C.O.W. #264. Mirrodin Tangle Stalker - 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 #263 - Mirrodin Tangle Stalker

topic:

ROUND#263: Mirrodin Tangle Stalker

Mirrodin is one of the many planes present in Wizards of the Coasts’ long running card franchise Magic the Gathering. The world of Mirrodin and the creatures that inhabit it have both metallic and organic elements to them. The dense jungle of Mirrodin, known as “The Tangle” is populated by elves and beasts. Your job this week is to create a creature that would inhabit this dense jungle, both it and it’s environment being a twisted mesh of metallic and organic elements. The definition of “Stalker” is up for interpretation but I’d like the creature to display some tendency towards stealth rather than brute force.

You can learn more about the world of Mirrodin here:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirrodin
Though you would probably get far more detail here:
MTG Wiki: http://wiki.mtgsalvation.com/article/Mirrodin_(plane)

Round Requirements:
- The Creature’s design should incorporate both organic and metallic elements
- The Creature must reside within “The Tangle”, a dense jungle-like environment on the plane of Mirrodin
- The creature need not adhere towards the frame dimensions of a Magic the Gathering card, but you may if you like
- The creature should exhibit characteristic of a “stalker” in some way, though it is largely open for interpretation


Deadline:

June 20th, 7:00pm PST (GMT -8 )

Finals go here: http://conceptart.org/forums/showthr...40#post3480240

[Rob Powell]

This one should be interesting...

[Tchuk]

Kinda glad I've been playing Magic and been using Myr decks now

[AdrianNagorski]

its been far to long since i took part in one of these.

inital scribbles / idea:

[Cloudbreaker]

I've always wanted to draw a magic card. Looks like here might be my chance. And I've always liked The Tangle too.

Now, what creature type(s) to choose... (+10 points to whoever chooses oyster!)

[Tchuk]

Just thought I'd show some images I found quickly as a basis for inspiration in case there are a few without any Magic knowledge and would like to join in

I've got images of artifacts, tangle creatures and a mixture of the two so enjoy.









As well as these two websites:

http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazin...g/daily/li/132

http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazin...ly/feature/143

Good luck everyone I know I'm going to enjoy this =D

[Quint_]

Thanks Tchuk! I really didn't have much knowledge of the world so was reading through the wiki links Si put up, but the images are really helpful! I had a lot of fun in the last one so will try a stab at this too I think.

[Tchuk]

Thanks Tchuk! I really didn't have much knowledge of the world so was reading through the wiki links Si put up, but the images are really helpful! I had a lot of fun in the last one so will try a stab at this too I think.

No problem Quint I just wish I could link better images, I'm not up on all the lore but I figured I could help somewhat at least.

Either way it seems this week shall be quite a quiet week for entries.

Here's my work so far anyway


Just some quick sketches, with the help of my MtG playing friend we thought about doing a creature large enough to actually encompass the forest, perhaps with tree legs to confuse people and make it look like they're going in circles when really they're being followed.

I just couldn't help but love image 3 though, just the whole 'too close for comfort look'



Composition didn't feel right on this, so a bit of a change



aaand some dramatic lighting



I'll add more later but after I get some reference shots for the person and the perspective so I don't make too many mistakes before I get stuck in.

[nram]

its been a while since i last participated but i just cant pass this weeks cow topic... ill post a sketch later on

[Hunter12396]

i want to upload my image but is a pdf can someone help?

[Prometheus09]

Hunter: If you have Photoshop, you ought to be able to open the PDF file, then hit Ctrl + A to select the whole document. Then do a copy with Ctrl + C, and then go to the File menu and create a new document. It should automatically create a new blank document that fits the dimensions of the PDF perfectly. Then just Ctrl + V to paste it, and resave that as a new file format.

Also, in general for anyone who didn't know, that's also a great way to modify the supposedly "unmodifiable" PDF file format. Takes a little effort, but overall, really quick.

[Hunter12396]

it dident work im using photoshop 6 for the rest of the month
also i can get the pdf to come up in adoebe reader x if that helps

[penciltipred]

so sketches
first time every doin thumbnails so theyre prolly not the best but anyways
i cant choose between 1 0r 2

[Jornum]

Some quickly scribbly brainstorming to start. I tend to think jungle-cat or snake when I think about stealthy stalkers. Probably going along that route.

Hunter: Another suggestion might be to open your file in Adobe, and take a screenshot (PrintScrn on the keyboard) of it. You could then paste that file in to photoshop, and save it as a jpeg perhaps. Not the most elegant of work arounds, but maybe it'll work.

[Hunter12396]

well i just attacked the file anyway this is my first cow
not sure if im done yet though

[Lege1]

Quick screen shot of the sketch I have going for this...

[Tchuk]

Nice work so far guys,

Penciltipred: Really nice sketches, they're much cleaner than mine ever are I'd have to say that 3 seems a bit generic for a creature design so you're right to stay away from that, 2 is definitely swinging too far to the human side of the scale but I'm unable to tell how 1 stands up I'm afraid, are those 4 legs holding it up? If so maybe adding a slight bit of bulk to them would help, but otherwise a great design

Some nice sketches by you too Jornum I wanna see how you turn those beasties into metal monstrosities

Hunter: I have to be honest I'm not ENTIRELY sure what I'm looking at with your image, are you basing it off any kind of creature? The best way to go about making a cool design for these things is to research all manner of creatures and take inspiration from them, even if sometimes they don't exactly fit the brief they can be useful. For instance the Krogans from Mass Effect are based on bats, not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of a hulking reptilian species

Lege1: A nice start,I will give this advice though, right now although you have dimensions and perspective on your drawing, I can tell you're using them because you've given the feet a good spacing to imply the distance you've also ignored them when it comes to how the feet would be planted on the floor, he seems to be standing on the very tips of his toes and falling forward, try making his feet placed flat and firmly on the ground, the flesh will shape to it. Also with a head and neck that large he'd need a significant counterweight as a tail so something much heavier and/or larger will make the design much more plausible.

Hope I've been of som help guys

Anyway quick update from me:



yes it's still a bit sketchy I know but don't worry I'm working on that now, the human is based off the Sylvok designs I've found online. (The humans who inhabit the Tangle)

[AdrianNagorski]

Tchuk: its a little hard to desern your creature, the foreground dude is really mashed in
with him. seems like a very intresting idea, cant wait to see more.

[Edward B]

First, thanks alot for the links and artwork Tchuk, Amazing works right there!
Your sketch has real promise so far, I like the perspective and the creature seems to tower threateningly over the character, I'm not sure but so far I read 2 heads on the creature and no left back leg.
It'll be interesting to see you progress the creature.

Wipwip:

[dragon4lunch]

Edward B That is rad! It'll be hard for you to screw this up. Very cool piece already!

Lege1 take a look at what Jornum did - a bunch of little thumbnails sketches will help you find cool designs and be more loose and creative. I see you've even put in a detailed grid for your perspective... You shouldn't need more than a horizon line and an awareness of you vanishing point. You're hindering the creative spontaneous impulses by locking things down like that.

[Tchuk]

Thanks for the critiques guys I've made some changes and this is what I have so far.





EDIT:


And thanks Edward B, I've always been a big fan of the Magic tcg art since I found it so I really wanted to see if we could get more people in to join the fray on this one and get some really good images going I especiallyl ike yours, the only problem I'd have to say with it is right now I'm unsure about the composition or what is going on. at first I had assumed the left hand side to be where his head was not the left (which I realised after a bit of a closer look ) Looks like it could be really really good though

[Hunter12396]

its coming along the tail and head are made of bronze and silver
it can swing lick an ape in the trees to ambush its prey

[Tchuk]

Just another quick update, really not sure what I'm doing wrong with the colouring but something about it doesn't feel right, might go back a bit and experiment a bit more.

[nram]

This is what i came up with... im doing this on the few hours i have left after work...still halfway hope i can finish it

[Tawnos]

Oh God, this topic is so nostalgic... Love it, I'm eager to see what comes from this! I love magic and the lore around it, plus those images... *goosebumps*

[Tchuk]

Another update, changed the colours around. I need to add more texture and detail, I'm buggered if I know how though

[Edward B]

Haa, Never say never Dragon!I still have a day or two to mess it up!

Looking good tchuk, I feel the purple light hitting the back of the warrior is slightly confusing, as it seems to be coming from straight ahead of the warrior.
The light from the background is also very very bright right now, witch might be what you are going for but I'm just pointing it out regardless :> Looking forward to more updates

Some updates on my dude, having alot of fun with the environment, neglecting the creature

[The Electric Ant]

Nice topic! here's my wip:

[RXMT]

Here's my progress, I haven't participated in a COW in a long time!

[Jornum]

Some really cool creatures in here so far. Can't wait to see the finals!

I was pretty torn on doing something serpentine or more cat-like, but ended up going with the quadruped. So some more figuring out sketches of that.