C.O.W. - #091: Strange Visual Spectrum - Voting!

[Fozzybar]

ROUND #091 VOTING

Topic: Strange Visual Spectrum

Deadline for the voting: Friday, 20th July 2007

Posting thread (closed):
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=101060


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OK - before voting/posting read this!!!

1. Please give c&c or a reason why you voted for the image!

2. Feel free to comment on any or all entries, the artists will appreciate it!

3. No voting for your own entry!!! If a participants votes for his own entry, every member has the right to call him a stupid lame moron in this thread! And i will delete his/her vote anyway...

[Fozzybar]

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artist: Sovereign
concept:
The Crested Silkbird is an unusual predator inhabiting the deepest of rainforests. With a form mimicing the blood Nyang (a deadly looking but harmless flower which incidentally is an excellent source of nectar), the Crested Silkbird awaits its prey perched unmoving on a branch. The creature is able to position itself in the path of a slipstream of air due to its ability to see the movement of the air and its prey, the insects caught within it. This ability is especially enhanced during the night when the Silkbird is most active. The silkbird can fly but also uses membranes to glide silently from branch to branch.


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artist: Michael Jaecks
concept: Yeunoir
The Yeunoir live in the radiant miasma of a stellar nursery on the edge of the universe. Although they appear to live in conditions hostile to life as we know it, the Yeunoir thrive and have for countless eons. Yeunoir are in fact so long lived that they actually witness and remember their own mutation and evolution through the generations. Yeunoir elders living today remember when their kind still had vestigal front limbs.
Yeunoir "see" by the abundant gamma ray light in their region of space. Black holes, errantly named by our species, are the brightest candles in their sky. Through a phenomena known as "Compton scattering," high energy gamma radiation is absorbed by the atoms of matter, exciting the nuclei, which then eject lower energy gamma rays which the Yeunoir can see. To our brains, the effect would look quite noisy and distracting, but the Yeunoir negotiate the field quite handily. Curiously, their eyes appear quite black to members of their own species, absorbing the largest amount of the gamma particles. Regular stars, which radiate the majority of their energy in other parts of the EM spectrum also appear quite dim, if they are seen at all. Yeunoir are peaceful philosophers with deep, slow moving thoughts, who see the universe as a pulsating field of dynamic energy where significant change is conversely very slow in tempo.


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artist: scorge
concept:
Planet 742-6B.
At the top of the evolutionary ladder on this forbidding and surprisingly lush planet, there dwells a being who has through the course of several million years harnessed the power of technology within its belly. Named the Necrix or "Swinging Death", this creature could technically be classified as a living machine.
Upon its dicovery in the year 2099, Planet 742-6B was found to have the highest traces of Iron-Oxide in its atmosphere ever found on any of the roughly 250 planets that have been confirmed to harbor life.
The Necrix, after thorough examination, study and dissection, has been officially nominated as the first living organism in our known universe, that has the ability to generate, and use the power of OEM Pulse(Organic Electro-Magnetic) as its main source of vision. Despite the constant research being done on this rare and deadly speciman, this so far is the only "talent" that has been determined.
Due to the Iron-Oxide rich environment, the prey and in fact all life on this planet has more metal running through its veins than the Earth has used in all of its production since metal was discarded in 2045.
With a metabolism of such speed and efficiency that it even defies the most genius of our scientists, the Necrix produces enough energy to generate a moderate EMP with each beat of its oversized hearts. (There are three) The pulse is then emitted through special pads on the chest, Iron elements which run aplenty in the bloodstream of this creatures prey, are drawn together and emit a faint glow, which the Necrix's four eyes, each a different type of lens to be described in a different entry, put together to form an image of the prey by way of its magnetic bloodstream.
So how does it navigate you say? There is actually enough trace elements constantly marking the environment where this creature spends its life, that faint outlines of opbstacles are illuminated. As if you were walking on a moon lit night.
The tentacles and spikes of this beast, are used for both traversing the broad canopy of trees, and for subduing prey.
The most ironic trait, and only known similarity to anything known to have evolved here on earth, is that the Necrix's mouth is located in the same place as our friends the octopus and squid. Between the tentacles.


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artist: Snarfevs
concept: Van Eck's Merkabah
- Named for both Wim Van Eck - the pioneer of electromagnetic eavesdropping, and for the kabbalistic flaming chariot of heaven, the Merkabah.
- This small, slow moving omnivore belongs to one of only a handful of species observed to biogenerate centimeter-wavelength microwaves. Convoluted antennae on its head and tail act as a compact microwave interferometer, allowing the Merkabah to make sense of its environment by refining the barrage of diffracted solar microwaves (as well as the reflections of microwaves the creature itself emits). generations of selection have eliminated the original eyes of the species' ancestor, and the visual cortex has assumed a new role processing the flux of microwaves received by the Merkabah's antennae into a spatial image. This rather odd mode of vision allows the Merkabah to see through 360 degrees, through thick scrub and soil and in complete darkness. subterranean insect nests are easily spotted by their distinctive diffraction pattern and preyed upon as a delicacy by the Merkabah. Merkabahs are troublesome to keep in captivity due to their ability to confound sensitive electronics such as cellular phones and wireless networking equipment. Handlers also often report bizarre clicking noises seemingly originating from inside their own skulls when in close proximity to the creatures. Studies are ongoing.


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artist: whiteeeeeee
concept: Spirit Seeker


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artist: Fozzybar
concept: Grim Reaper Sloth - you will be seen when you want it least...
Deep in the jungles of South America...there is a recently discovered creature which has an amazing visual spectrum...it is called the Grim Reaper Sloth.
This sloth - different than his cousins - feeds on flesh. Like his known relatives it hangs on trees and barely walks on the ground...there is only one reason to leave its habitat the trees: Lunch Time!
The Grim Reaper Sloth can't see colors, instead it has a much more interesting and unique ability of sight: It can see fear.
Yes, it is unbelievable, but this animal is able to see fear...with its eyes.
On the bottom picture you can see an image from the view of a Grim Reaper Sloth during night: there are 3 pigs searching for food in the forest, right under the tree where a Grim Reaper Sloth is hanging around. The two young pigs are scared, the adult one is calm. That's why the piglets are brighter, at least from the view of a Grim Reaper Sloth.
This exceptional creature is able to make very deep noises, nearly in the infrasonic spectrum, but still hearable for most animals, also humans.
Most creatures which are passing by and hear this noises are scared, they fear danger...this is the moment where the Grim Reaper Sloth makes out his meal...the more a creature fears the brighter it will be seen by the Sloth - the more it is a proper prey.
The sloth jumps from its tree with stroke out scythe-like claws on the forearms and slays down the prey...when it is done with its meal the sloth climbs on the trees again...
Actually, it is an amazingly logical mechanism of a sense if you are looking from the viewpoint of a predator. The more a creature fears the easier it is to catch. It will only run away, but won't defend. Also from the viewpoint of evolution it is most effective. The brave and mentally strong ones survive, because they won't be attacked by the sloth, only the weak and fearful ones will be the preferred prey...
So...if you plan to visit the jungle area where the Grim Reaper Sloth lives, be sure not to fear...otherwise...you know...


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artist: ViDA
concept:
Very very weird creature, Inhabits the caves of the Calipso's 3rd moon. Reported to have been "glowing" on occasion with red and violet hues.
Very sensitive to terrain structure. Navigates itself by constructing a "mesh" of the surroundings.


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artist: longshao
concept:
Majos are blind creatures. However, they can "see" inner energy that flow through multiple sensory organs on their heads.
Majos patrol their territories and hunt for preys. Their sensors can pick up slim energy signals from preys even when they take cover or burrow.
Glowing sensors mean that the Majo is picking up signals.
It's assumed that Majos' visions resemble acupuncture charts.


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artist: JonathanS
concept:
Coiled on branches and hidden in patches of moss and shrub, these nocturnal serpents use their fish-eye field of view to scope out any potential predators or prey.
The Phallumongous has three eyes; its main eye (nestled between the cracks of its helm) has the ability to detect any intruder with a unique 6th sense that allows it to see how hungry its attacker is. Not unlike a pair of missle guiding lasers, its two smaller eyes lock on any potential orifice on the attacker's body then send the exact 'coordinates' to the brain -- which unlocks its mighty (hehe.. mighty ) venom.


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artist: JakkaS
concept: Teralhaniel
These Beasts live in a spiritual dimension. They sniff in search for peoples' souls - preferably the most tormented souls. These are the most visible and... sweetest. They feed with their big claws which they use to reap the life energy off their victims


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artist: SprayNation
concept: Neurocotyl
Neurocotyl's are native to South America, reigning along the Andes Mountains. These enlarged bat-eagles have the unique ability to sense the patterns of electricity in the air, along the ground, and even within living beings. Their senses to these neurons are so acute that when a Neurocotyl nears a species with a central nervous system it can even pick up it's thoughts. Unfortunately, this ability is disrupted severly during stormy weather. The intense electric currents in the air make it impossible for a Neurocotyl to navigate.


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artist: radu.andrew
concept:


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artist: Ira_Melanox
concept:


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artist: liamjames
concept: Somnium Furtificus - "The Dream Thief"
Of all the creatures discovered in the late twenty first century, Somnium Furtificus was one of the most confusing. A live specimen was first recorded struggling in a pillowcase in 2082 - although photographs taken by Anabelle Rostique were, at the time, dismissed by the scientific community.
The photographs show his single eye glowing with obvious intelligence, and, perplexingly, what seems like guilt. Anabelle told readers of her blog that the creature clearly understood and followed her instructions on how to escape the pillowcase, before escaping silently as soon as she turned her back.
Then, when the shocking footage was unveiled publically in 2096, it was universally regarded as a prank. Simply put, the same creature was filmed "appearing" on a young girl's bed, before carefully climbing up her chest and extending its proboscis up her nasal passage. When the girl's mother began to open the door, the creature immediately vanished. When the authenticity of the footage was proven, three more specimens were eventually captured for extensive testing, from which the current theories are based.
It was at this time that the creature was named "Somnium Furtificus", or "Dream Thief", as the single eye was able to record thoughts and ideas during the rapid eye movement (or dreaming) part of sleep. During dreams, the creature harmlessly explored the brain of its host with its proboscis, while the single eye would watch for predators. If disturbed, a nervous series of muscular vibrations would cause the creature to vibrate at speeds far faster than that of light, dispersing the visual spectrum and rendering him effectively invisible.
Somnium Furtificus are timid, harmless, and highly intelligent creatures- with an innate understanding of human nature. Unsurprisingly, then, they are terrified of people, and hide whenever they can.
Due to their skill at hiding, very little else of them is known.


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artist: bumskee
concept: cloud carp
"cloud carp" is a giant flying creature that lives high in the sky. It feeds on dense water stored in the clouds and often seen flying through clouds during thunderstorms and heavy rainfalls. The sign of this creature is known to alert heavy rainfall in an area but also have been linked to causing a drought. The creature travels through the sky by sending small electric pulses from its belly which extends to its front and detects amount of water stored in nearby clouds. These electric pulses have also been mistaken for lightening during a storm.


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artist: Sangmort
concept: The Nit-Myre
"The Nit-Myre [ plural ] or "Suicide Eaters" are said to come out of the Seventh Circle of Hell on the seventh day of every seven months. They appear in great swarms and are only seen by those near to death. They fly through the sky searching for their favorite meals; the souls of suicides. The Nit-Myre are able to see warm bodies as intense light, each shrouded in a blue aura. However, soon-to-be-suicides have a red glow about them. A Nit-Myre shall stalk such a person until their death, upon which it feasts on their damned soul before returning to Hell."


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[Fozzybar]

not accepted entries:

All WIPs/sketches/not finished yet/placeholder/yaddayaddayadda images...AND (if not mentioned further) all entries which didn't pass the quality check

shardana
Not-so-top-notch-quality + missing description of "different functions of their eyes" = foul!

ry4n
concept?



close to rejection:

whiteeeeeee
Actually a concept would have been nice...your luck that the title combined with the image was enough to tell the concept

JonathanS
A bit too less of the creature seen...well it is a snake, so it was ok



special note:

none

[Fozzybar]

new round is online:

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=101697

[dragon4lunch]

scorge, longshao: You guys are my runner-ups. Friggin' great creatures, very well illustrated!!! Awesomely different!

longshao: I think the tree in the foreground could have used more colour. Crank up that saturation, maybe make it more brown. Add some leaves and moss. This kind of detail would add a lot! Gorgeous creature though! GORGEOUS!

Sangmort: Gnarly monster! I think the beast's right wing should have been positioned differently, so that the silhouette of the head comes out better and the creature reads better. Keep in mind next time

bumskee: We know you're great, your colours rock as usual. But to be fair, there is not all that much going on in this image. I'm sure you didn't spend days working on it, like some other have.

Spraynation: I would have kept the name of the creature out of the image! Yikes! Somebody chime in on this, please. Very good image never the less. The giant ewoks type hand of the creature bothers me some. It's so - cartoony.
ViDA: Yay for you! Very sweet and unique looking creature. A little more detail and, well...
JAKKAS: Forget it everybody else, this round's vote had to go to JakkaS!!! SOOO cool, so beautifully rendered, so awesomely weird, so clear that I have to vote for this entry!

[Michael Jaecks]

I really like a lot of these, and of course Jakkas, whiteeeeeeeeeeeee and Spray Nation stand out... but I ended up voting for longshao because I really like the design, the eyes seem like they would have a special/odd function like the eyestalks of a snail and the little mouse is sweet.

[Alex Alexandrov]

wow that was hard really great concepts just amazing JakkaS really great entry hhh i should throw more effort next time

Longshao - i really like the concept its great man

SprayNation - that is great

and i ended Up voting For VIDA really different look on the idea i really like it .

Fozzy - nice design on the creature

[Sovereign]

My vote goes with Longshao because I can't get enough of this creature, an amazing design.

Other comments:

Michael Jaecks - Love the two toned lighting in yours, and the creature is great, although I think it would look better if it weren't so heavily outlined.

Scorge - Cool design! You obviously thought it through. Perhaps making the pads on the chest or the eyes stand out a bit more would add something to it, or some texture on the tentacles.

Snarfevs - I am a sucker for your decorative flair, and I like the background, great piece even though it seems a little mechanical looking.

whiteeeeeee - A contender for my vote, that bunny is too cute!

Fozzybar - nice creature! I especially like the way you did the vision part.

ViDA - I love this odd creature!

JonathanS - an amusing concept, more of the creature would be good!

Jakkas - Second in line for my vote...it's just stunningly grotesque!

SprayNation - another contender for my vote! I just think your was an all round well executed piece, packed with wonderful detail. The vision part was a little hard to interpret but hey it looks cool.

radu.andrew - Great looking creature! The vine across the front is a bit distracting. I love the concept with the eyes on the forelegs.

Ira Melanox - I also considered this one for my vote, fantastic piece.

Liamjames - What an odd looking creature, in a good way! I think the vision could be clearer though, it's hard to tell what it is.

Bumskee - great concept, an interesting interpretation of the topic.

Sangmort - another great concept, the suicide idea is intruiging. I like your beastie but I don't get the exposed flesh bit, to me it detracts.

Well done everyone!

[liamjames]

Thanks Sovereign. You're right - the vision section was rushed and pretty poor... what a great exercise though! I've never done anything like that before, so thanks again Michael Jaecks for the topic (even if you can't remember suggesting it!).

Sangmort - Love the idea, and the visual spectrum inset looks cool. You're right about the legs - I think we both need to practice some leg anatomy for next time.

Bumskee - Gorgeous image and idea.

Ira_Melanox - Great stuff. Especially love the visual spectrum.

radu.andrew - You have a beautiful painting style and palette.

SprayNation - Love the intensity of this image- there's a movement and rough force to the creature that makes it terrifying. Adore the squirrel detail too.

JakkaS - Awesome as per usual. You always make voting very difficult.

JonathanS - I like the light and minimalist style. It's a bit difficult to tell what's going on though!

Longshao - Great concept. As earlier comments noted, this looks like something straight out of mythology. I like the almost-pencil-like rendering style, too - the consistency of value helps you pull it off.

ViDA - Wow, it looks mechanical! Great idea having it striding out of the mist.

Fozzybar - Interesting idea and a fun concept. I love the little pigs in the visual spectrum.

whiteeeeeee - Really good. Immediately clear and interesting - the creature looks intelligent and capable of the role you assigned it. No concept needed.

Snarfevs - Great creature concept and environment. I like the affected rendering style, too. Your good demonstration of his visual spectrum was a bonus.

scorge - Really interesting creature. From a logical point of view, he'd probably be more effective with more grabber-like arms and a bit of camoflage, but you're the boss! I love the chest detail.

Michael Jaecks - bringing back the concept! Great detail about the insane lifespan... somehow fits in with being able to see radiation.

Sovereign - Beautiful, delicate little image. Great colours, character and expression.


Don't make me choose...

[Ira_Melanox]

Michael Jaecks
Love the concept and the science behind it... but I don't like the colors.
ViDA
Great use of colors, clean and simple shapes; I just love the glassy see-through look of your weird beast.
longshao
the creature is a bit too typical for my taste, though the chi thingie and the composition is really telling your story. I wish it would have more contrast and sharpness, the creature's "glow" is lost in the blueish background and foreground.
JakkaS
great story and rendering style, I'm a fan . I'm not too confortable with the creature's ergonomics though...
Spraynation
the background takes your breath away... the creature is better illustrated from the waist down than the upper part, I would have loved to see it's wings in their full splendor
liamjames
the resemblance with Scrat really brought a smile to my face
radu.andrew
your colors rock, but I find the creature too blurry.
bumskee
great use of color as usual, that red really stands out. but it's a bit too simple to tell a story. And to me, that's what art is supposed to do - take you to amazing places by telling stories. ViDA's creature succeeded that for me, so she has my vote.

Cheers all, I think everybody did a great job. Thank you guys for the weekly kick of imagination

[SprayNation]

Really nice entries this round! Tough vote, by I went with Bumskee's sky carp. The description actually sold it for me, but Jakkas and Whiteeeeee almost had my vote as well.

Dragon4lunch: LOL, don't lynch me for the things name. I just wrote down the first thing that came to mind. It was either that or Sky Ewok . I agree with the comment on the hands though .

Sovereign: Really nice color scheme, but I think the creature is a little lacking in it's design. I like the Kiwi (bird not fruit) influence. I would work out the attachment of the wings better though. Good concept too!

Michael Jaecks: Cool creature! I think the creature gets a little outliney though. The creature has a great weight about it; really feels like a massive beast. Nice lighting, but personally I would have made one light source more dominant than the other.

Scorge: A preying mantis-snake mix eh? Cool idea. I think the foreground silhouette detracts from the overall design, making it a less interesting piece.

Snarfevs: Nice piece, but I think the intricate shapes on the creature make it less believable. Doesn't feel very organic (not that it necessarily should be). It's mits are a little large and Jim Hensony.

Whiteeeeee: Great piece! Love the marks and palette. Only crit are the feet and hands .

Fozzybar: Very striking creature. I like the stylization of the hair as well. Great piece dood!

Vida: Solid. Definetly feels unearthly. Love the little highlights on the neck! Great idea for a visual spectrum. I'm glad you stole it from me .

Longshao: Really cool creature concept, but to me it still feels unfinished. If this were a b/w piece it would be much stronger. I think you just need more color (especially in the body of the creature and tree).

JonathanS: I think you missed the Massive Black topic from about 6 months ago .

Jakkas: Wow, stunning piece. Only crit: it must be very awkward for it to walk...or play kickball for that matter LOL.

RaduAndru: I actually like the second panel better than the first. A little over-bulbous. Good work though!

Melanox: Beautiful! Love the spectrum too.

LiamJames: Interesting design, although I think the limbs have too many joints for it to even stand.

Bumskee: You got it .

Sangmort: Do you design death metal covers? Lol, cool piece man .

[ry4n]

oops! well it looks like i forgot the short concept about my character. everyones is really good.

I'm voting for Ira_Melanox. I'm diggin the green matrix grid vision and the nasty lookin space creature. word.

[BANNED_For_POOPY_PANTS]

This turned out to be one of my favorite COW threads.. the designs are just incredible.

Bumskee = I don't think I critted your piece yet, but yeah, it's beautfiul. The carp looks really majestic, great textures and sweet background. Great job!

radu.andrew = Finished product looks amazing! It's a really solid piece. Great painting style too. Nice job!

SprayNation = Interesting, complex piece.. the background and the creature are remarkably detailed and well drawn out. Incredible.

JakkaS = Coool creature. Lots of intricate details. Love the visual concept too!

MJaeks = Fantastic design overall. Great atmosphere (this one's fun to look at after a bottle of wine ).

Sovereign = Damn! Killer concept, excellent design, great colors (esp. the wings) and interesting visual concept.

Scorge = Again, seriously killer creature. Looks ominous. The desription is great and the visual spectrum works well.

Sangmort = Love the idea. Unique style. Only gripe would be with the wing closest to us.. it seems like there's a cast shadow missing there somewhere. Other than that it's an amazing piece.

LiamJames = Awesome. The creature's anatomy was a little complicated at first, but reading the description and getting a better sense of its size and dimension helped clear things up. The eye and horn are neat

Fozzybar = Your creature has to be the most believable of them all in my opinion. The white/black theme works so well here, and ther visual spectrum, agai,n, is amazing.

Snarfevs = I can't stress this enough -- I dig your style. Really dig it. The finished piece is un-fkn-believable. (2nd place)

longshao = The rat turned out AWESOME! The creature is freaking out of this world too -- I love the expression on its face. Kudos on the composition.

Ira_Melanox = The creature, colors, concept and description are all equally incredible. Great piece.

whiteeee = There's something really lifelike about your creature. I don' know what it is but I really like it. I'd have loved seeing it in its own environment.
The lighting, hatching (i'm a noob, sorry if i'm getting terminology mixed up here) and linework are all incredible.

ViDA = You get my vote this round. The concept is superbly executed, totally unique and both the background and foggy atmosphere work perfectly. I LOVE your painting technique on the creature. I don't know.. it's just one of those pieces I immediately found appealing.

Y'all did a phenominal job.

[longshao]

I voted for Jakkas. Unique design, well-rendered. The vision image is equally great.

Sovereign - very strange looking creature, nice colors.

Michael Jaecks - you handled red and green pretty well. I like the massiveness of the creature, especially the legs.

Scorge - great original creature design. The image looks a little soft overall, maybe you could make some parts sharper.

Snarfevs - I dont know how you created the metal-like quality, but it's looking good.

whiteeeeeee - like I said, very good concept and rendering. Funny it doesn't really need a description and you get it.

Fozzybar - I like the colors, very striking. The hind legs are a little odd.

ViDA - you've created a very nice atmosphere, and I like the design and your style.

JonathanS - I wish to see a more complete view of the creature in the left image.

SprayNation - my runner up. Great environment. What I like the most about your creature is its insect-like features like the wing sheath.

radu.andrew - The image is kinda soft. A little more detail could make it look really good.

Ira Melanox - great creature, very original. I wanna see a larger image, with less text surrounding it.

Liamjames - A cute looking fella, lol. I think the text is distracting though.

Bumskee - I love your painterly style! There's a very nice mood to the image, one of my favorites for sure.

Sangmort - I like the concept, but I think some of the features like the skull-like face, or the open chest cavity is a little out of place IMO. I understand it's related to death, I just don't think it works well with the rest of the body and the color you picked. I think it would be better if you just picked one of the death features, the skull or the bare muscle and focused on it.

Thanks for the comments everybody.
dragon4lunch- I'll go back to refine the image, especially the big tree.

[bumskee]

argghhhh! voted for jakkass for making it so wack.
close behind was spraynation, fozzy & whiteee.. awsome round, thanks for the crits!

[mattbyng]

SPRAYNATION, You've got my vote because your entry really just blows me away. the creature is truly amazing and creative and the visual spectrum is interesting and well depicted.

JAKKAS, you were my other choice, but unfortunately I cant place more that one vote. It was a challenge to pick between yourself and SPRAYNATION, they are both outstanding concepts.

[Quite Evil Pussy Cat]

Voted for liamjames. That single eye of hiscreature has won me over.

[Gorromog]

i voted for longshao, i think his piece looks good and is a really good concept as well.

[liamjames]

Thanks Quite Evil Pussy Cat, you've made my day. If you're ever in Manchester I'll buy you a drink.

Everyone else, thanks for the crit. Notes have been taken.

[Sangmort]

Thanks for all the c&c guys, I am of your opinions entirely. [ SprayNation; wouldn't that be one of the coolest jobs someone could have? haha ]

I voted for Fozz, as I just sort of fell for the skunk-colours

Bumskee [ loved the smoky effect & feeling ] & SprayNation [ The creature's expression, the bg & visual spectrum were all excellent ] were definitely tied for 2nd, though there are definitely others that I considered voting for.~

[Simonl]

My vote went to Bumskee. Min has turned out a beautifully understated piece with excellent colour & rendering and, most importantly, mood.

Whiteee was a close second. Nice forms and brushwork.

Fozzybar was also impressive. A good, solid, simple design, well executed. I would suggest getting it's feet grounded a bit more.

Jakkas' entry, while exquisitely rendered, lacks weight and plausibility to my eye. I can't see the critter walking or moving.

[Michael Jaecks]

Wowie, thanks for the kind words, feedback and votes so far. I really didn't expect any votes in this fierce round. It's nice to see what folks did with the topic I suggested.

Special shout out to blobs for his vote. We both know you really voted for my eloquent prose.

[Rummity]

My vote went to Radu.Andrew

I really enjoyed reading the little narative and i thought the creature itself was very disgusting but also had a lot of character in its appearance.

Every single one of these tho is amazing, i second favorite
Ira_Melanox's Very imaginitve and a great looking creature.

[daestwen]

I voted for longshao, because the visual spectrum seemed the most interesting, and because I really like the head.

[ibbo]

I voted Bumskee for his atmospheric and moody 'cloud carp'. I liked both the idea behind the creature and the finished drawing, and thought that his piece (along with a few others such as Jakkas and Whiteeeeee to name a few) stood out as an exceptional design.

[scorge]

Damn it's tough to get the votes around here. Oh well, I'll just keep plugging away til it happens.
Voted for Fozz. Even though he stole my claw idea I love the fear aspect and the rendering is freaky as hell. Great job!
Whitee, Jakkas, Longshao, Bumskee, Spray Nation, you guys have inspired and driven us for a while now. Great to be competing with some of the best artists I've never met.
Everyone else who gave advice, thank you very much for your honesty and respect.

[JakkaS]

My favs:
scorge - I really like how u painted the creature, cool design and execution
Fozzybar - unique colors and design... and finally u did something!!!!!!!!!!!!
longshao - nice work, cool design and nice presentation. I like creature's head and legs (really nicely painted and designed)
SprayNation - I have a problem. What is more interesting...a creature or the environment? Anyway, I dig them both. I was on ur home site Eric....looooooooots of cool paintings. Especially environments.
bumskee - Lovely painted but ...c'mon u can design something much better then that :p (ur last one was much better ) It looks like u put in this piece half of work u usually put in ur CHOWs, hehe. Of course it's still a cool painting.

Finally I voted for Longshao!

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Hey Guys, I really thank for all ur comments and crits from the posting and voting thread. I really appreciate that. They are like fuel for my rockets if u know what i mean hehe

Cheers
Kuba

Ps.

Jakkas' entry, while exquisitely rendered, lacks weight and plausibility to my eye. I can't see the critter walking or moving.

Hey Simon, I think it's just a matter of imagination. Just check this out:
http://pl.youtube.com/watch?v=T8dvMD...elated&search= (just start watching it from 9 min ). Btw, I think it will be favorite game of all COWers


.

[Nutter]

Ira_melanox gets my vote, Great concept and well executed.

[Fozzybar]

Fozzybar - unique colors and design... and finally u did something!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanx man...i am doing something all the time (as you know), but appearantly they don't pop up here [/QUOTE]

Hey Guys, I really thank for all ur comments and crits from the posting and voting thread. I really appreciate that. They are like fuel for my rockets if u know what i mean

I HOPE that i know what you mean...otherwise i have to give you a warning...there are also kids under 18 browsing here...

[life on the sofa]

bumskee yours reminds me very much fo the way NJOO used to work , what ever happend to njoo anyway?? i dont visit the site for a few weeks and you COW artists are all GONE:o..its like a scary alien abduction movie, but they left fozzy behind because he was too....(without insulting you fozz) FOZZY!



just to make it clear im not afraid of aliens....big, mean, brain sucking, anal probing aliens... :'(..not one bit