C.O.W. - #068: Armored Jellyfish - Voting!

[Fozzybar]

ROUND #068 VOTING

Topic: Armored Jellyfish

Deadline for the voting: Friday, 02nd December 2006

Posting thread (closed):
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=81477


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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 morone in this thread! And i will delete his/her vote anyway...

[Fozzybar]

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artist: redehlert
concept: Panopoly Preserves - aka Jammis Maximus
Glowing sweetly in the ethereal expanse known as the Blueberrian Sea,
Panopoly Preserves maintain a presence that commands respect and caution when face to face.
In all actuality, the face isn't a face, but rather a 'helmet' of tissue that essentially scares off predators (see below).
The strawberry/concord-like psuedo exoskeleton of this jelly allows the body to "flex" effortlessly
as well as protecting its delicate interior from predatorial attacks by larger feesh and P.P. Dreadnoughts,
ships that hunt this creature for its spreadable quality and exquisite taste.
A single adult Panopoly Preserve has enough jelly to feed thousands of men for a year.


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artist: Brendan N
concept: Avantus Ramulae
On the distant oceanic planet Cathl, the increased amounts of algae in the vast ocean has caused an abundance in oxygen on the planet (up to 55% in some regions), especially along the equator. It is here that normal looking species are several times larger, and evolution progresses at comparatively lightning speed. Due to temporal shifts, sea currents and the unusual rock formation, small pillars of fragile rock protrude from the ocean floor. Here the Jellyfish, inhabiting a rough terrain with rock pillars, have developed a hardened layer. To escape the turtles that often hunt them, evolution allowed them to swim faster, sensing prey only by vibration. But this lead them to swim into the terrain, since they have no senses effective enough to prevent these collisions. They therefore developed a hardened layer over time, to protect them from harmful encounters often with rock pillars. Recent research shows that this is also being used to crash into pillars, and break through them, leaving murky waters of mud and rock in their wake and affording the some time to escape the turtles.


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artist: Skolld
concept:
Armored Jellyfish are a commom site in the popular tourist desitination of the Galdon Nebula. These massive creatures (only slightly smaller than the earth's moon) consume radiated astroid particles. Using their great size and density they create enough gravity to pull small astroids and debris toward their waiting tentacles where the process of breaking down the particles creates a spectacular array of color.


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artist: Woodlandwalker
concept:
Xenos, a planet not unlike earth, mostly water, with tribes of humanoids living on the costal reaches…Constantly at war with one another. Liken them to ourselves during the “Bronze Age”. Their sailors afraid of monsters and a flat world just as we were…all but one man… leader of the Gazir armies… he has found a way of overcoming the perils of a sea attack upon his enemies.
< Brilliant sir… we will be able to drift right thru their defenses… nothing from below will harm us… but how do we tame the beasts>>
<Tame them?... mindless they are… we simply trap them and attach our rigging… with the men rowing, and wind in our sails we shall move the great lumps into doing our bidding. An armada like no other… >
Armored Jellyfish inhabit this world, normally docile creatures; extremely buoyant and feeding on or just below the surface. Their upper bodies have become hardened so as to cope with the harsh environment with horn like protuberances’ serving as a defense mechanism from some of the even larger behemoths of the deep. Spending most of their time adrift in the shipping lanes and fishing waters these creatures are so large that nothing in the immediate area (except directly on top) is safe from their stinging tentacles, making them a bane to sailor and fisherman alike.


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artist: Eriboss
concept:
Tuesday March 10th 1867
Devils ridge.
As you know, I have been searching down these creatures for 8 months gone, and to be honest, I am none the wiser. Everyone goes quiet when I mention anything about the Jellyfish, why won’t anyone talk to me?
Saturday March 14th 1867
Agdale Docks.
Finally!
I stumbled across a drunken old seadog; he didn’t want to say much at first, but after a couple of swigs whiskey the salty crooner soon started talking. It was all quite illegible and descended into drunken ramblings towards the end, but I managed to get down some of it…
“Yea I seen ‘em, like giant jellyfish they are, but different, like jellies but with an inner crust of bones! Human bones, fish bones, it don’t matter to them, they juss need ‘em see, need ‘em to make them all hard inside like an armor, of bones and death and all manner of sad thing that they caught.
They use these bones see, like a ram, hit you hard, hard enough to sink whole boats some of the bigguns.
I seen it.
Then... then these tentacles come out, bright white they are, and fizzin in the black sea, like white fire! And they grab ‘old of youz, and that’s it, yer dead. I seen the skin of men come off like paper, till there’s juss bone left, no soul, that’s gone too. And these bones are dragged under and digested, stuck together with all the others, makin it bigger, and stronger. And there’s no hope, they swim off down deep, down as far as Hades itsssself, and wait with….. wait with.. all the others, no soulssss, gotno…souls.. waitin fer usss, aint gunna get me, I’m too crafty, nevergunna get meee….
Noo surriee, nnoott… craftyyy mee….. no … nnngg….”
After that the old fool fell into a drunken sleep and made no sense at all… But I must say, it was very interesting indeed.
I think finally I might be on the right track!
Tomorrow I am going to examine the local coastal graveyard, and someone even mentioned going to a “Farringdale’s Butchers shop”, I’m not sure what relevance or help they might be, but I am always willing to follow a possible lead for more information.


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artist: jadefoodog
concept: pink perlecent armored jellyfish
its a rare species of jellyfish that builds its armor by useing the calcium from the crustations it eats.
the short tenticles (with the blue ) are specialises for absorbing the calcium before it eats the crustations. the longer (pink) are the stinging and paralizing tenticles


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artist: Vanvalen
concept:


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artist: Charlie_2.0
concept:


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artist: PMaz
concept:
The Krakakea jellyfish also known as the Carrier Jellyfish distinguish itself by is organic composition. The rare composition of this creature is one of the only one fertile enough for the Oceano-Xenosite to attach onto. Even if normally predator tend to love eating Krakakeas, once it become the host of several Xenosite, it isn’t prey onto anymore because of the poisonous and toxic nature of the Oceano-Xenosite. In exchange, the numerous parasites feed on the leftovers of the Krakakea. Once a Krakakea has build up a massive armor, many other type of jellyfish tend to follow it to gain protection from predator not willing to take the risk of eating poisonous parasites...


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artist: kovah
concept:
When researchers first came across this strange jellyfish specimen on a routine research trip to the Bahamas they were blown away. The new species had developed what looked like amour plating. However on closer inspection it was the shells of hundreds of crabs stuck to its most vulnerable area with a glue so strong it was impossible for the crab shells to come off.
It was later found that the 'glue' that stuck the crabs to the jellyfish was actually a metabolic process within the organism and thus when the creature died the shells simply fell off resulting the strange phenomenon of 'crab graveyards'
The Armored Jellyfish finds the crabs on the ocean floor and immobilizes them with its stinging tentacles it then proceeds to devour the insides of the crab and place it shell onto its top. In some instances the jellyfish sticks alive crabs to itself resulting in a rather comical effect.


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artist: ShadowOfTheSun
concept:


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artist: Chuck,mate.
concept: Armored L.M. jellyfish
(Visor Cyanea capillata)
The Armored lion's mane jellyfish (Visor Cyanea capillata) is the largest known species of jellyfish. Its range is confined to cold, boreal waters of the Arctic, northern Atlantic and northern Pacific Oceans, seldom found farther south than 42&#176;N latitude. Similar jellyfish (which may be the same species) are known from the seas off Australia and New Zealand.
Medusas are reported to grow to 80in' (2m) in diameter but are usually less than an eighth that size. The edge of the swimming bell is divided into eight lobes, giving it the appearance of a flower viewed from above. As many as 100 long tentacles are present in groups beneath each of the eight lobes. The oral arms form a diaphanous mass beneath the bell that is a little longer than it is wide. The bell often is bluish turquoise, and the oral arms are indigo, but color varies from pale cobalt to dark cyan. Protecting its soft tissue dome, are 18 to 20 parallel carapace shell plates, growing up, out, and above the bell, enclosing it and creating a superior shield. This mutation of keratinous matter in the common jellyfish occurred
through 10,0000 years of natural evolution, forcing the species to acclimatize to a specific new-found harsh environment.
-National Geographic: "Seasons in the Sea" Pt. III, 19/08/2504.


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[Fozzybar]

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artist: Michael Jaecks
concept: Neptune's Trident Jellyfish
I bought one of these new Neptune's Trident Jellyfish for my saltwater tank because the advertising said they were bred to keep the tank clean naturally. They were engineered and bred to be more hearty than regular jellyfish, hence the chitinous armor around the middle, but what they forgot to mention is that they are also related to the box jellyfish, which is one of the most poisonous animals on the planet. Moreover, these Trident Jellyfish turned out to be incredibly aggressive. Alll my other fish were dead within a day and after three days of not feeding it anymore expensive tropical fish, I really thought it was going to climb out of the tank and get the cat...


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artist: Sketch Monkey
concept:
The Spiny Jellyfish floats languidly along with the ocean currents, catching small fish in its tentacles and pulling then into its mouth at the center of its body. Its underside is plated with hardened “scales” studded with needlelike “teeth” that keep its victims from escaping or damaging its delicate flesh while the venom takes its toll. The Spiny Jellyfish uses a bizarre defense system to protect itself from the few predators that risk tangling with it. Its upper petal-like surfaces, where it has no venomous tentacles are most vulnerable to attack. It accomplishes its escape by inverting its body like an umbrella flipped inside out. The scaly rows of teeth now face outward and its stomach contents spill out in a cloud (similar to a squid). This “smokescreen” confuses its attacker while the force of its inversion provides enough thrust for it to make its escape. Unfortunately, for the Spiny Jellyfish, several of the more intelligent species of Sea turtles have taken advantage of this defense mechanism. When they encounter a Spiny Jellyfish that has made a fresh catch, they prod it until it relinquishes its lunch and then feast on an easy meal.


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artist: misledtomisery
concept:
The draped jelly fish is species of jellyfish with a slight adaptation. It has an "armor" coating that is comprised of a hardened cartilage, similar to a shark's bone structure. The armor grows off the bulb, completely surrounding one side of the creature. A few flaps grow off the other side as well, adding a "front side" protection. The weight and placement of the armor make the jellyfish's movement at a diagonal, but offers maximum protection from would be attackers from the rear.


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artist: Kosher Commander
concept:
Named the Derby Jelly because of the rocky shell that protects its head like an old derby cap. The Derby Jelly stays low to shallow rocky sea bottoms to blend in with it's environment. It preys on lone fish that pass it by unaware of it's presence. The derby Jelly can actually move fairly quick with the aid of strong cold ocean currents.


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artist: FreshPaint
concept:
The "plated jellyfish" developed armor in order to combat its natural predators. The plates are lightweight and move to allow the jellyfish to swim in a natural undulating motion. The plated jellyfish typically resides in warm tropical waters deep below the surface of the ocean.


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artist: Bennett
concept: Keramikos Medusae
known as the armored jellyfish, is a very large jellyfish with a bell up to six feet in diameter and many clusters of tentacles surrounding a crustacean like inner skeletal system, which hardens when young. Total length reaching up to thirty feet in adulthood. The bell of the creature forms blade-like skeletal protuberances in early stages of life. These external blade-like fins act as protection, excellent water maneuverability, and a primary means of killing prey. They can be found in many parts of the world's oceans, feeding primarily on large ocean dwelling animals, from large game fish to orcas and even whales. The armored jellyfish spins violently into the large creature, killing its prey by quickly reaching vital organs or causing massive amounts of blood loss. The armored jellyfish can survive in rougher areas of current than other jellyfish due to it’s substantial amount of skeletal structure, whereas other species would be killed by fast moving water and hard structures, the armored jellyfish is quite tough, resilient and fast moving.


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artist: blobs
concept: The Steamulus Blobulus
This weird creature is often found in warm tropical waters hunting for small microbes to feed on. It typically stays near to the surface, absorbing the energy of the sun into the cells of its shell. This allows the SB to convert the energy into heat and steam, enabling fast movement (for a jellyfish) when it jettisens the steam in frequent high-powered directed blasts.
This is especially useful for escape and also doubles up as a painful reminder to any potential predators that steam bloody well hurts!


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artist: Chris Noeth
concept:
Scientists found a new jellyfish species which uses seagarbage to protect its sensitive body.


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artist: HankTheTank
concept:
This breed of jellyfish devours fish from the inside. When threatened this jelly retracts its softer parts into the armor like head and sits idly by until eaten. Once eaten the jelly cuts the animals insides with it's rock like outer crust and absorbs the nutrients through the usual membranes. This continues until the animal is dead or the jelly is passed.....


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artist: banhatin
concept:


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artist: Azathoth
concept: The armoured jelly aka(turtesee_endorocks)
These jellyfish float in the boilling seas of Majar. They are like most jellyfish in
these waters in regards to eatting habbits and behavior patterns. The strange trait that make these particullar jellyfish stand out, are the deposits on the inside or center of the fish. The hard armourlike mineral deposits cover the vital organs and nerve centers of the creature.They can be bitten gnawed apon and severly attacked and still survive relatively unharmed they simply grow back thier outer jelly membrane and stinger tentacles, thus armouring themselves on the inside.


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artist: artiphats
concept: Arminus Jeldera
With an outer upper-membrane that is much thicker than most other jellyfish, the Arminus Jeldera is much safer than many of its cousins even in waters where many predators lurk. Jutting upward at the top and outward at the sides, this glowing specimen is further protected with sharp, jagged, blade like extremities that are the most solid part of the animal. Though the arms look as though they would also be used in defense, this is where the Jeldera's hunting skills come into play. Arms that can partially retract and extend from the large lower sacs under the main membrane are used to stab and sting small prey that swim too close, or dont see it descend from above. These animals produce sexually and most large males are no more than 12 inches long, with arms that can stretch out to almost 20 inches in some individuals.


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artist: Craven Morehead
concept:
This specimen is a predator who inhabits the larger asteroids that circle the upper atmosphere of a gas giant. In the low light conditions of this twilight realm, the Armored Jellyfish provides it's own light in the form of bioluminescent gas that provides it's bouyancy. This silent hunter floats trough the murk searching for it's primary prey, blind gliders who school throughout the asteroids. It's tentacles, which end in poisoned barbs, allow the floating creature to drag itself along the ground.


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artist: Soulweaver
concept:
The upside-down Makkadean cyclops keeps its armored, retractable eggshell throughout its life. The armor of some of the older individuals is completely covered in coral growth, turning the cyclops into a welcome, if dangerous, oasis in the vast "desert" of open sea.


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artist: guterrez
concept: The Fisher
that`s the simple name sailors who met this creature (and survived this meeting...) are calling this thing after they discovered how this creature hunts: the magic word is bio-luminescence which allows "The Fisher" to lure its prey. they float throug the sea and consume the fishswarms of hole reefs, followed by an armada of other predators like sharks or dolphins.
The hole creature is built like a biological power plant, the spine-like deformities on its upper side are something like chimney hoods to control temperature and pressure


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artist: Supervlieg
concept: Lotus of the Sea
Nelumbo nucifera Maris
This creature, a branch of the Jellyfish family, lives floating on the ocean surface. In a flower-like crust the creature houses what can be recognized as a head. The Lotus of the Sea enjoys opening its armored petals and basking in the sun. Whenever it sees danger with its round eyes on the side of its head, the head retreats and it closes its petals to form an armored ball. Many seabirds, especially seagulls, regard the head of a Lotus of the Sea as a delicasy and hunt them with a fever.


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artist: ikuru
concept: Shelly Jelly
This Massive Creature was rediscovered in 1982 by a team of german marine biologist in the Barrier Reef, just off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean (wich allso happen to be the largest reef in the Western hemisphere and the second largest in the world).
How it got there is unknown, nevertheless scientists claim that it developed the thick crusty armour do defend itself against the reefs and certain mythological predators that allso happen to dwell in this waters.
It is no longer known to “modern science”, but if you ever had the chance to ask someone from the native Arawak-speaking tribes, they would have told you that the Kuba-Walda, (which means "home spirit", allso known as "water gnome", the latin "unda gnomus"), will sometimes build their house on the jellyfish shellroof, why? So that they can travel while they sleep.
The Shelly Jelly is allso one of the oldest creatures in existence and grow to be up to 500 years old.


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artist: xgabo
concept: The Jellyfish that came from the cold
Only a handful of people know how many times the world came to the brink of nuclear anihilation during the Cold War years. Although the general public somewhat understood and feared the potential conflict between the USA and the USSR, polls indicate that the majority of the people had some faith in what they called "common sense" by their governments; the knowledge that, no matter who won a potential war, we would all be losers if the missiles left their silos. To this "common sense" the eventual end of the cold war was attributed; both sides woke up for the dangers of nuclear war and decided for peace. But the trust of the people in their leaders was unfounded, and the truth lied elsewhere.
In fact, the Cold War was not a dispute between two, but three nations: The United States, The USSR and a species of Giant Armored Jellyfish that entered the conflict in the mid-60s. This race of super-intelligent sea creatures had their own bizarre form of government, a kind of Anarcho-cannibalism which they deemed perfect. They had already spread it to all corners of the seas, and now set their sights on the land continents.
As the 70s progressed, the jellyfish attacked both the US and Soviet submarines and ships with increasing ferocity, and their near-indestructible carapace made them tough enemies to beat. By the beginning of the 80s, they were already the dominant military power in the world. That precipitated an alliance between the land powers, which decided to join forces to defeat this threat. For all that communists hated in capitalism and vice versa, any of the ideologies sounded better than a system where severed limbs served as currency, and where whole casts in society entirely were dedicated to being eaten by government officials.
In the winter of 1984, a combined force of NATO and Varsovia Pact countries employed full nuclear strike over the Jellyfish Capital in the south pacific, destroying or incapacitating most of their military power. Scattered and weakened, the creatures surrended, and a new government aligned to the surface countries was put in place. The resulting cost of the attack bankrupt the USSR, which facilitited the end of the cold war and the dominance of the USA in the world stage.
A small group of hardline Jellyfish, however, escaped to the depths of the Mariana Trench, promising bloody revenge against land-dwellers.


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artist: GatorKyle
concept:
The Lobster Jelly has evolved to be covered in a tough carapace similar to a lobster's. Using it's armor it can contort it's body to move in a way similar to that of a sea cucumber. This jelly can also roll up in a ball to avoid prey, or roll up on it's own prey to trap it in a mass of stinging tentacles.


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[Fozzybar]

not accepted entries:

All WIPs/sketches/not finished yet/placeholder/yaddayaddayadda images...

Wake101
there are people inside the creature...they use them...there is glass and light like from spots...this makes your creature not a specimen of a species, more manipulated individuals.

mrgrumble
seems you ran out of time on this one

rodriguez
rushed work.

Evil_Sloth
A weapon system on the creatures back makes it a being that uses high technology to implement and work with it...therefore the image is showing an individual.

Justin Oaksford
I visited your sketchbook...and your entry is a sketch measured by your artwork. Generally i would suggest you take time for your art. I didn't see anything that is near finished except the steampunk maybe. Even if it is a sketchbook

aturkone
I looked through your deviantart gallery. You have great skills....which you didn't show in your entry...COW is a weekly activity, that's why i reject your piece.

Tom Garden
Hey Tom...if you don't have time let it go I know you rushed this one...hehe...

jfwalls
bambambambambaaaaaaaaam....THE BIG WHITE CHARACTER SHARK comes out of the water and snaps up jfwalls entry....water bubbles raise...the sea becomes red....cut.




close to rejection:

Skolld
I don't know your skills, but your entry looked rushed. As i had no reference of your artskills i didn't reject it




special note:

none

[Fozzybar]

New round is on:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=82796

[GatorKyle]

Fozzy, mine isn't in there again.

OK, on to my vote. A lot of great entries, my favorites are Xgabo, Supervelig, Guterezz, Banhatin, and Redehlert. As much as I love them all, I am going to vote for Banhatin's jellyfish. The painting is loose and colorful with a lot of energy. Great work!

[Fozzybar]

btw nearly 20% rejected entries...this must be a record

[Fozzybar]

Fozzy, mine isn't in there again.

OK, on to my vote. A lot of great entries, my favorites are Xgabo, Supervelig, Guterezz, Banhatin, and Redehlert. As much as I love them all, I am going to vote for Banhatin's jellyfish. The painting is loose and colorful with a lot of energy. Great work!

Fixed it Gator.
Sorry, but your images never show when i scan through the thread. I am scrolling down and stop only when i see an image to catch it. That's why i didn't see your note until i read your post here

[jfwalls]

Maybe there could be an Armored Jellyfish CHOW

[rodriguez]

hey fozzybar my pic wasnt rushed i'm just not as good as some of the others thought this challenge was for all skill levels but i'll try and do better next time so no worries

[xgabo]

Hey ShadowOfTheSun, you can't vote for your own entry...

[Chris Noeth]

For me this week it is Supervlieg. Great 'snapshot', colors and the water looks very real.

Best,

Chris

[PMaz]

I prefer your's actually... duno, I kind of love it when peoples think out of the box. Great stuff

[Piru]

Supervlieg is on a cowspree! I was scanning through the entries, and once again it's the best executed imo

[ikuru]

I Voted SuperV, for longer lasting enjoyment.

[Supervlieg]

Thanks for the votes guys!

I was torn between Eriboss and Blobs entry. In the end I went with blobs, mainly because I liked the design on the armor and it had chimneys. I love chimneys on creatures.

I will try to do some c&c later on.

[JakkaS]

Very nice round guys...

redehlert - first version with blue colors was better imho
Brendan N - nice atmosphere and lighting..
Eriboss - I dig the technique but design could be better ( have u made it in PS?)
Chuck,mate. - Chuck, I saw ur alien's heads design in ur sketchbook (I think it was there) and they were just great. U can produce much better entries then this week's COW. I think u could spend more time on one thing instead of producing paintings for all activities , but this is just my opinion....
Chris Noeth - Interesting idea.... and the Jellyfish is nicely painted...
banhatin - beautiful colors ...I love how u use colors in ur paintings (ur ZOO thread is Superb!)
Supervlieg - Man ...I hate u....beautiful work! Great idea - I like how the creature use his armor.
ikuru - I like it..it's bit like fairytale but i like the painting....
xgabo - beautiful work as usually...but the first flipped version was better imho

For me it was between xgabo and Supervlieg. I voted for Supervlieg because I really like how his creatures use his armor...and beside that painting was superb as always.

[Fozzybar]

hey fozzybar my pic wasnt rushed i'm just not as good as some of the others thought this challenge was for all skill levels but i'll try and do better next time so no worries

Yeah no worries But still even if your artskills are not high (which i always check to decide about accepting/rejecting) you could have clean up your artwork...i see many lines which are not supposed to be there, done in sketching phase maybe and also some lines are drawn and never touched again (at least i have this impression)...i am just trying to push your limits

ShadowOfTheSun
Tell me who you wanna vote for, i will fix your vote

[Woodlandwalker]

<shakes fists towards the sky>.. Damn you SV... once again able to depict what I was not.... great job all... lots of nice jellies out there!

[Johanna Saarenpää]

Wow, this is difficult... so many outstanding entries. Hmmm, I'll vote for Sketch Monkey, although I wish I could vote for more than one entry. Great job you guys.

[Michael Jaecks]

Well I also voted for SketchMonkey. I think it was one of the more believable in terms of the light quality underwater and creature design.

Still wish I could have voted for jfwalls' seahorse rider though, which I liked for reasons other than straight-up realism, obviously... you have my vote in spirit.

[guterrez]

well I made my decision; brandan N got my vote, I really like the speed and movement in this jellyfish, very plausible design even I`m not so sure about the idea with crashing into rocks...
also on my list this week: xgabo,SuperV,banhatin,blobs and lust but not least gator kyle
Sketchmonkey, I liked your first entry much better; it had something like a majestic silence...

[Supervlieg]

redehlert - Nice one. I think it would have been better without the diver dude. Right now it doenst really seem to be to scale. It looks like it should be smaller, perhaps the size of a persons head. I think a little more blue-ish hue would help make it more underwatery, but I also like the color variation.

Brendan N - Nice entry, It reminds me a bit of Tyranx's blind hunter piece. Only thing that might have added some it by giving the head a more hardened, armored look. I looks like the soft part of Jellyfish. I think making it a bit more stone/helmet like it would be a little more convincing.

Skolld - I like the colors, but overall it's a bit too blurry. Try sharpening you rendering next time.

Woodlandwalker - Nice one, overall I would say you need a little more color variation in the purple parts to make it more lively. And maybe the white of the sky is a bit too white, it kinda merges with the top of the jellyfish.

Eriboss - I like the concept a lot. The white silhouettes work really well, and it gives the whole thing a very original look. I'm not too crazy about the "crown". Maybe some slight colors, like salaryman's elf hunter CHOW entry of last week work really well I think.

jadefoodog - Looks nice, overall I think it needs more shadows, especially on the round part of the crust. It looks a bit flat. NIce to see you used old school pen and paper for this one. Either that, or a really convincing digital simulation of felst stifts.

Vanvalen - Nice one, I think the beackgroudn could use a bit more detail. Maybe the main creature as well. It looks a bit barren.

Charlie_2.0 - Looks like a good start, although it could definitely use more love to give it more detailing and sharpening.

PMaz - good concept, and I like the color scheme. The brown parts could use a bit more color variation to give it more depth and roundness.

kovah - Concept is good. However, you need to start with more desaturated colors, and only use saturation on the parts you want more attention drawn to.

ShadowOfTheSun - The design is perhaps a bit simplistic, maybe you could have taken it a bit further. Also try working on higher res to be able to work in more details.

Chuck,mate.- Nice one, but it doesn't really have the "chuck, mate" polish. Some glow and color variation would make more difference.

Michael Jaecks - I like how your designs always have an original take on the subject. This one is no exception. I think the composition isn't as strong as your previous work. It looks a bit like jumble, and I really have to work to make out the shapes. The translucency of the back jellyfish part doesnt really look translucent. And the little fish perhaps steals too much thunder from the main creature.

Sketch Monkey - Nice entry. I think I liked your previous a bit more. It was a bit more glowing. And maybe in this version the scene is a bit too intense blue. The backgroudn is also a bit distracting. I like the closed version on the side very much.

misledtomisery - The brown parts are really well done. The purple spots are really flat compared to this though. Could have used some tightening up overall.

Kosher Commander - Nice one, I like the pastel look of the whole piece. Maybe some sharp highlights could make it pop more.

FreshPaint - Nice creature, would work even better if it had more shadowing going on on the top.

Bennett - Good concept, I thinkt the knives are a good addition. Could be a bit tightened up in the rendering. Maybe you should work at a higher res.

blobs - I like the flow in this character, and the curly designs on his back. I also like the steam pipes on his shell. I also like that he seems to emerge from the mist of the water. It give the whole a real majestic look. The only thing that could have been better is the background. The hint of a sea bottom or particles in the water would add a lot. A lot of things to like, and that got my vote.

Chris Noeth - I like the original take on the subject. The can and jellyfish are really well rendered. The sharks suffer a bit because of this. They take up a lot of space, but are a bit underdeveloped for the amount of space they use.

HankTheTank - Nice sketchy look, I would suggest adding some more variation in the different parts of the creature. And maybe some glow would work well too.

banhatin - Nice job, the sense of scale works really well. I also like the color. It still has a very speedpainting kind of look. Looking at your ZOO pictures, this one really doesnt hold up to those.

Azathoth - The creature could use a bit more shadowing/variation. Maybe give a bit more love to the background next time.

artiphats - I like the design, I think the background is too blurry though, and it kinda distracts from the whole. Its nice to have some sharper objects in front when your background is blurred like that.

Craven Morehead - Nice one, I think the head and legs are really well rendered. The red parts on his back are a bit underdeveloped compared to this, if they had a bit more detail like his head it would be really good.

Soulweaver - Good design, I like the way it forms a ball that hangs from things. Overal a few intense colors to put some focus on some parts would work. And maybe some more color blending on the background.

guterrez - Great job, also a favorite. The enviroment is really nice. I like how the color scheme is pretty monochrome but still variated enough to be interesting. The sense of scale also works really well.

ikuru - Haha, native arawak tribes eh? My mother is actually part arawak, and so am I. Never heard of these creatures though ;-). I like the design of the jellyfish. The house on top is a bit too much disney if you know what I mean. I think it would be better suited to the whole if it looked like a more natural stone house, instead of a little house where you can almost see the curtains behind the window. Great work on the background by the way, the fishes are a nice touch.

xgabo - Great creature and great story that goes with it. I also like the coloring. If it wasn't for the sub it would have been hard to see that it's underground. Looks more like it would fit the ethereal stalker theme we had a while back. Maybe some background, like a sea bottom, or perhaps a bit more blueish tint would have helped here.

GatorKyle - NIce work, very convincing underwater scene. The front tentacles look a bit flat, like they have a dropshadow or something. And maybe a bit more texturing on the main crust would have given it a little bit extra.

[Monika Gruszka]

voted for Supervlieg - you rock!!! very professional.

[jackenstein]

Again this week, it was a toss up between Supervlieg and GatorKyle for me, but I went with the Vlieg. Kyle, your entry looked the most...plausible in my opinion, but it also started to take on other qualities of pre existing creatures, like prawns and such, whereas I felt Vlieg delivered something very original, not to mention just breathtakingly rendered.

[silken]

For me...it was a toos up between Blobs and and SV.

In the end, I chose Blobs....I absolutely love the majestic feel of it...and even though it's more massive than your average jellyfish, it still retains the grace most jellyfish have.

Supervlieg...as usual, your piece is stunning....how you do these gorgeously rendered pieces so quickly is beyond me....I hope that one day I will be able to get much faster while still producing lively, wonderful creations!

[Brendan N]

Hey peeps!

guterrez - many thanks for the vote of confidence, wish I could return the favour! Really appreciated, I'm all warm and fozzy (pun intended).Thnks dood!

Dave: Great entry I think, really like the colours, it was a good break away from the ubiquitous blue. My only crit is that you should try to enforce the flat 2d aspects of your work as much as eg Chuck Waday does, dunno... Great entry.

Brendan N: Get out of here you talentless piece of shark shit.

Skolld: I'm thinking this one could have been great if you finished it, sorting out colour and comp.

Woodlandwalker: Nice concept, and technically a solid execution. I would have liked to see something more exciting though, fusing the bigger image with the smaller one and bringing into it the effects of war. Nice piece though.

Eriboss: Grats mate, you got my vote. The execution itself was good, but most of all I loved the way the execution tied in with your concept, the two compliment each other better than anything else here imho. Strong stuff, grats!

jadefoodog: Technically your concept is well backed, but it's not exciting enough for me. Also, your piece lacks a good focal point as well as depth.

Vanvalen: It's a pity you didn't give a description of your concept. Your piece looks unfinished but definitely on the right track. Needs some more colour!

Charlie: You have the same issues as Vanvalen mostly. I'm really digging the textural qualities that are starting to develop on the fish itslef. Though it feels unfinished, it feels solid.

PMaz: Not a bad concept! Some crits on your execution: Try to avoid black as far as you can, instead work with another colour, just tone it down darker. Also work on your composition some, they're all floating it the same direction, and this makes the focal point ambiguous.

kovah: There are some things I'm liking in this one. The lens rays conflicting with the rays of light isn't working for you, and the whole thing doesn't feel underwater. This is largely due to the bright yellow ocean floor too. Focal Point!?

ShadowoftheSun: Like "shellyfish"! Your design lacks overall form, sense of scale and depth. The water's reflection you tried working in on the shell is too confusing! Also, as a design tip: NEVER use a bold serif font in a paragraph! NEVER!

Chuck: That one's great but I'm a bit disappointed! I'm comparing it to the awesome kids stuff I saw in your sketchbook, your CHOW and other stuff, all of which are bloody breathtaking! It's an awesome piece though, one of my nominees . Concept rocks!

Michael: This one is pretty good! Liked the concept, really something different. Your painting to me lacks unity between the colours, and I'm not sure where to look! Good stuff overall!

Sketch Monkey: This'uns great! Really like the armour on the Jellyfish, must've been painstaking! Suggestion: Make the bg more interesting and add some more colour, but really great piece!

misledtomisery: Great concept and the execution ain't bad. I'm not so much liking the glowy purple beads and the Jelly fish doesn't feel all jelly-ish and translucent haha.

Kosher: Great concept! Solid execution, love the eyes! Add some more colours into the already great looking terrain and it'll be great.

Fresh Paint: Your concept is a bit .... boring, but I like the scales a bunch. This one needs some more contrast, warmer colours too. Without warmer colours or high contrast, the eye just pops out of this one!

Bennet: This one is really strong, a definite nominee! The only thing I could level at it is that it maybe need a bit more rounding off, finishing up. Great work, really strong stuff.

blobs: I'm digging the extensive armour design you did one this one. Add some more contrast to the focalpnt and a more interesting bg, and it'll be a winner. Also, blow it up and fill the frame withit! Solid work!

Chris: Fun stuff Chris! Your works always reflect a fun process, digging this one man! should have made it 68 verieties! Solid stuff, only need more work on the water level at the top!

Hank: Digging the looseness, nice style. Your comp need to be better resolved, the smaller one needed to be less bright in order to recede - it's interfering with the focalpnt!

banhatin: It's a pity you didn't post a concept, your work is flawless! Stunning stuff, definite nominee!

Azathoth: Good concept, but I feel the piece could have been so much more. Right now it's a floating jelly. with armour. Remember, you are not just designing a creature, you are making something to look at!

artiphats: Good but I feel your creature lacks some solid form. Even Jellyfish has solid form. In fact, anything except gas (and sometimes gas too) has solid form! Also, it feels awkward that I don't see a supporting structure for those spikes.

Craven Morehead: That is stunning looking! The only thing I can level at it is it doesn't feel well rounded enough. Stunning work!

Soulweaver: If this one were more rounded and polished (in fact it feels incomplete) it would have been a definite nominee. What I see there is really good. Cool concept too!

guterrez: Man, it was between you and Eri. If I knew you were going to vote for me I'd have returned the favour. This one is stellar, really digging it all. No real crits, unless you want me to get unnecessarily nitpicky. gorgeous.

Supervlieg you sonuvabitch: That is stellar, no words and also one of my faves. Love your slant on the subject, not as action packed and full of testosterone (if you know what I mean) but even more interesting. Fun stuff, you deserve another win too.

ikuru: Fun stuff! Really digging the fairy tale design, cool interpretation of armour! Composition also works well. no real crits, not without getting too nitpicky!

xgabo: great concept, well thought out! Execution is great, though I'm not feeling that they're submerged. Also, maybe it need some more movement? Awesome work overall, definite nominee!

Kyle: It's great, especially like the terraing and the way in which you applied the armour. Interesting design and concept, strong work overall!

Phew! Many thanks everyone! Thanks to those who commented on my piece of shit entry, much appreciated! Props to the winner in advance <cough-Supervlieg-cough>


<cough>

- d.

[misledtomisery]

thanks for the crits brendan n and super v.
and it looks as rushed as i feel it was. good points about overall integration and jellyfish-iness. so thank you mucho.

and the vote went down to....brendan n, super v, and guterrez....
brendan was the most efficient looking armored jellyfish, supers had the best feel of jelly movements with armor, and guterrez had the great idea and overall shape and execution. overall...i had to go brendan n...but man those 3 really stand out to me...

[rWDrk]

Voted Sketch Monkey, clearly the best concept. Very nice painted. Jellyfish is simple and that works good. NIce job!!

guterrez and banhatin great works 2!
Banhatin if you had added a concept it would have been better.

cheeers R3M

[redehlert]

eri got my vote....awesome job bud.
great round to all! some amazing entries! i'm out of this COWschtuff until 2007. see ya then!
d