[RIOT CREATIVE CONTEST 2017] Character Art - Shining Leona

yaakov_weinstein

Final (See last post for full submission):



Hi everyone!
I've always found Riot's art style, as well as the creativity of their characters, to be very inspiring. I decided to model one of my favorite characters, Leona, for this contest. I want to push further the idea of her being a warrior of light and really give her a shining quality. I think it would be cool to integrate crystals and gems into my design. Celestial Mantle from MTG was my main inspiration for it's diamond-like quality. I also plan on going pretty crazy with mandala patterns, of course being careful to make sure it reads well from the gameplay view. Here's my reference sheet:

yaakov_weinstein

Hey all,

Here are two WIP screenshots

I decided not to do concept drawings and just started hacking away in ZBrush. Found out I actually really like this approach to designing.
Concepting in ZBrush > Retopology > UVs > Baking high to low poly normal and AO maps > Then textures, rigging, and posing. Simple and fun.



Still pretty early in the design phase, but it's getting somewhere

yaakov_weinstein

Quick update. Still blocking out the design of the armor, and I did some major tweaking on her face and body. Added the hair as well. I'm definitely looking forward to designing the sword and shield to bring it all together!
Critiques would be much appreciated Looking at it now, the helmet could use a lot of reworking.

yaakov_weinstein

Now that all of the armor has been blocked out, I can move on to the sword and shield.
Still trying to figure out what to do about her butt. Adding a piece of cloth running down to her feet might suffice.

yaakov_weinstein

Quick update: Sword and Shield!

yaakov_weinstein

Wireframe

Shayumi

Hi! I like your idea a lot, I think it fits to Leona perfectly! The design looks great too. If I were you, however, I would play around with the colours a little more. Why did you go for purple crystals? How about making them silvery/glassy to look like diamonds? I think the skin would look more elegant if you would use more subtle colours for the crystals! Also I would be very interested how the armor would look in rosegold instead of the usual golden colour, would you care to try it out? Not too much of rose of course, should still look golden all in all, but in general I think it could make the skin even more elegant and a little more distinct from the usual Leona skin, where she already has a golden armor. Just some ideas, great work, keep it up!  

yaakov_weinstein

@Shayumi You're a lifesaver! I wasn't really sure which color scheme to go with, but your one reply helped me immensely! Thank you so much for the advice, I'll definitely try out the rose gold/diamond idea!

yaakov_weinstein

Textures



Now on to posing.

yaakov_weinstein