here is progress so far for me - on the left are 4 of the 6 sketches that i initially did after reading the comp brief. On the right is the second evenings revisit of what I think might be the better 2 ideas. I was hoping a more emotive painting of each would seperate a clear winner for me but I'm still indecided...
[img]icon_paperclip.gif[/img] Download Attachment: [url="http://www.sumea.com.au/forum/attached/johnn/20066510426_challenge8_con…"]challenge8_concepts1.jpg[/url]
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Yeah, the wraps one is tops, but I also really like the pose of the red costumed chick with the sword. Nice perspective and foreshortening on the red costumed character.
To me, this is the first entry that's really stood out and said 'fighter character'. The poses are cool and she looks like she knows how to handle herself.
Wahoo, glad the feedback has been for the stick-fighting teen! I have been leaning towards her, but thought the other might be more on the money regarding the competition brief.
These are the latest development sketches. Think I have sorted out a face for my gal :) and have done a warrior princess version of her too, although I'm not sure if it is an improvement upon the previous costume.
link: http://www.sumea.com.au/forum/attached/johnn/20066103528_challenge8_con…
Casey, I would like to think I have become 'one of those people' through lots of practice, and I still work hard at refining my basic drawing skills. BUT when it comes to fast visualisation and researching viusual details for more involved works, nothing beats some reference of the photographic kind - so I use photo reference too.
I should stress that I never let the reference control the work. I always have a strong plan (often already sketched out) of what I want and the reference usually only helps in some supporting way of details. It also is quite common that I can find no directily relevant pics (such as girls posing with fighting sticks)so I do alot of modify/chop and changing and inventing out of my head to get to the goal.
As an example the image below is what I had for reference of the stick fighting teen pose. As you can see not much in common if you were planning to draw directily from it. I liked the strength, power and stability of 'Karate Girl' but wanted to have a character that was more agile with some teen mischief/energy in her. So I guess the reference was partly a sample of what I didn't want and was equally helpful in aiding me with details like exactily how far apart and the angle her legs should be set at.
[img]icon_paperclip.gif[/img] Download Attachment: [url="http://www.sumea.com.au/forum/attached/johnn/200661044942_karate_girl.j…"]karate_girl.jpg[/url]
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...and for the faces in this post my reference included downloading details like individual asian eyes - I just didn't know exactily what features make and an asian eye asian looking! how else am I going to findout? ...stare at asian girls at my local pub?
!
... excuse me, Im off to my local pub.
Very nice concepts dude. The chopsticks through the hat and the armored sandals are a nice touch. The only thing I can think of suggesting is some kind of blade on her weapon to make it seem more menacing. Maybe something like these kama sickles:
[img]http://www.okinawankarateclub.com/images/weapons/kama_demo.jpg[/img]
They look pretty badass to me, that's my two cents anyway. Good job man, keep it up.[;)]
Liking the blue version vs the red in the latest post. The blue seems so much more self sufficient, she sort pulled together her fighting gear from rag raps and common clothing and theres a greater feel of determination to be a great fighter. Red looks more like someone of a higher class learning to become one, cant really tell you why all of this is there. its a gut thing :P I can also understand eagles comments about wanting to put a blade on there but thats a bit of a catch 22 that you dont want lose the feel that she may not have proper training resources to work with but is determined anyway. Sicles and the like might actualy be good for that because it could easily be a farming impliment. Hope some of that made sense, its hard to put into words a feeling and aesthetic sometimes.
Really like the updates - I'm very much a fan of the red concept. She seems very capable and like MoonUnit says, she looks like someone of an upper class. I think it accentuates the beauty of the fighter without making her overtly sexual. I think the skirt provides more freedom of movement which I imagine would be handy in a fighter character.
I really like this concept because the detail is in the right places. The wraps/halterneck top is simple but the details are excellent on the dress trim, hat trim and the foot protector. The sketch of the footguard looks excellent as well.
One suggestion - stay away from giving her sais/jutte (jitte?) if you go with the red colour scheme as she'll lose a bit of uniqueness and start to look a bit like Elektra.
Looking forward to the model.
next update(s) - rather than rush into the model I thought I would explore and refine the concept properly (procrastiate). I committed to the design with shorts (I think the other one was equally good but didn't convey the same streetwise/girl-power attitude the initial sketch of this character had) and started to explore variation of her outfit. for a while I was looking to include a a highlight colour and street cred with a bandana, but the faux cammo patchwork pants seemed a more enticing alternative. I couldn't decided which hat was working best until I did the front/back painting and painted a few on (sorry painted over each one, so no alternatives to show).
Currently undecided about the hair - initially thought of a long plat and now thinking hair up in the hat, probably because I don't want to obscure other details on her - not a great reason really...
thinking about a tatoo on her back... but it might take away some girlishness (that I want to keep to some extent)
[img]icon_paperclip.gif[/img] Download Attachment: [url="http://www.sumea.com.au/forum/attached/johnn/200662445549_challenge8_co…"]challenge8_concepts3.jpg[/url]
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finally got around to doing some model sheets! now I just gotta figure out how to use Max, and all should be full steam ahead!
[img]icon_paperclip.gif[/img] Download Attachment: [url="http://www.sumea.com.au/forum/attached/johnn/2006714232850_challenge8_c…"]challenge8_concepts5.jpg[/url]
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update - I have started to model! any and all help with the low poly model would be appreciated including stuff relating to technical details.
[img]icon_paperclip.gif[/img] Download Attachment: [url="http://www.sumea.com.au/forum/attached/johnn/20068903631_challenge8_mod…"]challenge8_model1.jpg[/url]
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Cool John, I like the wraps [:)]