OotS Style Art/Fanart Showcase IV

[KillItWithFire]

An avie I made recently.

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Don't really like how the shield turned out and I rushed him a little bit to get him out the door.
One of my better works all the same.

[Krüsher]

An avie I made recently.

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Don't really like how the shield turned out and I rushed him a little bit to get him out the door.
One of my better works all the same.

It's perty I must say... I like the effect that you did to make it look like chainmail, somehow I wasn't able to figure that out on my own. (looking at it again, is it scale mail?) The first thing I noticed from the shield is the shadow effect that you put on it, it goes on the entire left side and mostly just becomes a dark glow more than shadow. It also seems a little low for where his arm is. What I think would be cool is if you could make it so that he has the shield on the ground and is holding it steady by having his hand on top of it. It will look more natural and (imo) look more badass.
For reference

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...:0&tx=46&ty=99

[KillItWithFire]

It's perty I must say... I like the effect that you did to make it look like chainmail, somehow I wasn't able to figure that out on my own. (looking at it again, is it scale mail?) The first thing I noticed from the shield is the shadow effect that you put on it, it goes on the entire left side and mostly just becomes a dark glow more than shadow. It also seems a little low for where his arm is. What I think would be cool is if you could make it so that he has the shield on the ground and is holding it steady by having his hand on top of it. It will look more natural and (imo) look more badass.
For reference

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...:0&tx=46&ty=99

Thought about doing exactly that actually, it's why the shield is so low in the first place. But for the life of me I couldn't get the arm to look right so I kinda copped out on it.

[Thormag]

So I played the bejeezus out of Dragon Age: Origins and ended up drawing all companions (save temporary ones).

Here's my work.

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I wonder if Sten approves...

[CrimsonAngel]

Hey! Those are really good.

[Teddy]

I agree, although Dog's claws seem a bit rushed, as if you first drew them as a concept, and then forgot to finish them. Spending five more minutes to get them to fit with the feet would probably be worth it.

Apart from that, a really good job, I'd say.


I wished I knew how to do animation (and had a program to do it with). I got an awesome idea about a small animation few days ago after listening to this song one time more than what's healthy (or rather, the whole album), but I can't do anything about it, which is very frustrating.

I probably should write down the script. At least I won't forget it if I do that...

[Lither]

Unnecessary and useless background information: I tried to make a story a while ago. Doubt anybody remembers it. It was originally going to be a fan comic, which was then cancelled because I couldn't download Inkscape - not trusting my lack of ability in MS Paint to make it - and I and turned into a story in the Arts and Craft section, which then died early before it could become an actual story, due to my computer recieving a virus that deleted all my records of how the story was going to go.

That's also the longest sentence I've ever written.

Now, my computer is allowing me to download files, and I've now downloaded Inkscape. Here's one character as an avatar. My least favourite of the cast, actually.

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Also my first OotS style avatar.

Advice on how to improve would be much appreciated. I don't like how the sleeves and wings turned out, but I can't seem to be able to improve them.

Also, I think the dagger's too small, but it looks out of place any larger.

[Teutonic Knight]

About the dagger, it could look fine bigger, just closer to his side. Daggers only look good in the front if they are worn by people like this fine gentleman.

[Lither]

Thankyou for that. I fixed it, and now it looks better.

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[Teutonic Knight]

Maybe you want to raise the dagger a little bit? So that the handle is over the belt line but the rest of the blade isn't.

Also since I haven't been uploading anything, here's a treat, the first two avatars I ever made.

and

Since then, I've already remade the first one, now I need to remake the second one.

[Elder Tsofu]

Thankyou for that. I fixed it, and now it looks better.

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I'm not entirely sure what you're going for with the wings, right now they look quite batlike/reptilian - thin layers of skin spread between fingers.

If you're going for feather-wings there are quite a few alternatives;

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From the comics quite easy-drawn but stylish versions:
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0284.html

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0491.html

To the more complicated forum-versions:

If you're going for bat/reptile wings there are alternatives too, but you're more on the right track there.

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From comic:
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0394.html

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0395.html

Some of my own (early) attempts:

I prefer having things simple if I can - it usually looks better.

[Lither]

I'm not entirely sure what you're going for with the wings, right now they look quite batlike/reptilian - thin layers of skin spread between fingers.

They're supposed to look like a combination of batlike/ birdlike. Kinda failed, and I have not been able to improve them.

[Elder Tsofu]

A combination you say? That's unusual.
Maybe you could make the top of the wings in feathers, and ending them in skin?
It would be like keeping the inner most row of feathers in Haruki-kun's wings, maybe moving it slightly higher, and draw out the edges of the wings in spikes of an slightly different colour. (like more greyish than white).

[Ninjaman]

So I played the bejeezus out of Dragon Age: Origins and ended up drawing all companions (save temporary ones).

Here's my work.

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I wonder if Sten approves...

Those are cool. Not sure if i like the dog though.

An avie I made recently.

Spoiler

Show

Don't really like how the shield turned out and I rushed him a little bit to get him out the door.
One of my better works all the same.

I agree with Krüsher on the shield, also the boots looks 2 dimensional. Try rounding the bottom.

As for Lither´s wings:

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[Lither]

A combination you say? That's unusual.
Maybe you could make the top of the wings in feathers, and ending them in skin?
It would be like keeping the inner most row of feathers in Haruki-kun's wings, maybe moving it slightly higher, and draw out the edges of the wings in spikes of an slightly different colour. (like more greyish than white).

*snip*

I've tried that, and the end result just looked wierd(-er). Thanks, but I think I prefer it like this.

[Teddy]

Thankyou for that. I fixed it, and now it looks better.

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The sheath looks too black. Unless it's covered in something so black that its edges are hard to see (soot, for example), it's usually better to make black objects dark grey, or to give them a contour in some other color, like this:

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(In retrospect, I could probably still have made the hat with a dark grey instead to define its shape better, even though it could lead to conflicting contours...)

And for the wings, you could try roundening its shape on the top side (á la bird wings) and reducing the number of points on the bottom (á la bat/dragon wings). For the latter, think that each point is connected to a finger, so if it's based on bat wings, then there should be 4 3 points (the thumb is pointed forward as a single claw-thing), although 5 could also work (if you don't want a pointing thumb).

His legs are somewhat widely placed from eachother, it looks as if he's spent most of his life on a horseback.

Also, in most good poses with a staff, it's either balancing on the ground (in which case the character would hold it at least at shoulder level, and/or the staff could be leaning away from him), raised in a dramatic gesture, or held in two hands. I would suggest the first pose.

[KillItWithFire]

On the subject of Lither's wings, your comment about a combination reminded me about the movie Eragon way back when. Terrible movie, but quality aside, the dragon in the movie did have wings that were a combination and in my opinion looked very nice. Something to look into.

@Ninjaman I see what you mean about the boots, seems like an easy fix too. That's what I get for declaring an avatar done at 11:00 at night I suppose. I'll get on that. and that shield is more trouble than it's worth.

[Akrim.elf]

two of mi AR, with simple, but good looking wings

[Teddy]

@Ninjaman I see what you mean about the boots, seems like an easy fix too. That's what I get for declaring an avatar done at 11:00 at night I suppose. I'll get on that. and that shield is more trouble than it's worth.

You're right, no avatar is finished at 23:00. 02:00 at the earliest, otherwise you've just done a hasty job.

EDIT:
Upon the subject of wings. How complex you should do your wings is a tricky question. I think it all boils down to how much you want them to stand out from the rest. Simpler wings (like those of the avatars Akrim.elf posted) are more like accessories that add to the central figure while not stealing away the attention, while more complex wings (like those of Haruki-kun's avatars) are more eye-catching and thus become a more important features of the creature.

[AsteriskAmp]

Depending of the level of Wingsanity you want to get to will depend the result. I normally go with way more detail than it would ever be needed. Think about it as something that you either go full on or don't bother with, going half-way is harder than going full on.

Some examples of my insanity.

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On Wings

On wing elaboration propper: Wings are normally derived from animal models, as such, you are going to have to see bits of animal biology in the process.

Fey and insectoids.

You use insects for pixies and the like. This are the easiest, they are flat, and they have no internal structural anatomy that is relevant to you, you only have to make a flat image and use skewing and distorting tools to position them, translucency goes great with them and some little vein effects also tie in nicely. Unless you show the back, there is little to worry about with this one.

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Bat Wings

On the other hand you have to take more organic models if you want other model of wings, bats for reptilesque wings (even though bats are mammals).

When working with this type of wings as a structure that sticks out of the back, you have to add in the anatomy of a wing.

Spoiler

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The first detail is that a wing is an extremity properly given, it is akin and equivalent to an arm, so it actually has joints and bones and whatnot.

Bat wings have 2 turning points, a little break a bit after separating from the body and a second one which starts a curve about half through it.

Also, it has "fingery" extensions with go from the second turning point in an arc, they usually have two, but depending on size, you can could go for more, but it isn't recommendable to go to overboard since it will bee a lot harder to distribute them without it looking crowded.

This "fingers" determine the arcs at the bottom of the wing. In skin proper we have that the start of the wing is the problematic step, you have to determine the distance between the upper line and the bottom edge, bats, since they have it across they back, have it rather large, but you could make it really small, or you could make the upper edge wider, like I did in my Remilia avatar. The upper edge follows the bones, the lower edge forms arcs from "finger" to "finger".

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Finally, bird wings for angel-y wings.

First of all, they suck, they suck bad. Bird wings are the best model we have for angel wings (apart from cosplays which you REALLY don't want to see) and they really aren't that great. While you can trace other types of wings and they won't look that bad, bird wings suck. The main issue is that bird wings are meant to fold INTO the body, think of a duck wings, while angel wings normally are meant to be independent from the body and have an anatomy of sorts.

Second, feathers are a pain to draw, and not drawing them nets either a bottom edge shaped like feathers or something REALLY obtuse. Feathers are annoying to draw since copying them nets a weird, usually suboptimal result and drawing each one of them is painful.

And Last, copying them from previous works means sometimes size will get in the way, or the shape won't be appropiate to that specific body or clothing shape.

With that out of the way...


Avian anatomical models:

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Because we'll be using the proper terms, here is an image so that you have something to work on.

To begin with, we are not going to touch the scapula, it will normally be hidden by the torso, so ignore it.

As you may have noticed, a bird wing does not really look nice when plastered over a human back, this is mainly due to the proportionality given between the Primaries area and the Secondaries area, the Secondaries are bigger than the primaries, in birds this is good for a number of reasons I won't go into, but for aesthetics on a human, this doesn't look nice since we've got used to seeing the Primaries area be the same size as the body, so you are going to have to extend the alula for quite a bit and extend the primaries area, as well as prolonging the Primary converts.

Spoiler

Show

As for the actual structure, you have to play around with models of different birds according to pose. The hummingbird model is great if you size it up since it already has the proportions you may want. Other models are great for different poses, sometimes though you will need to violate the usual anatomy and invert the section after the joint (the second turning point, actual carpal joint) to make an arc of sorts.

The last issue to work around is the tridimensionality of the wing. The angel wing is anormal in the sense that it has a curvature and has the ability to fold infront of itself. The first issue and modelling advantage is that the wing can curve to odd angels (see examples), but it also means if you don't take advantage of it, it will look like cardboard. The second issue is that the wing folds in-front of itself when not extended (and an avatar will hardly have them completely extended) which means that the joining of the Marginal coverts and the alula will be a twist, and that the primaries will cover the secondaries, which will lead to poisitioning annoyances. Overcome this two and the look will look great.

Finally, the afterthought... Feathers, patience is key, tracing actual angel wings for feathers is a good idea but not necessary, actual bird wings also work ... sometimes. If you really want though, you can make the feathers REALLY big, akin to the first bird wing anatomy drawing.

EXTRA: Non-Standard Wings - Hybrids

Because it was requested...

It is possible to create wing hybrids easily, in fact, it's actually probably the simplest procedure once you are proficient with the three structures. Creating hybrids is made around changing the overlaid material of the structure.

For example, while retaining the bird wing basic structure, you can replace the bones for an external armour and the feathers for crystaloid shapes as done by Akrim.elf bellow.

Also, a easy way to get angel wings is to use the bat structure but overlay it with feathers, simplifying a number of steps in the process. The inverse is also possible, using the bird structure and tracing around with a fractal edge or a randomized vector path the lower edge of the wing to replace the feathers.

Anyway, that's pretty much all of my knowledge on the subject of wings, hope it helps.

[Akrim.elf]

this is nice half - way :)

[wxdruid]

Thanks so much for the discussion on wings. I think it'll help with my next avatar I'm planning. Since I've decided to have at least one wing bent forward to hide part of her body.

[Akrim.elf]

Spoiler

Show

Depending of the level of Wingsanity you want to get to will depend the result. I normally go with way more detail than it would ever be needed. Think about it as something that you either go full on or don't bother with, going half-way is harder than going full on.

Some examples of my insanity.

Spoiler

Show

On Wings

On wing elaboration propper: Wings are normally derived from animal models, as such, you are going to have to see bits of animal biology in the process.

Fey and insectoids.

You use insects for pixies and the like. This are the easiest, they are flat, and they have no internal structural anatomy that is relevant to you, you only have to make a flat image and use skewing and distorting tools to position them, translucency goes great with them and some little vein effects also tie in nicely. Unless you show the back, there is little to worry about with this one.

Spoiler

Show

Bat Wings

On the other hand you have to take more organic models if you want other model of wings, bats for reptilesque wings (even though bats are mammals).

When working with this type of wings as a structure that sticks out of the back, you have to add in the anatomy of a wing.

Spoiler

Show

The first detail is that a wing is an extremity properly given, it is akin and equivalent to an arm, so it actually has joints and bones and whatnot.

Bat wings have 2 turning points, a little break a bit after separating from the body and a second one which starts a curve about half through it.

Also, it has "fingery" extensions with go from the second turning point in an arc, they usually have two, but depending on size, you can could go for more, but it isn't recommendable to go to overboard since it will bee a lot harder to distribute them without it looking crowded.

This "fingers" determine the arcs at the bottom of the wing. In skin proper we have that the start of the wing is the problematic step, you have to determine the distance between the upper line and the bottom edge, bats, since they have it across they back, have it rather large, but you could make it really small, or you could make the upper edge wider, like I did in my Remilia avatar. The upper edge follows the bones, the lower edge forms arcs from "finger" to "finger".

Spoiler

Show

Finally, bird wings for angel-y wings.

First of all, they suck, they suck bad. Bird wings are the best model we have for angel wings (apart from cosplays which you REALLY don't want to see) and they really aren't that great. While you can trace other types of wings and they won't look that bad, bird wings suck. The main issue is that bird wings are meant to fold INTO the body, think of a duck wings, while angel wings normally are meant to be independent from the body and have an anatomy of sorts.

Second, feathers are a pain to draw, and not drawing them nets either a bottom edge shaped like feathers or something REALLY obtuse. Feathers are annoying to draw since copying them nets a weird, usually suboptimal result and drawing each one of them is painful.

And Last, copying them from previous works means sometimes size will get in the way, or the shape won't be appropiate to that specific body or clothing shape.

With that out of the way...


Avian anatomical models:

Spoiler

Show

Because we'll be using the proper terms, here is an image so that you have something to work on.

To begin with, we are not going to touch the scapula, it will normally be hidden by the torso, so ignore it.

As you may have noticed, a bird wing does not really look nice when plastered over a human back, this is mainly due to the proportionality given between the Primaries area and the Secondaries area, the Secondaries are bigger than the primaries, in birds this is good for a number of reasons I won't go into, but for aesthetics on a human, this doesn't look nice since we've got used to seeing the Primaries area be the same size as the body, so you are going to have to extend the alula for quite a bit and extend the primaries area, as well as prolonging the Primary converts.

Spoiler

Show

As for the actual structure, you have to play around with models of different birds according to pose. The hummingbird model is great if you size it up since it already has the proportions you may want. Other models are great for different poses, sometimes though you will need to violate the usual anatomy and invert the section after the joint (the second turning point, actual carpal joint) to make an arc of sorts.

The last issue to work around is the tridimensionality of the wing. The angel wing is anormal in the sense that it has a curvature and has the ability to fold infront of itself. The first issue and modelling advantage is that the wing can curve to odd angels (see examples), but it also means if you don't take advantage of it, it will look like cardboard. The second issue is that the wing folds in-front of itself when not extended (and an avatar will hardly have them completely extended) which means that the joining of the Marginal coverts and the alula will be a twist, and that the primaries will cover the secondaries, which will lead to poisitioning annoyances. Overcome this two and the look will look great.

Finally, the afterthought... Feathers, patience is key, tracing actual angel wings for feathers is a good idea but not necessary, actual bird wings also work ... sometimes. If you really want though, you can make the feathers REALLY big, akin to the first bird wing anatomy drawing.

Anyway, that's pretty much all of my knowledge on the subject of wings, hope it helps.

thanx, is very nice and helpfull, but you forgot for crystal wing .) (little joke)

[AsteriskAmp]

thanx, is very nice and helpfull, but you forgot for crystal wing .) (little joke)

Added to the list.

[Vrythas]

I've tried that, and the end result just looked wierd(-er). Thanks, but I think I prefer it like this.

if you want dragon-y wings, feel free to check my sig, or Teddy's, or ninjaman's, those were ones that i made that i thought looked good, while still being simple.

if you want more eagle/bird-like, here's an avatar that i made for someone (they never ended up using it... and i eventually made an edit that made the smile less face-splitting). the wings looked pretty good, but took forever... as was said before it depends on what level of complexity you want in the wings. just note that the dragon wings i made are actually three different pieces. the membrane, the arm, and then the lines going across the membrane. and the feather ones were each individually placed feathers...painful fun - story of my avataring career.

[Teddy]

Some week(s) ago, I told you I was working on. Later, I realised that it fitted pretty well with the current IA theme, but as it was here I anounced it, I'll post it here as well;



I'm a bit undecided on what I think of the (celestial war)horse. On one hand, I don't like the a bit too simple OotS horses, but on the other hand, I'm not sure if this sticks out too much from the rest of the picture. Also, horse legs are not my speciality.

[KillItWithFire]

Some week(s) ago, I told you I was working on. Later, I realised that it fitted pretty well with the current IA theme, but as it was here I anounced it, I'll post it here as well;

*snip*
I'm a bit undecided on what I think of the (celestial war)horse. On one hand, I don't like the a bit too simple OotS horses, but on the other hand, I'm not sure if this sticks out too much from the rest of the picture. Also, horse legs are not my speciality.

The detail on the horse looks fine because the background is a little more detailed, don't think there's anything wrong with that. The horse looks a bit awkward though because he's just sort of staring out into space. Maybe he should be a little more engaged in the scene?

[Teddy]

The detail on the horse looks fine because the background is a little more detailed, don't think there's anything wrong with that. The horse looks a bit awkward though because he's just sort of staring out into space. Maybe he should be a little more engaged in the scene?

Well, I was thinking about that too, but as with everything, trying to turn his head outward would have made that part a hundered times harder to make, and I didn't really feel up to it...

EDIT:
I heeded your advice and improved the horse:



I must say it looks a lot better. What do you think?

[Vrythas]

Well, I was thinking about that too, but as with everything, trying to turn his head outward would have made that part a hundered times harder to make, and I didn't really feel up to it...

EDIT:
I heeded your advice and improved the horse:
*Police-ness*

I must say it looks a lot better. What do you think?

this looks really good, but it feels lacking in context....what's the caption/title of this marvelous work?

(I really like the newspaper )

[Teddy]

this looks really good, but it feels lacking in context....what's the caption/title of this marvelous work?

(I really like the newspaper )

The title is:
Would You Be so Kind and Return the Fine Gentleman His Pocket Watch?

There isn't as much story behind this one as usual, but on the other hand, I find it pretty straightforward. Pickpocket, unsuspecting victim and city guardsman (who just happens to be a paladin).