Chow 131 :: VOTING :: Stilgar

[S.C. Watson]

FINALS ONLY
-=ROUND 131=-
-= STILGAR =-

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http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii293/chowarchive/CHOW-LINES/CHOW-LINES-MEDUSA.jpg
NOT SURE ABOUT THE GUIDELINES? CLICK HERE! (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=117390)
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ROUND #131 :: STILGAR

DESCRIPTION
Stilgar Ben Fifraw (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stilgar)

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ACCEPTANCE TO POLL WILL BE BASED ON THREE CRITERIA:
1: DID THE ARTIST FOLLOW THE BRIEF? (allowance for creative takes will be made).
2: IS THE PIECE ARTISTICALLY SOUND? (Is the illustration "finished?" - did the artist pay attention to anatomy, perspective, other fundamentals?).
3: IS THIS ILLUSTRATION THE BEST ONE?

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SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY:
1: You must submit ONE full sized image.
2: Make sure your name and CHOW # are EASILY READABLE on your entry.
3: Use the Standard format (Below);

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i222/ChowPics/frame.jpg
:right: PLACE THE IMAGE IN A FRAME WITH YOUR NAME/TOPIC
:right: SAVE YOUR FILE IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT:
Chow##_Nickname
example: "CHOW#100_Oregano.jpg"

THE REST IS EASY:
1: No comments before poll is set. They WILL be deleted with utmost malice and petty grumbling.
2: Sit back and enjoy the show. BYOPC (Bring your own popcorn)
3: Good luck to all.

[S.C. Watson]

Please review these helpful reminders if you have not done so already.

:right:ON GETTING TO POLL (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1891823&postcount=15)
-------------------------
:right:NEW ROUND RULE: WIPS PLEASE! (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1910999&postcount=27)
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:right:SUBMISSION FORMAT REMINDER (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1911002&postcount=28)

[invinciblewombat]

wip: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1968519&postcount=38

[Relic]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/Reliczhi/ca/chow131_relic.jpg

WIPs
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/Reliczhi/ca/StilgarWIPs.jpg

[Vargo]

My take on the famous Fremen leader. A Link for my WIPs: http://www.davidvargo.com/Chow

[edujante]

http://edujante.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/chow_131edujante.jpg

[Verehin]

Stilgar

[Hideyoshi]

blah bleh

[Adi.]

heya all

ran outa time with this one.. but ill post what i got so far anyway.

[ashton]

http://studiopumpernickel.com/ash/2006-dailysketch/ashton-chow131-final.jpg
http://studiopumpernickel.com/ash/2006-dailysketch/ashton-chow131-wip.jpg
with a twist of urine.

[ArtAdonis]

Here's mine, good luck all.

http://www.artadonis.com/Uploads/CHOW/CHOW131_ArtAdonis.jpg

http://www.artadonis.com/Uploads/CHOW/CHOW131_ArtAdonis_wip.jpg

[MJ_Alcazar]

Here's my final, good luck everyone!
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk153/Seloh_Eft/chow131_mj_alcazar.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk153/Seloh_Eft/stilgarwip5.jpghttp://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk153/Seloh_Eft/scan0013-3.jpghttp://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk153/Seloh_Eft/stilgarwip4.jpghttp://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk153/Seloh_Eft/stilgarwip3.jpghttp://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk153/Seloh_Eft/stilgarwip-1.jpg

[Foofea]

okay here goes nothing....

I feel obliged to add an explanation now,
In this piece Stilgar is running along side a worm having just hooked under one of its plates. Once the hook has lifted the plate the worm will rotate keeping the exposed flesh away from the sand carrying Stilgar to the top.

[RosemaryDarling]

WIP1 (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=494933&stc=1&d=1224362490)
WIP2 (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=494945&d=1224364053)
Inspirations:
495730

And my final:
495729
Be gentle, this is my first CHOW!

[Daray]

495808

495809

[leuparaleu]

Great theme. Here's the final and WIPs.

495860

495856

[kpde3ign]

Here's my final... Good luck everyone!

[katinki]

mine is as finished as i'll get him till the deadline... - good luck everyone!

[Jeremy Hoffman]

zzzzzzzzzzz..............uhuhuuuuu..... hmmmm... almost asleep now...
Goodnight!:zzz: :zzz: :zzz:

[vineris]

Frustrating, but fun. As usual. :)

[Vorace]

He who controls the spice, controls the universe!

[Sforza]

Alright, here goes (couldn't tweak around as much as I would have liked, but incredible fun nonetheless). Love the desert guys ;)

[JakkaS]

I am big fan of Frank Herbert's Dune, so I couldn't resist to do something for this cool topic.

[skinny]

496316

[skorpi]

My final:

[Kan Muftić]

Stilgar, an old Fremen leader and a spice addict, summons the worms in a state of utter ecstasy.
Hope you guys like it,
Kan

[strybjorn]

"the desert hawk" - hope im in time

[gtgauvin]

OK, calling it done. Nice work, everyone.

[hungryan]

496396
496400
Here's my stuff, good luck everyone!

[DecayingLolita]

*twitch* :batgirl:

[DigitallyDumbfounded]

Ok. This has come a long way. :) But now it's done. :^^:
I guess I went a little "creative" on the environment but I thought of something like a petrified "forest".
My final:
496471

And the WIP'S and some inspiration:
496472

[Hiipi]

I ran out of time....
Not satisfied in any way, sorry duudes!

What I tried with this version was to get some speed and motion - tried to make it look like they had just taken a dive in to the dunes...
Unfortunately ran out of time to render details and such.
I am not too sure that the last one is even the best one.

But Daray, seems like you gave up on the race...?
Or is your Stilgar waiting for me already on the finish line?!?!?

Tschüss!

496806


And the process:

496707


Still editing, now the lovely frames... huhh.

[28thwing]

my final:

http://28thwing.com/ca/stilgar_sketch.jpg

http://28thwing.com/ca/stilgar_wip.jpg

[zenichi]

just in time. will add explanation WIP later... much later, like after sleep....
traditional medium
496619


496650496653

496655496661

496667496669

496673496675

[Twitchfinger]

This comp finally gave me the kick in the ass I needed to finally sit down and read Dune.

Nice work everyone!

[Whyto]

Phew.... Just made it by the skin of my teeth!

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/1724/chow131whytonn3.jpg

[cowboy surfer]

Very much trying to get away from the stereotype with this one... My brain knows what it wants but my skills cant keep up!

[NMEZero]

So this is my first CHOW entry...After lurking on CA.org for years I finally decided to join up.

I don't have much in the way of WIPS to show as I didn't really read that part of the rules before hand. But I am showing one of my initial thumbnails(Which I didn't use) and an earlier version of the painting.

I like some things in the earlier version better. The angle of his head mostly. It looks a bit more proud/intimidating, as I always pictured Stil to be. I got rid of the blueish stillsuit as I really felt it detracted rather than added to the piece. I also had his mask hanging on his chest and just decided to ditch it.

I wish it only took me as long as it looks like it did, but it really took me much longer.

Lots of good entries here. Good luck to you all.

[Larriva Art]

cutting it close.

496887
I went with the iconic red cape, too.
496886

[Marco Mazzoni]

Pardon the last minute entry, started this at luch today and finished it when I should have been doing real work ;)

[h2rra]

Mine has a harpoon-revolver :oneye:

[S.C. Watson]

No entries past this mark.

And a general reminder of no comments before poll. They *will* be deleted.

I'll post poll as soon as I can - still at work.

~Oreg.

[J]

Stilgar
496954

WIP's
496955
496956


OK I just saw your post Oregano. Man I just got the time zones mucked up. I'll understand if this gets cut though.

[S.C. Watson]

OK I just saw your post Oregano. Man I just got the time zones mucked up. I'll understand if this gets cut though.

I'll let it slip in this time.

ABSOLUTELY no more entries past this post.

~Oreg.

[S.C. Watson]

GENERAL NOTES:
Just a reminder about WIPs (edujante) and the naming convention (Hiipi). Had the round been over 50 entries, (and it almost was) you both would have been cut.

~Oreg.

[UCT]

I voted for Vorace & Jakkas, I am a fan of both their approaches to digital painting.

Vorace - brilliant pencil and development with colouring, more subtle than previous and more polished with textures. Really great epic feeling to the image, backgrounds really do add dynamics to your often energentic figures.

Jakkas - its just ace, the character is billiantly drawn and conveys a firm weight and structure. Its easy to draw figures with good proportion your techniques are spot on. Great costume design that seems to predate the 1984 film, stylish.


Adi - your final is brilliant, very clean lines and good finishing. I really like your style. Infact , OREG could you throw a vote on Adi's from me, seems I voted too quickly. Cheers.

really good stuff from everyone. same time next week..?

[ArtAdonis]

A lot of excellent entries! I had to vote for a whole bunch cause I liked so many! If I had to choose an order of my votes it would be as follows.

TwitchFinger - Winner for me, you pipped the 1st place cause I like the dark costume, red cloak and pale face that seems to draw me in. Large moon in the BG adds a lot aswell, excellent work!

Marco Mazzoni - Great action and I like the composition as it bring Stilgar really close to view so as to see all the nice details, The texture to the worm is great too! I think yours didn't appeal as much as TwitchFingers because I couldn't see his face so I didn't feel as connected to the character, that probably sounds dumb! :)

Jakkas - Great mood and top painting. Not two sure why I put TwitchFinger and Marco Mazzoni ahead of you but I think their entries had a little more energy to them. It was all so close I had to pick something to drop you down on! Love your stuff.

Vorace - I like your style and the wip's were great to look at. I dig all the details you've added which has me looking all over at the nice details. Stilagrs neck seems to be short or missing, just a small thing that keeps registering with me when I look at it. Great work though.

Edujante - You made me laugh so for that I have to give a vote. Your style stands out compared to the rest so I have to give you kudos for that too. I'm a fan.

Hippi - Love this but I think Stilgar is too far away, you got great skills!

Katinki - A nice blend of desert and futuristic costume elements.

h2rra - Great take on the theme and good choice of colours and costume. I think you might have went too far away from the original design which is why I marked you lower.

J90 - Interesting design, you would of featured higher if Stilgar was in some sort of environment.(Not that I put much of an environment in mine!Lol)

Oh and I'm new here. I have Lurked for a long time, and recently started to enter a few weeklys. It is so inspirational to work alongside all of the highly motivated people on these threads! So hello all. :) :) :)

[Foofea]

I had to be REALLY picky on this or I'd hae voted for the majority!
SO votes to
Twitchfinger - wow, beautifully drawn I love the style and depth to the picture!
Marcomazzoni - love the style of the work and it captures the moment well.
DecayingLolita - You used Gigar as a reference and his style is echoed in your work and I really love the composition.
Hiipi - Though I prefered one of the other compositions in your WIPs it still held that moment and its beautifully exicuted


and I got a vote - yay - thank you to that person!

[Hideyoshi]

Holy CHOW, this round was dope!
Marco, you totally nailed it! Placing a character into a defining scene always induces most life into a character I think.

JakkaS, Twitchfinger, Vorace - all very nicely painted!
I liked the designs on strybjorn and Adi!
Nods to Chupacabra, Katinki, Vampire (actually could have voted for you guys, too, but I didn't want to toss out too many votes...) and, well, everyone!

[Jazz]

Though I only watched a LITTLE of Dune, and don't know any of the characters, I was totally intrigued by the challenge!! I love how everyone interpreted Stilgar. :D

Anyway, I actually would've picked more folks, but man, I was pickin' EVERYONE...I took a breath, narrowed it down (slightly...geez! XD). I was especially excited with the scenes of him in movement...and/or the awesome clothes!!

Hideyoshi: I love the orange, it sure brings out the heat of the desert! His attire looks spectacular, I can see the great efforts you put in the details! I like how he looks like he's getting ready to fight/chase something big, but he also looks like he's been doing a little fighting already! Foreshortening of arms and hands...looks awkward to do!! I never know what looks correct, but I like how one arm is clearly in the distance!

Hungryan: I think I like the composition of this. The "Well, look over there..." type of glare he has amuses me! I like what you have him wearing, too! I also like the weapon. The windy atmosphere and that worm storming out of the sands, it all livens up the piece. :D

J 90: I like the clothes and painterly style! I also love that angle...Stilgar looks so commanding!!

Verehin: (I like your name...ahem!! ) Another one that looks more than ready for battle...I LOVE the colours you use!! It gives a more serious and ominous mood to the setting! Who knows what might happen. @_@ Again, I see amazing clothes on him!! I love how you made the folds and tattered parts!! Totally rugged and armed... Oh!! And I noticed the small patterns and textures you incorporated. REALLY well placed!

Twitchfinger: That attire creeps me out! It looks almost like it's one with him! I think that's awesome, though!! O_O Looks like he can really move in that, and that he's not afraid to face the unknown! :D

Katinki: I'm starting to sink lower in my seat. You and so many others with the clothes!! Grief!! I like the deep reds you've incorporated. They mix well with the warm desert!

Marco Mazzoni: Yours is a definitely favourite for movement!! I think I'd be feeling worm-sick up there, myself!! The height and the "air" seem dizzying. @_o Whoo!! Cooool textures, and I can really "feel" the worm's exterior and even the harshness of wind whipping against Stilgar!

Foofea: Again, I liked the movement! In your case, the shading looks flat, but I feel that gravity as he runs, so THAT density got my vote!

VampireHungerStrike: Great pulling!! That's strength right there!! I think his strength and the sun-illuminated fabrics, jewels and surfaces got me hooked! Interesting that the worm also looks like some odd cobble road! A really twisted one, mind you! Love that bending leg. :D

DecayingLolita: I love the scary worm!! Though I wish I could see Stilgar closer, I like how seeing that close-range of the warm VS that fading distance of its tail!! Nice details on the body, too!! I like Stilgar's cape, very lovely folds!!

Jeremy Hoffman: That...frightens me and makes me laugh!! I love your spin on Stilgar's situation!!! Why do I feel like the worm would have some smart-aleck thing to say?? XD I'm weirded out by Stilgar's face, but hee hee!! Love that expression!! Nice 'n' unique!!

Whyto: I do believe it's the lighting I like about this!! The yellows and oranges give it a mood...I can't explain, but it's solemn and almost contemplative. Even Stilgar has that expression somehow!! I really can't explain. Beautiful work! :D

----

Sorry in advance, I'm just saying my interpretations of what you did! I sure don't know the intentions. :3 So many others that I would've picked, too!! This was an awesome challenge!!

[MJ_Alcazar]

Guys, I just have to say. Awesome round this week, I felt you all pushed yourselves hard! I was voting for everyone and I finally had to stop myself. I feel really honored to have made finals with such great entries.

I would have voted for all lot more. Finally I came up with some (admittedly weird) criteria. I don't think I voted for anyone with reins for one, just because there was no reins although, Marco Mazzoni - yours was amazing! It really stood out, and I saw that after I came up with the criteria and almost went back. SO HARD!!!!

VOTED:

Daray - I loved the style, and he seemed really well done.

Gfgauvin - I thought you had a really well planned out piece and I loved how you went that little extra and really got into referencing. And I liked the blue. Great work

Edujante - yours brought a smile to my face, and for that it deserved a vote.

ArtAdonis - I loved your different look.

Katinki - I really like the colors you used. The stillsuit design was awesome, a really great blending of old and new.

Twitchfinger - yours really just drew me in. Wonderful color scheme and he just seems like a leader.

Maxim Verehin - He looks like a leader, and he looks like someone whos seen battle and is afraid of nothing. I think you captured not only the Fremen attitude, but Stilgar's as well. Great work.

Hungryan - I like the stillsuit design and the mood of the piece.

Hideyoshi - Great work, I like how he seems to be ready to take all comers.

There were so many others I would have voted for, as I have said. Great work everyone! I really enjoyed your works.

[NMEZero]

Lots of good entries in this one. There are just some things that I don't agree with about some of the designs.

I voted for Jakkas, Katinki, and Twitchfinger

Why:
Jakkas- Awesome painting' Colors work because I see him as being underground in one of the large water basins the Fremen keep. He does look more like a nobleman than a rough and rugged Fremen leader, but I can forgive that.

Katinki- Original design, Intimidating glare. I think your background could have used more work. It could look more like flowing dunes or sand than packed earth.

Twitchfinger- Another awesome painting, and since it's a dusk light painting the colors absolutely work. Your background works being rock and all because I picture him being in a Sietch. I did like the position/size of his head, and flow in the curve of his back in your initial sketch better than what you ended up with.

Reasons I did not vote for other pieces that were good include:
Armor or exoskeletons DO NOT FIT AS STILLSUITS!! GAH!! I'm so mad about this!! Seriously, look to the source material.
Color schemes that do not fit Dune.
Reigns on Sandworms just don't fit the lore and would do no good.
Lack of a stillsuit when out on open dunes

Note: I almost gave Marco a vote despite some of these indescrepencies because his piece is awesome, but couldn't bring myself to do it. He's getting plenty of votes anyways.

Vorace Awesome piece as well, just couldn't go for the fact he has armor on his legs.

Vargo i like your bold bold color choices, but it looks like his head just got chopped off.

Hiipi Nice color choices, cool action shot, I like your character design and stance better in earlier WIPs.

ArtAdonis i like the tribal paint, I think your rendering could have been more complete especially in the legs. And the hair bugged.

J90- Nice painting. Looks like a Harkonnen especially all the armor. Imagine how that stuff would shine from a distance in the desert.

Other than that, if I didn't think your piece was up to a certain quality standard in character proportions, rendering, or whatnot, and may have included some of the above discrepencies, I also did not vote for it.

So in my cointinuing efforts to improve my own artwork, I'm curious as to what people dislike about my piece.

[J]

What a round. Amazing stuff. Too much to comment on.
I limited myself to three votes, which made a tough decision but here they are:
Katinki - Well rendered, great colours, there is a real feeling in the painting. I feel like this could be Stilgar. Nice use of the arabian theme to emphasise the desert etc.
JAKKAS - I really liked this one. Different setting to the others. The caves where the fremen live. The colour works really well and the accessories look cool.
MacroMazzoni - This was my favorite. I think this was a level above everyone else's, it has that X-factor that I struggle to achieve. Great feeling of movement. Really sets the scene and suits the character. Great job. I think this one just goes to show that you don't have to spend much time to get a great piece. Well done.

On a side note I would have really liked to see more people coming up with new concepts on the "still suit" and not just copying the one from the movie.

Others I liked:
Hiipi - I thought you had something really cool going on in your WIP's. I have to say that your first and fourth one had that X-factor and it just got lost in your final.
Twitchfinger - you came a very close fourth. For me it came down to the still suit. It would have been cool to see something added, or changed to give it a mark of difference. That's just my opinion. I really liked the feeling, colour, and value in your piece.

J

[RosemaryDarling]

Can anyone offer a crit of my entry? It's my first time, and I think mine may be a bit unremarkable. I tried to stay away from the movie and modeled my suit on the bubbles in seaweed. :)

[MJ_Alcazar]

Ok, since a couple people have mentioned it. I'm going to really try to crit everyone I didn't get in the first.

Here we go!

Hiipi - I didn't vote for yours because of the reins issue. I thought the colors were amazing and I liked the action shot. Looking at it now, those actually are probably hooks and I just wasn't paying attention last night. Sorry about that.

J_90 - Yours looked great and I did like the concept. However, the shiny metal and the fact it would glint for miles, and that it doesn't look like he can move his head very well did it in.

NMEZero - His left arm is bent awkwardly, and it just bothered me when I was looking at it. Also, the colors are a bit muddy.

h2rra - beautiful work. However, he doesn't look very fremen like to me. He would lose water fast with the clothes he has on. Also, I do believe that fremen didn't use guns. They were more hand to hand combatants.

WHYTO - I loved your piece and the colors were awesome. His head though could use some work. It looks too rounded or something. Can't quite put my finger on it.

RosemaryDarling - I really liked your piece, and the aboriginal (sp?) pose was great. However, I think it could have used a few more colors and maybe some more darks. That could just be personal taste.

invincible wombat - The cloak he's wearing looks painted on him, instead of being worn by him. Good work on his face.

VampireHungerStrike - the only reason I didn't vote for this was the reins issue. Other than that I thought it was great.

Relic - Everytime I see his left arm, I immediately think, "He's wearing a jet pack." Then, I realize that it's lights. That's my only real complaint anyway.

zenechi - I liked the design, but the colors looked really muddy and it made the whole piece seam dirty and unclear. Although, if they are in the desert, maybe everything would be unclear? :) Good job working with limited resources.

Decaying Lolita - wonderful work, but I don't think they'd be riding that close to the head and the hook doesn't look well planted.

Jeremy Hoffman -Great work. However, my first thought was, "why is Stilgar being eaten?" I know you were probably going for a more comic approach. But, it just didn't work for me. Great work though and I really like your style.

Leporaleu - I think I just butchered your name and I apologize. He seemed more of a commander of the Harkonnen or something. He just didn't give off that fremen feel. Wonderful work though.

Adi - Seemed more future space pilot instead of fremen.

Cowboy surfer - he doesn't look like he's wearing anything substantial enough to be a stillsuit. There's also the glinting from a distance problem.

strybjrn - It looks like he's wearing something he should be wearing underwater. Especially because of how heavy it looks.

Digitally Dumbfounded - Great work, I think his left leg could have been less shiny because it looked a little like it was coming forward, but the bottom of it is definitely going back.

Vorace - awesome piece, very dramatic! The colors are great, everything is just great. My only problem was that the fremen were sinewy from lack of water and he looks like he has some muscles.

KPD3IGN - The top of his head threw me off, because he's all ready for the desert and then he has the top of his head open to the elements.

Vineris - I liked the green against the red, it didn't seem so jarring, very natural for some reason. However, I think you could have added some more dark to it. He seems very flat.

skinny - the foreshortening on the arms could use some work. Also, he looks like he's floating. And he seems more like a monk with body armor than a fremen.

28thWing - Yours finally showed up! All through the contest week, I kept seeing your name pop up, but nothing showed up on my screen. And today, FINALLY, it shows up!!! Great work by the way, I like your stillsuit design. Yours would have been one I voted for.

Jakkas - yours just showed up also. I would definitely have voted for it, great work.

Skorpi - I think he could be bracing himself more. Right now it looks like he's just standing there and poking something at the ground.

Sforza - The left leg could use some more work. Other than that, I thought it looked great. Keep it up!

Chupacabra - he seemed like some kind of Shaman, instead of leader of the fremen.

Ashton - I think he could have used just a little more color and dark areas to provide some contrast. And, I can't tell if his face is blue or his eyes are glowing.

I really hope I got everyone, I keep having to come back and add.

[NMEZero]

Can anyone offer a crit of my entry? It's my first time, and I think mine may be a bit unremarkable. I tried to stay away from the movie and modeled my suit on the bubbles in seaweed. :)

Overall I liked your suit design. I liked the fact that it really reads as a still suit while not following the convention of the movie, and not adding a bunch of armor or metal,so good job on that. I also like the colors you used.
I think more work could have been put into the coloring side of it and maybe some reflected light on his back side would have been a nice addition.

The main things that threw meabout this piece were:
His stance, I just don't get it. Why's he doing that? I mean I saw it in your reference pic, but it doesn't fit the character and looks a bit feminine. Which isn't helped by the fact it looks like he could almost be carrying on "A" cup in his chest piece because of the small point of the silhouette and the shapes in the suit design.
I'm iffy on his weapon too. Even if it was a intended to be a worm hook, it feels more like a fighting pike of some sort.
His face also doesn't strike me right. Like his nose is pointed in a different direction the major plain of his face. More to the side. And his eyes are off. His right too close to his nose, his left too far maybe. ALso I'm not sure if that's a shadow under his nose and lower lip, or hair...
Hopefully not too rough and it helps. BTW, I almost gave you a vote just because I liked your suit design so much.

[katinki]

ok, i'll try to give comments to all - here is the first batch (more tomorrow):



invinciblewombat: i like your chara and design. simple as that. nothing that is loud and pops but simple and working.

relic: somehow makes me think of lawrence of arabia. the hose's functionality isn't clear to me, looks rather like a breathing mask than something with water.

vargo: i like your colourscheme. his pose is awkward and the head doesn't seem to be conneceted with the body. cool simple stillsuit.

edjudante: ha ha ha!

verehin: your's stood out, i like that you took a rougher route for him!

hideyoshi: colours are super yummi! the char looks a bit young and inexperienced for stilgar imho.

adi.: just not a stillsuit.

ashton: nice! something star wars-y about it. he looks very pasted on the background.

artadonis: i like the tribalistic elements you included! and the handgun is cool!

mj alcazar: i like your fantastical clothing design! he has too less character to me, i can't tell much about the person inside the suit by looking at him.

foofea: nice sense of movement! the suit is very similar to the film ones.

rosemarydarling: intersting pose and suit. are those decorations or water hoses? a bit more work on the face would have given him more character.

daray: he has a very cool youthful attitude! kind of young-stillgar. you could try to mess with lineweight more if you include linework.

leuparaleu: he has a very noble attitude! and i think your the only one who made him black. the front leg could have used more work.

kpde3ign: don't understand why you made someone in the desert bald.

jeremy hoffman: that's a loud piece! those pink lips really throw me off, they make him very female.

vineris: very technical. i just cant cotton up for green on arakis.

vorace: instant favourite. i would have voted for your sketches alone but the colour version is even cooler! the front leg/food could have used more work.

sforza: i like your colours. the suit looks very armour-like.

jakkaS: your stilgar is great! i like his attitude! and the colour of the stillsuit reflects it's functionality nicely!

skinny: why has he got no legs?

skorpi: looks very much like a youthfull hero. i like what you did with the cape(s)!

chupacabra: half naked in the desert? don't know i don't get stilgar vibes from your piece... but beautifully painted!

strybjorn: i think your approach on the stillsuit is one of the more interesting and original ones in this round.

gtgauvin: i like the chara design, but i don't understand what's going on with the turquise colour scheme. and i miss a sense of movement, he seems rather frozen.

hungryan: interesting ideas. the general level of detail is too high imho.

decaying lolita: too much focus on the worm, too less on the character.

digitallydumbfolded: i still prefer the brighter wip version... but the suit is cool! and i llike how you frame him with the cape!

hiipi: painting-wise very cool! the suit is too scifi soldier-like imho. and the knees presssed together make him seem very uncomfortable.

28thwing: his stance is awkward and why would one wear a bright blue cape hiding in the desert? but the suit is interesting!

zenichi: good to see real medium in chow! he seems to topple over to the left.

twitchfinger: makes me think of a knight! stern face, simple yet functional suit, iconic moon - great! are the feet a tad small?

[cowboy surfer]

My votes:

Marco Marzoni - Great mood, good design, my fav.
Jakkas - Particularly like the moustache.
Adi - Very out there but a good re-design.

I must admit to becoming somewhat disillusioned round here of late. It is my understanding that the point of these chow challenges is to recreate a professional situation for us to practise.
It is becoming more and more commonplace for people to produce a (admitedly excellent at times) rendition of whatever the popular stereotype of the character might be, and everyone votes for them.
Now please dont think that I am trying to take away from the tallented artwork that allways humbles my poor efforts but (using this round as an example) I cant get away from the thought that if you presented to the new Dune film franchise art director a (beautiful) render of the 1984 dune characters, you woould be unlikely in the extreme to get the job and probably deemed unprofessional for providing a copy not a concept.
I really admire the few of you who do try to re-invent these established characters, but in the main it is just the same old being presented for votes... and then the best render of the same old winning.
If the artist who originally concepted these things relied on the established versions we would never be blown away by their new visions.
I really admire the tallent in these halls, I just find myself wishing that both the people who vote and the people who enter would remember the point of 'concept art' and its not just illustration, it is 'new' ideas as well.
Here's to 'new visions and awesome artwork'!

[Foofea]

I have to agree with Cowboy Surfer -
I know mine follows the style of the film and series - but I tried to follow the description in the books.
I thought the point of this was as CS says - as if someone gives you brief and you have a week to produce something.

I feel that some have had votes purely for the piece not for fulfilling the brief

oh well - theres always the next round

[vineris]

Thanks to everyone who's making time to crit. :) It's frustrating to make the same mistakes over and over and not be able to catch them.

I'd better make myself useful too.

I voted for Hideyoshi, katinki, MarcoMazzoni, ArtAdonis, Sforza, Vargo, edujante, gtgauvin, hiipi

Daray - almost voted for this. Good design, but in the end it was a bit too flat and the lines too basic.
DigitallyDumbfounded - the attitude seemed too hesitant and the rendering a bit on the blobby side.
Hideyoshi - seemed on the young side but the execution was great.
Hungryman - I liked the suit design but the face seemed kind-of crude and unformed.
J90 - another almost-vote. Seemed awfully bulky for Stilgar.
Maxim Verehin - the colours were too dull, and the character design seemed kinda bulky and generic. Nothing particularly wrong, but nothing that stood out.
Twitchfinger - another almost-vote. Nice design, nice rendering, but nothing new.
h2rra - no stillsuit, not Stilgar
katinki - nicely done.
kpde3ign - form wasn't well-defined, the rendering needed more work.
Skorpi - nice colours. The design wasn't anything really different and the renderign could have been better.
MarcoMazzoni - despite the reins, you win the Internet.
ArtAdonis - Also nice. Dull colours but enough different touches to make it memorable.
Chupacabra - Interesting? But not Stilgar.
JazzW - good on you for trying a more active pose, but it didn't look quite right to me.
Sforza - almost didn't vote for it, but the lighting was so good.
VampireHungerStrike - almost voted, but the colours seemed too much.
Vorace - interesting design, but a bit too much
Invinciblewombat - the face didn't really do much for me, and apart from the face there isn't a whole lot to the design because it's so dark and simple.
mystery entry - really nicely done, I think I'd have voted for this if I didn't have an aversion to mustaches.
skinny - keep working on it. Next time more reference, better rendering.
vineris - you're a total hack. Get outta here.
zenichi - good going for adverse conditions. A little more colour would have been good.
DecayingLolita - kinda grim and undefined. A big improvement from the sketch, though.
Vargo - I liked it.
Adi - lovely design, completely impractical for hiding in the desert.
Nmezero - another almost-vote. If it had been a little less like the movie, I'd have gone for it.
Ashton - interesting design.
cowboysurfer - I liked the blue (even though it also is completely impractical...) but the face/body seemed kinda crudely done.
28thwing - almost voted for it. It needed something more, but I'm not sure what.
strybjorn - too heavy, the helmet thing made him look like an anime character
RosemaryDarling - pretty good design. Too flat -- needed better rendering and more confident line art.
Jeremy Hoffman - interesting, but not much to the suit design.
leuparaleu - kinda stiff pose and face.
MJ Alcazar - pretty good design, you're definitely getting better. I think the pencil-crayon rendering needed to be smoother and the purple shadows didn't really work here.
Relic - too much cloth made him seem too much like a generic desert-man, rendering could have been better
Whyto - I liked the rocks. I think the figure had some anatomy problems. He seemed to have an awful lot of heavy leg on him, and the face seems too far forward.
edujante - you are brilliant. Can I be you when I grow up?
gtgauvin - you need a more readable font, you were almost gfgaouin. Almost didn't vote, but the pose was great and the design pretty decent. The lighting was just weird, though.
Hiipi - no crits, good stuff.

[Larriva Art]

I can't even remember who I voted for 'cause there were so many great entries. Great quality all around.

Cowboy surfer: I understand where you're coming from. However, the lore of Dune is very much established, so it's understandable that the designs might be similar to the original movie(which in my opinion, got it right). Say the topic was Superman; very few would consider extremely original concepts for actual implementation.

[ArtAdonis]

Cowboy Surfer you've made an excellent point. I made no effort whatsoever to really psuh the design. In my only defence right now, artistically I am trying to find a technique to my work, so I am sort of obsessed with what makes art really great. For this CHOW I focused on pushing my painting rather than concept. However in my nextentry I promise I will push the concept side. I'm not trying to get everyone to follow my lead here I think sometimes people are pushed for time and can't fit in heavy concepting sessions. Most will have a couple of hours here and there to just dive straight in and meet the deadline!

[PixelFish]

Voted for Marcos piece, but I'm disappointed that I don't see the in progress shots in this thread. Alas, because I learn a lot from the in progress shots. I liked the sense of action, the palette, the hints of texture, without being too noodly.

Because I'm an idiot, I didn't see that we could vote for multiple entries.

Twitchfinger came close and would have got my second place vote with a nice piece that is simple and works really well.

Edujante made me grin, as usual.

[DigitallyDumbfounded]

Ok. I'll most likely forget someone I voted for. :x

But, definitly:Marcomazzoni
and: Twitchfinger.

Both just great. :) Though I think twitchfinger really captured the character, well the way I picture him anyway, wich is personal preference. ;P

Vampirehungerstrike: I really like this! Yeah, no real crit.

But unfortunately there where plenty pieces that I find pretty wholesome.

SO, also jakkas: Again, I find the character impressive and expressive. :blah:

And I also voted for DecayingLolita: I really like the overall feel of this and the worm is scary.

Ah, and I forgot Whyto: I really like the pose and vivid colors. The worm seems a bit slim in the middle though. :)

Thanks to everyone who critted all the pieces!!

Cowboysurfer: I agree with your post mostly. Although on this subject and the Sherlock and Watson ones there was already this "dilemma" since you couldn't really come up with a super different design. So, the illustration I think supports the character? If that makes sense. I mean, on Stilgar the actual characteristics and oh dear, the general "feeling" or theme of dune is I think what's supposed to work. (I failed on that, btw.). So, ultimately my votes go to those pictures that could transport that the most for me.

[kpde3ign]

KPD3IGN - The top of his head threw me off, because he's all ready for the desert and then he has the top of his head open to the elements.


Yeah, in retrospect I probably should have added some hair, but if you are talking about the elements, is it really so different than a character with just exposed hair? I suppose he'd get sunburned, but I can't really think of much else :)

Oh, and I guess that's where it shows how I didn't go all the way with this drawing - there's a bit of a hood showing, but it's probably hard to make out.

Thanks for the comments!

[MJ_Alcazar]

kpde3ign - true, very true. I think it's just because my eyes were immediately drawn there. Thank you for pointing that out to me, I'll think about that on future drawings.

[Daray]

Daray - almost voted for this. Good design, but in the end it was a bit too flat and the lines too basic.

Oh dear, you dont want to see the rest of my work then, its all like that, well Im confused on the lines thing. I acutally use 4 different sets of lines, maybe it wasn't so clear in this round. Any chance of explaining it to me? :D Cheers for the crit :)

[katinki]

comments on the entries i missed yesterday (i hope i included everyone now):



whyto: i like the layered look and the colour scheme. the rushed worm brings the piece down imho.

cowboy surfer: interesting idea and daring colours. i agree and disagree with your post. i think chow shouldn't only be about pushing your character's design as far as possible (which i should try harder for sure!) but also to stay within the given world, staying true to the describtion of the planet, people and character. and in this world the design should make sense. that's why i dislike all those overly scify technical stillsuit designs - how would the fremen attain the necessary parts? and within that line of thought i ask myself what sense does your choice of bright blue for a people hiding in the desert make? but in the end you are right - we should be more daring!

NMEZero: i like the painterly feel of your piece and the way you echo the blue of the eyes in serveral small parts. the suit design is a bit on the traditional side imho. and perhaps the ribcage is on the small side.

vampirehungerstrike: certainly a lot of power!

marco mazzoni: i can only echo what already has been said - great piece! i love how much character you establish within an action shot! great colours, great mood!

h2rra: i don't get dune vibes from your design... no stillsuit at all. but otherwise a nice design!

J_90: interesting design for sure and i dig your thubnails! but the final design is too armour-like for a stillsuit imho.

[h2rra]

Thanks for the comments and votes guys. Yep, I should have done more research and reading, missed the concept.

I'll try to give some crits later.

[Foofea]

Daray - on the opposite side of things - I liked the simplicity of the design - it says so much with so few lines ( that sounds harsh but its a good thing!)

You made you character clear and crisp - it was detailed and well coloured - it may be flat but it isn't a 3D - jump out of the page style of drawing.

I actually applaud you for taking this stance!

Here's a can of worms and a tin opener ;)

[zenichi]

cant remember who i've voted, but criteria were simple, shouted stilgar to me, again stereotype might be at work, pass movies and popular media might have influenced, even cover art. but lean mean, commanding person, generally someone that is more tan than fare, wont flash his sacred knife unnecessarily, exhume an aura of leader.

invinciblewombat: nomadic quality realized. too well groomed?

Relic : more like dessert bandit...

Vargo : great stands, example of a more meaningful flashing of knife!

edujante : alternative take. texture of stilsuit is great, but reminds too much of movie. please share other doodles before this take!

Verehin : my favourite! embodies all the quality of stilgar and more!

Hideyoshi : only crit is probably the exploration of pose and stands, the pole hand at the back and the free arm in front seems to be a more logical battle ready stands, although impede walking :)

Adi : great suit design, look like apic from factory catalogue worn by any model for fremen to choose, stand/ pose, skin colour, not stilgar by any measure

shton : refreshing suit, more loose than tight fitting, sexton also good, stand could be more commanding, package could be more tightly fitted so wont impede movement or combat. otherwise will look more like a scout than a commander on battle field

ArtAdonis : great take! only crit maybe the facial texture could reflect better the numerous war paint, battle scars perhaps?

MJ_Alcazar : next entry you might wanna do away with environment or setting for time being, and maybe try values and shadow. you're almost there!

Foofea : careful with explanation, will be scrutinized more closely based on that. the soft or sensitive flesh supposedly exposed by the maker's hook was not illustrated. apart from that, pose reference is a must if anatomy is a big issue, take a photo of yourself,just look at another entry with similar pose as yours: gtgauvin! need more effort in the research :P

RosemaryDarling: great reference material, too bad you didnt follow thru, the similar, nomadic traits of aboriginal people are very similar to fremen, the aboriginal's evolution to counter the hostile dessert environment of aussy outback could have easily been transported to a novel interpretation of the fremen, they could have evolved together with other gadgets etc to form a new "stilsuit", a symbiosis with the dessert's harsh envi rather than depending entirely on "external" skin to do the job, the aboriginal's face also look more stilgar than the one you rendered. poor choice of weapon design, but the web/ net like texture on your suit is nice. you let it slipped thru this time, it would have been a more compelling concept!

Daray : nothing to add :P

leuparaleu : reminds me more of crusade than jihad, only crit would be to remove the robe...

kpde3ign : suit design could be a tighter fit, bald head could also be covered, head looses most body heat to environment, especially icy cold dessert night.

katinki: great arabic theme suit, only thing missing is a more penetrative stare...

Jeremy Hoffman : great story, giving a lot more to the character than a lot of entries, only crit would be colgate perfect teeth, when lips are stained, and moisturized face. could have been paul!

vineris : great colour reference for the environment! crit might be any solder donning a clearly defined suit design, same with a lot of other entries that focus too much on suit than the character itself, a larger rendering of the face would improve it!

Vorace : shut up and voted. only crit would be too much middle-age fat, or water fat?

Sforza : pose needs refining, the stands doesnt not reflect the proud facial expression of the fremen leader, suit design needs to be better defined, the helmet is refreshing thou!

JakkaS : with your rendering skill, expect more treatment to the face tone, still too snow white for me liking, but that just me. really love the blue glowy lines, great continuation from the eye's blue glow, would be a great suit design, as if the suit are partially "powered" by the spice!

skinny : design intend is there, just better rendering (line work) and use of reference materials for anatomy, textile etc, reference material can improve a lot of works.

skorpi : enjoying the robe design!!! thanks

Chupacabra : wow, alternative take, yeah, premonition and hallucination are very much part of the dune universe! wish the vision would be more psychedelic (kidding), like the sarong, a minimal suit (when in private quaters) would have been help to paint the character as stilgar and not some qwizact haderac wanna be.

strybjorn : to me, best suit design!

gtgauvin: great research, great choice of colour sheme, the muslim consider green as holy colour, wish the pose can be more "expressive", use the photo as reference, but with "pen" you can exaggerate! or take a photo of yourself next to a speeding train and you're trying to reach for it!!! (kidding, please dont do it to the shinkansen!!)

hungryan; now we have spanish inquisitor fremen, kidding mate, your suit design is my second favourite!!!

DecayingLolita : gigerish, only wish you would do a stilgar that is gigerish!!! hmm... might do that for the alia CHOW, imagine the blotting babies and species sketches! lets give it a go!

DigitallyDumbfounded : great entry, liking the suit, but wished you'd use the rock reference for your background instead of the worm carcasses? stand or stride could be more commanding, at the moment too timid for a leader, but then again, he could be using the dessert walking technique :P

Hiipi : actually like the 4th thumb most, but maybe he rides the worm differently that defines this silhouette as stilgar?

28thwing: planting the thumper? would have expecting a more ritualistic stand, i hope he's not using it as a walking stick....

zenichi: mundane, the use of shaihulud's skin, bones etc to fashion the stilsuit did not get thru. too much angst in stand, too much warrior and not enough leader. inconsistent value. please add on the list!

Twitchfinger glad someone or something kick your ass! thanks for the mouth watering piece! volume of leadership in your character!!

will edit and add others later cheers

edit:
Whyto: anatomy of the head suggest it should be more recessed

cowboy surfer: sometimes innovate can be as compelling as create. fully appreciate your endeavor to try an "different" approach, you just need to go thru a more rigorous thinking process and rationalization process to make it work, the blue tint could be the infusion of fremen blood (with glow in the dark blue, again popular media's influence) with the translucent suit, you dont need to be "different" to be different :P, hope that make sense

NMEZero: the stride is there, worm in the background is going to burrow back into the dessert after being mounted for ages, stilgar looking a bit cocky and relax for he's done the rides thousands of times...

VampireHungerStrike: speed digital paint, something different from you? expected more from you :P

Marco Mazzoni: prime example of nice use of reference, in this case hasbro's ironman figuring? nothing to crit... just vote!

h2rra: resources are scarce... but not too ragged for a master of a seitch as well as commander of army... revolver a bit weird and makes the character like some sort of scavenger, pick up odd bits and pieces from pass conquest (or raids?) :) bare footed? or evolved thick leg skin to better travel the distance of a dessert planet?

J_90: actually like the silhouette more, the completed rendering seems to suggest too much armour, the stilsuit wasn't designed originally as compact suit, but life sustaining machines that works with the body, modification can be add-on for the army leader. the proud stands is great! but maybe a bit more compassion like Twitchfinge's entry would suggest leadership for the people of a seitch!

cheers and look forward to alia's entries everyone!!!

[Daray]

lol Zenichi... :P