Battle with the Colossus (fanart)

**Joshawowo** · January 15th, 2007, 08:36 PM

So, I know that too much of my art is fanart, but I just had to do a fanart for one of my favorite games "Shadow of the Colossus". That said... here's how it turned out:

First I'd just like to hear general thoughts about it, then I'll ask about specific parts. Let me know what you think, thanks!

**Anid Maro** · January 15th, 2007, 10:27 PM

Very nice perspective, it really shows the hugeness of the Colossus. And the guy is done great as well, just the falling motion on him alone gives the whole image a sense of movement, like the Colossus is walking.

However, the details on the Colossus are a little to vauge when he gets close up. I have a very hard time telling the difference between his arm and his body. Also he looks like he's made out of grass, although I haven't played the game so maybe he is made out of grass.

**direliar** · January 15th, 2007, 11:48 PM

I played that game, it was awesome.

I'm not exactly sure which one of the colossi is depicted in your drawing...but I know its not one of the first few. Perhaps a picture reference would be nice. Then we can compare how the collosus is constructed. Something just doesnt look right with the body and arms, but I cant be too sure until I see which colossi youre drawing.

(yes, the colossi are made of grass and rocks and glowing symbols...and sometimes even air sacks just for those who have never played the game)

**Maestro Andres** · January 16th, 2007, 12:01 AM

Yeah, it was one of the greatest game I have played. There is no better satisfaction than beating all the odds by defeating something hundred times larger than your character

Besides of what the others had comment, you can probably emphasize the eyes of the colossus by adding a glow to them or using perhaps a red color. Right now it is fine, but the eyes are the same color as the background so they kinda look transparent. Also, a the glow will emphasize the mystery and power of the colossus.

**masque** · January 16th, 2007, 12:16 AM

i assume the warrior is hanging on for dear life to the colossus' hair -- if so, then the weight distribution of the warrior's figure needs work. it looks more like he's standing on a slightly inclined surface with knees deeply bent, using the hair for balance, a bit like a surfer seen from a high POV. the hair he's holding doesn't look taught, as it would if it was supporting a significant weight -- it curves a bit from hand back to the C's body. from the perspective you're using, i'd expect a great deal more foreshortening on the C's head and face unless it's looking almost directly down at the warrior.

**Joshawowo** · January 16th, 2007, 01:58 AM

Anid Maro- Thanks for the comments. I'll try to come up with something to help seperate the arm from the body somehow. And yeah, the Collosi are made out of rocks and grass etc. Grass is kind of their fur.

direliar- Well... when I started it wasn't supposed to be any specific colossus at all. In fact, the original idea in my head, the Colossus was so obscured by the light that you couldn't make out many features at all. However, I started to base it off the first one slightly. It's not 100% accurate to the design, though, since I didn't intend it to be. I will admit that the arm/body does need some clarity somehow. Here's the image that I slightly based it on. Let me know what you think.

armaldon- I've noticed that the eyes are very similar to the sky (white, essentially). In the game, they actually kind of have pupils, so it was sort of my idea to make them totally white.

masque- I did have a hard time with Wander's pose (that's his name, btw). There was a point where I just decided that that was good enough. I see what you mean about the pulled hair not being taught, though. I'll see what I can do. I also agree that maybe it'd be a good idea to make the Colossus look upwards more, rather than directly towards Wander. Thanks for the tips.

I'll post my progress whenever I get back to it. Thanks for all the suggestions.

**EmiR** · January 16th, 2007, 11:41 AM

the colors are ok, but you can try to make the rays of light coming over his shoulder a little better. you take withe color and paint over, thats wrong... you have to take a little of yellow or a other color to make it more interesting. the sky and the character is good.

PS:the game is one of the best i ever play ...

**rabeat** · January 16th, 2007, 10:01 PM

really awesome, i really like the way u draw that hero, he is really inspiring, i feel like hes figting for me and all of us,great pic.

**kouotsu** · January 16th, 2007, 11:20 PM

Maybe desaturating towards the head could give an even more dramatic sense of depth. Or greying it out or whatever you call it.

The area around Wander looks great, but the space between him and the Colossus's head looks really flat. Maybe it's the two beams of light causing it? I'm really just not sure how to improve it but it does look very flat to me.

**Joshawowo** · January 17th, 2007, 06:59 PM

EmiR- I see what you mean. I'll see what I can do. Thanks for the input.

rabeat- Hmm... then you probably haven't played the game, have you? I don't want to give anything away, but Wander isn't exactly a selfless hero. I'm glad you like it, though.

kouotsu- Eh... I see what you mean. I might try to see if I can change anything to fix the flatness, but otherwise I'll probably just be moving onto another pic. I will be making some minor changes to this one before I call it quits, though. Thanks for your comments.