Team ChoW III: Vampire Churritos

[Shamagim]

Hello :),


Team members:


-Iridyse
-secret_science
-Shamagim
-Icon

[secret_science]

reference

[Shamagim]

It begins!!! :D.


A few sketches for the moon character and a color study for overall feel of cups.( the reflection is wrong :(, but it might not matter since it's not actual work for any particular cards )

I love google wave and the fact we can post all out reference elsewhere, but I we need to post it for the sake of how this contest works, please let us know :).

Now I have to go to that family thing that'll take my entire day......what a pain in the ass :S.

[secret_science]

Some quick sketches and a Fresh New Year's WIP for The High Priestess. Hope you like them :) Thanks fo' checking us out.

[secret_science]

Little bit more...

[Shamagim]

Hey dude

The up part it's looking nice, but I'm not sure about the lifting skirt and the scroll at the bottom, they both seem a bit out of place. I know the lifting skirt it's probably to show that she's gonna show you her "secrets", but I don't think the fool gets there until lovers :S.

There were more interesting shapes in the composition on that other color sketch as well , right now the background drapery looks like it's leaving a picture that had much more to show and you're losing that cool backlight.

[Tommoy]

Cool start, I love those sketches Chamagim.

[B-Man]

whoa! Damn I need to take it up a notch. ;) Great work guys. Cant wait to se what comes next! Cheers!

[Shamagim]

Sketch update for the moon, plus some love to the 8 of cups....which I'm still trying to figure out. It's difficult to picture this kind of character without the situation, but I'd like for the character to sort of "sum it up" so I can reiterate the idea in the illustration

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( i'll fix feet later....now sleep T__T )

[daestwen]

I hate you guys so much. :heart:

[secret_science]

Aww yeah, you're right Sham. I do agree about some of the more interesting shapes in the first piece as well as the lighting opportunities. I'll see if I can borrow some elements of the first study and try to get some hot merging action going on. Should be a way to work it out. And as far as her showing any secrets, well, there is a strictly no touch policy for the Querent. That's part of the HP's job security. Wiki it. :)

[jozulus]

OUGHRRRHHHH$ß#&&#!

what amount of "sketches" on these early days :O (hope my final works will be close to this quality :S)

I like the path you started, its really filled with classic tarot.

[Iridyse]

Helloooo my churritos!!


Matias: You crazy art machine! Great variations so far. The 3rd cups guy is my fav :)

Ryan: Looking great!I like the lighting in the earlier thumb more though, bring back some of that backlit shadowy sexiness! :)

Here are 2 sketches for the Fool. One in pose and one in repose :P Need models! (the color is only to show the relation between the floating thingys and the eye, and to differentiate the drapery from the hair)

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And one for the 7 of Pentacles. There's no thought behind the character yet, I just wanted to draw the jewelry on her head :P

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and a sword test:

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[Tavarilyn]

-drool- Ohmygod.... these wips are amazing. Those sketches for the Moon had me double and triple-taking! I rather like the one with the "harp" entwined in her arms. It just... has the feel of the Moon card. A great close second for me would have the be the very first gal with the frontal view, dark skirt and starry eyes.

As far as the skirt-lifting on the High Priestess.... I totally understand that the card is meant to represent the feminine mystique and the potential for pregnancy... but perhaps it's still too... overt? Perhaps if there was an... inner veil that had not been lifted? I do like the other hands/arms added in as it gives the image more depth. I also loved the original WIP as it was more priestess and less... temple offering? ;]

The Fool... first composition is, overall, better than the 2nd, I believe? Although I do like the precarious positioning better on the 2nd. Refs will definitely see things improve.

I'm sure there's more to say but... geeeez.... I'll come back to drool on the pretty pictures ;}

Best of luck to you!
Tav

[Shamagim]

I think I'm going to follow the direction of the third one for the 8 of cups. The other two are discarded :) and I made 3 more that branch out, plus I tried to correct some things with the original one, doesn't hurt to have him next to the others again, maybe it could still be the one I pick at the end.


Good luck to you too Tavarilyn :).

[Icon]

Hey guys!!!


I'm late to this hot party!!! Some great plates dished out by my team mates!!!!!

Ryan: Love her! I know it may seem odd, but I really like her showing her sexuality... her no no parts are just shadows and i think that adds just the right amount of detail. love it!

Sham: You are still a machine my friend! I'm really loving the second and fourth sketches of the 8th of cups. They just scream purifying!

Shreya: love that first fool. He's perfect! something about those sexy open chests...yum!



Anyway I brought cheap beer! :)

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some quick thumbs.
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I think i'll be doing the first one.

:) go team!!!

[secret_science]

Another update. I'm trying to rework some of the things that were mentioned without hating the results too much. Still roughing stuff in, moving this, mixing that...

I dunno, I think I can get something to work without jumping back to the first WIP. I like that one, but I decided after I created it that it just wasn't the direction I wanted to take this piece. I gathered the description of the High Priestess to be leaning more towards bold and sexual, not really coy or demure. I chose to have her lifting her skirt thinking it could mean more than what might be obvious. Her intent can still be mysterious...I mean, jeez you really just don't know what's back there. :S

Anyways, More soooooon.

[secret_science]

Oh nevermind --I know just the thing... :)

[Iridyse]

Tavarilyn: Thanks, those images need a lottttttt of fixing. I'm on it!

Matias: That 4th one is still my fav. The second one is a close second (hah). I love the whole priest-magic vibe going on there.

Karla: Mmm sexy open chests ftw The face on the first one is divine! The first thumb looks really dynamic but I really like how iconic the second one looks, because of the strong contrast I guess.

Ryan: :D:D Omg that is CRAZY hahahah!!! I don't think I can look at you or the HP the same way again :D. Really like the jewelry you have on her so far.

[Mark Tarrisse]

Impressive work ! I am admiring :)

[secret_science]

AAaaaand we are watching YOU as well, Mark Tarrisse. MWahwhaheheheahe.

Ooooh K. Insomnia=more CHOW.

yes.

[secret_science]

Hey, Thought I would post up some reference for the seven of wands. Probably won't actually be like this given the terms we've sort of set as a team. But it's where my mind has been regarding the approach.

x0yucFw3qCQ

[zachalicious]

these are looking great homigos and homigas. You guys are definitely using the power of the soul and body as one;) Great work you guys. really liking everthing going on in here.

[Arish]

Just popped my head in to say Hi and .... daayyyuuumm. Off to a great start, I love it! Looking forward to seeing more :)

[Shamagim]

Was doing some color comps ( don't do them very often..I should tho). And I think I stumbled upon what I probably want the final character design to be :S, let me know what you guys think.

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*EDIT: I replaced the image after a few corrections I did on my lunch break :)( it was bad enough, but some of you will never know :) )

[secret_science]

Looking fantastic, Sham I think any of these thumbs would be a perfect choice to pursue for the final. Though, I have to say I am really partial to the middle and last designs. I think its the strong diagonals and poses in general work well; very dynamic, strong action. The color studies are beautiful, can't wait to see where you take it next! :D

[Iridyse]

V2 of the Fool. I think I will go with this one for the pose, still needs anatomy and comp fixes. The swirly thingy at the bottom is the ABYSS!
The ghost version needs a lot of fixing too but I think that will happen once I start painting. Need to do some color tests next.


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[Unbreakable]

Great stuffs!!!!! you guys got an all star team!! good luck:)

[Nightblue]

Holy shit shamagim. Your sketches blast my mind. Also liking the other cards a lot, but I have a sketch fetish and... yeah, damn good sketches!!! You all already put a ton of work in too, which make me feel like a huge slacker. No Dragon Age tonight and back to the drawing board.

[Shamagim]

I'm reaching my limit for this week.... :(, I'm really tired ( and behind schedule for other stuff).


For now just some really tiny thumbnails, tho technically this are still big for a thumbnail :P...

Sigh.... I can barely type.

Ryan, that's a really nice thing to say. Looking forward to your stuff as well :)

Shreya, You know what I think ;).

Thanks for stopping by Demario and Zack, miss you guys!

Thanks Nighblue, yeah, those games can really suck your time, cut them of some and you'll be surprised on how much stuff you can take on :D.

[Rambozo]

Shamagim : you're on FIRE dude... Seriously, cool it... ;)

Secret Science : despite what people might say, I like the dress-pulling-upyness of it all :P But maybe that's just me hehe. Diggin' the palette as well.

You guys got a nice team goin' here, good luck !

[secret_science]

Hey Sham, just had an idea, what if:

You represent the cups somehow by drawing in containers or basins that the black 'toxins' are flowing into. I'm not sure which variation you decided on, but it might be cool to incorporate that somehow. Maybe make the moon bigger too, so the elements are overlapping-selling the depth a bit better maybe. Just one idea. Anyhow, eager to see where you take it.

[secret_science]

zachalicious: thanks brog man, love you tons.

Unbreakable: MMMMMMMM-MMMMMMMM!!!!!!!

Arish: Thank yas!

Rambozo: It's like you understand me...

'Nutha update. I'll be posting thumbs for the seven of wands here soon. that is a PROH-MUSSS.

[Icon]

Sham, love the cup sketches. I absolutely love the first and second thumbnails. would love to see a mix of the floor of the middle one, with the dynamic figure of the first one.

I definitely agree with Ryan, especially with the moon... overlapping it would sell depth like no one's business! But fantastic work!!!


Shreya: love the design so far! Love him being so androgynous. it fits his character so well. Can't wait for more! <3

Ryan: Loving it.. all of it!!! I think you leveled up my friend! :O (i'd crit you, but ....well, we sit next to each other so you already know everythin' i'd say :P )

Anyway Here's my thumb update.

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I would've kept going but two factors kept me from it.. 1. 3:31 A.M 2. Ryan suggested I do the wheel as a start up in 3d... as I have never done that and it would actually save me time, I'm gonna go and learn some google sketch up and work on the wheel's perspective. ...and guys..I love this challenge, and I love mah team XOXXOOXOXOXO

[Icon]

man.. just wanna say it again... love you guys:hugsmile::assspank::hugsmile:

[trevor]

BASTARDS!
you guys are killing it right now! great designs!

[Shamagim]

Yay! updatez!! :D


Hey Ryan, that was a good idea. I was starting to fear that replacing the concept of a recipient might be going to far outside the original concept. It makes much more sense this way since before he could be releasing stuff, but it wasn't clear that he was getting rid of it. A recipient would clearly show that he's leaving it behind.

And tho this might or might not be the step towards the final one, here's a line drawing of it. It's tough to get 8 things going to 8 other things and a guy standing there :P.


Karla, yup, ellipses= hell. 3d = good, even if its just to get the drawing right :).
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Still working on this one, it might take some more work before the all that stuff I'm trying to cram into the picture makes sense.

[Icon]

Fuuuuuuudge thats sick! ;o

[kingkostas]

these are damn great mates
Keep going :)

[Marco Mazzoni]

Man, that guy is filling the HELL out of those cups. Damn fine work in here people... damn fine.

[Iridyse]

<3<3<3


I'll come back and edit this and post replies, too sleepy now. Here's a quick value test for the fool. Need to start with the 7 of Pentacles soon!

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[Iridyse]

Mmm color tests, my favorite part!

( I still need to get a decent line drawing, hehe)

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[Niva.]

Wow this is a thread full of awesomesauce! Keep it up guys, can't wait to see the end result! CHeers!

[Shamagim]

W.I.P for the 8 of cups...I don't know, I'm kinda fond of the initial sketch, not sure how to keep the contrast in the final :S. I sort of decided to not use the moon as light source after I found out that everything was being backlit, but I kept it as a background thing....hopefully not a huge mistake, I'll hear about it if it is :).

[Evui]

Oh my god you guys are all like super fantastic...these designs are out of this world!!!

Iridyse - I love your design of the Fool and the wonderfully blissful and peaceful look on his face as he falls into the abyss! He's gorgeous. The 1st color study of the fool is my favorite also.

SS: I absolutely LOVE this. This skirt lifting is just wonderful, please please keep it. The extra arms make for an amazing effect.

Shama: Just. Stop.

In all seriousness, your designs are so amazing. How do you just pump out sketches, like...you're breathing and sketches appear. I don't get it. The 'botched' lighting doesn't really bother me at all, maybe hide the moon even more to make it less obvious, but the composition, design, and concept of the image is just sooo amazing.

Icon: I love the composition of your image as well, the lighting comp is great so far :> I agree that 3-D would definitely help, the shape wouldn't really be all that difficult to make either.

You guys are definitely being watched, everything in this thread is just so inspirational. Thanks everyone :>

[Tavarilyn]

Shama - I think what may be missing from the card is interpretation of the card itself. I _definitely_ get that it's an 8 of Cups... but I lack any other details to latch onto except the aspect of "letting go" that you are implying with the release of the ink-fish. Perhaps the composition would pop and imply the "moving on" or "restlessness" or "burnt out" aspects of the card... if you put the cups behind the character? I don't know how easy that would be (depending on how you drew the original composition) but it would certainly implying leaving behind the old and setting off in a new direction. Additionally, I agree with Evui. I think the moon should be less of a focus. Right now all the colors are so close that everything blends. I'm more attracted to the foreground in your color sketch than I ever was with your sepia. :]

But..... damn. Your work is so pretty I just wanna :yum:

Icon - I'm eagerly awaiting an update. Not much to say right now, maybe when you have more? :>

Iridyse - I love that Bottom right corner coloration. The warm colors will -really- bring out a lil vivacity on the fool... a wonderful combo of your two original sketches. I definitely get the feeling of reckless abandon! -chuckles- I wanna rush into the card and put my hand under his other foot... Hehe... only complaint? I don't necessarily read "male". Most fool cards are male... don't have to be... but if you want to go for female or even gender neutral, make sure its more obvious when you do the colors. :}

Science - I never said it before but... your face under her skirts was eff'in brill. Hehe... :} Love the composition and, well, the skirt-lifting is growing on me. I mean, who doesn't mind a lil skirt-lifting! There was something else I wanted to add but I cannot, for the life of me, remember what it was. If I do, I'll post again.

Keep it up, all. Some BEAUTIFUL, kick-ass work here.

Tav

[jozulus]

8 of cups is MAAARVELLOUS!!! you guys know, how to drive our eyez crazy!

[sourgasm]

sexy, sexy, sexy.

oh, and i like the illustrations too.

[Icon]

oh god my team is so sexy! :O

Ryan: Love it! love it! I really can't say how much I love this piece! I really think you've really reached a new height with this one!

Sham: I love this image so much! And I don't mind the monochromatic color scheme, I would just love to see more play on light against dark against light against dark and so on. I think it would add a lot of visual excitement, especially with the possibility of really cool looking shadow shapes! I love everything about this painting though, it's so alluring!

Shreya: Loving the Fool!! Such great lighting! Color comps, I personally am leaning more towards the third one ( or lower left) something about that play on warm colors vs cool colors really gets to me! Can't wait to see more!!


I'll post up more stuff by the end of this delicious CHOW weekend. :) I'm excited to take a break from all the freelancing and paint away on a beautiful tarot paradise!

Anyway guys just wanted to send my love!! Great work!

[fooxoo]

Wow dudes, you re inspiring me! ;) :D

[Shamagim]

WIP update, Thanks you folks for giving our team yer support :).

Talvarin, you're right about that, but at this point the only thing I can compromise with is changing the pose a little bit to make it look like he's going to turn around :(. The reason is because I need(want :P) to show the tar fish, the character and the jugs at the same time... I'll look for additional things to add to the concept, changing the position of things might turn to be a huge headache :(.


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[Evui]

Shama, that work is beautiful, but I gotta say, that moon still bothers me. It just has so much texture and pop and I really don't want to get distracted at all from your wonderful fore and middle ground. The detail you put in the tar fish is AMAZING and the whole image is just wonderful. I'm saving that when it's done, for sure. LOVE IT!

[Janos]

Shama, I really need to say that evui is right. Without the moon, or with a less obstrusive (smaller/less detailed) one your image would get soooooo much better. Your thumbs on the first page are pure love. Pure concept art, pure originality and pure awesomeness.
Do not detract from that great character.

[Mark Tarrisse]

Wow... I think I just had an eyegasm...

[B-Man]

I kinda hate you guys right now! :D

[sourgasm]

kind of a small critique, but that last guy gets pretty hard to read in the torso area. my eyes keep trying to push the shadowy areas of the arm drapery on his right arm (viewer let) behind his body. partially because of the value stripping and partially because the line up his right side (viewer left) of his lower body becomes a tangent once we get to the arm drapery- making it appear to be a line showing the edge of his lower body, rather than the bottom of the sleeve.

hope that made sense!

[Shamagim]

Hey sourgasm, it does make sense...horrible mistake!!

Will fix ;), thanks a bunch for sniping it out.

[Shamagim]

Wip update. I changed it quite a bit ( I think ), still a long way to the finish line, and so little time left...And so much to fix

[Beelow]

damn Sham, that is good! I need to get my act together. I will be waiting to see finals from all of you. Nice stuff everyone.

[Iridyse]

Thanks for all the comments guys! :geekg:

Matias: The full Moon looks muchhhhhhh nicer IMO.

I did a new line drawing for the Fool but there are still some areas that I need to fix so I'll update that in a little while from now. I used the new line drawing for some color tests again( the floaty cloth is attached to the arm band that's currently missing hehe). I'm sorta leaning more towards the one on the right for now. I'm not sure if that's because I have been seeing the left one for so damn long but something about the night scene and him jumping into that luminescent pool just makes it look so much magical. I want to avoid showing the pool/abyss/unknown future that he is leaping into as a negative thing.

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[Iridyse]

Linework!

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[Iridyse]

Just testing eyes :)

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[AlexTooth]

Oh I am really enjoying this thread! Wonderful drawings and colours :)

[Shamagim]

Thanks Alex :).


Well here's a WIP for the moon, before I forget about it :S. It's not as defined as I'd like to ( lazy line work) but time is running out.


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*EDIT: I just exchanged the WIP for another one. Didn't wanted to make a new post just to show minor changes.

Shreya: Looking good !, you have such a face fetish :).

Ryan: Yay! update!!!. They both look good, sorry about this weird way of posting.

[secret_science]

Update Time! Sham and Shreya, looking great! You guys are the Vampire in Vampire Churritos:asslick: Can't wait to see the finals.

Thanks everyone for the positive comments! We're glad to see ya checking us out.

So, time for an update. It took awhile to get around to the seven of wands, but here's the start. Also another update on the HP card. Getting close to that deadline, time to start haulin' ass.

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[jozulus]

strong churritos radiation here!

really fine rendering you have done here! i am envy you for your precision and patience.

Shamagim: this moon design is a classic peace again, awesome. it seems, this tarot world really fits to your imagination.

[Tavarilyn]

More impressive tastiness, as expected. :]

I've only got -one- small issue.... SS, the 3/4ths rule is still in effect for this TC. I don't believe your 7 of wands qualifies as it stands right now. It's a GORGEOUS design... but.... I think it would be disqual'd based on that. Just a head's up.

And Shama... your art should be illegal ;}

Iri... Can't WAIT to see the fool! I really loved the "shiny blue pool" idea of the "unknown". It definitely makes the card feel less.... threatening?

Keep it up, Churritos! :drinkup:

Tav

[Iridyse]

Thanks for the wonderful, encouraging comments everyone!

Matias: Hahah, oh yea. Faces, mmm <3. I just have this almost OCD- need to nail that bit down before I move on to the rest. I feel like a bit of the personality is already defined then, if that makes sense. Atleast I didn't go all out detailing like I usally do! :D I do love your moon update!

Ryan:I've missed the HP!I don't think I mentioned it before but I love the dowsing pendulums, nice touch! I like how the wands card is looking, I'm a little concerned about the 3/4 rule too though.

Tavarilyn: Thank you! I like the idea too, it doesn't feel like he's jumping into an abyss though. I guess I could still work with it and say he's jumping into the unknown? It could be a portal or something. :D

Karla I miss you!!


Here's a color update. Need to wrap this one quick! I'm aiming for tomorrow-ish for atleast 90% of the pic. If you guys absolutely hate anything about the image, now's the time to tell me :D Added a placeholder for the ghost.

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[Janos]

Wow, Iridyse you are really on par with the rest of your amazing team. The face is really good. Good job all of you guys!

[Niva.]

Yeah indeed that update on the Fool is incredible, I think you made the right choice about the eyes open as it looks better but the sentimental aspect of the closed eyes perhaps worked better for the card's topic. Anyways I do think his right leg right now doesn't look right, didn't see it in the linework above but something's not right in that area in the last update. Hope this helps. Great work guys, I'm jealous!

[Marlo]

Could anyone explain teamchow to me? Uh... I know its bout making characters and stuff... but is that all?

[Iridyse]

Janos, Niva : Thank you! I'm a bit unsure about the eyes too, for both cards actually. I guess I will tackle that last

Marlo: The Team ChOW is like the regular ChOW, except that you work in a team. The topic this time was the Tarot :)


Quick update on the cards, I changed the drapery for the fool (aaaahh it was sooo wrong earlier) it needs more fixing but atleast it's in the right direction now. Also a color sketch for the 7 of Pentacles, (the card actually has 2 meaning, I chose to go with the positive one).

Only 3 days left :anime: MUST RUSH!

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[clanlord]

You just kick ass. Very good secret science but I have one feedback for you for the fingers of one of the arms of High Priestess! The fingers on the bottom thrird arm holding an amulet on the right side of the picture. Fix em'! Your work is very prodigious and inspiring. Cheers guys I love you! - G

[Icon]

i'm late to the part again . :(


I heard as long as it was done before closing it would be ok, so here it is!

the nine of swords and the wheel of fortune.

again my apologies for the delay, I got extra swamped this month, with freelance, school work and about a week or so ago a surprise full time concept art job at ncsoft!



:) anyway here goes, and regardless of what the others might say, this year vote sexy, vote Vampire Churritos! lulz

[Beelow]

Congrats Karla! Nice images. Both seems to be unfinished in my opinion, though. Awesome works from you all. I love this thread.