C.O.W. #239. The Bakemono that Haunt the Mountains - WIPs Thread

[Si_Swe]

For more info and details about the rules go here:

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=110879


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ROUND #239: The Bakemono that Haunt the Mountains

Brief:

C.O.W. #239 - The Bakemono that Haunt the Mountains



When it comes to creatures, demons come in all shapes and sizes. In most fantasy setting demons have a tendency to to take on very western demonic ideals and we oft end up with the horribly mutated cousins of Tim Curry in Legend. This week we will be taking a look specifically an invented malevolent, demonic creature, but in distinctly Japanese fashion. Now, in Japanese folklore, Bakemono doesn’t necessarily refer to a demon per se, but it does, by definition, shape-shift. Your task this week is to create a type of mountain demon with the ability to shapeshift into some kind of normal animal. As a nod to its origins, the creature should at the very least have a nod to Japanese folklore in its design, in some way.

For a bit of reading on the side try these out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obake
http://www.obakemono.com/

Requirements this Week:
- The creature must inhabit a mountainous region

- The creature should show influence from Japanese folklore or traditional Japanese art in some way

- The creature must be capable of transforming into an existing animal

- The creature should be visible evil or mischievous in some way

Deadline:

December 7th, 9:00pm PST (GMT -8 )

Finals go here: http://conceptart.org/forums/showthr...05#post3314405

[Chaoz]

here is the initial sketch.
In the mountains of japan lives the Midori Tora. It is a species of japanese "obake"(shapeshifters) that can transform in between a tiger and a lizard. It changes to a lizard to camoflauge it self in the forest, and changes into a tiger to strike its meal. Its favorite food are women that are between the ages 14-25.

[amyersco]

For visual reference, can look up "Natsume Yuujinchou" -- it's a manga (turned into animated series too) that specializes in bakemono. The lead is a young human boy and a very large bakemono that moonlights as a living maneki neko (lucky cat figurine).

Most of the creatures shown have a distinctly japanese flavor. Had to plug not only this cool topic but also one of my all-time favorite manga

[HapaxLegomenon]

Quick idea, a mountain goat. The demon is parasitic and takes over a goats body and makes it it's own, and can either hide as a goat (albeit tainted and rotting) or unfold itself from within the goat and stands as a demon.

[ryansumo]

First sketches. Decided to do a snow monkey as the form of the bakemono. Initially I wanted to do a lantern (based on the idea that any object that has lived 100 years becomes "real") but the image wasn't working. I decided to make the beke demon come from a samurai mask that was discarded or fell off in the heat of battle. I like the motifs in samurai masks so I would use that for the face of the monkey and build the monkey body around that.

[Stjh]

do hallucinogens count as shape shifting? my creature might give off a strong odor that makes living things see the creature differently.

[Si_Swe]

Stjh - It would depend how it was implemented. This is sort of a nod to Japanese folklore, in which the creatures displayed transformation as a supernatural power, so I'd prefer we stick to that, but it's by no means a no. Just remember that your creature should very much be keeping Japanese folklore in mind.

[J-Sun]

Great ideas, all!

I'm sketching up a Demon creature that masquerades as a cat.

Those who stumble across the "cat" form may consider the meeting a sign of good luck. But the encounter will end very very badly.

Will scan and post soon.

[Chaoz]

its not ready to hand in yet but i put the cow words there just in case. still have to put some trees and a proper background and some touch ups. its most of the body



agitomega is the name i am choosing right now for my self. I have this account for a year but i didnt bother to change name

[ryansumo]

Hapax Looks good, Can't wait to see where you go with it.

Some additional sketches here, basically thumbnails for what kind of pose I want my monkey to be in. I'm leaning towards 1 or 3. I may go for 3 eventually because while 1 looks very imposing he looks very still and unmoving, like he's guarding something. Whereas thumbnail 3 makes him look like he's looking for something mischievous to do. Comments and crits appreciated.

[Stjh]

si_swe> okay got it. thanks.

rough sketch of the creature on paper before i start on it digitally. the flesh around its eyes are so thick that it covers it's own eyes, making it look almost faceless. was thinking of making him melt so that the liquid will transform into another animal.

[Chaoz]

last update of the day. This count as the whole body right well at least major parts?

[MesiaH]

A deamon anteater, few sketches, Can transform from a regular anteater to a biped creature able to eat the inside of its victims, He is leaving close to small villages.

[Si_Swe]

MesiaH - Please be aware of rules 1: A, C and D. No humanoids, characters or creatures with clothing/accessories.

[MesiaH]

Damn, I will fix that! sorry!

[ryansumo]

Si Swe If my demon was originally an accessory (the samurai mask) is that okay? I'm drawing upon this legend:

The origins of obake are varied. There are monsters that were always monsters: the kappa, the tengu, the aobozu, the ushi-oni. There are monsters that were originally inanimate objects: the tsukumogami, or one-hundred year old objects.

You didn't comment in my original post so i assumed it was okay but now I'm a little worried.

[Si_Swe]

ryansumo - Again, it will depend on implementation of the accessory. If it's very minor, I won't mind. In the case of samurai masks, that is something that can easily be incorporated into an organic design, so it's fairly likely that I will allow it; so long as it is somehow a part of the creature, not something that the creature wears.

[ryansumo]

Here's what I got so far. Hopefully it passes!

[DPFX]

"Its sad that entire families can be torn apart by something as simple as wild dogs." --Jack Handey

[Swiezy]

Hiho all, it will be demon sheep which also can transform to the baybe bighorn sheep.
For now some studies about animal which I choose ( bighorn sheep):

[ryansumo]

Swiezy : Some nice sheep there! However it doesn't seem obvious (yet!) where the demon parts come, hope to see that soon!

I know I lose points for making this more of an illustration and less of a creature design, but I just had this image in my head I had to put on digital paper. I do have plans of accentuating the creatureness�� of the bakemono though, so stay tuned!

[Swiezy]

ryansumo thanks!
moderator tell you if your work is wrong. Also, your creature is funny search more construction and anatomy of your creature. Nice sketches, them impressive me.
Howover next sylwetes and sketch concept demon bighorn sheep for now ( Can't find more time now):

[HapaxLegomenon]

A couple more sketches, but I went with a more goat like body shape. I did a quick color wash over it as well. A more refined image will come around.

This Bakemono makes its home in the mountain forests. The villagers residing in the mountains have learned to coexist with the monster, leaving live offerings in little shrines by forest roads and by farm pastures where the demon will leave infectious seeds for the herds of goats to eat.

The older demons may be seen with shimenawas (shinto plaited rope) or shimes (white paper streamers) along with other religious ornament as an attempt to keep the demon contained or subdued.

[J-Sun]

Here is my concept thus far.

It originally had slightly different eyes... I'll post that alt version asap.

[KICHI]

This is my very first attempt with this stuff and I read that there aren't any "accessories" allowed. And I understand there are ways the rule doesn't apply.

I was thinking for my creature, that it used to be a monk who was punished for being full of pride and got turned into a demon. Monks are often depicted with staffs with rings on them and I thought I could have it wear them as a symbol of what it used to be and then it hunts other monks and steals their rings. Are they too much of an accessory to be allowed?

[Si_Swe]

KICHI - The goal in creature of the week is to design a species. That is to say, you are designing one specimen that represents a species as a whole. Accessories tend to lean further towards designing a specific character that happens to be a creature. The rules are designed to that end, such that on is designing a specimen based on the common traits of its entire species rather than the habits and appearance of one particular creature. In your case it seems that you are attempting to design a character. A particular monk that was turned into a particular demon. So no, I will not allow those accessories in this case. I hope that clears things up a bit. There is a link in the original post that links to the explanation of the rules, right beneath the rules image.

[DPFX]

The dog wags his tail, not for you, but for your bread. ~Portuguese Proverb

[Zeitwolf]

DPFX, this is super scary T_T

[-D_art-]

nice topic! here is my version, its animal form is a goat. The spirit was originally a merchant who was assaulted and killed by a band of robbers. The roobers took his eyes before executing him and now the merchant's spirit has taken the form of a goat which haunts the mountains taking the eyes of travelers he encounters.

[Lloydnewman]

This is y first attempt at any weekly challenge, hope it ticks the criteria properly!

My bakemono animal is a hare, lurking in the mountains they shroud themselves with a magical mist causing weary travelers to lose there way.


i need to add the nod to japanese folklore / style so will fix that and ive realised i need to remove the clothing.