Chilton

Yeah I pointed out the same issue with Enalya. If you imagine a movie, the character that is talking, is always facing camera. They are the focal point, if you make the character face into the scene, then your eye will be drawn into the scene too, meaning that the focus will be lost.

LeoJr

Hm, you're probably right. Think a simple profile/sideway glance at the viewer would do, or should I redraw the scene from another angle?

LeoJr

Super quick tests of the aforementioned directions:

(Thanks for the feedback!)

JoseVega

The right sketch works best in my opinion.... maybe stretch the canvas. or rather expand to the left to give it that "splash" look!!!!

Adam Chilton

I agree with the previous comment, wider canvas, possibly stretching out the left side so that she isn't centred

LeoJr

Further exploration based on the helpful(!) feedback:

LeoJr

Also, further research into the lore leads me to believe the second concept isn't Noxus, but the howling fjord. Might end up without anything noxian in this and just have her stalk <random prey> atop random ominous statues, we'll see...

LeoJr

Moar exploration. Attempting to channel some Predator 2 badassery... Also, BATMAN.

ruvri

The perspective on that sketch looks very nice!! *^* can't wait to see it coloured c:

Flaxor

Looks cool, would be nice to have something minor to offset the composition for the rule of thirds to make it more interesting, like a figure or a landmark.

LeoJr

Thanks!

Hm. I can throw the moon(s?) or a bolt of lightning to cover that spot!

Flaxor

Anything you like, it´s just to balance the composition. Those are both good options. Here´s an example of what I mean.
Rule of thirds with one focus point being used. http://graphicssoft.about.com/library/glossary/ruleofthirds.jpg

Rule of thirds with a second smaller object for balance.http://mapleleafs81.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/rule-of-thirds2.jpg

You could even chop a bit of the rock away to give the moon a bit more negative space around it. These are just sugestions really, have fun with it.

LeoJr

Good advice! Thank you!

LeoJr

Color test:

AlexandraVo

I like how you're using both warm and cool lighting. Really neat! I'd choose one to be the more dominant key light though if you can, and then push the other one back so that it's secondary. This way there would be a hierarchy

LeoJr

Hmm, good thinking! Next I'll do two more tests where each one is dominant. Thanks!

Domax

oh that's very cool. Will you paint the cougar too?

LeoJr

Nah, I did it with my previous Nidalee fanart and it felt weird, like a pet rather than another aspect of her. I like what Riot do with the splash arts for the various skins - shadow, reflection, energy around her... We'll see. I actually have her casting a cougar-shaped shadow up on the wall behind her right now!

xxxcloverxxx

Im doimg nidalee also. And I gotta say, yours ia blowing me away so far!! I love your composition and color ideas. And the bg is so full of win!! Love it!!

LeoJr

Thanks! GL to the both of us!

/nidalee high five

LeoJr

Still alive, still huntin'.

Veneration

Neat clouds and perspective!

LeoJr

Thank you!

MurdokX

Nice perspective! my 2nd fav is Nidalee the angle gives it a hunting a prey moment!

LeoJr

Thanks!

Moar:

LeoJr

kitties

LeoJr

Close!

The first is closer to my working file, and the second is with some color adjustment layer(s) that I like so far and will probably keep.

LeoJr

One more day to go! Pre-final update:

LeoJr

DONE. Submission & sleep time.

Tickwomp

Om nom nom, good job man!

LeoJr

Thanks brotha!