Chow 120 :: Dark Knight Villains

[S.C. Watson]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii293/chowarchive/CHOW-LINES/CHOW-LINES-MEDUSA.jpg

ROUND #120 :: DARK KNIGHT VILLAINS


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DESCRIPTION
THIS IS AN OPEN ROUND

Pick up to three* villains from the Batman series to set in the Dark Knight world - They must fit with Christian Bale's Batman and Heath Ledger's Joker.

DO NOT PICK A VILLAIN THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SEEN IN THE DARK KNIGHT MOVIES.

Think edgy, gritty ... ah, hell, just go watch the movie again :ore:

*You can one, two or three characters depending on what you feel comfortable doing for the week.
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:right: FOLLOW THE TOPIC.

:right: POST YOUR FINAL IN THE FINALS THREAD.


:right: SAVE YOUR FILES IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT. Chow##_Nickname
example: "CHOW#100_Oblio.jpg" ;)

:right: PLACE THE IMAGE IN A FRAME WITH YOUR NAME/TOPIC

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i222/ChowPics/frame.jpg
(you can add CA logo, etc).

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DEADLINE
SUNDAY, August 3th, 2008
The way the deadline works: if deadline is on a Sunday and your image is posted on that Sunday 23:59 your local time it's a good entry.
In fact - as long there is Sunday somewhere on the planet your entry is ok. I will make the poll sometimes Monday evening my time (GMT - 8 ) yet I'll have a look at the last entries.
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POST YOUR FINALS IN THE FINALS THREAD!

Remember to include your nickname in the filename.

About quality - as general rule: if your shapes and values are not decent - you are out. Watch proportions, perspective etc. we need perfectly readable shapes and coherent, consistent values.

_____________

BE PROFESSIONAL - only finished and good quality entries will be taken to the poll. Oregano and Daestwen (yay!) will make the selection.
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[Crrristian]

This sounds like an awesome concept but... sadly, I haven't seen the movie yet so I don't know who was in the movie and who isn't. Is there a way you could give us a list of characters in the movie without ruining the movie for us.

I promise I'll go see it soon! (I'm probably the only one who hasn't seen it D:)

[NARobles]

I'm gunna have to bring miss Pamela Isley to Gotham. Got an idea for her making Gotham Greener after the Joker did damage. "Gotham Gardens" An environmentalist group. Guess who's their CEO. :D

[luverly_marie]

Victor Fries would be neat, but I can never forget The Governator playing his part lol.

Crrristian, here's a full cast list from imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/fullcredits#cast

and to get everyone in the "Batman" mood :P
wUPBgYeanZ0

[Stephan_R]

How can I resist?! Saweet.

I anticipate a big turnout :D

[corspufo]

I'm coming fresh off the heels of Comic-Con, so with Geekness flowing through my viens, I just might have to join in. We'll see.

[t11]

I promise I'll go see it soon! (I'm probably the only one who hasn't seen it D:)

don't feel bad. I didn't see it till last night ;)
::HATES overly crowded theaters::

[Eric Young]

So we only need to turn in 3 character designs of batman villains? So they don't need to be finished illustrations? Also I want to clarify the rules. For example, they have to fit the kind of realistic frame of the movies. This is going to be kind of a challenge for the bad guys who are not too realistic like Mr. freeze and poison ivy. But I guess it just involves a lot of imagination.

[Akeley]

This sounds pretty interesting.. just been looking at all of the old Batman villains and there are quite a few to choose from (thanks wikipedia), however it doesnt seem to include the characters from the more recent iterations of batman (batman beyond and such). I'd also like to brag that I saw Jerry Robinson, who, according to his sign, was the original creator of the Joker, at Comic-Con. Pretty neat eh?

edit: after looking at his page on wiki, it seems he also came up with the name Robin. Very cool.

[Aly Fell]

Ooh! Harley Quinn! But her design is so fab anyway! There lies the challenge! :)

Edit: This one would be fun too: Victor Zsasz, a more or less "common" serial killer, keeps a tally of his victims by cutting new scars into his body with his trademark carving knife.

Or Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley like Charlies Angels!

[dustinner]

Im so frikken in on this one....Nice brief...

[dustinner]

Personally i cant wait to give the Penguin a go... so much craziness going through my mind

[Mirana]

Good lord, Catwoman, Ivy and Harley...the three I want to see so badly in the new set of films. Give the gals some love!

[dustinner]

Quick Question...is it Chow # 112 or chow #120...im just a little confused cause this page is headed 112 ? and i see it says up to 3 characters...so does this mean we can concentrate on just one?

[Gib]

Had expected something completely different by reading the headline, but google knows it all. That badman movie seems to be topic of the week in US.
There is a little problem. Premiere for The Dark Knight was not yet in all countries. If I did my research right, start in Austria, Switzerland and Germany would be august 21 2008. :(

[Kian]

Great topic! I'm really gonna try make time for this.

[The Whistler]

Damn... Can't decide between Catwoman and Poison Ivy... I think it'll be Ivy...

Great topic BTW :D

[Shotgun Baby]

Woo HOO!! Nice topic I think I will go for the Fat Foul ( Penguin)myself and see if I can do something new and gritty with him. AHhh yeah slightly confused with brief is it three characters on the page or one.:

[Lege1]

It's RIDDLER time....

[davi]

i did a doodle the day that i mentioned this to oregano, I'll show it but it's not illegible for the contest(i only took a day on it though).

so, here's a start.

it's based on a little known character called "the black mask", who's upbringing was almost identical to bruce wayne's, yet instead of learning to take control of his feelings and help. Black mask, took it on himself to strike fear into others in another method, bulling and gangs. the black mask plans to unite both the russians and Salvatore Maroni's gang into one under his control.

423888

[davi]

Had expected something completely different by reading the headline, but google knows it all. That badman movie seems to be topic of the week in US.
There is a little problem. Premiere for The Dark Knight was not yet in all countries. If I did my research right, start in Austria, Switzerland and Germany would be august 21 2008. :(

drive to holland? :|

[Cookiedough]

Here's a list (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Batman_enemies) to get inspired by if you're not thát much into the comicseries and wanna know more background. Thanks to antidote for linking on irc.

Overall, you don't really need to see the movie imo to be able to pull this off, the posters and trailers are pretty much all over every place and have enough information.

[Kian]

Saw Deadshot on 'Gotham Knight', the Batman anime. Really liked his ego.

BTW Oregano, does it have to be three characters? Or just up to three if you wanted to?

[S.C. Watson]

;1858653']So we only need to turn in 3 character designs of batman villains? So they don't need to be finished illustrations? Also I want to clarify the rules. For example, they have to fit the kind of realistic frame of the movies. This is going to be kind of a challenge for the bad guys who are not too realistic like Mr. freeze and poison ivy. But I guess it just involves a lot of imagination.

You can do up to three - so if you only want to do one, that's fine.

No roughs - finished illustrations as per normal.

Quick Question...is it Chow # 112 or chow #120...im just a little confused cause this page is headed 112 ? and i see it says up to 3 characters...so does this mean we can concentrate on just one?
Sorry 'bout that. It is in fact CHOW 120.

All the best,
~Oreg.

[Stoat]

I haven't seen the movie yet, either. I may or may not. Is there something so different about this interpretation that it would affect how characters not actually in this movie would look? That seems odd to me.

[Pseudocognition]

Hell YESSSSSS, HARLEY QUINN FTW!!! Muhahaha >D

ETA: Can't do Harley without Ivy :D!!! I'm so excited. Chris Nolan's interpretation of the series is quite possibly the most beautiful thing I've ever encountered.

[S.C. Watson]

Okay, for those who have NOT seen the movie, including me, watch the trailers and teasers - you'll get a sense of what's going on. Also watch Batman Begins - it will help, though I don't think it is as gritty as the new movie.

Put simply, try to get a more of a "real world" glass and steel look and feel to your characters - not so much camp and wild costumes as have been seen in the earlier Batman movies or series.

Oddly, another movie I'd suggest watching would be Blade Runner for the same ambiance.

Hope that helps.

[EDIT] Updated the brief some - it can be one, two or three characters - however many you feel you can do!

~Oreg.

[t11]

Davi: pretty sick Black Mask. I'm partial to No Man's Land saga black mask. he went freakin' tribalistic loonie... hot pokers, forced suspensions, crazy pain infliction.

similarly i got super excited when i saw this thread and wanted to do Mr. Zsasz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zsasz). Wouldn't even need too much twisting to fit into the world if you think about it. then i saw this:

423966

so since he's technically a bat-cannon villain in one of the nolan movies i will be back later with Clayface, Catwoman, and Hatter doodles :yum:

for fun:
423967

[Stoat]

Okay, I got it now. And thanks for the Wikipedia link, Cookiedough -- I wouldn't have thought of looking there for a villain list, but of course that's just the sort of thing they do :)

[JessiBean]

Aww, they HAVE to be in that universe? I would so love to do them in a different context...

Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh.... BATMAN!

[Stoat]

Hm. Anybody have a list of all the villains that have appeared in all the movies so far? I haven't seen them all, and we can't use one that's been in a film already...right?

[NARobles]

The ones that have been in Batman Begins are Scarecrow and R'as Al Ghul. The Dark Knight had the Joker and Two Face.

[S.C. Watson]

Hm. Anybody have a list of all the villains that have appeared in all the movies so far? I haven't seen them all, and we can't use one that's been in a film already...right?
You can redo any of the villains that have been in the previous films except the two most recent Batman movies: Batman Begins & The Dark Knight.

Anyone else is fair game.

~Oreg.

[bumskee]

hmmm nice topic! :D

[pjentaszeq]

Hey,
look what I've found when I googled :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKjn6gz3YRs

[Aly Fell]

Oregano - Fab topic!

After work quickie. She's a bit too much like the actual design though... :( And she's more of a 'mallet' type of girl!

Edit: Version 2. Perhaps not 'Harley' enough... It's really difficult not to think of Adam Hughes when doing Harley Quinn.

Edit: again... Sketches...

Edit: More... sorry, I friggin' love Harley. I'll settle on one soon. Any crits are welcome. I'll do some feedback later.

Really rushed 'final'. I hate her leg, so I'll sort it out sometime...

[S.C. Watson]

Oregano - Fab topic!
Thank you, but the kudos go to everyone's favorite community admin, davi - it was his idea! :geekg:

sweet sketch, btw.

[Splittingadams]

i am so all over this, especally after watching the latest film. i hope at one point we could have a re-imagining of some classic comic characters.

[MarkWinters]

Or Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley like Charlies Angels!

I was thinking the exact same thing...

[Wiggers]

Never been a big fan of Batman but i did like the last film not seen the new one yet, Looking at that list of villians there's some great stuff in there, kind of liking Doctor Death at the moment. Think this will be a very popular CHOW.

Nice start Posh!

[pepps]

the deadline is sunday the 3rd right? the 4th is monday...

[Rist]

Awesome. This might be my chance for a debut!

[Rogzilla]

I AM SO DOING THIS. I am going to start as soon as I get back from grocery shopping. I have been sketching out other villains since I saw the movie.

Not to myself out but my sketchbook has Dark Knight related drawings with my first, pathetic attempts at digital painting. (I am still learning so these probably wont be beyond a very clean (like Adam Hughes clean) pencil drawing that I will, at a later date, turn to paintings.

[Wasker]

No Ra's Al Ghul in other words. :/

[Eric Young]

I want to try and do Mr. Freeze but I can't think of how to do it without the big suit that keeps him alive. I also Wikipedia this and Anarky looks like would be a fun villain to do.

[S.C. Watson]

the deadline is sunday the 3rd right? the 4th is monday...

Sorry - yes. Sunday the 3rd. Poll goes up Monday.

~Oreg.

[UCT]

Just doodled this firefly.

I would like to try bain and the red hood.

[Rist]

Here we go guys, full of info I am! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_villains)

[Ligne_Claire]

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m388/Ligne_Claire/riddlersketch.jpg

Quick sketch, Riddler as Arthaus cyberterrorist.

[dustinner]

424163

hmmm...think im on the right track...wanting to bring the clever,scheming side of the penguin out...trying to steer clear of the badly deformed version...Any ideas?

[UCT]

Dustinner - invalid attachment.

whack it up again.

[call me snake]

Woo! Nice topic, gonna make it my debut CHOW.
I'll be going for Poison Ivy, hope to finish this.

Good luck everyone, and great ideas so far!

[dustinner]

Ligne Claire - Very ...very cool idea .. Love the cyber terrorist vibe...but if i maycomment...maybe you need to loose the suit and make him look less like Neo from the first matrix??? Go darker, maybe a bit more sinister. Use it dont use it. But like i said great idea.
Posh - Love Harley...but i think you are right about it being to close to original...Eager to see where you go with this... Maybe try a more punk style look???

[Jason Snair]

Who is the Riddler? No one knows, but it seems to be one of Gothams most affluent residents. Perhaps a politician or wealthy businessman, or an aid to the major. Something like that. I kinda like thinking that the Riddler is the one to the brake the "Who is the Batman?" riddle first. He then terrorizes the city, threatening to release the information, and in the process, tries to get Batman to find out who he is too.

Extremely basic first sketch: Usual distinguished gentlemanly look. His face is hidden behind a semi-translucent video screen. When he releases his riddles he talks through images of other Gothamites. (Like Batman, Gordon, etc.) Thus, making the mystery of who he is, even more difficult.

I'll probably change this, though, as it doesn't really fit Nolan's world.

[Zarquino]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/Zarquino/Wacomix/Chow120_0.jpg

I've been working on a kind of stylized Edward Nigma, but I'm not sure I like it, and I still need to know where exactly am I gonna put it for the Dark Knight style... Dunno!

[feifeicreate]

Poshspice, you beat me to it! I'm thinking about doing a Harley Quinn too... I like the second design better. the first design is too "comic" like. Heath's Joker is nothing like the animation, he recreate the Joker and gives him a lot more depth...IMHO Harley needs to be a lot more realistic and a lot darker and twister (twister? is that a word?) to fit in with Heath's joker...Just a suggestion though.

Well....I'll see what I can do with Harley Quinn...LOL. This would be FUN!!!

[smugbug]

Back from CCI and I gotta do this thang.

I'll see what I can do with Lady Shiva.

[rodriguez]

Hey everybody great topic. Its gotta be done

Quick idea for Catwoman :teeth:

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/4821/catwoman2da7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Supervlieg]

Oh the possibilities. Egghead is seems like a good option. But its hard to pass up a shot at a reinterpretation of Catwoman.

[Aly Fell]

Poshspice, you beat me to it! I'm thinking about doing a Harley Quinn too... I like the second design better. the first design is too "comic" like. Heath's Joker is nothing like the animation, he recreate the Joker and gives him a lot more depth...IMHO Harley needs to be a lot more realistic and a lot darker and twister (twister? is that a word?) to fit in with Heath's joker...Just a suggestion though.

Well....I'll see what I can do with Harley Quinn...LOL. This would be FUN!!!
You go for it! (More twisted... ;) ) Nobody can claim any of the characters for themselves. She's just always been one of my favs. The thing is I like her design anyway!

A lot of the 'darkness' of these characters comes in the finished piece I think. Having a look through that list of nemesisisises there's a character called Mime, who sounds a bit like a proto Harley. She could be a possibility too... And lots of Alice in Wonderland characters as well! I think someone should do Batmite, but he was just annoying rather than an enemy.

[Pseudocognition]

Harley and Ivy. I need to make Harley look more psychotic. :0

My idea for the setting was a warehouse type deal where they store both of their tools o' evil, with obnoxiously bright lights. So yeah. We'll see where this goes. For Harley, I wanted her to look like an eccentric Hot Topic kid, but embody the bloodthirsty craziness that grandmas think of when they pass the store. For Ivy... I dunno. She's looking kinda renaissance-y but I can live with that. They need legs x_X

[S.C. Watson]

Here's a *very* quick pencil rough ...

424241

-=quick update=-
424320

~Oreg.

[MrAnimation]

OK, This should be fun, and a good way to get some more practice with color.

:D

PoshSpice - Brilliant work on the Harly Quin, I saw her and immediately it brought me back to those good old days.

424231

... The start....?

[UCT]

this thread is going crazy fast, good works everyone.

[Sellis]

It's about time i got back into this regular drawing habit so here's my start.....doin 'Poison Ivy' and 'Harley Quinn' the roughest of roughs!

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/158/darkknightvillianstartfy5.jpg

Stu

[UCT]

Heres where I'm at.


EDIT: my housemate just said it looks like a boba fett rip off.... :'(

[daestwen]

Damn, Harley and Ivy are popular. I wanted to do them too. :)

I wonder if I should do Jason Todd...?

[Kian]

I'm gonna do Mr Freeze, Poison Ivy and Catwoman awwwww yeah

btw, Michelle Pfiffers catwoman, is still one of the sexiest designs eva

PS WIcked sketches Aly! Love her biting her nail!

[Larriva Art]

Ha! Great topic. By chance I started a quasi Nolan inspired Catwoman last week. I guess I'll have to come up with a new one.

[feifeicreate]

Here, let's give a shot! It's interesting that Harley used to be Arkham Asylum psychiatrist, I think that's the image i want to present, not quite yet the harley quinn, still has a little bit of her "doctor" self... I really want to draw a harley that's away from the "harlequin" image. I want to tell her early story, how she met the Joker and how she falls for him...I think that's what the Dark Knight the movie is about--the origin of everyone.

[andyhunt]

Killer Croc would be awesome.... circus freak with a bad skin condition and no education... Treated horribly by the circus since youth, escapes and lives in the sewers, growing more and more angry about his abuse..... here's a quick sketch

[Stoat]

Holy CRAP there were a lot of villains in Gotham. Why the hell didn't everybody just move away?

[Artificially Awake]

Can we draw them all separately or do we have to draw all 3 in one frame?

[S.C. Watson]

Can we draw them all separately or do we have to draw all 3 in one frame?

you can certainly illustrate them separately, however for poll they will need to be consolidated into one image :)

~Oreg.

[Rogzilla]

Here are some thumbnails. Not certain which ones I am going to do but in case you can't tell, clockwise from upperleft. WARNING! SPOILERS!

1-The Mad Hatter, here as a pedophile who kidnaps young, blond haired girls named Alice to take to his very own Wonderland. I like this character and I think it would be fun to draw him looking creepy.

2-The Penguin, though being short and wearing a top hat will make him too similar to Mad Hatter, so I wont draw him. I see him as just a new mob boss who filled the power gap left by the deaths of the old ones by Joker and Two-Face.

3-Catwoman, cat burglar by night, socialite during the day. Very true to the comic book cause it would work easily in the Nolan-verse.

4-Harley Quinn-She is more obsessed with the Joker than in love with him, per se. He inspires her to instill chaos and she starts by doing something that would cause Gotham great distress...freeing Two-Face (note: the producer, Emma Thomas, noted that Two-Face's "death" was shot to be ambiguous so that if they wanted to use him again, they could.) She is fired for this action and she loses her mind not being able to see her love, so she imitates the Joker and frees him. I really like her design here and I am torn between doing Mad Hatter or her. I think I might do her as no one else is doing the Mad Hatter yet. :-P

[John Doe]

Only one day in.

Starting with Bane, Bat-breaker, see my geekdom loom at large.

Going with a relatively simpler composition so I may actually finish... -_-...

Poshspice: Love your second Harley actually. Fits in well with TDK Joker.

[thesaint]

Amazing topic =D I'm on it

[gtgauvin]

I'm a bit surprised nobody thought of Scarface and the Ventriloquist. Well, here's a preliminary sketch...
424437

[MJ_Alcazar]

Wow, this has gone fast. I'm really liking everyone's sketches.
Well, here's a sketch. I know they're not porportionate to one another. I was trying to figure out which one I would want to do! I'm still not sure. I'm trying to figure out which design I came up with has the most potential. I'm only doing one, I think.

I'll get on later and do some more in depth looks at everyone's. :)

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk153/Seloh_Eft/scan0001-1-1.jpg

[Crrristian]

@gtgauvin: I'm planning on doing Ventriloquist and Scarface too! I also surprised he hasn't been mentioned, he seems pretty big. Most people are going for the obvious like Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn.

Talk about femme fatales.

[Rogzilla]

OK, here is my Mad Hatter sketch. I am happy overall with the design and layout, but when I do my final, I will need to tweak some perspective issues.

I would really love some comments and what not on it as I am working on it. After this, if I have time, I might do a Harley Quinn as well.

[WTFsteph]

First post on CA ever? SAY WHAT?
Couldn't resist doing a poison ivy. shes just so sexy :P

Sketchyskech. shes still a bit nude. haha
Not really liking the way shes sitting on that branch though.

[dustinner]

424551

Getting there but i think im going to do something different with the hands???

[Rogzilla]

Dustinnner, its looking very cool. What are you thinking about with his hands?

Something I find that helps when I am drawing a character is to ask myself tons of questions, letting that influence the design.

For example, what is your idea for the Penguin? How is he going to fit into the Nolan-verse? What's his background? What's his plan? What's his future? Right now he seems very angry, how come? He is pale with deep set eyes...perhaps scarred on his left. Where did that come from?

[Decepticon217]

mine so far..
I picked Hush. Although Poison Ivy and catwoman were my first choice

[dustinner]

Hey Rogziller,
Yeah i wanted to move away from the common deformed slightly crazy penguin idea as the original idea for the penguin was a rather clever criminal. Note he is one of the few villans in batman that is not considered "insane"
I was going more for the Club owning, sinister , underworld penguin. I was thingking more of the hardened criminal brought up on the streets penguin... The scar i thought would be nice to bring in a slight hint of the deformed version as are the webbed hands ... Speaking of the hands... i was thinking maybe having his right hand clenching a leesh from the penguins neck and the other holding a long thin cigarette...smoke could be a nice added effect??? Waht you think?

[DanielC]

Wrath, man bat and rag doll for me :]

[Rogzilla]

Hey Rogziller,
Yeah i wanted to move away from the common deformed slightly crazy penguin idea as the original idea for the penguin was a rather clever criminal. Note he is one of the few villans in batman that is not considered "insane"
I was going more for the Club owning, sinister , underworld penguin. I was thingking more of the hardened criminal brought up on the streets penguin... The scar i thought would be nice to bring in a slight hint of the deformed version as are the webbed hands ... Speaking of the hands... i was thinking maybe having his right hand clenching a leesh from the penguins neck and the other holding a long thin cigarette...smoke could be a nice added effect??? Waht you think?

I would want, perhaps, to do something involving the umbrella. Perhaps a gesture, as if welcoming someone to his club. Or maybe holding it like a sword or gun. Perhaps he knows how to use a regular umbrella as a weapon (when I was training in martial arts, one of the weapons I had to learn before I got my Black belt was a cane, an umbrella wouldn't be too far off). This would also allow you to get a more energetic or dynamic pose.

That said, I do like the idea of the leashed penguin and cigarette as they add to the iconic aspects of the character, the long cigarette in particular.

[dustinner]

Yeah i hear you on getting more dynamic thing...but....the thing is im goin for the thinker penguin...the guy who runs the operation. I am going to add some hooks to the ends of the umbrellas spokes...maybe a sharp spike at the point? to give him that dangerous edge too. I also think the leesh and the cigarette will give a bit more to the stance of the character and might give it that little extra i think is missing...still alot of trial and error work to go into this...Appreciate all the help though..Brainstorming rocks!

[WTFsteph]

Final version of my Ivy i think. Not sure. Almost 5am here..Maybe i'll work on her more after i get some sleep x_x

[Aly Fell]

We were just saying that Victor Tzaz in Batman Begins looked a bit like Tim Booth leads singer of James (Oh sit down, siddown next to me) and it is Tim Booth!!!

[kasblue]

bane! for one and only one reason!

bane broke batman's back!!!

just an initial concept... wip

[DanielC]

here's man bat. will add some fixes, a bg along with the other characters..but first, sleep !

[The Whistler]

Another one of Ivy. I know everyone's doing her but I just can't resist :)

I tried to aim for a bit darker look, don't know if I'll succeed in pulling it off...

[Rachel Pierce]

Absolutely adored TDK, has become one of my favourite films of all time, definately in my top five anyway.

My fave villians as a kid were Joker, Harley and Two-face, seeing as other two have been done already, I chose Harley too get TDK makeover. XD

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc217/icybluerae/Artwork/harlywips.jpg

Started detailed rendering in some places but still room for change. Idea for costume was skimpy to allow for freedom of movement, she's an acrobatic roof jumping, kung-fu genius after all.

Any suggestions?

[Stoat]

Really, really unfortunate villain pairing. Ratcatcher and Catwoman:

[Wiggers]

I like that DanielC looks great!

Stoat that made me laugh, very funny!!!

[Zarquino]

2nd trying of Edward, maybe I like more that one, but he seems too.. big...

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/Zarquino/Dibuixos/chow120.jpg

[Rogzilla]

Any suggestions?

I absolutely LOVE the hair, particularly because my fiancee and I were going to dress up to as the Joker and Harley for the midnight showing (we didn't end up going due to a scheduling conflict) and that is almost EXACTLY what we were going to do with her hair. The only difference was that her ponytails were going to be different from the roots.

My only thought at the moment is that she looks a bit too much like she belongs in the Matrix. I think its the combination of skimpy outfit, black trenchcoat, and machine gun. Maybe the trench could be her old lab coat, stained with blood? Maybe add a little more the clown aspect back in, make up, bells, ruffles, etc.

I hope no one thinks me too forward with my comments. I am a HUGE Batman fan and also eager to be part of the discussion.

[Lege1]

Some restudy on an image I did of Jim Carrey as the Riddler. Now how to go about reinventing this one? Hmmmmmmmmm????????????

[dustinner]

Hey all...i was just wondering...considering im a new guy to these challenges...Whats with the levels? How do you levelup (okay that sounded very dragonball :D )

Rogzilla - Dude i think no-one minds the critisism at all. As long as its constructive, Which yours is. I actually like hearing other peoples ideas...if it can make my artwork better ...im all for it...high 5.

Rachel Pierce - I like your take on harley but I do think Rogzilla has a point...Maybe the trench coat is a bit to matrix. I do like the gloves you had in your sketch though... better than the full arm ones...and I think you were definately onto something with the knives...I'm not crazy about the idea of ruffles and bells for the look you have but maybe definately a bit more make up...maybe running or smudged mascara around her eyes and down the cheeks??? Sorry my creative brain just took over for a sec there. But in total i think your pic is looking hot...

[The Whistler]

Stoat - awesome idea heehee

Rachel Pierce - She's really cool :) I remembered who she reminds me of though. the Jeanette/Theresa Malkavian character from Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines (not that that's a bad thing :) )

Jeanette (http://pcmedia.gamespy.com/pc/image/article/566/566646/vampire-the-masquerade-bloodlines-20041116032225665.jpg)

[S.C. Watson]

Hey all...i was just wondering...considering im a new guy to these challenges...Whats with the levels? How do you levelup (okay that sounded very dragonball :D )

If you're referring to the categories, that's something that we sometimes use depending on the size of the turn out for a particular round. It wasn't very popular, so use of it has dropped in the past few months.

The reason that it was implemented was two fold: 1) The way the CA polls are coded, we can only take *50* entries, max for a given poll. Even if you get 51, you have to start another poll to accommodate the extra entry. So, with the categories, we capped entries at 45 - 15 per category (which allowed for some wiggle room), and also allowed for there to be say 10 beginner, and twenty intermediate entrants. The basic combination didn't matter so long as we didn't go past 45 -/+ entries.

2) It was also meant to help focus attention on beginners and intermediate artists. Historically, beginners and intermediates get overlooked in the polling in favor of the eye-candy pieces. We wanted a way to spotlight those in the group that were learning and help them get some better feedback and improve their artwork.

While that did work, the over all impression that I picked up from people was that, though many did support the idea, it wasn't something the community at large was comfortable with because they felt it pigeon holed artists permanently as beginner, intermediate, or advanced, regardless of the fact that entrants were moving from one category to the next in a given month. The distinction insofar as the artist went was irrelevant - it was the artwork that was being looked at and the system was designed to provide a way to help organize and trim entries. Unfortunately many people took it personally when their piece was cut from poll (which happens from time to time anyway ) or when their piece ended up in a category that they didn't agree with.

So the whole thing has largely been dropped, though I've held it in reserve if we think it's necessary based on the round.

Hope that answers your question!
~Oreg.

[Kreator]

thought i would try the knightfall line up.
first mood sketch -azrael
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/372/azraelwip1xf0.jpg

design update , just blocking..
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/5130/azraelwip2wo3.jpg

[Wiggers]

Very quick Doctor Death rough.

[dustinner]

Oreg- thanks for the explanation... get the whole idea behind it and it sounds fairly solid. As we dont have a concept art scene in this country for this kind of thing i am stoked about having the chance to place my work up for consideration and crtisism... However does this mean that the system doesnt update anymore...Wil i be a beginner level 1 forever? Say it aint so Sam! I like to see progress and to know that im going in the right direction...
Secondly, Having already commented on the fact that South africa doesnt have opportunity to follow a career as a concept artist, Do you perhaps have any advice for one who desperately wants to follow this career path of being an illustrator and concept artist?
I have studied one of the few animation courses available in this country (although it only got me a diploma )and i also got a three year diploma in an intergrated couse which incorporated fine art, animation and design and now i work as a graphic designer and layout artist for a local magazine...but i desperately desperately wanna get into Concept art... If you hav ANY advice for a Lonely artist from south africa please enlighten me...

Same goes for anyone else reading this...any advice on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

[Stoat]

Oh! Dude, no...the title just has to do with how many posts you've made. Keep tawkin' and you'll move up in no time.

[S.C. Watson]

dustinner I misunderstood your initial post.

If you're referring to the "Level 1 Gladiator: Andabatae" by your avatar, Stoat is right - that's just a fun little doowatchie that davi (our Community Manager) set up ages ago to reflect how many posts you have. It has absolutely NO relevance on your skill level as an artist.

All the best,
~Oreg.

[vandalfish]

Hello,
I realize this probably seems like a retarded question to all of you, but I'm very new to CA, especially this aspect of it. Where is this "Finals Thread"? Does it go up on the deadline day?
Thanks!

[dustinner]

hahahaha ...ok awesome.... Thanks peeps..
Now...about the other part of my question....Any advise?

[Kian]

Wiggers: I really like that. Very nice pose.

[Stoat]

Your question'll get lost in here with all the Batman villains, Dustinner. Check out the Art Discussion forum and some of the education forums. You'll get a bunch of great information reading stuff that is already there. And if you don't, ask.

[dustinner]

High 5 Stoat...shot for the help bud...Appreciate it :D

[Shotgun Baby]

Hi Everyone I made a start on the Penguin and am resisting like crazy not to draw it cartoony or comicy... EEEKKKKKK!!!! its hard oh so hard.. Anyway I suspect it will be a nails hard round this one ,by looking at the standard so far- there is some great art to look at already.
So heres my effort so far ;)

[S.C. Watson]

Hello,
I realize this probably seems like a retarded question to all of you, but I'm very new to CA, especially this aspect of it. Where is this "Finals Thread"? Does it go up on the deadline day?
Thanks!

vandalfish - I try to get the Finals thread up the same day that the CHOW for that week goes up - doesn't always happen like that, and somehow manages to end up getting posted around Thursday for some reason.

However, that said, and just for you: The Finals Thread (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=132634) :P

dustinner - I'm sorry - I completely missed the second portion of your question. Again, Stoat is right :)

Shotgun Baby - Great start on that! I love the expression!

All the best,
~Oreg.

[Rist]

Lege1: I think you should think about what Christopher Nolan's vision of the Batman universe is all about. Look at how he interpreted the Joker for the film verse the Joker in the older film (Jack Nicholson). I think looking at the difference in those two will help you make a difference from the old Riddler and the new one. Also possibly choose an actor for the role. I have been doing some studies of the Riddler since seeing this topic and my actor was Ricky Gervais (not sure why, maybe because his humour is quite dry when compared to Jim Carreys).

I hope this helped.

[S.C. Watson]

Alan Rickman as the Riddler. No idiocy. Just ... deadly riddles.

[luverly_marie]

Alan Rickman as the Riddler. No idiocy. Just ... deadly riddles.

Riddler slash potions master :D lol


@Rachel Pierce: I love where you're going with this! I think my only suggestion is to fit in the fact that she is a blondie! And her alter ego wouldn't exactly accommodate red hair and black hair until maybe post Arkham Asylum?

[UCT]

Heres 1 final.

I remember reading a batman comics as a kid and the firefly was torching a theme park and EVERYTHING was a bright shade of red/orange. I am pritty happy with the effort, although Im going to post up a bain and redhood aswell.

Shotgun Baby - Its tempting but you're keeping the penguin looking realistic and sharp. Its fantasic already!

Kreator - dude thats sweet but it very close to what I can remember of Azreal. Not sure how it could be developed as its a sweet design. I likey. :)

Wiggers - Neet! Looks creepy, great lines. waiting for final!

Poshspice - Yeap, sexxy and deadly. Im sure I will be amazed at your final. Im expecting it.

Oregano - awesome composition and characture gesture.

Zarquino - Nice start, the legs look a little bit, little. maybe putting something else in the frame will help identify the stylisation (is that a word?).

Rachel Pierce - The top of harlyquin and her gun look a little flat. Not sure they stand out. Maybe have an obvious light source for definition..? You're quick, lookng forward to the final.

Dan C - shit,.. love your style and would steal it if possible.

[Timmy the Turtle]

Great stuff everybody. But DanielC, man, that Manbat is awesome! It's like it's totally plausible, i can see myself walking and stuff and that thing would creep out of a dark alley. Really wanna see it finished :D Now here's my plausible-wannabe Victor Fries :)

[Jason Snair]

Shotgun Baby: Dude...that's an awesome start. Really love what you're capturing right now. It's sketchy and raw, but still tells us so much about the character. Can't wait to see how you finish it up.

[Shard]

no manbats yet? :batgirl:
edit:sorry danielc just saw yours..lol I was thinking of dressing him up but then the wings are a problem..I see you solved that! :P

this is my try..anatomy is guessed so feedback on that would be great!
amazing stuff so far!

[OurSin]

*Edit* I will keep this post updated with progress up until the final. Had a chance to look at alot of the work, great job all around!

sup everybody,

i decided I was going to come back and start participating in these again.....

Not sure if i can do three....so far i've started designing for Bane , i think he fits the dark knight perfectly.

looks like this is going to be a huge showing, especially with the movie just being released.

Maybe somebody asked this already, but what about the Dark Knight Comics? The frank miller series they losely based the feel of the last film off of.


Quick Pencils for final design.......bad scan...i'm going to ink and color it on the computer

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/OurSin_Is/BaneSketch.jpg

I'm trying to take away Banes Pro- Wrestler look form the comics, and give him that "I was raised in a prison" feel for the movie. So more realistic, no skin tight spandex just the vintage mask. Wanted the prison feel, so nothing says that better than a wife beater and tats..lol. Might not be the most lavish design, but i'm trying to design as if it was for the next film and they wanted that gritty realism.

Digital Inks

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/OurSin_Is/BaneINK.jpg

Feel free to let me know what's off about it...i'm no expert in anatomy and i know my inking skills aren't the greatest......it's coming along though, don't have much time to work so i'm going to stick to one illustration

After reading the wiki, bane has a real interesting back story i never knew of (only saw him in the animated series). Tailor made for the dark knight series



Final! Trying out some Overlay Layer effects that i learned from one of the videos i purchased here. Pretty usefull technique when your not that good at rendering. I like how it turned out actually, maybe i'm finally getting close to being good enough to do this for a living? lol......probably not yet

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/OurSin_Is/BaneFinal-1.jpg

any critique is welcomed and appreciated, sorry i've barely had time to browse the thread to see what everybody's been up to.

[Kian]

Oregano: Can I post my written backstory with my characters in the finals thread?

[Zarquino]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/Zarquino/Wacomix/Chow120_1.jpg

I like the idea of a E. Nigma thinking, on his dark world of questions... but he seems too strong, maybe I'll redo it, but I like the colors and that stuff...

[gtgauvin]

OK. Rough color study, mostly in digital watercolors. I think I'm finally hitting upon a technique that's right for me.

Update 07/31: Honestly, I didn't think I'd stick with this one, but it's turning out better than I'd imagined. I must say, I feel a bit like a cheater; these two characters seem like they'd fit pretty seamlessly in the current re-imagining of the Batman series. I think I might use Ian McDiarmid ( Emperor Palpatine) as a reference for the Ventriloquist. He's got the kind of demeanor which could slip between a kindly grandfather and an evil madman.
424952

Update 9/01: Man, I am just so f***ing happy with how this is turning out.
425745

[The Whistler]

Poshspice - Oh my god! The You've got red on you sketch is soooo awesome! My fav so far alongside the one with Ivy...

[Shotgun Baby]

Hi guys
Here is my two cents ;)
Davi
Nice start…. it looks finished, I am loving the pink suit and cig. MINT!

Kian
Cool scratchy style a bit like Egon Schiele look forward to seeing how you paint it.

Posh what can I say these early sketches are great as cute as they come –love the ivy and Harley together image .Personally I would lose the hat to get her more raw–I am sure you will kill me for that ;)

Uct
Great starting pose very strongly draw- the colour will be cool- I am looking forward to see how you will contain all the red.

Ligne Claire
Good drawing and nice pose it has a lot of personality- I would work on the chair a little to get it up to the same standard.

Dutinner
Hey Ho!! Fellow Penguin- its looking good he has a definite evil streak to him need to get some of that in mine.

Jason Snair
Good start, nice drawing well proportioned.

Zarquino
I like it! Great camera angle it looks very arty.

Rodriguez
Nice suit –it reminds me of the X men look forward to seeing it finished

Pseudocognition

Brilliant start I love the lighting.

Oregano
I love the twist you have in her and the design is so different than what we know but still works.. Nice!! Personally I might lose the kitten ;)

MrAnimation
Nice drawing dude – I think the pose captures the feline.

Sellis
Beautiful rough! Look forward to seeing it finished

VampireHungerStrike
AWESOME!!!

Feifeicreate
I think you have captured the feeling of the new movie in this image, look forward to the end result.

AndyHunt
Killer croc is cool - what a cool character to choose –great start on it – I think I might look for more croc in him or he may look like a mutant.

Rogzilla
Looks good.

Gtgauvin
LOVE IT!

Good colour rough

Mj Alcazar
Nice costume design, maybe push the anatomy a bit more

WTFsteph

Very minimal and arty don’t know if it is gritty but it’s cool!

Decepticon
You captured the mood perfectly excellent.

Kasblue
Nice character I hope you won’t disappoint us and draw a front view.

Daniel C

Excellent!

The Whistler
Nice pose I think it will make a really nice painting.

Rachel Pierce
Loving the modern day look to her!!

Stoat
Looks great!

Lege1
Nice J Carrie!

Keator
Good start I love the shading

Wiggers
I wish I had of chosen that character Darn! Great pencil drawing.

Timmy the turtle
This is a super image , it has a great mood Mr freeze is my favourite.

Shardana
Great drawing and the pose is great , on the anatomy front its looking good I would double check the length of his arms his right arm looks a little short.

Pheew!! I hop I didn't miss anyone :)

[Zarquino]

@Shotgun Baby: Hey! Thanx, I really didn't think much about the angle, only about the guy, don't know...

I have a question, is my drawing enough to present it as final? I think I finally got bored with that colors and the position, all the rong things I must fix... and don't have much time to take on it...

[mrbo18]

I don't know how much these characters fit into the "Dark Knight" version of Batman, but I'm hoping to work that out a little more as time goes on. This was originally intended to just be Poison Ivy, but then I thought that we needed 3 total villains for the piece. I added Bane and Dr. Freeze behind. I know they appeared in one of the terrible recent movies, but they don't have much in common in the actual storyline do they?

[JIVA*SOUL]

thought this was interesting....

Nolan Series
In response to speculation that Philip Seymour Hoffman was approached for the role of the Penguin, as a British arms dealer in The Dark Knight, franchise director Christopher Nolan said he considered the character difficult to portray on film, explaining, "I'd be more excited to have Philip Seymour Hoffman in the film than to have the Penguin. There are certain characters that are easier to mesh with the more real take on Batman we're doing. The Penguin would be tricky."

Recently, viral marketing for The Dark Knight included a Gotham Times newspaper, featuring a newspaper ad for the Iceberg Lounge, one of the Penguin's businesses.[citation needed] Prior to the release of The Dark Knight in 2008, David Goyer ruled out using the Penguin or Catwoman as a villain in a future film, preferring to use antagonists from the comic that had not yet been portrayed on the big screen.

[Pseudocognition]

I wish I could keep working on this but I'm going to a convention this weekend. Darn it all.

[MJ_Alcazar]

Wow, some really great stuff on here. And, it's going...so....fast!!!!
Thanks Shotgun Baby. I went back to some of my comic books, and I saw Anarky, and realized that he was a Batman villian. So now I have a sketch of him, with catwoman. :) I'll post it as soon as I can.

Okay, let's see if I can get everyone. Here I go!

Kreator - I'm liking you're Azrael, very robotic looking, just as he should be. :)

Stoat - nice team! I forgot about Ratcatcher, THAT would be a funny pairing..I can see it now. :)

Rachel Pierce - I do like your take, the acrobat thing is definitely working. However, it does look very matrix like. I would have liked to see her hair blond, with maybe some hasty streaks of red and black to make it more chaotic looking. But that's just my personal taste.

Daniel C - I love man-bat! I couldn't figure out how to fit him into Nolan-verse. Looking good though!

kasblue - good job with the Bande idea! I was halfway tempted to do one, but he'd be a little bit too difficult for me to draw right now.

Psuedocognition - Love the take on both of them! Nice heath ledger necklace. :)

Vampirehungerstrike - I really like your take, very nice. :)

feifeicreate - Good idea, I like how you've done her.

andyhunt - I like it, good job.

Decepticon217 - I loved the character of Hush. I'm glad someone decided to do him. :)

Poshspice - All of them are amazing. Harley has so much personality! I like that last one. Mallet!!! :)

Oregano - Very different take. I'm liking it. I'm afraid for your kitten though, gives a new definition to cat food. :)

Shotgunbaby - wow, amazing. I really like it. Keep it up!

gtgauvin - i can't wait to see a more finished one! Like the colors. :)

Zarquino - I agree, too strong looking. It looks like you're trying to make him contemplating on all his genius, but the strongman look does subtract from that a bit. Keep it up though, you'll get there. :)

Shardana - manbat, yay! Is he actually a bat, or is he just dressed up as one or something, just curious on the story. :) On his legs, he looks like he is falling, and that he doesn't have a right leg. Is he running or something?

I know I haven't gotten everyone, I'll be back on in a few minutes to post my new one and I'll try to get more then. :)

[prepsage]

WIP
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5513/batman3nr6.jpg
Doing a remake of anarky.

[S.C. Watson]

Oregano: Can I post my written backstory with my characters in the finals thread?

Sure - but it won't affect the polling.

~Oreg.

[Aly Fell]

Here we go!

Davi – Put it in! I’m sure no one would object. Exceptionally cool design of a character I didn’t know about, (like nearly all the others on the list!)

Kian – Cool to see how you rough out. I don’t know whether to comment on this as I read somewhere you’re not doing this one now..?

UCT – Love the dynamic pose, good energy! Give him feet! :) Edit: Now I’ve seen the final and you’ve hidden the feet! Sneaky! :) The eyes are a bit far apart…

Ligne Claire – Smashing casual look for the Riddler. Got to say that why not have him looking at us? If you’re doing the question mark on his face it would be much clearer.

Dustinner – Like the portrait. He’s very dark and sinister. With the crosshatching; use it to define form, not just to fill in space, so it defines the shape. On your second one, watch the hands. If in doubt, seek a bit of reference or draw yourself in a mirror.

Jason Snair – Like the position, particularly the perspective on the feet. He has a distinctly old world American feel with the bowler (Derby) hat. I agree though with your own comment about the ‘Nolan’verse, I’m having the same difficulty.

Zarquino – Looking good, but you’re going to need ¾ for the entry. He looks a bit Emo! :) Just seen the update. This is cool! I love the play with proportions. Excellent.

Rodriguez – As you’re going for a slight reinforced suit look, how about some Wolverineish claws. Would she have her hair out?

Pseudocognition – This is looking really nice. Showing off the relationship between Harley and Ivy just gives more insight. Watch the darkness on the faces; a bit of front light might make expression more readable.

Oregano – She is the mistress of cats. The superior pose and attitude are great. Corsets tie at the back… real ones, but hey they look better at the front!

MrAnimation – Thanks! Very Catwoman. Reminded me of Michelle Pfeiffer when she was going all kitteny.

Sellis – Very nice sketch. A lot of character in this already. Looking forward to more on this. The tilt on the heads speaks volumes.

VampireHungerStrike – Lovin’ the action pose. Watch the duplication of position on the legs. Both are the same. Maybe vary one a bit to give the pose a bit more variation.

Feifeicreate – You’re doing what I should be doing and giving her a dark look. Want to see more. You are going to expand the composition a bit?

Andy Hunt – Kudos for taking what could be a very cartoony character and giving him a more ‘realistic’ edge. Great start!

Rogzilla – You’re creating some deeply disturbing back stories here! Lol! Like the image you’ve gone with. Even if it does scare me! Nice shading going on!

GTGauvin – Really nice start, with the gangster look of the dummy. Ventriloquists have always scared me since I saw Dead of Night as a kid. Edit: Update looks great. Like the lighting, a lot!

MJAlcazar – You’ve got some truly original design work going on here. Some of the costume work is really imaginative. Try not to cut characters off at the edge though. :)

WTFSteph – She’s great fun! The colour one has a neat feel to it. For a character design though, it’s a little dark. There’s something about this that’s… just cool!

Decepticon217 – Good vibe and environment. He’s pretty darn scary. Careful with the feet. Perspective on the ground but the feet are flat to it…

Kasblue – Great design, but we gotta see his face really! Or do we…! ;)

DanielC – The feel to this is great. It has a Victorian vibe to it, something scary in the shadows. Hope we see a little bit more of his face. I used to love Neil Adams’s Man Bat. This I want to see developed.

TheWhistler – I like the way this is going. Fab face, and the tilt on her head. Maybe do a bit more with vines…

Rachel Pierce – This is a great update on the character. Much more original than my direction. I do agree with the Matrix coat comment. How about something more ‘street’? Crop jacket, perhaps, or try her without a coat.

Stoat – You’re having fun aren’t you! This sketch looks like a woodcut. Ho ho!

Lege1 – Great Riddler dodgy movie. I still prefer Frank Gorshin!

Kreator – Loving the image. Interesting weaponry too. Will there be colour?

Wiggers – I always enjoy your posts. This is a fab start. Lots of character already.

Shotgun Baby – This is looking top! Character, personality and energy. Watch the brolly; the angles between the stem and the ‘roof’ are a bit squiffy.

Timmy the Turtle – Characterful pose and mood. Looks like a photo when he wasn’t expecting it.

Shardana – Dynamism! This is what we want! Some movement!

Mrbo18 – Are you going to stick some clothes on Ivy? You don’t need three characters. It’s up to three. One’s OK, or two… or three!

Prepsage – Very nice. Edgy and dark. Very ‘Nolan’.


Hope I got 'em all! Sorry they aren’t more in depth.

TTFN

[S.C. Watson]

Oregano – She is the mistress of cats. The superior pose and attitude are great. Corsets tie at the back… real ones, but hey they look better at the front!

They do indeedy tie at the back, unless of course you happen to be wearing this little number:
http://www.infectiousthreads.com/big_tripp_dress_oooh_la_la.htm :geekg:

Thanks Aly :)

~Shane

[Kian]

Oregano: Yeah thats cool :) Just as long as its there for people to read if they want.

Cheers

EDIT: Cheers Aly, yeah I'm doing Mr Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Cat-tothe-woman

[MJ_Alcazar]

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk153/Seloh_Eft/scan0002.jpg
Okay, I redid Anarky and catwoman, both are just roughs. I wasn't sure if I like this catwoman better, or if I'll add the upper torso stuff like I did with the other one. :)
Okay, if anyone's wondering why these two would team up. The story with this is. Anarky sees how Batman is being stalked by the police and, already a great reader of philosophy and especially of the ararchist movement, he decides that the government is what is wrong with gotham. He takes the name Anarky and starts punishing government officials and criminals alike. He is a great computer hacker and is a descent fighter too. However, when it comes down to stealing some info. (not to clear on what) he hires the world's greatest thief to come to gotham to get it for him. She complies, as it is her birthplace, and she hasn't been back for awhile. That's when they run into Batman.

[dustinner]

POSH - Thanks for the advise...Yeah i already made a new plan for te hands...going to be using them in a different way and hopefully it will open up his stance a bit. Its feeling a it static at he moment.... I have been sketching my own hand all day at work...les just say i was getting some odd stares from the boss :D The WIP is still very dirty and sketchy but im alsmost liking that idea...keeps with the "gritty theme". I definately want to get a different look for the penguin and i think have moved away from the stereo type quite niely if i do say so myself :D

Shotgun BABY : Hey ho!!! Lets Go... I love your penguin...very cool ...I contemplaed doing the goatee thing but now that i see someone lse went with facial hair 'll keep my boy wrinkly and clean :D Here's to the penguinphiles ;)

Psuedogog - Maaaan oh man that is a wicked concept of the two...High 5 for you!

[dustinner]

Damn you mulfunctioning keyboard...sorry bout all the missing letters in that message guys :D

[rodriguez]

Thanks for your comment Shotgun baby i hope you like the finished version and Thanks PoshSpice i'm not set on that design really trying to imagine how it would look were there to be another Batman. I like the big claws idea and i'd been toying with her having her hair tied up :teeth:

I'm planning on doing the Riddler as well

[DanielC]

another step. i hope it's ok to make it a scene or something. just to get the character's personality right. yeah that's a family photo :-0

[oddy]

i know.. supposed to be 3 villains, but i just cant stop myself to include riddler and penguin too... hopefully u guys dont mind ...

from left : riddler, harley, ivy, cat and penguin

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x204/oddsbidikin/dkv_setch.jpg

ivy : ops! i spill some...
cat : thats fake! harley!!!!
harley : gotcha!

:yum:

[Stoat]

It's funny you should say that, Posh. I can NOT get the hang of doing linework with a tablet. Painting, fine. Hatching, okay. Outlines? Nuh-uh. No can do. I was thinking today how much my linework looks like a wood- or linoleum-cut, just because I find the tool so awkward.

Problem is, the skritchy pencil sound will give the game away, so I'm stuck at work doing digital from beginning to end. My boss is being a good sport and letting me goof while I wait to move on, but there's no point rubbing my cow-orkers' noses in it.

[feifeicreate]

Here's another black and white study of Harley. Thank you guys for the wonderful comment :D I think color wise, it's better to stay with black and red, since the design is much different from the "harlequin" in the comic books. I still want people to recognize her as Harley quinn...

I like to explore the love-hate relationship between harley and joker, just don't know how...LOL, I'll think of something.

[|flow|]

Here we go: Mr. Freeze

[S.C. Watson]

one thing I'd like to remind everyone of: We're supposed to be redesigning the characters to fit into the Dark Knight movies - which have a bit of a more real world steel, glass and concrete feeling. I'm noting a lot of the designs are leaning more and more towards the wild costuming of the previous Batman movies, which wouldn't fly in Nolan's Dark Knight world.

Just something to think about.

All the best,
~Oreg.

[Kian]

I agree Oregano, I'm glad you said. Its the reason I like this topic so much, is that it should force people into thinking more about design, rather than just cool shapes. It doesnt mean less styled though, I think you can have a very sophsticated design in any style, be it cartoony, abstract, or realistic. But yeah, crazy shoulder pads, giant swords or whatever, I dont think should fly.

[MJ_Alcazar]

Thanks Poshspice for the comment. Yeah, my paper was too big for the scanner, I thought I had bought the same size sketchbook as last time, but it looks like it was just a little bit bigger. :)
Definitely agree with both Kian and Oregano. That's what makes this such a challenge! I had to keep thinking everytime I'd try a new sketch. Some of the characters are very difficult to try to get them into a more realistic design to fit into Nolan's world. Sometimes I do get a little bit carried away with the comics though!

Okay, here's some more comments. Hopefully I get everyone else I haven't commented. I'm sorry if I don't! So many WIPS up!

prepsage - yay! Anarky! I love your design. It has a very modern revolutionary style to it. And I like the feel of it. :)

mrbo18 - are you going to put clothes on her?

UCT - FIRE! =) Like the design.

Wiggers - Cool! like it so far!

Rachel Pierce - Wow! =) I'm liking it. yay, she's a blonde again! But the other things you added are awesome also.

andyhunt - looking good so far. But, is his skin boiling?

Rogzilla - cool, He looks very evil, and I like the direction you're taking.

Dustinner - nice. I like the look. Yeah, definitely do something w/ the pose/hands. Can't wait to see what you do!

Rodriquez - battle armor! Nice new approach. What's she wearing on her feet? Heels? Sorry, can't tell. Might be my screen. It needs to be cleaned. :)

feifeicreate - I like the design, there's our psychotic psychiatrist! That sure is a lot of blood! Does she have a head wound or did she just take someone out?

[jhgoforth]

man, i go out of town for a couple of days and this topic is posted? well I guess I know what I'll put my freetime towards now (and getting a chance to see TDK possibly this weekend..gah...).

good works. will definitely be hard to avoid the batman animated design styles as those had a heavy influence on a lot of us I see. ;P

[MJ_Alcazar]

jhgoforth Definitely, that series is how I learned to draw people! lol. Oh, the days of my childhood. :)

[Mirana]

Man, I hear ya jhgoforth. The original Bruce Timm designs are...fucking amazing. They are my canon for all things Batman (nice to hear that they used the VA for the Gotham Knight movie)!

[feifeicreate]

LOL, she just sliced some poor guy's throat....But probably cut her forehead during the process, after all, first cut was always messy. Thank you for the comment. These are just studies, I have no idea what the final work would look like at this point. I just kept drawing and drawing and hope something nice would turn up...

[ThabisoMhlaba]

Gonna be doing my First CHOW!!! First community even for that matter. I'll do bane, But first lets get an Idea of Bane. Here's a doodle.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/Okinako/Bane1.jpg =]

[Rachel Pierce]

Thanks guys for all your advice, hints and tips, she's really coming together now. Still got lots of rendering to do but i might actually finish this one.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc217/icybluerae/Artwork/harlycopy.jpg

I really want her to look like she would blend well with Nolan's Joker, who in some scenes wears a very long purple trenchcoat with a bright red/pinkish lining. I was trying to echo that coat with Harley's black and red scheme but
you were right about her looking too Matrix-like.
However, I still want to keep the trench. I hoped by lightening the coat and making the lining yellow, I would move away from Neo and his pals and closer to Ledger's colourful Joker.

I still can't decide what to do with her right hand (the one on the hip), and am completely stumped for a background. I suck at backgrounds. I appreciate your thoughts.

Posh I can't stop looking at your harley,ivy sketches, you have such a great eye for poses and expressions. The final piece is looking fantastic, and i think ivy looks very glamorous. I adore Harley's biker jacket (or what i see as a leather red and black biker jacket) and mini skirt combo! Just awesome!

[artiphats]

not sure if I will have time, but if so I assume Tweedledum and Tweedledee would be ok to do? I havent read all the posts in the thread, so i am not sure if anyone else is already doing them. I think they will make gritty grimmy sloppy villians, what do you think?

[andyhunt]

andyhunt - looking good so far. But, is his skin boiling?



Do a google image search for Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis. That's what I'm gonna go for, but turned up to 11.

[Rogzilla]

Rachel, that is working MUCH better. I am loving that red coat! And the ripped nylons are a wonderful touch.

[andyhunt]

trying to nail the mood before i start the real deal... here's another quick sketch (i think my first is on page 3)

[MJ_Alcazar]

Hey, question for anyone really. Can a background in the contest be something like a sketch-version of the people's heads? Just wondering. I'm trying to figure out what kind of background to put on them. I have too many ideas!!!!

[gtgauvin]

MJ-Alcazar: The rules for CHOWs can be found here (http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=117390). There are no hard requirements or proscriptions for backgrounds, so as long as the whole image comes together in a solid way, I'd say go right ahead. In fact, a little bit of background process thrown in with the final product might be fun to see.

[wiltekirra]

Ivy and Harley, again.. I tried to do a more psychological interpretation of the characters rather than just reinventing their outfits, since that's what TDK seems to be doing to the whole comic. Harley has no need for make up to hide her face - she lets the Joker abuse her so much her own mother would no longer recognize her. Ivy has no superpowers, she's just a very clever, very adept poisoner and biochemist.
http://pics.livejournal.com/wiltekirra/pic/00088bx3.jpg
(I will try to update later with a better scan.)

[MJ_Alcazar]

Rachel Pierce - looking good, keep it up. The trenchcoat looks much better, sorry I didn't mention that in my earlier post.

Wiltekirra - beautiful. I like the take on Ivy to put her into the Nolan-verse. And a really great take on Harley. :)

[gtgauvin]

OK, comments and crits all around. I think I got everyone. please don't take any negative feedback too personally, I'm seeing a lot of really good work all around here.

davi: Nicely rendered. I gotta say, pink is a bold choice for a ruthless criminal.

Kian: It looks like it's got potential. Are you still working on this?

t11: pretty good; I like the bold contrasts. I'll spare you the Frank Miller comparisons.

Poshspice: Hey man, if I run out of talent, can I borrow some of yours?

Ligne Claire: It's a nice start: I'd like to see it finished.

Jason Snair: It's got potential, I'd just try to make it a little subtler.

rodriguez: Looks a little bit too futuristic.

Oregano: Very cool.

MrAnimation: It looks good, but I'd back away from all those impractical costume extravagances.

Sellis: You've got a good loose and gestural way of sketching. Can we see how the image is progressing?

VampireHungerStrike: Your markmaking is really nice. I look forward to seeing this finished.

Rogzilla: Very nice sketch, but it still strikes me as a bit cartoony.

dustinner: Looks good. I love his deep scowl.

Decepticon217: Goods start. I'd bring in some color and try to give it a more finished look. Also, careful with how those feet interact with the ground underneath.

WTFsteph: very good; visually striking without being garish. I like your color choices. But something about that branch she's sitting on strikes me as a little obscene.

kasblue: a decent start. I'd watch the anatomy, especially the hands.

The Whistler: It's a good start, but I'd back away from the wisteria loetard, and bring the character to a more believable place.

Stoat: That's a really nice preliminary sketch. I want to see more.

Kreator: The drawing itself is beautiful, but I'd see what I could do about understating it.

Wiggers: Starting out nice, let's see some more.

Shotgun Baby: Really great, superb expression. Keep it up!

UCT: The color palette is absolutely fantastic, but the costume is still over-the-top supervillainish.

Timmy the Turtle: Great job on taking on a challenge like Mr Freeze. I just LOVE his expression; I kind of get that boy-in-a-bubble vibe. I look forward to seeing more.

Shardana: Nice start. If you want to improve on your anatomy, go to Deviantart, look up some model stock photos, and sketch your little heart out. That's what I do

Zarquino: Nice design and palette, but I still get that Frank Gorshin-in-a-technicolor-deathtrap feeling. I'd tone it down a little.

mrbo18: It's a nice image, and well-executed, but it looks like it's still auguring towards the cartoonish.

Pseudocognition: That's just awesome. Fantastic lighting, composition, and attention to detail; I love the locket!

prepsage: very nice. I like the palette you're working with (take that for what it's worth, I'm colorblind).

MJ_Alcazar: I'd use some references for anatomy and faces. There's tons of stock photos available at sites like Deviantart. Also, remember the terms of the challenge. It's not just a costume re-design, it's a project to bring some versimilitude to these otherwise flamboyant characters.

DanielC: Awesome work. Really, just spot-on.

oddy: gorgeous sketch, but it still seems a bit tilted towards the original comic-style designs.

feifeicreate: Good start. I'd add a little bit of desaturated color, blend the values some more, and shorten tat left arm a little bit.

|flow|: A promising start to an ambitious project, considering the preconditions of this round of CHOWs. I see this succeeding wildly if you can resist the temptation to go over the top with the tech.

Oki: In and of itself, the sketch is pretty good. Under the terms of the current CHOW guidelines, I'd pull back a bit from the big, clunky sci-fi style apparatus.

Rachel Pierce: Good work capturing some base aspects of the character's original design. I'd see about maybe making the bodice a little less sleek, and watch out for those boots.

andyhunt: very cool; I like the blotchy, mottled look of the shirt. I'd pay a little more attention to the anatomy, though, especially the face. The eyes look just slightly flat.

Wiltekirra: very nice re-concepting of these two characters. You made some very good, subtle choices with the costumes. As far as execution goes, I'd add in a little contrast here and there, maybe a few well-placed bold lines to accentuate breaks between different elements, like the hemline of Ivy's skirt, or the spot between Harley's chin and her shoulder.

[John Doe]

Bane redesign. Nolan tends to make characters more realistic (figuratively speaking). Done away with all the lucha libre and went more a more prison look, complete with an iron mask. Trying to make him look more like a rabid monster then say... a pro-wrestler jock in a metal mask. Teh...

[Rogzilla]

OK, I am nearly done with this. I need to spot the blacks in the mushroom she is sitting on, I might add some atmosphere into the background with some hatching. I think I might ultimately try to turn this into a digital painting but I am no wear near good/fast enough for a CHOW one.

Here is what I had in mind when designing this character. Jervis Tetch was teased as a child. He was a late bloomer and when he did start growing, some parts grew more than others, leaving him even more an outcast. Lost and alone, Jervis turned to the stories and rhymes of Lewis Carroll. He idolized Carroll and became obsessed with his work. He memorized the entire works.

During his teen years, he attempted to date girls in his peer group, but was constantly rejected. Over time, he came to believe that he needed to meet someone like Alice, someone innocent and young. After he finished college, he was working at a technology company as a research scientist when he met a young, blond girl on the bus named "Alice". He bonded with her, quoting Lewis Carroll to her, and ultimatly desired her. One day, she agreed to come with him. He attempted to make love to her but she rejected him as well. He finally raped and killed her. Her body was found months later.

Since then, he has begun stalking any young, blond girl name Alice he can find, befriend them, and attempt to seduce him. When they turn down his sexual advances, he rapes and kills them, deeming them "fake" Alice's. He is determined to find a "TRUE" Alice.

He has converted his apartment into a Wonderland, choosing his furniture carefully, buying stuffed animals and as many posters of illustrations as he can. He is the worst type of fan boy. His "Mad Hatter" costume was custom made for him by his mother, believing it to be a Halloween costume. He uses it to allow himself to fully enter into his delusion.

So there we go, I think that will fit into Nolan's world. No mind control, just gritty, dark, realism. Of course, if this character appeared in the films, I think he would be in the opening scene, a Bond-esque style opening. Note-the long revolver was done simply to be a phallic symbol. Does that come off? Also, this is my first time drawing a gun like this...so I hope it came off OK.

Thanks for the comments so far, I am really glad that I am creeping people out (it tends to be women, men aren't bothered so much). I would really love some more feedback. We have so many masters here and I would love to know what they think about it.

EDIT-you know, looking at my drawing, you know who would be a great Mad Hatter, looks wise? DJ Qualls! (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/DJQualls.jpg)

[call me snake]

I've started my initial Poison Ivy-sketch, struggling with a pose. Have to use a lot of reference, cause I'm so slow, so I'm feeling a bit locked.
I'm having huge troubles getting clean, strong lines with a wacom tablet :/
Haven't decided yet if she'll be wearing clothes or not, or how I'm going to make it more dark, or how to bring up the character.
Any ideas and/or critics are very welcome!

really enjoy the stuff so far, especially the action shot from DanielC!

[dustinner]

I think everyone who has commented on the theme of this chow have all been spot on... The Nolan universe is getting lost a bit in some of the ideas. But whatever works for you guys :)

Posh - Am Loving your work...the one of Ivy and Harley together is very cool... Harveys expression is priceless :D
Also the punkish type one with the mallet...very cool... Like the diamond tat idea on the arm..Maybe she can have diamond checker board tats on both arms running from her shoulders? half sleeve even. One side black the other red? Just thinking out loud there.... I would picture Harvey as the kind of girl who has a few tats. Specially for the nolan batman universe.

Rachel Pierce - Now thats looking AWESOME... Way to go... I stand corrected on the coat,Nice move changing the coat to the deep red...Takes the matrix out of it... And the button / pins are a nice touch :) The make up works but have you thought of maybe making the lipstick with smudges up the sides? Like she was puttting on lipstick and just kept going over her cheek... Does that make sense? Just think with the eyes and the mouth both being black it becomes a bit crow-ish...??? But otherwise...Love it...As hancock would say.. GOOD JOB :D

[kasblue]

still wip. and two more to do... i need to reply to comments too... i will... honest!!

[MrAnimation]

:lounge:

Pseudocognition : Wow.... just Wow!

gtgauvin : Oh Cool, Scar face!! I remembered that guy when I saw your drawing. Funny, i thought he was in another comic?

MJ_Alcazar Oh man! you should really do that guy with the rabbit, with some cards on the ground and, that could look SWEET! (His name escapes me), wasn't That much in to Batman.

Rogzilla : Again, LOVE the style, you make the girls so cute!

.... Ill get back to everyone later.. gotta do da work thing... :carnifex:

Mine so far, any more advice?

425495

[ikuru]

I dont know the first thing about this Batman villans, but Aly, damn! Thoes villan girls of yours is such a treat to look at!

[The Whistler]

Thanks guys for your comments, I've redrawn her, kept the positive things (facial expression and the head tilt), and changed the costume to something more believable (though it's probably not the last design). Not a fan of those boots...

I just had to add a gigantic venus flytrap cause they're too cool, and since Ivy is supposed to have the power to manipulate plants I guess she could breed them to eat human flesh heehee...

Gonna try and give her dark lunatic-like expression...

EDIT: Basic colors...

[braidens]

425543



Going for a believable Bane... read the history and legacy with my quick sketch i posted to see the concept behind this Banes look...

any suggestions would be welcomed ...

[WTFsteph]

Okay. took another look at my original ivy..and you know when you get in those moods where you hate everything you've ever drawn? lmao thats how i felt.

So Heres my second attempt. I went and found a reference pic and went for a more realistic feel i think. the legs dont feel right to me i cant seem to get them right. the girl in my ref pic was wearing a long skirt ._.

[Stoat]

Okay, for reals this time. I couldn't find any art from the Ratcatcher storyline, so I'm basing my guy on Jack Black (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Black_%28rat_catcher%29), who was Queen Victoria's ratcatcher. Actually he was a real happy guy; the founder of rat fancying. Both Beatrix Potter and Queen Victoria probably owned fancy pet rats bred by Black. So mine is more Jack Black crossed with Aqualung in a modern dystopia (hey, I threw in a skyline! 'K?).

Did I tell you about the time I went to the fancy rat show in London? I didn't win.

[Rachel Pierce]

Rachel Pierce: Good work capturing some base aspects of the character's original design. I'd see about maybe making the bodice a little less sleek, and watch out for those boots.

Thanks. I agree with the bodice, it just doesnt look right, almost as if its made of plastic. I shall experiment with it.

Im still deciding with the boots, maybe replacing them with some sort of boxing style boots, they would suit her nature more than army style ones.



The make up works but have you thought of maybe making the lipstick with smudges up the sides? Like she was puttting on lipstick and just kept going over her cheek... Does that make sense? Just think with the eyes and the mouth both being black it becomes a bit crow-ish...??? But otherwise...Love it...As hancock would say.. GOOD JOB :D

I was trying to avoid the crow look but it is hard, if I give her red lips she will look like I ripped off the joker, which I don't want. I shall finish the rest of her and then play with the little details some more. http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc217/icybluerae/Artwork/harlyfaces.jpg
is this kinda what you meant with the lipstick?

[dustinner]

Rachel - I hear you on the joker vibe... so probably a good call not to do the lipstick red (although she does idolise the joker and might try and imitate him that way)... but i was thinking more of like when a woman is putting on her make up and gets bumped and then it sort of scribbles down her cheek ???? Make sense??? Loving the eyes though.. If you want to move away from the crow look to maybe try running the mascara with the curves of her cheeks instead of straight down..again i might be wrong but im just thinking out loud ... I do think your Harley is kicking ass though ... Nicely done :D

[Mirana]

425607
This isn't the base for the final, just the conceptual sketch to work out the particulars.

One (of three?): Catwoman. Considering that the new Bats villians have had basically ONE visual indicator of their comic designs (Ras: Beard, Scarecrow: Mask, Joker: Some facepaint, Two-Face: 1/2 Face) I decided to go for a bit more subtly here. Instead of ears, it's a raised, reverse collar. No tail, just the idea of one in the whip wrapped around her middle.

Logistically, I gave her a climbing harness and all it's goodies, a bag on her leg for sparklies, a sling on her back to hold a cat whilst climbing, a soft body suit with a couple plates for support, soft rubber climbing shoes and pads on her shoulders and arms for the occational climbing cat. I wanted her to be able to make total use of her vision, so she's wearing large, clear protective glasses, but a half-mask on bottom for identity protection. Still playing with the gloves and what they might store...need to work in some plausible claw weapons methinks.

[Shotgun Baby]

Blocked in some colour ;) and yep I know there is a problem with the umbrella!
I will fix honest and try to tie this down ASAP dont know if I have the time at the weekend.

[WTFsteph]

Final..i think..
.___.

Kinda like the idea of her using poisonous spores. cant remember if she ever really did or not though. haha
Well, if she didnt, she should have. :P

[♦♦Jackdaw♦♦]

Hey guys.

I know she's not really an original choice, but here's my take on Harley.

Very rough WIP at this stage - Sketched her on my lunchbreak.

http://brendandeboy.com/Harley.jpg

[Rogzilla]

WTFSteph-I don't think she used spores because she either a-was poisonous herself or b-used poison lipstick. However, your idea is much more realistic and fits into the Nolan-verse. Kudos!

[indus]

oooops; I didn't watch the movie 'Dark Knight' yet.
It gonna be hard one to me again..


thr..Three Villains!?

[Rogzilla]

Don't worry indus. Just do any Batman villain you want, so long as they didn't appear in Batman Begins (Ra's al Ghul, Scarecrow, Zasz) or in The Dark Knight (Joker, Two-Face). The key is to try and put a darker, grittier and more realistic spin on them.

[♦♦Jackdaw♦♦]

A quick question for Oregano regarding an extension (sorry).

Basically; can we have an extension?

(sorry again)

It seems like alot of people are interested in this one and an extra day or two might make for some really interesting and completed entries. If there's anyone like me, i only just realized that this topic was up today =(

Just thought i'd ask ;-)

[Pseudocognition]

A quick question for Oregano regarding an extension (sorry).

Basically; can we have an extension?

(sorry again)

It seems like alot of people are interested in this one and an extra day or two might make for some really interesting and completed entries. If there's anyone like me, i only just realized that this topic was up today =(

Just thought i'd ask ;-)

Agreeeeeed. I really want to finish my piece too but I'm not going to be here all weekend ;_; One more day would be spiffy.

[braidens]

WOOOOOOOOOOO please bring on extention ...that would rock:mod:

[dustinner]

Personally I'm impartial to an extension because i work best underdeadline so if the deadline gets pushed back so will I... :D Specially considering the fact that i have to do it all after hours and on the weekend... :(

[JHuntsman]

Well, I think this is ending up being a Harley Quinn ChOW rather than a Dark Knight Villains ChOW...

Either way - I really always liked Harley as well...so, here's my take on her. I think one reason that she's pretty popular in this thread is because she's one of those characters that can easily fit into the Christopher Nolan vision of Batman. She's a normal person with psychological issues.

My vision of her is one a little more based in reality - she's a professional woman in her former life, so, I think that her costume would reflect this - she's also in love with the Joker, so I think her costume would reflect that as well. She would emulate the Joker in her make-up style. She would be as dark and twisted as the Joker is...Birds of a feather flock together.

This needs some more work, but, this is what I have so far.

p.s. Good job everyone - this is a really fun challenge!

[S.C. Watson]

So. I was thinking that since this is a rather popular round, people might, um, like an extension, perhaps?

But, if it's too much trouble, we can go ahead with the regular deadline. I mean, really.

:geekg:

~Oreg.

[Kian]

I see why people would want an extension, but for me, the deadline makes the CHOW as exciting as it is. I've been up into the early hours for two nights in row working on my piece, after 8 hours painting at work every day.

So I gotta say, I'm against.

[UCT]

reg deadline.

I have decided my 'final' is not a final and I will have to expand on it however I dont think the deadline should be expanded on.

infact: three villians in a Nolan style before August 3rd sounds GREAT!

KIAN: yep, exactly. Show us where youre at :)

EDIT: I dont have time, HAHAHA. serves me right i suppose. LOL

[Mirana]

I'm not actually looking for an extension but for those against, it doesn't hurt your position so long as you limit yourself to the Sunday deadline (whether it's the real one or not). Of course, more time = more entries, so it really falls on Oreg to have to cut into or expand ze poll. ;)

[Kian]

UCT: Yeah man I would, but I dont wanna post my current WIP as I'm not too far off my final, and I'd end up killing the impact I hope it'll have lol. Sorry. But I'll say, I am doing 3 characters in full colour.

[S.C. Watson]

I'll put it this way: Personally, I'm not really for an extension, but to be honest, I'm not really against one either. Mirana is correct in that allowing an extension just means more work to get the poll up, but that's not that big of an issue, honestly.

If you all feel it makes more sense to keep the regular deadline, (which I really think you should) that's great. If you agree that you need the extra time to really do something awesome for yourselves, that's perfectly fine as well - just let me know what you think and what you're comfortable with. We still have several days until the deadline, so we do have time still to work on the pieces.

All the best,
~Oreg.

[NARobles]

Sorry guys I'm gotta step out of this one. I'll throw up my Mr. FReeze sketches later though. It was getting too comic book styled anyways.

Been seeing some nice entries everyone, keep it up!

[MJ_Alcazar]

gtgauvin - Hey, gotcha about the face references. I'll go and do that. I actually did use a reference for my anarky, but the face paint I put over him might have taken away from that. But, could you clarify something a little. What did you mean by me not really assimilating them into the Nolan-verse? I'd really like to know, so I can correct my thinking. :)
Actually, if anyone has a comment about it, please tell me! I'd appreciate it.
I was trying for some of the kids I know, who have large Anarchy tats and go around in hot topic clothes and bash the government and stuff. I had one guy I know in particular in mind, he trains in boxing, taekwondo, and stuff like that and he's very well read. Also, he's very good with computers. He just seemed like the perfect anarchy type.
Also, with Catwoman, I was trying to make her costume more thief friendly, while sticking to the original design as much as possible.
If I'm wrong with my thinking, or anything really major didn't get across, I'd like to know! I wouldn't want to be disqualified. :) Thanks again for pointing it out. :)

[Wiggers]

I'm for keeping the deadline, i don't like last minute extensions.

[Wiggers]

Here's my update of Doctor Death, not much more to do really.

Looking forward to seeing yours Kian.

[Aly Fell]

I'm in agreement... No extension. Personally I'm clawing every moment to do something presentable for this, and am unlikely to finish as I have to go away this weekend. That's life. But a deadline is a deadline. Most people will end up working to the deadline anyway whether it's Sunday night or somewhere in the never never. No one has to do three characters! Bleh...

Top work Wiggers! G'won... Show us yours Kian, and I'll show you mine... ;)

[Kian]

Wiggers, thats a great image, I Love it!

Aly: lol noooooo I cant! I've not put the sexy effects on yet :P

[Vorace]

Woaah some awesome stuff here...

I dont have any time this week...but..this is like the best topic ever, so I will try to find some hours hehe.
I'm against any time extension anyway!

love your style wiggers!

[woodbert]

I love looking at the CHOW's and this one especially so decided to join in the fray. I started on this only yesterday in between everything else. I'd like to try and finish one or all for the finals.

Catwoman - She's the yang to Batman's ying so I definately wanted to do her and make her costume very functional.
Penguin - I wanted to do something different then the distorted fat guy.
Killer Croc - A fighter who is just completely covered in tattoed scales. He's living his nickname basically.

[Rogzilla]

I don't see the need for an extension, but then I think I am gonna finish this one pretty soon.

[andyhunt]

Wiggers, I LOVE how you've detailed his head. Great color choices too.

[Vorace]

Ok some WIP done during lunchtime, including super fast colors just to get a mood

I'm doing a trash/punk catwoman :)
:

[t11]

i freaking love this topic. i love what everyone's been doing so far, and i especially love that even with a history as long as Batman's and his villain's that everyone can still find something new in all of it. GAH! really. I love you guys... sniff... haha :asskisser: :asspat: :asslick: :hugsmile: :yayca:

excessive use of smilies aside... here's my hatter. A brilliant neuro-technician who's research group lost their funding on a big project geared toward reestablishing the link between mind and body in spinal injury patients and he took it reeeeeally hard. escaping into drugs to amplify the alteration of reality his devices can bring about. I'm thinking at least he's reverting mentally to a more innocent frame of mind and reaching out (and kidnapping) little girls so he has someone to play with as that is how he now sees himself as he fries his brain (drugsarebadmmkay?). I feel better about justifying it that way than he's just a freaking pervo that likes to touch little girls.

have at it!
425786

and a clayface idea i had going back to the man of a thousand faces type origin in the vein of Lon Chaney and Boris Karloff. He's mortified (albeit already a bit prematurely senile thanks to impurities and chemicals in old special effects makeup) that Joel Schumacher is directing a Michael Bay production remake of... whatever... and goes nutso and starts killing off the cast.

425793

That's what's great about Batman characters. Their origins are already there, and pretty effing dark in themselves! WOO!

be back later

[t11]

i freaking love this topic. i love what everyone's been doing so far, and i especially love that even with a history as long as Batman's and his villain's that everyone can still find something new in all of it. GAH! really. I love you guys... sniff... haha :asskisser: :asspat: :asslick: :hugsmile: :yayca:

excessive use of smilies aside... here's my hatter. A brilliant neuro-technician who's research group lost their funding on a big project geared toward reestablishing the link between mind and body in spinal injury patients and he took it reeeeeally hard. escaping into drugs to amplify the alteration of reality his devices can bring about. I'm thinking at least he's reverting mentally to a more innocent frame of mind and reaching out (and kidnapping) little girls so he has someone to play with as that is how he now sees himself as he fries his brain (drugsarebadmmkay?). I feel better about justifying it that way than he's just a freaking pervo that likes to touch little girls.

have at it!
425786

and a clayface idea i had going back to the man of a thousand faces type origin in the vein of Lon Chaney and Boris Karloff. He's mortified (albeit already a bit prematurely senile thanks to impurities and chemicals in old special effects makeup) that Joel Schumacher is directing a Michael Bay production remake of... whatever... and goes nutso and starts killing off the cast.

That's what's great about Batman characters. Their origins are already there, and pretty effing dark in themselves! WOO!

be back later

[Senira]

Is there still room on the bandwagon?

Here's my wip for Harley. My Nolanverse vision of her is that she's the head psychiatrist at Arkham, but she feels that her position is being threatened by a younger, prettier assistant that everyone likes. Joker picks up on her insecurities in their sessions, and continues to needle at her. When Harley finally overhears her colleagues mocking her, she snaps. With the Joker's assistance she rigs a series of bombs to kill her colleagues and create a distraction while she flees with the Joker to Gotham.

427535
Here's my update for her crazy look. I decided that the Joker would probably value the practical over sexy, so instead of a skirt I have her in golf pants. They'll have stripes on them when its done.

[Wiggers]

thanks for the comments, Kian, Posh, Vorace, and Andy. Loving yours Vorace!

[daestwen]

Finally decided who to do. Ventriloquist and Scarface for the win!

Especially now that the new ventriloquist is hot. >)

[Pseudocognition]

The train taking me away from my computer for the weekend leaves in half an hour, so... this is what I managed to get done.

[Jacob Kobryn]

I don't really know any of the Batman Villains so I Wikipedia-ed it. Out of them I like The Black Mask the best. I don't really understand though. Is he wearing a skull mask or is his face a skull? Can a DC fanatic help me out?

[Orion9282]

"Nobody'll choose Harley Quinn!" :[ Should have gone with my other ideas, but here's my Harley interpretation.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/Orion9282/CHOW120_Orion9282.jpg

[Rogzilla]

Jake-Its both. The original mask was made from the ebony lid to his father's casket but it was ultimately burnt to his face (don't ask me how this works, I didn't right it) so now it IS his face.

[Jason Snair]

Reworked my concept a bit. Going for smart-ass punk. Skinny jeans, distressed shirt. Question mark tattoos running up and down each arm.

I dunno. Trying to combine new style and old world style. Just thinking out loud, trying to find something that I like. I think this is close. Although, I don't think I'd like it if Nolan went this route for a movie Riddler.

[feifeicreate]

Dr. Harleen Quinzel: What do you see here?

Joker:hum.......I see..........cute little harlequin snap the neck of a cute little cat, eating a cut little rat...turning into a cut little bat ........ ha ~~~~ haha ~~~~haha....

-----------

I know this is totally not what we're looking for, but I'm just having so much fun with this!!! I don't want this CHOW to end at all!!!.....

[rodriguez]

Mj Alcazar Thanks yeah she's wearing heels i hate drawing feet tho.

gtgauvin Thanks for your comment was going for a suit similar to Batman's didn't think it was really futuristic. I've changed it some anyway

Riddler and Catwoman

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/7013/catwomanriddlercopyen1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[MJ_Alcazar]

Rodriguez - like the new design. And the shoes. :)

Wiggers - nice. I like it!

WTFsteph - like the new pose, and the spore thing is pretty cool.

t11- I like it. Creepy though. I'm liking the bunny slippers. :)

Vorace - nice. Are those goggles? They look like they should be a tad lower. Could be just me though. :)

woodbert - nice sketches. Interested to see the final product.

Jhuntsmen - creepy, I like the direction you're going in.

Mr. Animation - thanks, I think I might do that. His name's the Mad Hatter. Not for the contest. I was planning on going a electroshock type thing. Where he kinda controls his victims. But, couldn't think of a way for that to work. So, I'll do him on my spare time. I was partial to the bunny.
Hey, like your style. But, maybe lose the tail? I know it kinda fits your character, but for the nolan-verse where they are making it realistic and such. Good drawing though. :)

[andyhunt]

I know this is totally not what we're looking for, but I'm just having so much fun with this!!! I don't want this CHOW to end at all!!!.....


looks like a perfect start on a nolan interpretation to me!

[Troubadour]

holy crap im gunna participate. heres a very rough shadow of whats to come of catwoman.

another update. 1:19 am :P

another wip at 2:32 :\
mulled around in painter.

[SephyCloneNo15]

Oooh, long time lurker, first-time tablet-owner who finally has enough practice with Photoshop and enough of a love of Batman to try and get something up by the last minute.

WIP of my Scarface. I was mostly working on the dummy, haven't thought too much about the Ventriloquist, but I was thinking I might go along the lines of Holiday and have him be sort of an older, "worthless" member of one of Gotham's mob families. He would be a bit of an eccentric, unable to be a mob big-shot, choose to do something else with his life, and embrace ventriloquism to entertain the younger kids at family get-togethers while the "adults" talked "business", but then when Batman shows up, something snaps in Arnold Wesker, bringing out the eccentric in him, and also the criminal mastermind that he's figured out by observing his family.

Of course, Wesker is not an Italian name. He must have married into the Falcone/Maroni family, and I know all about how the crankier kind of Italians take to people who try to marry into the family fortune. I wonder if that'll come into this at all....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/TonyS37/scarfaceWIPa.jpg

[Cyr]

Nobody wants to do Zebra-Man?

(I'm an old fart. I read the original story back in 1960.)

I think an updated, "real world" version would call for tattoos and Tasers (lots of Tasers), black leather pants and Doc Martens.

(And, looking on Wikipedia, I find that Zebra-Man will be appearing on the new animated Batman series! Whoo-hoo!)

[feifeicreate]

another composition study :D :D :D man I love this!!! I have another one with Harley sitting down...don't know which one is better for the final though...I think I like the standing one...

oh, Harley's hair was tied up with a balloon... it got cut off when i scan the picture in. LOL~~~

[Johann de Venecia]

Here is mine. I found it hard to stay close to the brief, it requires a fine balance of realism and restraint, both of which escapes me, bah! Maybe I'll do a second one when time permits. But for now, this is final with a few tweaks later.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l69/deceptant10/chow120_lukavi.jpg

This topic is out of control. Hope to see more. I've already got a favorite, but I'm not telling! Hahah, cheers.

[kasblue]

just a few ideas i'v been trying to come up for DEAD SHOT...

[DanielC]

getting there i think
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x57/dano73/Untitled-2-1.jpg

[Rogzilla]

So I am taking a brief break from working on my Hatter to do a Harley sketch. I thought I would color this one as I think color is important to this design.

Backstory: Harleen Quinzell has always been fascinated by insanity. When, while attending Gotham University, she began interning at Arkham Asylum, she jumped on the opportunity, especially following the incarceration of the famed criminal, the "Joker". When they told her she couldn't interview him, she took other means. She interviewed everyone she could about the Joker. A slight interest became an obsession. Finally, she found a way to meet him.

Joker told Harleen long tales of child abuse and how he got his scars. Slowly, he molded her, taught her his outlook on life, corrupted what had once been an innocent, young girl. She experimented with the ideas of death, and before long, she started to get the Joke. She started letting the Joker out, but was caught...so she beat her supervisor to death with a nearby sledge hammer.

Though she has no scars herself, she draws on a similar smile in tribute to her muse, her obsession, her perceived love.

[Troubadour]

another update

after about 4 hours of work... :P this is going to get a LOT of clean up and possibly some ref shots to explain the outfit/weapons :\

[Wiggers]

Very very nice DanielC!!

[braidens]

DanielC very very cool .. like the atmosphere... just want to know why is he throwing a family photo away like that?

[DanielC]

oh, good point. ill fix that. he's not throwing it, he's hiding from the light as a reflex, and let the photo fall down... thanks !!

[Ligne_Claire]

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m388/Ligne_Claire/riddler2.jpg

Still working on it. Thanks to Dustinner, Shotgun Baby, Poshspice, and gtgauvin for the helpful crits. They really helped tighten up the image.

EDIT:

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m388/Ligne_Claire/chow120_ligneclaire.jpg

Meh, this got away from me a bit, (experimenting with a different method). Still, I learned quite a bit and I'll be ready for the poll soon I hope. Thanks again for the crits.

[mrdoom]

Lukavi and Wiltekerra, fantastic, mates!

[braidens]

at work itching to finish my first ever CHOW ... and its freaken insane the amount of talent in this community ... !!! pity i didnt find this site sooner !!!

[Wiggers]

I'm done.

[Kreator]

WIP update on page 4...
DanielC... looks cool!
Lukavi impressive as ever!

[braidens]

wiggers thats insane the texture on the mask and the leather straps, holster and belts...amazing!!

[UCT]

WIP update on page 4...


Dude, thats awesome. Azreal is a hard character to get down in the Nolan-verse as his appearence is over the top (I think that is why no one else has tried painting him), but you have put him in context.

Wiggers - The style of the image really helps explain the villian a little bit more. Its great. Looks really cold and soviet!

EDIT: Wiggers, dude, whats in his hulster? wheres the gun/thing/something?

[Wiggers]

Thanks braidens and UCT! he has a broom handle mauser which is held in a wooden holster.

[WTFsteph]

I cannot for the life of me figure out how to add a border to something in photoshop. .__.
can someone please explain it to me? lol

[Rogzilla]

There are a lot of ways to do it steph. The way I prefer is to use the crop tool. Select the whole image with the crop tool, then expand it out as much as you want. Press enter and you will get your border. Fill with black, add white (or any high contrasting color) lettering, and you are good to go.

[Shard]

that's really cool wiggers!! :)

[WTFsteph]

thanks rogz
:)

[Shard]

here's an update..the shortenings are such a pain..any advice would be very appreciated!!
its becoming more of a pose study than char design..hopefully i'll get some time to play with the figure too over the weekend..

[dustinner]

Im not sure i will have a chance to finish my penguin :( Started so well but i dont own a graphics tablet and have to rely on borrowing my flat mates.... Being broke sux ass... I will definately try make and alternative plan...oh by the way... Love the pieces posted on final...
Posh - LOVE what you ended up doing with Harley...way way believable. High 5 for you.!
Pseudocog - Loved it from the start. Good Job!
Orion - Interesting take on harley...Like the idea...Nicely executed.
Lukavi - That Rocks....!!! Nike might just be giving you a call for a sponsorship deal :)
Vorace - Nice, nice , nice...Love the grit in the pic...
Stoat - Hahahahaha...Awesome dude...Love the way you kicked it with a different character and what you ended up with ...High 5!
WTFSteph- I love your style...even the first one was awesome.
DanielC- Wow it just got better and better...
Wiggers - Holy Crap Dude...That is an awesome, awesome piece of art. Definite High 5...Infact high 5 times 2.
If i missed you sorry ...

Have a fantastic weekend everyone...Try my best to get mine in before end of sunday...Being in South africa has its advantages... Being 9 hours ahead of the states for 1 :D

[SephyCloneNo15]

Worked a little more. I decided to use Steve Buscemi as my facial model and age him like 30 years. I'm trying to figure out what he'll be wearing, and that's about that.

I wish I'd had time to try and work on some other characters, since I love all Batman's rogues soooooooo much.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/TonyS37/scarfaceWIPb.jpg

[Rachel Pierce]

I just realized from the finals thread that I mistook Pseudocognition's pic earlier for Poshspice's and vice versa, I apologise to both artists for the mistake and I hope they can forgive me for forgetting my reading glasses. :S

corrected

Pseudo - Love your version of Harley, very original with the biker jacket mini skirt combo. Ivy looks very glam too. amazing work.

Posh - Your Harley looks thoroughly wicked and exactly how i imagine her in persona, I adore your skill in perspective in expressions, i dream of being half as good.

[Kian]

Heres my final. I went for MrFreeze, Poison Ivy and the sexiest villian in history, Catwoman.
And if anyones interested, I thought I'd attach the fullres version too.
http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/7333/darkknightvilliansfullip1.jpg

I wrote some stuff for em too:

Poison Ivy
Pamela Lillian Isley was a promising student studying plant biology at University, during which time she became politically radicalised into an extreme environmental activist movement. The further she fell into the philosophies of the group, the more she believed that humans were simply a virus on mother nature. This led her to her calling: to systematically and via any means neccessary, bring down the human population. She became a sole terrorist and uses nature's own poisonous spores to calmly and cleanly wipe out the masses.

Mr Freeze
Victor Fries worked for the US goverment's experimental sciences division developing military technologies. His personal and most praised work was his research into land sub-temperature warfare which cooled the blood of a soldier whilst maintaining superior performance. However whilst on the prototype mission in Siberia, Fries was betrayed by his closest colleagues who stole his formula to be sold to the Russian military. They left him for dead. In a last ditch effort to survive, he took every last drop of the formula he could. It lowered his body temperature beyond freezing. Any warmth would kill him. He scavenged for parts, built an aluminium heatsink, and grafted it onto his chest whos function was to suck heat straight out of his heart. He remains twisted, and desires nothing but destruction of the powers that did this to him.

Catwoman
Selina Kyle was one of the worlds most popular haute couture models who was seen on Bruce Wayne's arm on many occasions. She loved the high life and all the perks that came with it. However on one night, Selina was harrassed by hundreds of paprazzi hoping to get a shot of her drunk whilst leaving her favourite bar. Disorentated, Selina ran as fast as she could away from the crazed photographers, straight into arms of Victor Zsazs. She fought as hard as she could, but Zsazs' knife cut her face many times. Her bodyguards found her and the coward Zsazs got away before he had the chance to kill her. Her life however, was ruined. Facially scarred, she lost everything. Desperate for her lost riches, she became a theif of Gotham's most prized possessions.