I couldn't decide what class I was going to shoot for, so I did a couple for each. I'm leaning towards Technomage 3, Shadow 2, and Corruption 2, thus putting me back into the realm of not knowing what to do. :P
Got a silhouette I'm happy with, still keeping it in the same vein as my original idea. I think I'm going to call it "Blade Mantis" part of the Shadow class
DKK, I really like the face on your warlord sketch.
Alemja, I'm not exactly sure what's going on in that silhouette , but am looking forward to your progress.
Squiggly, I'm diggin the shape and posture of #5. Cool thumbs.
Here's another set of sketches, still not sure of the direction I'm going to go in. Would love to hear what you guys think about these and the last ones I posted. Cheers.
My hype level is through the roof right now, Squiggly_P I really like your style of Thumbnailing. Some still seem a bit underdeveloped but I'm stoked. I'll get to work after I get off tomorrow. Good luck people
I'm gonna throw my hat into the ring, I couldn't decide between the Shadow or Corrupted class, but my corrupted sketches seemed to have more variety and character:
Seriously sit down and work out what direction you want, think about your shape language gather reference and think of the mood you want the character to portrait. Is it dark, is it forboding. Is it sexy? Ect.
And most of all WORK CLEANER.
Not trying to be an ass, just want to see you guys excell.
I've gotta agree with Muzz. Most of the sketches and thumbnails in here look like they're being detailed before the silhouettes are worked out.
SILHOUETTE IS KING
If something isn't readable by the silhouette alone, it's usually a shoddy design and needs to be reworked until it looks stronger. Once you have the silhouette in solid shape, then you can start rendering.
Speaking of rendering, I'm refining my concept a bit more. I tried doing some orthos today of this guy, but I wasn't quite feeling it and decided to get back into the nitty-gritty some more. I'm still figuring out exactly how he should work in three dimensions and this is helping immensely. It's by no means finished and I intend to do some pretty crazy shit with the skin, but I'm more worried about form right now.
Lurk quite a bit and give advice when I can. Not the greatest artist but love model in my spare time. Mostly stick to coding (in school for a comp sci degree). Probably won't finish due to school work but:
Original Idea of what I want:
Think a mean goomba mixed with a midget (short legs) mixed with Quasimoto from the disney movie.
About an Hour of modeling on the weapon. will have to cut tris since it sits at 1200 right now (but can remove segments from the wood part.)
3 blades, and the broken horn tied to the bottom
Not sure if I'm going to go with this 1 or not... I started out with a cyborg Technomage in mind but this character started to feel more like a war general as I progressed. Anyway I'll take another stab at things tomorrow. I'm gonna get some sleep for now.
OneLung, That looks great. really like the idea. the only thing that i would like to see is maybe some kind of detail on the head. Maybe some slight etchings or something to give it some kind of texture. but thats just my opinion. Good luck
Thanks,
Your character is looking great. Your prelim thumbnails are great, and are so dynamic. One thing that keeps popping out at me at you current post is the arms. You nailed the form in the thumbnails. In the the thumbs the form of the arm varies making it much more dynamic. You current version is losing some of the kick ass freshness that your thumbs had. Just a thought.
@onelunglewis: Instant win! @Xyniph: The one that catches my eye the most is 7. @Swizzle: Awesome and funny concept! @Justin_Meisse: The Protherian's Buddy is my favourite from those.
I took what Muzz and Swizzle had to say about the general thumbnail sketch issues on here to heart and did some clean-up/rework on my 3 favorites from my last post. I think that the rework definitely helps the designs by knocking it back to a silhouette.
I chose technomage. In his right hand is a mana sheild/staff and in his right hand is a tablet screen to get readngs on the battle field. His secondary weapon is his drones which give him an all seeing eye over the battle field and mana outputs.
Edit: The drones aren't currently in the picture =P
Shrew
Lots of people are makine large handed casters...why not switch it round and have the hands holding him off the ground while the feet fire the magic. Maybe even make it a monkey robot
Right Ive got the general shape I think Ill work on some heads laterz:
I don't think they have really changed the rules, only clarified them. Since the start you haven't been able to bake normals or such from a high res. Everything else is free game. I guess they changed their previous update which said no baking any light info from a high rez. I suppose we're allowed to do that now...
AustinH: I really like where you're going with that. Lots of personality, very different direction from the bulky designs you see so often in DW stuff.
So I think I might have a go at this whole "character art" thing. Early progression during lunch today:
Started with a robot but it felt like a cop-out from challenging myself to actually make a character, but then I had difficulty making a person with armor feel like the Technomage class idea. Finally thought of making something based the Aliens walker and it feels like a great fit: very clear representation of being empowered by technology, along with a bit of mystical imagery from the pilot looking like they are floating above the ground.
Replies
Madmuffin, those hand-feet creep me out.
AJV3D, what's comin off his head?
Swizzle, your last sketch looks like something from Alien Hominid. Awesome.
Got a silhouette I'm happy with, still keeping it in the same vein as my original idea. I think I'm going to call it "Blade Mantis" part of the Shadow class
OpethRockr55: I like Shadow #1 and General #3.
I've got some thumbs of my own here.
2 and 3 would be for corrupted, but I don't really like them
1,4,7 and 8 are Generals
5 and 6 are Technomages.
I'm leaning toward doing one of the Mages. Probably do up some more thumbs tonight
I think if you combined 6 and 4 you would have a neat TechnoMage idea
DKK, I really like the face on your warlord sketch.
Alemja, I'm not exactly sure what's going on in that silhouette , but am looking forward to your progress.
Squiggly, I'm diggin the shape and posture of #5. Cool thumbs.
Here's another set of sketches, still not sure of the direction I'm going to go in. Would love to hear what you guys think about these and the last ones I posted. Cheers.
Some were literally just scribbles, but I decided to number 'em all anyways.
I might even attempt a girl version of the war general, just to be different.
What is with all the shitty thumbnails with no direction? Thumbnailing only works if you have a general idea you want to aim for.
You guys need some light homework reading.
http://www.autodestruct.com/thumbwar.htm
http://itchstudios.com/psg/tuts/process.jpg
Seriously sit down and work out what direction you want, think about your shape language gather reference and think of the mood you want the character to portrait. Is it dark, is it forboding. Is it sexy? Ect.
And most of all WORK CLEANER.
Not trying to be an ass, just want to see you guys excell.
Xyniph - I like no.12
Der Hollander - I like no.3
great work guys.:thumbup:
SILHOUETTE IS KING
If something isn't readable by the silhouette alone, it's usually a shoddy design and needs to be reworked until it looks stronger. Once you have the silhouette in solid shape, then you can start rendering.
Speaking of rendering, I'm refining my concept a bit more. I tried doing some orthos today of this guy, but I wasn't quite feeling it and decided to get back into the nitty-gritty some more. I'm still figuring out exactly how he should work in three dimensions and this is helping immensely. It's by no means finished and I intend to do some pretty crazy shit with the skin, but I'm more worried about form right now.
Original Idea of what I want:
Think a mean goomba mixed with a midget (short legs) mixed with Quasimoto from the disney movie.
About an Hour of modeling on the weapon. will have to cut tris since it sits at 1200 right now (but can remove segments from the wood part.)
3 blades, and the broken horn tied to the bottom
onelunglewis
Justin_Meisse: Really digging those designs, dude. An interesting way of exploring ideas.
*squirt*
Thanks,
Your character is looking great. Your prelim thumbnails are great, and are so dynamic. One thing that keeps popping out at me at you current post is the arms. You nailed the form in the thumbnails. In the the thumbs the form of the arm varies making it much more dynamic. You current version is losing some of the kick ass freshness that your thumbs had. Just a thought.
OneLung
@Xyniph: The one that catches my eye the most is 7.
@Swizzle: Awesome and funny concept!
@Justin_Meisse: The Protherian's Buddy is my favourite from those.
I did some other sketches yesterday knight.
Definately #3
Love it
Dkk have patience I have some awesome cooking
Edit: The drones aren't currently in the picture =P
Techno mage
I dunno what I want right now :P
Lots of people are makine large handed casters...why not switch it round and have the hands holding him off the ground while the feet fire the magic. Maybe even make it a monkey robot
Right Ive got the general shape I think Ill work on some heads laterz:
Swizzle, onelunglewis -> nice concepts - cant wait till you finish!
and quick sketch from me:
Good luck to all of you!
slukas
Shadow class. (might have to add something to indicate active camoflage or something)
Also if anyone is interested here is an eariler but more polished iteration. http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/muzzoid/lol-5.jpg
some details and proportion will change .
muzz, very fresh look. can't wait to see you flush out the beast more.
Coming along pretty well. Currently at about half the tri limit, thinking about pushing it a bit more.
http://www.dominancewar.com/2010/preliminary/en_rules.php
OMG! this is just getting to be downright silly.
onelung, that concept is so awesome! DO IT TO IT MAN!
swiz: keep rockin' it man... just maybe lose the boobies?!?
I don't think they have really changed the rules, only clarified them. Since the start you haven't been able to bake normals or such from a high res. Everything else is free game. I guess they changed their previous update which said no baking any light info from a high rez. I suppose we're allowed to do that now...
Not sure about going with D yet, just wanted to study how it would work.
The bottom were to make sure the silhouette was solid before thinking about what would glow, and then roughly figuring out the physical shapes.
Also your concepts're great!
Cool concepts Xnyiph, reminds me of the Makron from Quake 2. I like version A and D the most.
So I think I might have a go at this whole "character art" thing. Early progression during lunch today:
Started with a robot but it felt like a cop-out from challenging myself to actually make a character, but then I had difficulty making a person with armor feel like the Technomage class idea. Finally thought of making something based the Aliens walker and it feels like a great fit: very clear representation of being empowered by technology, along with a bit of mystical imagery from the pilot looking like they are floating above the ground.
Wanted something that somewhat resembled Phantom Ganon from Windwaker, then it kinda just started taking on a life of it's own.
The concept is gestural as hell, but I got the lines and shapes going the way I want it to.
I'm calling the concept done. I'm pretty sure know what i want out of it.