The Random Team 2 Sketchbook

[Benisimo]

ok guys i went ahead n started a sketchbook so we can go ahead n post some ideas
no idea as to what theme we should go for but my inner nerd is screaming steampunk!
i've done some quick sketches for the tech girl but without real theme so when u guys have done some more post here!

[Kagemusha22]

Right, the sketches of the tech girl are looking slightly masculine at the moment, one way to change that is to alter the jawline. Give it a less angular and bulky feel, and more narrow and curved. As for the theme, why not look up examples of how other artists interpret the theme of steampunk and look into the dress and technology of the 19th century, along with modern-day clothing and technology. To help inform your sketches and to help give that anachronistic feel.

Other than that keep it up, I'll look forward to seeing how you develop this project.

[Franna]

Hey guys. I have a little sketchy over here.

[Kailaan]

Hey so I did some sketches for the whole group.
I don't think you can read what I wrote on the page but to sum it up.

For the Hero I kept the basic idea that you sketched out Franna but I shortened the jacket and lengthened the shirt, however we can go back. I don't think that the cigarette is a good idea with the pose and shotgun I think it gets a little too badass.

I haven't got any real clear ideas for the shadow so I didn't do much with him. I was just thinking quiet and unassuming

For the protector I'm thinking older father figure maybe late 40s with a beard kinda gruff old man themed.

The Sage and technician I found the most interesting. For the sage I'm thinking along the lines of witch doctor of Indian holy man. Simple design with a minimum of possessions. Just religious or occult tokens.

The technician I think should be the smallest of the group. lots of parts and machining bits but lite on weaponry maybe a small dagger or switch blade. Also I was thinking she could have the funkiest outfit of the group kinda grungy-artsy stuff.

And the Rabble rouser. I didn't have a clear idea for him either just sorta understated elegance and a devil-may-care posture.

Any who here you go. Feel free to paint over erase whatever.

Oh, do we have a genre, world or time period for this or is that still undecided?

[Kailaan]

Hey are we going to keep the random team 2 as our name?

[Kailaan]

Ok kept sketching and got a clearer version of what I was thinking for the technician. Not happy with the holy man but it gives you an idea of what I had in mind.

[Franna]

Hey nice work Kailaan. Wow you and I are definitely on more or less the same page with this. Glad you adopted my hero idea, however the badassness of it (cigarette and so on) works really well with the rest of my character designs (which I'm almost done with, will post soon). And don't forget, she has a dark side...

We haven't decided on any themes yet, but as you can see, I was thinking a modern, gritty, almost Tarantino feel. If it's a tv-show or movie, I can hear a sexy themesong (like from the show True Blood, try Youtube if you don't know it) and an R-rating. So I hope you can see why I would try and defend the badassness of it. Remember, the brief says "protagonists", not "good guys". So that's my general initial mood of the whole thing. Something very Rock and Roll and rebellious. Of course I'm open to anything. But I think it's important that we know everyone's ideas on this, and I would like to know both of yours too (regarding mood and theme, that is).

Kailaan, I really like your sketches. I have some suggestions however.

Technician: I would lose the goggles, only because I think it can become a bit of a cliche and I expect the finals thread to be saturated with technician-goggles. Unless I misunderstand you and you want to go for the stereotype.

Sage: Mmmm, I don't know. I would consider rethinking the whole thing. Just because a blatantly exotic mystery man doesn't seem to have a lot of mystery about him. To me anyway.

Here is my idea for the rabble-rouser. Excuse the size (or lack thereof). Still not sure what to do with his hands. Whiskey glass in his right hand (our left)? Gun maybe? Money? He's supposed to have dice or something in his left hand (our right). Right now I like the idea of him seeming to do a slight dance.

[Franna]

Oh yeah, I don't think we should stay Random Team 2. At the moment I can't think of anything myself though...

[Franna]

Small linework and quick test render.
I do plan to get rid of the lines.
THE PROTECTOR

[Kailaan]

maybe mood boards would be helpful. I think Benisimo wanted to do a more steampunk feel but we could probably mix the ideas. I mean we have 6 chars. Personally I think the technician would be great in a steampunk style.

I'm still unsure about the cigarette I mean they are protagonists not antagonists however I reread the info and we can do two of the hero because she has the split personality. So one a little more sedate and the other in your face. If you want to do a double design for the hero.

Sorry if that didn't make sense. I need sleep.

[Franna]

I agree, mood boards would help a lot. I'll look around.

I agree that the techy works well with steampunk, but so do the other groups, have you checked out their sketchbooks? There's a lot of steampunks going around. Sorry Benisimo, I'm just a big fan of being different that's all.

But like you said, if we mix the ideas, it might just work. What's your overall theme-idea, Kailaan?

I'm not too sentimental about the hero's cigarette or pose or anything. My sketch can only be her dark side anyway (does that look like someone with one year of memory? I don't think so, but the dark side remembers everything) Honestly, if you wanna change her, knock yourself out. I am intrigued to draw both though.

[Benisimo]

i'll do the mood board guys will be up sometime 2morrow
i'll probably stick to the development stuff seeing as u guys are a lot more advanced artistically

[Franna]

Hey Kailaan, thank you for linking our sketchbook in the topic thread.

[Benisimo]

hey guys i've made a basic mood board,
what i wanted to do with it was really just to give a general feel of what mood and feel it would be in these characters world

feel free to add to the board if u have any other ideas

[Franna]

Nice one Benisimo. I really like the decaying environments. I interpret it like this:

A western dystopia of sorts. The remains of a once flourishing industrial revolution, now only a dark industrial wasteland where our team must use their skills, gadgets and teamwork to survive.

I hope that this is what you meant. It's genius and I love it. I'm definitely starting over with my designs. So, do we split the characters up, or do we go assembly line? I think with the assembly line we would get better results and consistency, but I really don't care. If we do split them up, may I suggest:

1. Hero/Shadow
2. Sage/Technician
3. Protector/Rabble Rouser?

Cool.

[Kailaan]

Sweet I love it. I'm thinking maybe we each take a char set and design them then maybe send them to each other and let the others put their spin on what we have. For the finals though just for consistency I was thinking we have one inker and perhaps share the colour.

I think for now we should concentrate more on the design of the character rather than a detailed rendering.

[Kailaan]

Random thoughts on the hero.

[Franna]

Nice! The large one and the one on the far left are brilliant. Love the hair.

And as for the character sets, good idea. But who does what? Seems like you have some good ideas for the hero. You gonna go for her and the shadow? I'll do anything, so I'm just gonna sketch and see who comes out.

[Benisimo]

yeah awesome interpretation franna exactly what i was thinking n wow kailaan love the tech, i'm kinda bogged down with art coursework at the moment so i'll be a bit slow n i suck at photoshop so sketches will come relatively soon

[Franna]

I adapted my Protector idea:

note: I know we shouldn't be rendering yet, but this isn't really a render to me, it's just the way I sketch. I don't really do linework often. This is the easiest and quickest way for me to draw, and it's what I'm used to.

[Kailaan]

OK I've got the hero/shadow.
I guess Franna, you are taking the protector/rabble rouser and Benisimo you are on on Tech/Sage. Everyone is ok with that?
I'm gonna go get started on the Shadow.
Oh I collected pictures for a mood board but I have to sit and put them together. I'll try to get it up shortly.

[Franna]

Yes I'm ok with that. Next up... Rabble Rouser.

[Kailaan]

BTW Franna I like the redesign of the protector.
sketches for shadow.

[Kailaan]

shadow. don't quite like the design. I think its too busy but give me your thoughts.

[Franna]

Kailaan. I agree with you about it being too busy. I would also consider losing all the facegear. When I read the brief, I can see him as, well, sort of a mean, skeptical kind of guy, and I for one would want to see this, with his face looking all serious and always scrutinising everyone. Like he wants to keep the hero to himself. But maybe you see him differently.

To be honest, i think something like shadow no 3 in your lineup would work well next to the similarly semi-simplistic design of your hero.

Just some thoughts to consider... or not

[Franna]

Oh yeah Benisimo, I probably don't need to say this, but don't worry about Photoshop. If you scan sketches or whatever, that's obviously no problem, it's all gonna be consistent in the end anyway. Whatever's easiest and best for you.

[Kailaan]

Yeah I think I got carried away with that one.
And I agree with Franna, Benisimo just get your ideas up however you can. The more minds we have on this the more depth the characters will have. Don't back out of this the idea is that all skill levels work together, its a great way to learn.

[Franna]

Hey guys. I have a rabbler here. It's not complete, but I had to post it, because I''m not going to have internet access until about friday night. I will finish it then, I promise.

I thought I'd give him a more expensive looking, neater outfit, while still going for the survivalist look (leather pouches, weapons etc.). He seems to me to be quite vain. Like he thinks he's God's gift to women. Please share your thoughts.

And I'll see you guys friday night...

[Kailaan]

playing around with colours. We need to start getting these designs together or we aren't going to make the deadline.

[Franna]

kailaan, i like number 4- the pale one with the red scarf.

turn page please....