ChoW#226 :: Your Muse

[lavit]

its been quite slow... wanted to probe drawing directly on painter... it has some good stuff but you want it all finished all the time...
working on the gesture, seductive, relaxed, impressioning, strong... ill be doing something else on the hair, and drawings all over her body

[Carnifex]

dare i call this finished? i think i do...
the smile was damn hard to get right.
as always,c&c welcome.
lavit (if that was indeed directed at me), good call on the shadows. looks better.

[bluez3023]

Been a while since I've tried one.

My muse is of course a buxom lady with sci-fi elements, tools of my trade, a hoody of sorts, and a set of monster hands for support

I might not make it in time since I just drew this today, we'll see

[eronzki999]

Thanks for the crits. I see the finished works are great as well as the new entries keep them up! Sorry I can't give comment to all.

Update on my Muse. I'm now adding color tones and extra details. A bit slow and tiring in the hands but I'm liking it so far. Hope I make it on time. But if I can't I'll still finish it.

[jeremygordon89]

The entries are looking great so far!

Here's my WIP, should be done tomorrow.

[bluez3023]

eronzki999: looking great, the details are really well done.

I'm not a big fan on coloring, but heres my base colors

[zepheenia]

Ruri - Thanks very much Oh and don't worry, that's not the crop for the final, I was just showing the parts that I'd worked on instead of showing off her scribbly tail heehee
ArtbyManon - Lovely, sounds fantastic, I'm very excited for the final product! And yes yes to lion fish, they're just so fancy, I love them so
Carnifex - Looking great! I love the way you've coloured her, she almost seems to glow!
eronski999 - Wow. Ahhhmazing. That's all I can say!

[kxu]

Ruri Thks i will make something more easy for the time and for my ability

[hoshicat]

I know I won't finish this (I never do...), but I wanted to post my start anyways. Not everything is set in stone quite yet, but the ideas are getting there.

[matias]

My Muse! Ok, this was a really tricky think for me... I dont really have anything or anyone I would call my muse, but I feel like most of the time inspiration is eluding me so i thought I would make my muse doing just that! Getting away from me, I wanted her to be a bit mean/cold. Originally going to have her coming at you with me in the background but I decided I wanted her getting away from me (and a few other less valid reasons! ) I wanted her pose to be dramatic, not sure if the foreshortening is working right but I am guilty of alot of static poses so just trying to push my boundries a bit!

[Carnifex]

matias - maybe have her look back over her shoulder as to tease us,atleast so we can immerse better in her character.

as for my own,the only problem i now have is how to present it. i feel that version a fits better as a concept presentation, whereas b is possibly slightly more esthetically pleasing,but seems like two persons instead of one.
help me out here. which one to chose? (or go for something entirely else?)

[Dranyer]

Carnifex i like the bottom layout more, but thats just me. nice work!

another update, really hoping i can get this done by tomorrow.

[Ceinwen Fang]

Beautiful Dranyer! I love how self possessed she looks.

Oh man I am so not getting this done by tonight. I must be insane.

Basic colours in PS done.

[Carnifex]

thanks dranyer. btw,the hand yours is using to support herself is pretty huge. it's as big as her feet.

[Ceinwen Fang]

Got to go and cook now so this may be as far as it goes. This is still too rough for a final right?

Maybe back later to try and get it tighter... would be a shame to not manage to finish my first chow, but so it goes!

[Carnifex]

you've still got pretty much all day tomorrow. don't stress yourself out.

[Partisan]

ok I didnt participated this time because of the exact problem I see right now, I do have to mention it because it does bother me a little. I do see some good attempts here on the theme of a muse ...I mean rather authentic attempts to your personel Muse...but I honestly think that here are a few entries that are "just cool characters/creatures" that are labeled "my Muse" afterwards...

That is the exact reason for me not participating because I thought that I could do it this way but than it wouldnt have any value at all concerning the CHoW. (plus I do think with my skills I couldnt do the topic justice)

So I dont even know exactly my point here but I think its more or less :

What is the point in drawing some cool character/creature for a CHoW entry if you do not stick to the topic? let me explain this: CHoW isnt just about drawing ANY character its about drawing a specific one ( even if Muse could be a wide variety, and dont get me wrong ATM I am not pointing at someone saying " YOU! doing it wrong" what I would like to say is to take stock of yourself and ask you if you really do draw your Muse)

It is about having a set of guidelines and a topic you have to stick to , its NOT just about drawing and by doing so improving your skills ( it is part of that whitout question!) its about working in between specific boundaries by doing so you improve your ability accept them and to produce a piece of art that serves a special purpose and one that could be the right answer to certain task .What I am talking about is the ability to stay focused .

Its easy to create some sort of character in a blank space, but on the other hand its very complicated to create one that is defined by a certain topic . And I am convinced that CHoW is not just about improving you painting technique rather its a way to train your ability to focus ( a much needed skill for an artist )

And again I am not pointing in a specific direction, I just had this feeling about some of the works and tried to convey this.

so long
Seb

P.S. if needed I could list the concerns i had about some work

[Ruri]

kxu: Wish I had a better knowledge of anatomy myself so I could actually be helpful with my crits. All I can say is, use reference dude.

matias: Great concept and dynamic composition.

Carnifex: I'd go with b.

larchist: I know it's getting late in the game, but... is there any way you could extend the legs? They seem too short compared to her upper body to me. Other than that, cool.

Partisan: I think you have a good point. What I've tried to do is squish all the themes and quirks that keep appearing in my drawings/art into one character, and include some references to things that inspire me in a subtle way. Is that a true representation of the concept of a muse? I don't know.

More progress. Getting there.

[Xaya]

Not sure i keep that current concept....

[troyzart]

ok I didnt participated this time because of the exact problem I see right now, I do have to mention it because it does bother me a little. I do see some good attempts here on the theme of a muse ...I mean rather authentic attempts to your personel Muse...but I honestly think that here are a few entries that are "just cool characters/creatures" that are labeled "my Muse" afterwards...

That is the exact reason for me not participating because I thought that I could do it this way but than it wouldnt have any value at all concerning the CHoW. (plus I do think with my skills I couldnt do the topic justice)

So I dont even know exactly my point here but I think its more or less :

What is the point in drawing some cool character/creature for a CHoW entry if you do not stick to the topic? let me explain this: CHoW isnt just about drawing ANY character its about drawing a specific one ( even if Muse could be a wide variety, and dont get me wrong ATM I am not pointing at someone saying " YOU! doing it wrong" what I would like to say is to take stock of yourself and ask you if you really do draw your Muse)

It is about having a set of guidelines and a topic you have to stick to , its NOT just about drawing and by doing so improving your skills ( it is part of that whitout question!) its about working in between specific boundaries by doing so you improve your ability accept them and to produce a piece of art that serves a special purpose and one that could be the right answer to certain task .What I am talking about is the ability to stay focused .

Its easy to create some sort of character in a blank space, but on the other hand its very complicated to create one that is defined by a certain topic . And I am convinced that CHoW is not just about improving you painting technique rather its a way to train your ability to focus ( a much needed skill for an artist )

And again I am not pointing in a specific direction, I just had this feeling about some of the works and tried to convey this.

so long
Seb

P.S. if needed I could list the concerns i had about some work

I understand your point of view completely, but I feel I have to reply because my character may come under the "cool character" category.
My muse was made up of several things, things even conveyed through the background. Things that inspire & fascinate me. Women, futuristic themes, reflections, anime, & to a point, minimalism (which I tried hinting towards in my background. Even icey blue colour which I tried making stand out by restricting its use & contrasting the said elements to the rest of the picture.

I'm sure other people have gone along the same pathway - my point here is so what if it turns out to be just a cool character? If that is their muse, then that is their muse. O:

But agreed, it was a very vague topic, open to much artistic license.

[JSpayde]

I understand your point of view completely, but I feel I have to reply because my character may come under the "cool character" category.
My muse was made up of several things, things even conveyed through the background. Things that inspire & fascinate me. Women, futuristic themes, reflections, anime, & to a point, minimalism (which I tried hinting towards in my background. Even icey blue colour which I tried making stand out by restricting its use & contrasting the said elements to the rest of the picture.

I'm sure other people have gone along the same pathway - my point here is so what if it turns out to be just a cool character? If that is their muse, then that is their muse. O:

But agreed, it was a very vague topic, open to much artistic license.

I agree with you. The topic isn't a strict concept - "Show what inspires you through a character". It really could be anything.

[Ceinwen Fang]

Ruri, cheers for the pointer, I did manage to do so, and it definitely improved the anatomy.

As far as staying on topic goes I think its really up to each individual here to decide what could represent a muse to them, and impossible to know from outside how accomplished that is. Either you like the character or you don't I suppose. Its not possible to define accuracy here, in terms of who got the closest to their muse. I think it can just be good fun, creating a persona for your creativity.

[kxu]

Now I used more references and I'm trying something easier,
I can not possibly finish this Chow, but now I have more time, I
part of all. I really want to one day work with illustration, be
maybe a new Frazetta. LOL





I was thinking of making the entire skirt made of butterflies, but still do not have that ability.







I try the thing with butterflys ^^ at last.

[neutral.]

Finally started drawing after wasting a whole day on youtube.......

[Muscari]

there are some really nice entries in here, such a great level

@xaya
she's very pretty, the design is astounding to me and there's a great atmosphere going on.
@dranyer
astounding in my opinion. really good mix of a classical study/figure with abstract forms.
@carnifex
quite a character design. the color choice is bold and attractive. only thing is that i would have like to see another article that complimented the boots around the top, like a heavy necklace of something
@matias
dynamic pose! awesome!
@bluez3023
honestly, my favorite character design in here. want to see how it unravels
@eronzki999
that complexity on her is just baffling
@Supervlieg
great use of colors and overall nice composition

don't really know if i'm going to manage to finish this, but i feel it's been worth to finally break my half-year/year drawing hiatus. any crits would be welcome

[kxu]

wip4

[Xaya]

ok i changed the color scheme a little

Maybe i change the pose to a more dynamic gesture ala" sailor moon style"

See you tomorrow!

[zepheenia]

I think I'm going to have to call this finished, unless there is something that desperately needs attention. I know she's still nowhere near as polished as she could be, but is she polished enough to be submitted? This is the first time I've had a chance to submit a completed image, so let me know if you see anything I might be able to change....thanks!

[JanJager]

Great work everybody
larchist
Nice take on the topic.
eronzki999
Very nice. The hand around the harp anyones me a bit. Perhaps just make it a bit smaller.

[Phantaz]

I still have a lot more to do with the character but thought I'd post this WIP.