Team CHOW II: Team Daemonic Squirrels [Archive]

Maledict

August 5th, 2009, 05:12 AM

Hey there you fine folks, this thread is here to catalogue the progress of:

Rabbi Satan (Me),
Quikenobi
and Maeve.

We're a little underwhelming compared to some of the mighty giants that are doing this Team CHOW. But our goal is to improve and push our current artistic limits.

Anyway, here's the ground rules from daestwen:

1. Teams of two MUST create at least 4 portraits, teams of three or four need 6 and teams of five need 8. You are perfectly welcome to create more images that the requirement if you feel your team is up to it.
2. You must take a random selection of the choices below. Please don't do 4 elven fighters, or only orcs, for example. Please take a randomized selection. If you would prefer me to give your team a specific assignment, I will generate the selection for you. If I see teams doing more select parties, then I will request you to change to something more random.
3. You must follow the format provided. See it below, please!
4. You must do a LIGHT and a DARK version for each character, please! This means that for each character you need two portraits.
5. You must submit a paragraph about each character. Do a short write up for each character you create. I want to see some interesting, stereotype-breaking stuff here, folks!

PLEASE SELECT ONE OF EACH CATEGORY FOR EACH CHARACTER.

Gender: Male / Female

Race: Human / Elf / Half-Elf / Dwarf / Orc - (and anything else you can think of!)

Class: Fighter (Barbarians, Knights, Dark Knights, Brawlers, etc) / Thief (Assasins, Rogues, etc)/ Spell Caster (Wizards, Sorcerers, Druids, etc) / Healer (Priest, Cleric, White Mage, Medic, etc) - (feel free to make up something for this, too)

Alignment: Good / Evil (please do both for each character)

YES, THESE LOOK LIKE STEREOTYPES. IT IS YOUR JOB TO BREAK THEM. I want to see some really interesting, kick ass stuff!

Ok gang, lets start by brainstorming what genre we're doing. As some others have gone for alien humanoids, Victorian era Steampunk, etc etc.

As suggested by looking at another thread, lets post some pictures costumes or stuff that you think is interesting or awesome. And also a collage of imaages for establishing a consistant colour pallete for our creations.

Since there's 3 of us, that's 6 portraits, and also light vs dark. Which would run up to 12. So we've got to work hard! :)

*Brings out whip* Get Crackin'!

Maledict

August 5th, 2009, 05:36 AM

Here's a genre breaker - High Tech Elven Vikings.

MUTHA FUGGIN HIGH TECH ELVEN VIKINGS!

My ideas are to take a fantasy stereotype (In this case, Elves), mix them in with something in our own world that is diametrically opposite of the stereotype, and add in some high tech equipment.

I've only done vikings, but I'll be researching some high tech add-ons. Which could be night vision goggles, or some kind of Hi Tech Visor that enhances vision. Something like that :)

743372

Here's another stereotype breaker - How about one of you two research Dwarven Bards and Minstrels? That's a neat idea.

Quike Garcia

August 5th, 2009, 05:54 AM

Weren't we supposed to do only high fantasy level of tech?

Maledict

August 5th, 2009, 05:56 AM

Hhhmm, didn't see that among the rules, I'll PM daestwen for clarification :).

Quike Garcia

August 5th, 2009, 06:01 AM

Also, I think that being 3 we only have to make 6 portraits total.. 3 evil, 3 good..

Quike Garcia

August 5th, 2009, 06:10 AM

I'd go for Female elf fighter (viking is cool), Orc or Ogre wizard and Dwarven Bard..

nimzicki

August 5th, 2009, 06:26 AM

Just to clarify guys, any sort of sci-fi/modern tech is out, its a high fantasy based brief :)

Sacretis

August 5th, 2009, 06:46 PM

Hey guys, I was wondering if you guys would be willing to accept another member. I'm a fairly experienced pencil artist without a lot of digital painting experience, but I'm really quick to learn and I want to push my skills with this comp.

Luke

Maledict

August 5th, 2009, 08:24 PM

Perhaps Sacreti :) We'll have to discuss with the group.

Anyway, I'm not so good with characters, but here are a few Elven Vikings done in line and mostly value. My characters are ok with just linework, but now I'm trying to move more into value, and then eventually do a character with just that.

Anyhow, here they are:

I'll be doing more :) Hopefully they improve with each attempt.

743997

743998

744001

Sacretis

August 5th, 2009, 08:47 PM

Should I just wait before I do anything then? I've got some ideas for a character that would fit in with your elvish vikings... :P

Quike Garcia

August 6th, 2009, 03:58 AM

Would help if we could see something from your work :)

Quike Garcia

August 6th, 2009, 04:14 AM

Ok, here are some sketches on the viking elves and the dwarf bard...

Maledict

August 6th, 2009, 08:49 AM

Heya again guys :)

I did two pictures today, still crap, but an improvement on previous attempts nonetheless. The Drow was done in line, then value. I couldn't get the 2nd, lighter complexioned viking elf female to look good in just value, so I put the linework over everything else.

Nice explorations Quikenobi :)

Maeve, post some art, I'd like to see some more.

Sacretis: Yeah, as Kenobi said, it would be great to see some of your art first. It doesn't have to be spectacular, just to get an idea of what you can do. For example, I'm not entering this contest to win, but to learn how to work in groups and improve myself.

Anyhow, here's the two female elven vikings. As I said, still crap, but I get better every day.

744354

744356

Edit: Also, I really like your pencils Kenobi, would love to see more.

Anyway, I'll do some line thumbs of Female Elven Vikings - I'm not that good with value yet, but I am with line.

Maledict

August 6th, 2009, 09:37 AM

Here's 3 thumbs I did just now. I'm A LOT better at drawing than I am at painting. But oh well, with skill comes practice.

744399

Maeve

August 6th, 2009, 01:37 PM

Hey guys!
I've got some ideas to break the stereotype : how about we turn what was always meant to represent good into evil (as symbolic) and vice versa?

For example, angels are supposed to be made of light (which represent purity) and demons are dark with flames. If we switch for another representation of darkness, like night for instance, and make the creature a gardien and a protector of all mysteries, and use the symbolic of light as a blinding threat that will burn all, we could create a totall new representation of what is known to be one of the oldest stereotype. How's that for a breaker?! :rocker:

We could use that technique for any creature, if we closely observe how the creatures are made and detect any sign of symbolic that make us recognize it to be... a dwarf, an elf, a warrior, etc. If you need any documentation, I can help with that!

Maeve

August 6th, 2009, 02:19 PM

Another idea for the concept : what if we mixed up many differents creatures from mythology to create a brand new one? And make a different class out of it, using the different parts of its body to represent its type of strength?

For example, the forehead is used to represent the intellect, as for wizards and scientists. Something from a beast place on the forehead could represent the wizard intellect and its shape and color would tell more about its true origins and intentions (like a unicorn horn).

Maeve

August 6th, 2009, 06:48 PM

Rabbi Satan : I'll upload some more samples of my work as soon as I can make my new scanner work! The other one just broke yesterday (crap)! Meanwhile, I'll post stuff that I doodled directly in photoshop. Until then, here's a little something to give you a little idea about my abilities with tones and colors :

http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=162891

The storyboard is waaay confusing, I just tried it for fun and it's quite a mess! But at least, you can see what I can do using just a simple brush (soft stroke and hard stroke), the eraser and the blur tool. :mod:

Quike Garcia

August 7th, 2009, 09:32 AM

Hi maeve :) The thing is that breaking stereotypes too much can lead to bad character reading. I think that we should look more for a displacement than for a complete reversal of the conception. I mean, you can make an ork look good, but a demon will always look as a demon...

Maeve

August 7th, 2009, 02:27 PM

I think that I will take the wizard part. This sketch gives pretty much the feeling I want to create :

745637

Without making of it a 'world of Warcraft' creature, I would like to give it a more beast-like sex-appeal. What do you think? :lifedrawing:

Sacretis

August 7th, 2009, 03:44 PM

Hey guys, I uploaded some of my recent work to Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7605568@N07/

As you can see, lately I've been doing a lot of work from life. I don't have anything particularly conceptual to show at the moment, but I'll keep digging.

If you guys will let me join you, get back to me ASAP. If not, no hard feelings, but I'd like to know so I can find another group.

Luke

{CKL}

August 7th, 2009, 06:46 PM

I really dig that dwarven bard Quik, very nice play on race/class combo. Rabbi Satan, nice poses, but kind of hard to take in at that size, you might want scale back for posts.

Sacretis

August 8th, 2009, 05:14 PM

Maledict

August 9th, 2009, 05:28 AM

Sacretis: Sorry for leaving you out on a limb here Sac :(.

But in anycase, I think we're not looking for another person. But if you're really desperate, we'll welcome you :).

CKLamb: Noted, will do in the future, I suppose it's because I have a large resolution (2048 x 1152).

Maeve: I think the stereotype breaker would be an orc mage. Ogre mages were done in the Baldur's Gate series. But I like where you're going. Some more explorations would be nice :)

Quikenobi: Duuuude, where's more art? Moar! MOAR!! :D

Here're some more explorations:

746963

746964

Quike Garcia

August 10th, 2009, 03:35 AM

Sorry man, I've been really busy this weekend... I hope I'll be able to upload something later today :)

By the way, I love the explorations, but I thjink that we're getting tooo close to the Valkirie profile :P Maybe something more barbarish and less knightish.. We can keep the knightish approach for the evil one,filling it with spikes and other unconfortable things to fight against :P

Maeve, looks nice idea for the feeling.. I think first we should get the high mage orc.. something like an Uruk-hai studying in griffindorf... Great start :)

Maledict

August 10th, 2009, 07:48 PM

Here's some renderings of the previous explorations.

I'll do some more, but this time, I'll try to stick to the theme a bit more. Good point about the Valkyries Quikenobi, I had completely forgotten about them. Should've given it more thought.

Anyway, here're the renderings. I've tried to experiment by going into value. The first one (On the left) seems to be a bit better for some reason. But I'm definitely improving a lot.

748604

Maeve

August 10th, 2009, 08:45 PM

Nice improvement Rabbi Satan! I just love to see how it progresses! It will be a challenge, though, to try to break the boudaries using a human character.

Your dwarf just cracks me up Quikenobi! I would aim for that character for your progression.

Hey guys, I've been thinking : since we're working on a group project, maybe we should agree on a fantasy style for the over-all look of all characters. Should we aim for something super realistic, or for something more cartoony-like? Also, should it be humoristic? Dramatic? Romantic? Others?! I think it should also be part of the research!

Also, how will it be presented? With two identical poses or close, or with differents poses? I personaly think that presenting both characters in different positions will make it more dynamic for the viewer. The way the character stands may speak even more than its looks.

I've been working on my sorcerer concept this week-end, and I decided to create a more beast-like looking character. For these sorcerers, I want to create a fur texture that reminds the one of a deer or similar, using pale brown, dark yellow, beige and white for the good guy (warm colors) and tones of grey, black, purple and blue-grey for the evil one.

748633

I also worked on other types of creatures to truly break the bounderies of the ordinary fantasy-fiction mold. The contrast between the following two creatures makes it hardly believable that they are the same! A mermaid, not any bigger than the tip of your thumb!

I thougth about creating a feeling of purity for the good version, giving her skin the look of a pearl using colors like pink, white, light blue and blue-grey, just like if she was born inside a beautiful shell! She would have long white hair (longer than in the picture) and would be shiny from head to fins! Her fins would be soft with long strikes of 'fur', similar to a battle fish :

748634

The evil version, however, would be colored with tones of greenish grey-brown and beige, as if she came from a rotted shell. Her skin would be blue-grey of purple-grey, as if she came directly from the living dead. Since her fins has lost all that is 'soft and kind', it's sharp as a blade! Her bones come out her flesh and she can walk on it as it were spare legs (one of her magical skills). That way, she can move anyway she wants on earth. She usually hide in sand to attack her opponent by surprise!

748635

More sketches coming!

Maledict

August 11th, 2009, 04:37 AM

Heya Maeve,

You're raising some great points. As far as realistic/cartoony is concerned, I think cartoony would be better. Form over function, I guess. Would be a lot easier compared making realistic costumes for 1 character and making them fit with the other two. But yes, we've got to establish a certain style.

About the poses, that raises another question - do the characters have to be in the same picture? Or separate? But in anycase, I would vote for having different poses.

Nice work all of you :)

And here's some more explorations. For now, it's just a test of my skills. We'll get serious once we've established more research and ground.

748951

Maledict

August 11th, 2009, 10:48 AM

Here's a more completed rendering and colouring in of the viking thumbs I did today.

Oh well, off to bed. Tomorrow: Dynamic Poses!

749066

Maeve

August 11th, 2009, 12:55 PM

Nice work dude! Careful though for not using black skin to represent evil, in order to avoid racist confrontations.

I've been thinking, since each member must write a story for his/her character, why don't we create an overall story (RPG) in which we could include our characters? For example, Vicking from X island in partnership with Y dwarf clan, in war with Z wizard organisation, etc. If we could stick to a common storyline, it would reinforce our group spirit, don't you think? :lifedrawing:

Quike Garcia

August 12th, 2009, 03:17 AM

I thinks that before colour pass the "evil" attire tells me good, and the "good" attire tells me evil.. also the weapons.. and if we're going for vikings, no horned helmets :P horns are just how Irish monks depicted them :P

I like the poses.. I think that we should dwell into body language to see which attitudes are going to show good or evil character..

Maledict

August 12th, 2009, 06:09 AM

You're right Quikenobi - I changed a few things, and now it's in reverse :)

Thanks for the tip on viking helmets, I wasn't aware of that at all!

Anyway, these are just me going through the motions to pass everyday with doing some drawing, painting, and generally improving.

750023

750026

Maeve

August 12th, 2009, 10:23 PM

In case it would be useful for someone, a perfect thread for ideas for costumes, creatures and all other great stuff :

http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/Downloads.aspx?x=mtg/daily/downloads/wallpapers

Here's a sample : 750758, 750761

For groups and classes, some screencaps from http://www.worldofwarcraft.com

750766

Maeve

August 12th, 2009, 10:29 PM

If anyone doesn't have any objection, I would like to give my work the same rendering quality as the 'lion warrior' from the sample! Gonna have to work hard on this one! For what I can see so far, Rabbi Satan is planning on doing the same! Keep it up!

What about you Quikenobi? It's been a while since you last post anything, so it's hard to know about your progress. :lifedrawing:

Maeve

August 14th, 2009, 11:41 PM

Maledict

August 15th, 2009, 05:34 AM

Heu.. guys... Couldn't help noticing, but I can't figure what part of our 'group' could be called a 'team'. We still don't have any established species, nor style, we don't even know at what step are the other members of the group! We're just suggesting, giving little hints here and there, but there's no structure to our concept; that we haven't established yet! We're each working on our side, and I think it's wrong! We're supposed to be a team, and so far, we're barely acting just as if we were chating on any other forum! Not to mention that there was absolutely no action in the past two days! And I'm sorry to say that, but I can't call a 'one email a day' action!!!

We need to put our heart and skills into it and SHARE if we want to get somewhere with this contest! For Rabbi Satan, however, can't complain about that : you've been working really hard on your drawings! Keep digging your style! But Quikenobi, can you pleeeaase start posting some more sketches so we can figure what you're planning to do for your part?

So, guys, during next week, we need to plan on :
1. What will be our style : very well detailed? cartoony?
2. What will be our characters, our species?
3. Gender needs to be determine for each character.
4. Is everyone each drawing everything, from sketch to final rendering, his/her own character? Or shall one draw sketches, another put colors, another create a background? Etc.
5.Are we going european style? Or arabian? African? Asian? Others??!
6. Does each creature has to be human? Or could it be a mixt of many animal species?

Common guys! Two weeks left, that's all there is to it!!! Are we part of this contest or not?!

Sorry for not posting earlier Maeve, was doing some personal paintings and had to attend to some stuff in real life.

Anyway, you're bringin up some very good points, let's discuss that in this thread.

And yes, we need to see some more from you, Quikenobi :).

Ok, on to the topic at hand:

As for the species, I think us 3 can handle 1 character each (two portraits).

I will handle the Female Elven Vikings (For both good and evil),

Quikenobi will handle the Dwarven Bard, but we really need to see some more art ken.

Maeve, you're going to be handling the "mage" archetype. Any input would be welcome. I vote for an Orc Mage. Or something of that nature - but as always, I'd like to see your input.

I am quite good at line drawing, and am starting to get better in rendering from pure value. But what I'm not good at currently is placing colour. Background can be easily established with custom brushes. Unless they are realistic back grounds and not abstract.

As for style, I first thought that I'd go for cartoony, and generic fantasy style. But I won't go ahead yet without both your inputs.

But in anycase, I have lots of time on my hands, I can take on the task of doing several portraits if need be, but someone else has come up with idea generation.

Essentially:

1) Elven Viking Warrior - Good + Evil - to be done by Rabbi Satan
2) Dwarven Bard/Minstrel - Good + Evil - Ideas generated by Quikenobi, then done by Rabbi Satan
Orc/Ogre/Beast Mage - Good + Evil - Done by Maeve.

Edit: I am leaving right now for my weekly life drawing class. I will post some explorations of Dwarven Bards when I get back.

Quike Garcia

August 15th, 2009, 05:26 PM

Sorry for not being posting much.. have spent the whole week in the lab and didn0t have too much time to draw..

Here are a few things..

One take on evil dwarf, one take on a gnome barbarian, a take on the elven female viking (good) and a study on dwarf bard, trying to get the alignment just with body language..

I'll try to get things much more finished by the end of next week if you still want me to :)

Maeve

August 17th, 2009, 08:22 PM

Good, now we have our classes and species :
1) Elven Viking Warrior - Good + Evil - to be done by Rabbi Satan
2) Dwarven Bard/Minstrel - Good + Evil - Ideas generated by Quikenobi, then done by Rabbi Satan
Orc/Ogre/Beast Mage - Good + Evil - Done by Maeve.

Now, next question is, are all creatures from the a world of ice and snow, or a more tempered environment, or warmer (like the forest or the desert)? I personally think that creatures from the mountains would match perfectly for all three. So, if we create a background for our characters, mountains would be nice and fit with both evil and good characters.

Also, as mentionned on page 1 :
'YES, THESE LOOK LIKE STEREOTYPES. IT IS YOUR JOB TO BREAK THEM. I want to see some really interesting, kick ass stuff!'

How are we going to do that? What are the plans for the 'kick ass stuff'? So far, all characters are pretty much classical stereotypes!
If we want to progress on that, we must first ask ourselves : what does make a stereotype? Maybe 'something that people are getting used to and will identify automatically as being part of everyone's predjudice'.

For example, a dwarf is normally drawn as a short stoky being with a beard. If we want to break the stereotype, we could : remove the beard, create a skinny character wearing a huge (but delicate) armor, create a female with a beard, or give the dwarf a huge nose, huge ears... Also, we must think of what makes the dwarves dislike their opponents, the elves, what characteristics? What part of the body of an elf the dwarves will take pleasure to discredit? We could give an elf-like looks to the dwarf! With a bow that will throw axes or something like that. Anything is possible in fantasy!

For the female elven-vicking, I think that we have a good start here (the fact that she's an elven-vicking). Elves are supposed to be delicated creatures, not to mentionned that she's female. But we could break the stereotype by giving her strong muscular arms and body, maybe a giant (see the image of the lion-warrior that I added in this page)! Or make her short and stoky! I would also work on the ears so it becomes obvious that she's elvish; so far, it's way too subtle that she's an elf, she looks like a human.

For the mage, I'm actually working on an orc-mage with the size of a hobbit! The two others that I previously posted are ok, but not 'kick-ass' and not close to be 'orcs-like'.

About the colors, are we going to use the same color range? One color range for good, another for evil? As a group, we must decide on what will connect our characters together so they could be recognized as one set. Will it be colors? Shapes (curls, squares, etc.)? Style (humoristic, dramatic, horror, etc.)? Clothing and weapons? Others?!

Also, we must decide if we're going to place our characters on a background or on a blank paper! If we create a background, who will work on it? Again, will one create the overall linear drawing and another add colors? We could have one work on the sketches for both good and evil versions (so, two backgrounds), and have the two other members add colors for one background each.

Oh, and don't forget that we must each create a story for each character! Also, a story for each version, so one for good and another for evil!

Maledict

August 18th, 2009, 03:37 AM

You raise excellent points again Maeve :) Glad to have you with us.

As for the background, I'll get to work on it. I've got Whit Brachna's Mountain/Snow painting video, so I'll try to follow that first, and then branch out. I'll try to do at least two, 1 template for good, and the 2nd template for evil.

But anyway, as for unifying characteristics, I'm not so sure. Perhaps we can use (colours) yellow/purple for good, and cyan/red for evil?

But in anycase, I'm getting a lot better at colouring in. Quikeobi, if you're unable to make a finished char, just do some idea explorations, and come up with some final sketches/linework, and I'll put in the values and colours.

Anyway, I've spent the last few days on personal work. Time to get back into this thread.

I'd like to have some input from you Quik :).

But in anycase, I'll get cracking on the Snowy mountain background templates for the characters. Lets try to agree on some unifying characteristics for our characters.

Quike Garcia

August 18th, 2009, 04:16 AM

A couple of things.. (I had a long rant written, then I clicked something and lost it..)

We have to push things, but up to a point.. a dwarf has to be still recognizable as a dwarf.. there are many ways to break the stereotype without going nuts.. We can make the dwarf skinny or the elf chubby... but still has to be recongnizable :)
look http://www.paulkidby.net/Cohen.jpg
Cohen the barbarian is a great example, a 90 year old barbarian...

The idea is to use the attire and the attitude of the character to say the most in one sight.

For unifiying I'd say curls for good, and squares, spikes and edges for evil..

Frozen background works Ok for me.

One question

Good, now we have our classes and species :
2) Dwarven Bard/Minstrel - Good + Evil - Ideas generated by Quikenobi, then done by Rabbi Satan

If you want I can do the linework for all the characters, or just do mine completely.. I can finish one and two chars.. I don't like to do things half assed..

Maledict

August 18th, 2009, 05:53 AM

Interesting point to raise: Should we have each person do a single each step for all characters/portraits? Like 1 person does the linework, the other the values, and the last the colours? That would keep the style consistent, I think.

But in anycase, Quik, I didn't mean to offend or anything by suggesting that I could step in for you :) So there's no need to rant, eheh :D . It's just that I have lots of time in my hands and want as much to practice as possible. The goal here for all of us is to learn, and most importantly, have fun :).

Quike Garcia

August 18th, 2009, 07:56 AM

I know.. for me is the same, the goal is having fun :)

Maeve

August 18th, 2009, 06:53 PM

I agree with you guys! To have fun, and I would add : to give it our best!

I agree with Quikenobi about the shapes, curls for good and spike and edges for evil, but I would be careful with squares. A square stands for immobility, technology, structure; it gives a feeling of neutrality, so unless it's used in a composition, I wouldn't use it to build an evil character.

Colors
About the colors, I think we could play with the most basic notions : lively colors for good characters (warm colors - alive) and cold colors for evil (as if life was gone, cold body - like a rotten corpse).

Dwarf
If we now think about the shapes of the characters, if I take the drawf for example, we could draw a very skinny (unhealthy) guy with dry blueyish skin, with warts, scars, we could see the bones through the skin that remind a 'living-dead-like' character. For the good version, it could be a thin one, but healthy and strong with great agility - perfect for the mountains! The evil version could be hidding in the shadows (rocks, 'inside' the mountain) while the good would climb mountains by daylight. Also, both could give the feeling that they were 'part' of the mountains! It could be revealed in their shapes and colors, reminding the viewer about where they're from, of what they're part of.

Dividing the work
If we divide the work having one for the linework, one for the values and one for the colors, I would go for the values or the finishing touches. Since it's a team project, we need to be consistent on the overall look of the characters, but it also means that we'll need to agree fast on the final look of the characters for the linework, then for the values and criticize a lot until everyone agree, and finally do the same for the colors. I'm not sure if we'll have enough time left for that process.

Story
Also, we must keep in mind that we need to write a story for each character and each version! Again, are we going to split the work among all members, or shall it be done by one or two members?
Here's a suggestion : maybe we could write a short story that would include all characters, all attached to a specific event that would drag them into evil and/or good state. We could mixt their reactions; by that, I mean to not have them all become evil or good at the same time. Some could turn evil as a state of traumatize or revenge, while others who were evil turn up good and stronger and face the enemy. It will be challenging though to write a very short story because that could lead far! So I suggest a short, simple story, to give a background to each character and a reason for them to turn either evil or good.

Background - Mountains
Rabbi Satan, it would be great if you could post your first mountains as soon as you have the chance so we could decide on the 'mood of the scene'. Make as much as you can so we could have some choices. If you can, as soon as you made one, even though it's not finished but with all the colors in place, I would post so we could see if we're on the right track. Don't put any detail at first, more like a sketch in colors. Think about the position of the characters and their status. A little hint for the mountains : equilateral triangles stand for leadership, balance, equity and power (one or two, since it stands for a leader, you don't want too many in place). Sharp angle triangles are for agressivity, speed (many perpendicular), anger and danger (chaotic lines, each pointing at a different direction).

Ideas - Elf
About the elf, just to give more different ideas, except for the 'Tolkien's universe', elves are generally represented as very small creatures, more like fairies from ancient tales. Imagine one of Tolkien's orcs in the world of fairies! An urukai with the wings of a butterfly! lol

Mage
Now, for my mage, here's another sketch :

755812

In action, evil version (I think that's obvious) :

755814

Common, bring some critics! I can take it!

Maeve

August 18th, 2009, 07:06 PM

Deadline is approaching fast! So I suggest that we each post at least one sketch a day. We all give the necessary critics for the drawings and give or opinion of what could be an improvement, what should be removed, etc. so we could get the final linework done by this Friday. The colors will take some time so we need to move fast if we wish to finish it all in time!

No pressure, but it's already Wednesday!

Quike Garcia

August 19th, 2009, 02:10 AM

I think that for the stories would be nice to make them the same character the good and the evil, and make an story where they had to face a situation in life that made them go one way or another

Maledict

August 19th, 2009, 02:40 AM

Ok guys, here's a quick snowy mountain background :)

756165

Quike Garcia

August 19th, 2009, 06:05 AM

Cool, really cool :)

Maledict

August 19th, 2009, 07:16 AM

Here's a new and improved version. One with a figure silhouette, and one without:

756253

756254

Maeve

August 19th, 2009, 08:18 PM

Overall, it looks pretty good! I think it would work for the good version. I especially like the left side of the painting (smaller mountains with river). Now, about the right side, I'm not sure abouth the tiny mountain in the corner; it kinda cut the painting' s view sharp, it 'anoys' my eye. Maybe you could fuse it with the bigger mountain to shape it as one. I like the idea of giving more weith to one side, it directs the eye of the viewer directly on the character.

I would also add more contrast 'inside' the mountains. Since the good guys are on the 'bright side', light should be stronger and therefore, the shadows should be darker!

Real good start! I like it!

Maeve

August 19th, 2009, 08:24 PM

I think that for the stories would be nice to make them the same character the good and the evil, and make an story where they had to face a situation in life that made them go one way or another

Shall we make one different story for each character that won't connect with the other characters, or a story that will be part of another story that connect them all?

Quike Garcia

August 20th, 2009, 03:22 AM

Maledict

August 20th, 2009, 09:21 AM

Heya again guys.

I decided that the snowy mountain picture was too squarish. So I decided to extend the edges by a bit, and continue with the painting.

Here it is:

757121

Quike Garcia

August 20th, 2009, 10:48 AM

Hi

Do you like this body type for elven viking?

757309

tomorrow I'll have the dwarf and the ork..

Maeve

August 20th, 2009, 01:53 PM

We can make one big issue that made them decide between good or evil. Like 9/11 made a lot of people to take decisions like joining the army or becoming a fireman.. It can be something like invasion of their homeland by an evil empire (have you read "Fables"?) and they had to decide between joining the resistance (good) or joining the invaders (evil)...

Shall one of our characters be at the lead of the invaders' army? One thing we could do, in order to break stereotype, is to have members from the light (good guys) invade the mountains to free it from dark creatures; however, dark creatures simply are protecting their territory and are attacking all those who trespass it. One from the good clan might also become evil in reaction with the invasion from the light, being part of the 'obstacles', since he/she also is a part of the mountains, part of those who are protecting their home.
If I take the elven-vicking, for example, she could be at the lead of a vicking army who fight to get rid of all obstacles when she comes accross the mountains; to get rid of all those who oppose her.

Her good version could present her as a kind and carring leader, strong and brave, while her dark version shows a barbaric, dreadfull creature, who only cares about demolishing her enemies. Keeping that in mind, I think that the body you draw would serve that purpose perfectly for both sides! For the armors, maybe you could look for a thick and heavy metal, something we could easily imagine to be worned by an ogre or a giant; or an urukai style.

For the next sketches, I strongly suggest that we all start to work on the colors and textures.

Maeve

August 20th, 2009, 02:04 PM

Heya again guys.

I decided that the snowy mountain picture was too squarish. So I decided to extend the edges by a bit, and continue with the painting.

It looks even better than the first one! More natural curves, you start to work in depth as well. I like the misty effect in the back, maybe you could add some fog (just a little) on the top of the mountains and around, just to add a touch of mystery; we don't know what's hidding in there!

Maeve

August 20th, 2009, 02:12 PM

Say guys, you didn't make any comment so far about my sketches! I would like to start working on the colors, so I would like to know if I'm aiming on the right direction. For my orc-mage, shall I keep it small, or should it be bigger? What do you think about the horns? For the good side, it represents protection, for the evil side, horns of a demon. What about the mood? The overall looks?

Please criticize! If you all like it the way it is, I'll start working on the values and colors.

Maledict

August 21st, 2009, 04:57 AM

Ok, so quick clarification - are we segmenting/dividing up the tasks? Like Quike does the line work, someone else does the value, and the other the colour? Or are we doing each 2 individual portraits? I don't mind either way. In fact, Quike already seems to be working on the linework.

I have to say Quike, your linework is excellent, far better than mine :)

But anyway, lets decide quickly if we're doing segments each, or whole portraits each.

I'd vote for segments, only because all characters will have a similar style to them. But that might put too much work on Quike. If that's the case, we can go for 2 portraits each, but agree on some unifying characteristics.. I like the idea of curves and round shapes for good guys, and spiky, sharp shapes for the evil guys.

Quike Garcia

August 21st, 2009, 05:23 AM

I don't have problems on doing all the linework, is what I can do at work too :P The problem for me is the colour part, it usually takes some time at home that laterly I don't have :/

Another vote for segments..

Quike Garcia

August 21st, 2009, 09:25 AM

Linework for the mage, good and evil. Changed a couple of things from the original Maeve drawings, like the horns and feet, did good one more deer-like 758045
(Added a Crow familiar and some things like tubes for spells.)

and the evil one more goat-like.
758048
Also wanted to make the evil one as a proud commander.

Let's see if for Sunday I can have it for all of them

Maledict

August 21st, 2009, 10:13 AM

Awesome Quike, I'll get started on implementing values into your 2 sketches.

I did some more work on the mountain scene, and added one of my previous figures to the picture. There are still some lighting issues though.

Ok, so to get everything down:

Quike will do the linework.
I'll do the value/rendering
And Maeve will do the colouring in and placing the characters into the mountain scene (Which is what I will also be doing).

Here's the new scene:

758098

Maeve

August 21st, 2009, 01:19 PM

Cool! I'm working on colors!

Good job Quik! The good guy' s version looks awesome! You pinned it right!

Some critics for the evil version though : I think that it looks too much like a good guy, I can't 'feel' any evil coming from him. He looks proud and strong, but not inhabit by any demon of any sort, nor by rage or fear. The wings add to the 'guardian angel' looks.

Maybe by modifying his 'body language', his position, to make him look like he means to hurt and kill someone, more beast-like attitude. Except for that, your linework looks great! :lifedrawing:

Maledict

August 21st, 2009, 04:58 PM

Ok, here are two quick value renderings. Now get to work Maeve! :D

758469

758472

If you need the raw PSD files, upload it to my website and give it to you that way.

Maledict

August 21st, 2009, 11:50 PM

Heya guys,

Got a little bored, so I decided to try to colour the orc mage :).

758737

758738

Maledict

August 22nd, 2009, 10:51 AM

Couldn't wait for Maeve to do it, so I went ahead anyway :) This is just purely for me to draw and paint everyday - training and practicing I guess.

Here's the good and evil orc mages in their respective mountain settings (I also made a new mountain scene, for the evil portraits)

We'll see how it goes, maybe for the finished portrait, we'll crop out the best bits of the mountain images and insert the figures in the center.

Anyway, here they are:

759062

759063

Quike Garcia

August 23rd, 2009, 04:58 PM

Ok, here comes the dwarf bard..

Good
759935

And Evil
759934

I'll have tomorrow the elvens :)

Quike Garcia

August 24th, 2009, 08:10 AM

Ok, here are the elvens linework

Good
760342

And Evil
760340

Quike Garcia

August 25th, 2009, 03:34 AM

Ok, now that I have some time , I'll say that the mountains look gorgeous.. I think that characters should be a bit bigger, though..

I'll try to do a meaner look on the evil orc mage, but I don't know if changing the whole body language would be a good idea so late.. I'll check anyway :)

any other critiques?

Quike Garcia

August 25th, 2009, 04:13 AM

Submission info..

SUBMISSION GUIDLINES

The Final Burning Thread will go up ONE WEEK before deadline. The deadline will be August 31st, at 11:59 pm GMT - 4, Eastern Daylight Time. I will accept submissions as long as it is August somewhere in the world, but after this I will close the thread. I am going to give myself 1-2 days to then sort out the poll and the voting, so please be patient.

1. One team member will be in charge of submitting the final entry. The entry is presented in a 2:3 ratio.
2. Remember that you will need to submit wips. If you decide to make a group sketchbook for this activity, a link to that will suffice.
3. Also sumbit a list of Team Activity. I want to see how well you worked as a team - who was in charge of what and what each member did.
4. All other ChoW rules apply. If you are not familiar with the usual chow rules, please read the guidlines thread sticked at the top of the subforum. Including, 3/4ths rule, no paint-overs, etc.
5. Please submit files with this naming convention: TeamChow_TeamName_Image001.jpg
6. Please keep to the format of the image below. We're gonna be a little bit more strict about presentation this time - each portrait should be portrait-aligned, like so, and the figure about as big as the one you see below. Full bodied figures, please.

And thanks so much to Zhanglu of Massive Black Shanghai who created to help get this contest get off to a great start!
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii293/chowarchive/CHOW-LINES/kl.jpg

Thanks, and Good Luck!

Maeve

August 25th, 2009, 07:12 AM

Ok guys, here's the first entry for the orc-mage, good version : 761257

761258

Oops! I just noticed that I forgot to add some hair on the arms! But I really need to finish the other characters first; if I find some time...

Quike Garcia

August 25th, 2009, 07:21 AM

Gerat work :) The only thing is that looks like the smile is a bit lost..

Love the colour choice :)

Maeve

August 25th, 2009, 07:36 AM

If you have the time Quik, it would be great if you work on the body of the orc-mage's bad version. It's looks fine, it's just that it repeats an old stereotype, the one of the devil satan himself! I could always give a living-dead look, but it would still look too familiar to the public's view. Anyway, if you can.

Also, about the dwarf evil's version, I think they both look identical! Except that one is in a good mood, the other looks a little bit pissed; except for that, it doesn't look evil at all!!! I seriously think that you should take the time to work on that one. If you don't have any spare time to work on both characters, please give priority to the evil dwarf. I'll start working on the elves, which look gorgeous by the way! I'll try to make the evil version look like reeeaaal evil!

Rabbi, if you're bored, you can always help me out with coloring the characters, if you want. What I would like you to do is to 'trace' the colors, adding one different color to each different part that you'll encounter. I mean by that : one color for the arms, another for the feet, etc. Please use a different color for elements that pop out of the body; I mean by that : the breasts of the dwarf, for example, the nose, the eyes... anything that won't stop my free movements that I'll fear to mess up. Use solid colors: black 100% for the chest, dark grey for the face (real dark, just a little different then black) or dark brown (brown for the good version, grey for the evil one), little lighter brown or grey for the 'pop elements' (like nose, etc.), grey for the metal parts for the elves' armor, etc. Always use dark colors for each element that you'll encounter. If you could do that, we would save a lot of time!

Please don't touch the evil version of the dwarf and the orc-mage yet, in case that Quik would find some time to modify it. Only work on it after you're done with all the others.

Remember guys that we'll need to write a short story for each character. We also need to think about the presentation of all characters, with the mountains on the background. I thought of something that I will post next time. I don't know if I'll have the time to write any of the stories, coloring is taking too much time. I'll do my best, but I'm not superman you know! lol

Maeve

August 25th, 2009, 07:48 AM

Thanks Quik! I wanted it to look like it belongs with the mountains, as being some kind of natural part of it. Sorry about the smile, I wasn't sure if I was going to keep it because I thought it made the character look a little bit devil-like, so I did an in-between. If you like, I could always work on it a little bit later, all depending of what time we'll have left.

About the short stories, any ideas? I don't know what you guys would like! You didn't tell what you thought about my previous ideas...

Quike Garcia

August 25th, 2009, 08:04 AM

I know the evil dwarf is not too evil... I'll try to redo it a bit :) I don't know how much time I'll have to take another round on the evil Orc.. maybe I'll be able to rework the head but not too much. I have to take a flight on thursday morning and won't be back till monday efternoon :/

Quike Garcia

August 25th, 2009, 08:29 AM

Maybe relaxing the frown a bit would add to relax the expression :)

BTW, the hair on the heads looks a bit assimetrycal :)

Quike Garcia

August 25th, 2009, 09:35 AM

Updates.. I think the dwarf is there..
761349

I'm not sure about the mage though..
761348
Added some baby skulls to increase evilness and a bit of a fu man chu goatee... If not I'll have to rework it tomorrow completely :P

Maeve

August 25th, 2009, 10:20 PM

Muucch better look for the dwarf! A little bit piratee style, if you know what I mean! lol

For the evil orc-mage, hmmm... It still look pretty much the same; the adds help a little bit, though. I would try another version, more dynamic this time, in action. A pose when he is about to strike, for example, charging his enemies. The actual pose indicates passiveness, yet the look gives him the identification of the devil himself...

I would like to see more magic coming from him; since he is the "bird wizard", or something like that, maybe it would be nice to see him rise an army of living-dead birds out of the mountains! The revenge of the birds! lol Turning something usually kind and pretty into true evil! That might be a nice twist of change!

Or anything that you could think of; but please, no satan in this concept! Something new, that would intrigate the viewer.

Quike Garcia

August 26th, 2009, 02:15 AM

I'm thinking, maybe we should drop the wings, but I'd like to keep the pride as an opposite to the humble good one. I like the idea of the udnead birds, maybe dropping the wings and adding the birds and turning it a bit more into the undead realm can reach the point..

Quike Garcia

August 26th, 2009, 06:59 AM

Update on the evil mage.. a bit inspired on the evil emperor Ming from Mongo (Flash Gordon is a very reccomendable reading :P) and added some other details.. ribcage, skulls in the staff too, and an undead crow. I'm trying to keep a parallelism between the good and the evil, as the bases from the contest stablish that it has to be recognizable that they are the same character... maybe I'm being a bit conservative..
762189

I don't think I'll be able to change it anymore.. but it the reply is swift and the canges minor maybe I'll have a slot.

About the stories, I was thinking that maybe a way of facing it would be that the difference between the characters is only depending on who's telling the story. I mean, as an example, the elf viking would be a hero for the fighters against the empire, a leading paladin, a reckless warrior; and for the empire propaganda she would be a mercyless executioner, a dreadful criminal that harvest the lifes of good young soldiers of the empire on a shelfish impulse.

Maeve

August 26th, 2009, 03:37 PM

It looks much better! I like the new dynamic of the character, not to mention that we can now recognize the link between both versions. My only critic for this one would be that you changed the ornaments on the head, changing the animal specie in that matter; I mean, it makes it harder for the viewer to recognize at once that it's the same character without having an explanation. It's not obvious.

My suggestion would be that you use the same woods for both characters (deer ornaments, not goat), but that you keep the twisting shape of the evil characters'; deer's wood twisted like the ones of the goat (representing at the same time the twisted mind of the evil one). Just imagine taking the woods of the good one, and curl it on the head of the evil one! For the creation of a new specie!

About the story, my thoughts exactly!
I imagine having the orc-mage, protector of the forests and having the birds for messengers, turn mad when the forest was decimate by the elves, who needed wood to build things (houses, weapons for hunting, etc.), and dispatch an army and declare war on them. The elf girl wants to cover her people's needs and is being forced to face the orc-mage's fury. The dwarf, for his part, is a good living creature, and lives somewhere in the mountains. When the elves come to dig mines to find some metal for their armors, to defend against the orc-mage's army, he will see his home, along with many other creatures', destroyed. He will try to chase the elves out of his domains, but as the elves resist, he will be badly injured and will lose one leg and one eye. He will become a renegate who will cause big troubles to the elves and weaken them from the inside (creating conflicts between the elves). So the elves need to face two great opponents, creating more enemies as they try to cover their needs and protect themselves. Poor elves!

What do you think? would that work?

Maeve

August 26th, 2009, 03:52 PM

Oh craaaaap guys! I have veeery bad news!
My computer overheated and shut off! And I can't turn it on anymore! I'm actually chatting using my little brother's laptop, and the problem is that all the softwares that I use, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, etc are all installed on my computer, which doesn't seem to work anymore! I'm afraid that I will need to take it to a repair shop, but it won't be easy to find one since my computer is an Imac, from Apple, and that most business around here only do PC repairing.

I won't be able to do the coloring job for this contest, unless I'm extremely lucky and find someone who can do the job before this Friday. So, since Quike is leaving until next Monday, it only leaves you, Rabbi, to do the job. I'm so, so sorry guys! Thinking that yesterday, I was almost done with the elf girl! The only thing that was left was the finishing touch! And I didn't copy it on my USB!!! Maaan! I want to bite myself!

The only thing that I can do for now is to work on the stories and give directions for the artwork. Rabbi, I'm sooo counting on you!

Maeve

August 26th, 2009, 08:39 PM

Ok, here's an update about my situation here. I have good news about my computer, it should be repaired this Saturday afternoon. I tried my scanner on my little brother's laptop, but it's not compatible. I will need to get another scanner, this time compatible with both PC and Mac.

I'm actually working on the characters the conventional way, with real painting and inking; it's been a while! It should take longer then drawing on the computer though.

Rabbi, 'still alive? If you are, give us a sign of your presence! Are you willing to give me a hand or not? We need to work on the presentation, and since my computer is out of service for a while, I will need your assistance to work on the background presentation, and by that I mean not just mountains, but also a frame, a sequence... you know, presentation! Remember that it's supposed to be a group project, not just I and Quike! Are you still with us?

Maledict

August 26th, 2009, 11:01 PM

Yeah - sorry for my absence, I've been a bit busy the last few days.

Anyway, I've touched up a little both of the good and evil mountains. I looked up how to paint lava, and applied it to the evil mountain scene.

So how should we divide up the rendering/colouring? I don't mind either way. But it seems as if your colouring in methods are a lot better than mine.

Anyway, here's the new mountains:

762967

762971

Anyway, I have a good idea on how we should present the characters in segmented backgrounds. I'll do a quick mockup with some silhouettes.

Maledict

August 26th, 2009, 11:55 PM

Here's what I had in mind. I'll see if I can play around with it further.

And Quik, your pencil drawings are excellent. Could you teach me? :P

And Maeve, your rendering/colouring in skills seem to be a lot better than mine. I haven't quite grasped how to render value and colour over the lines. But if you can't get your comp repaired in time to do them, I'll lend my hand to the task.

Here's the mockup, with temporary silhouettes.

762989

762990

Maledict

August 27th, 2009, 09:56 AM

After much slaving away and toil, here's something that could look like the finished image. Still need to put in the names and the titles though.

763274

763275

Maeve

August 27th, 2009, 10:08 PM

Looks promising! I love the frames and sequence, and your mountains look great! I think you're doing pretty good with the color job, you just need to take some time for the finishing touch.

For the coloring/rendering job, I'm actually working using color pencils, the painting taking too long to dry. I will add some finishing touch with ink and some light painting once the drawing part is done, and I'll need your help to paint some characters using the computer. One thing that you could do that would help me a lot would be to start coloring the dwarves, maybe starting with the evil one since I've been working on good characters so far, in order to bring some unity. Do what you can, starting with adding and melding colors, then send your work even though it's not finished. If I can get my computer repaired in time, I will add the finishing touches required. If not, I can always give you directions and tips that will help you improve your coloring skills! :lifedrawing: