C.O.W. #133: Giant Canopy Grazer

[yoitisi]

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/images/cow/cow.jpg

For more infos and details about the rules go here:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=110879


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Round #133

Topic:
Giant Canopy Grazer

Deadline:
Friday, 20 February 2009



note: The deadline won't be EXACTLY after a week...it can last up to 24 hours more, i am human and have to work also, you know ;)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


How to post

In this thread you can post all wips, questions, comments etc
However if you are done with your entry, post the final image in the following thread.

THREAD FOR FINAL ENTRIES (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=150209)

READ THE INFO IN THE 1ST POST OF THE FINALS THREAD TO SEE HOW TO POST YOUR FINAL IMAGE!!!

591175

[yoitisi]

ADDITIONAL INFO

1. It's feet do not touch the ground!

2. No individual/character!!! Make a concept of a species!

[darkly]

Sounds fun! Going to try coming up with something, if chow doesn't take up all my time. :yayca:

[dwinbotp]

sounds interesting, no more additional info yoitisi? :) Might join when work time allows:)

[Mr--Jack]

Alright, missed the last one (to my dismay), Definitely have to get in on this!

[Green-eyed demon]

There is only one thing.... the 18 february is a wednesday.. so is it for wednesday 18 or friday 20 ? Exept that i'll try too finish this on in time for next week :D !

[TimM]

I think I'll really take my time with this one, I'm doing some thumbnails now. Try and get a good composition.

[yoitisi]

FAST ART: Although doing your name justice might seem like something to be proud of, posting this early usually means you did not put a lot of work in either thinking the concept out or rendering it. Right now, I'm leaning towards rejecting your piece from poll for being off-topic. There's three words in the topic, and although there's something to say about it being a giant, your interpretation of 'grazer' is rather vague and I totally miss the 'canopy' part here. Since there's enough time left, I suggest you work it out a little better.

[TRog]

Little sketch of the giant canopy grazer. Not related to the aerial cephalopods though.

[Michael Jaecks]

I love it when people start with those sorts of Rorschach thumbs, Nexus. That's great process stuff. Looking forward to the final.

[meganite]

Man, I already have a creature that's kind of like that.. but maybe I could make a different related species.. one that is for trees, not for grasslands. Could be interesting. We'll see if I have time for this besides my assignments >_<

[LacrymØsa]

--UPDATE--
Just layed down some quick colours, bit of a play with what im trying to get...i figure more natural colours will aid the creature in camouflage.
-----------
Just something I quickly drew up on break at work. I call it a Canopy Worm; grazes..and so forth. It has spit glands on the front of its face to 'shoot' away and defend its face from birds and things in the tree tops. The spikes at the ends of it tail help ground it to the tree as well as defend it from the floor dwelling creatures.

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/7619/canopyworm2kc1.jpg
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6640/canopyworm3lz8.jpg

[DefiledVisions]

Are we limited to grazing on land, or can I draw some huge underwater creature grazing canopies of algee forests?

[Hive_minD]

can the creature graze on what lies on the ground? -without it´s feet touching the ground ? :)

[LacrymØsa]

i hope not to be rude...but a canopy is a canopy. it aint on the ground.

[yoitisi]

DefiledVisions: As long as you come up with a viable and clear interpretation for 'canopy', I'm fine with it. However, it is up to you to convey this in your image (don't rely on the text for conveying your interpretation of 'canopy', it won't work).

Hive Mind: I have to agree with LacrymOsa here, it's grazing the canopy, not the ground. Go ahead if you want, but I might leave it out of the poll if it's off topic.

[Hive_minD]

I know what a canopy is, but I guess I was over interpreting the topic ;)

[meganite]

Here's a couple of WIPs. The idea is that he lives in some giant trees with huge limbs that he swings around on. Sort of gorilla-like, maybe King Kong like, since it's supposed to be "giant." This species is definitely giant for their family.

594959 594958

Y'all think he should have a long tail or a short tail? I'm probably going to make his head smaller and give him some sort of mane.

And for some crits:
Nexus, your creature is looking very human/demon-like in his upper body. I wouldn't peg him for a grazer, he looks more like a predator to me, especially with those forward-facing eyes well shielded from the sun by large eyebrows. Not to mention the huge fangs.
Lacrymosa, interesting concept, plus it doesn't have legs to touch the ground... how does it get to another tree if the one it's on dies? Or does it die with the tree? Or does he live in the forests where the trees are so densely packed all he has to do is slither? I'm imagining some kind of really gross wormy texture for him, with all that white color there. Could be really cool =)
Trog, I laughed when I saw that bulbous cartoony shape sitting on top of the tree, just eating the entire thing and the tree is about to fall over. "Nom nom nom!" Good start, though it's really hard to tell any details about the creature at this point. Keep working on it! I'm also wondering how it would not fall off the tree.

[Sperling]

hey, I'd just like to clarify something really quick, so I can start going through my thumbnails- its called a 'Giant Canopy Feeder'. So, is it an herbivore that feeds off the canopy itself, or is the canopy the environment in which it feeds, and it eats other organisms that live in the canopy? Just curious as to how much freedom we have with interpretation...

[darkly]

sperling: "Giant Canopy Grazer." So my assumption is, more than likely, this would mean herbivore. and anybody else interested, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grazer :pump: .

Here's my sketch. I think I'm going to stick with this concept, although I'm somewhat concerned it's a bit to "slothy." Going to try to make it more unique in the painting stage.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/795/giantcanopygrazersketchqg0.jpg

[yoitisi]

Sperling: What darkly said, the topic is 'grazer'. If you come up with a viable interpretation for that you're okay, but mostly it means herbivor yes.

[dwinbotp]

Here's an initial sketch of my grazer, it's a snake monkey, it needs constant sunlight to keep itself alive, it can hide once in awhile under shadows but definitely would be fatal for it to be underneath the giant canopies, hence it won't land on the ground for these reasons. c&c are welcome, great looking stuff so far from everyone:)

[LacrymØsa]

sperling: "Giant Canopy Grazer." So my assumption is, more than likely, this would mean herbivore. and anybody else interested, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grazer :pump: .

Here's my sketch. I think I'm going to stick with this concept, although I'm somewhat concerned it's a bit to "slothy." Going to try to make it more unique in the painting stage.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/795/giantcanopygrazersketchqg0.jpg
:sungod: I'm liking this. But(hopefully not speaking out of place)..before you start laying down colour, I would fix his leg - the one on our left. It looks small and shrivelled compared to his other one. It should be slightly larger I think to match the perspective/or to keep in line with the theme, "shrivel" the other leg, because he probably doesnt have much need for his legs when he never sets foot on the ground. Looks like all his strength is in those arms anyway.

[darkly]

LacrymØsa: Yeah thanks, it does look a little funny. Hate to say it, but perspective (exaggerated, or not) is something that can give me trouble.

[Wiggers]

darkly that's aswesome, love it!!

[LacrymØsa]

Darkly: It still is a cool creature design ;)

[FAST ART]

yoitisi: sorry for my too fast and euphoric reaction of this all. u were right i don´t really think about the concept and just began to painting around like a madman. i will do a new concept. i hope you excuse me :P

[yoitisi]

FAST ART: Hehe as long as it's born out of enthusiasm that's okay :) There should be plenty of time to come up with an improved concept.

[Mr.Wittmann]

heres my early sketch of my creature :)

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/7218/gcgyz6.jpg

c&c are welcome

[riotorange]

Is there any sort of e-mail alert for when new COWs are posted? i can't seem to get with the pace here with all the activities and im always 3 days before deadline just getting to read what the new one is, never getting to finish one.
better memory..faster hands.. its like i can't have either ever.

[Wacky Wackowski]

so i noticed the 'feet not touching the ground' thing after i created a design i liked. technically, the feet on my idea don't touch the ground, but i just wanted to check to see if it will still work or if it was meant that 'it doesn't move along the ground'. please let me know if this works or not.

i started with the top design then i kinda flipped it :D
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii113/wackywackowski/canopy-concepts.jpg

[yoitisi]

Wacky Wackowski: The 'feet do not touch the ground' means that it does not walk around on the ground while grazing the treetops, like giraffes do for example.

[Wacky Wackowski]

soooo... back on the ground also does not work?

[yoitisi]

Wacky Wackowski: Hm I'd allow that, people might find it a bit off-topic in the poll though. That's your own responsibility though ;)

[fersteger]

Cool topic, here's a quick attempt, hopefully I'll be able to finish it some more, not even sure if it's technically grazing on the canopy, but it sticks it head out of it lol.

[LORD M]

Quick doodle, I think I'll go with this concept. :)

Feets are not touching ground! Woop woop! :steph: (I hope it doesn't break the rules.)

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/8878/canopygrazerdy6.jpg

[Sperling]

eek, that looks like a... painful... way to eat... XD

[LORD M]

Hahaha, yeah Sperling. I have to think out a way how they can manage doing that without recieving too much damage (neck and jaw would disintegrate probably). :P

[LacrymØsa]

fersteger - your creature looks ginormous! :P how is it that its feet do not touch the ground being that large? and why is it feeding on the local bird life. By definition, grazers are herbivores. I still love your creature though, it looks fun!

[grenogs]

Hahaha, yeah Sperling. I have to think out a way how they can manage doing that without recieving too much damage (neck and jaw would disintegrate probably). :P

since a canapy usualy has more than one tree , i would supose it wouldn't be such a problem, it would be no different than stage diving, so as long as your trees aren't capable of moving around suddenly to make a large gap in the canapy then there should be no worries :) i think your biggest worry is how to stop branches stick up your creatures nose or into its eyes

[fersteger]

Lacrymosa, yeah I dunno lol, I read the brief and it struck me at lunch, maybe I can make it work at lunch tomorrow, maybe the trees are 2000 ft high, gotta show that somehow hmmm, and the birds are made out of leaves lol.

[LacrymØsa]

Lacrymosa, yeah I dunno lol, I read the brief and it struck me at lunch, maybe I can make it work at lunch tomorrow, maybe the trees are 2000 ft high, gotta show that somehow hmmm, and the birds are made out of leaves lol.

lol the birds are made of leaves :P

[Mr--Jack]

okay! I've missed a couple, but here we go.

Wacky Wackowski; I really like the design of the first sketch of yours, it's very cute :D if you can get something like that to work with the feet-not-touching-the-ground it'd be very cool..

Nexus; Really Really liking the style of this, what with the curling horns and lovely tentacles. Only thing I might say is it seems very much sort of deity-like so more like an individual than an animal as part of a species, but... very cool nonetheless.

fersteger; lovely quick sketch, even if it's touching the ground and not grazing on the canopy . . . :D


So, going for . . . . maybe a bit obvious, not sure. Whale-sized thing, with 4 long highly maneuverable limbs ended with hands with 3 double-jointed fingers for easy grasping of branches. Much of the body cavity is given over to large sacs to collect the gases (including helium—special alien trees ftw) produced from the digestion of food and thus take some of the weight off both the limbs and the branches of the trees below.
The six little arms are constantly in motion plucking at branches and tips to continuously feed; the downward facing eyes and highly developed nostrils + smell organs assist in the selection of the most nutritious and healthy leaves and branches.

[LacrymØsa]

----update Page 1

[CAReece]

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/650/cow133wipjx6.jpg

my 1st COW
hands are just placeholders atm
:bashful:

[yoitisi]

Fersteger: Yeah you might want to come up with a more clear way of them 'grazing' the canopy, but other than that it's cool :)

Lord M: I think your concept is pretty hilarious. but you might want to get rid of the humanoid legs and replace them with something a little less humanoid. That's the only rule I think it's breaking right now, but other than that I'd say go for it :D

[Mara644]

hi everyone!

just joined ca and maybe it's a bit late (/soon?) to participate here, but the topic's pretty cool and i just wanted to give it a try.
there are some smashing beasts posted here. apart from the great sketch, i especially enjoyed Mr--Jack's concept/description since it's a display of a vivid imagination. i really like to read such characterisations because they're the foundation of a good concept.

i'm not sure if my idea does justice to the topic - it's a grazer after having grazed quite a lot... so not much of a canopy left here ;)
the feet/claws are still missing but i guess the concept is understandable.

http://lenalewerenz.gmxhome.de/conceptart/cow133canopy_wip.jpg

[SinnerMan]

OOh...AAhhh...sweeet stuff guys.
I'm gonna try my hand at some matte(-ish) painting for this one, got part of the background together and sketched up the beastie

hope I can finish eet

Good luck to everyone!

[Ironhead]

Great "Beast" MR. JACK. I like the shape of this beast. And how it walks over the trees. Move on! I like to see more.

[Mr.Wittmann]

im sry, i cant make it to friday, found out i had some plans so i cant finish, hope i have time for next week.
but i can still comment your art :D

SinnerMan - nice design of creature and very realistic (my fave)

Mara644 - different environment, like that.

CAReece - funny creature but doesnt look very "giant" ;)

Mr--Jack - it looks very heavy and doesnt have much arm/leg muscles to hold the weight, but like the white color matching the trees as some kind of camouflage :)

LORD M - your piece i very hilarius XD

fersteger - maybe too giant (looks loke it touches the ground) and it should eat leaves maybe? you could make it smaller and use the tongue to shoot some leaves :D

Nexus - nice design, like the texture of its skin :)

dwinbotp - like the idea with the sunlight but it doesnt look very giant to me, but nice idea ;)

darkly - funny design, but a little cartoonish to me :P

meganite - very nice design, cant wait to see it finished.

LacrymØsa - like the idea with the hear/spikes, reminds me of spiders.

TRog - brilliant creature XD but i cant see it moving around without touching the ground:P

[dwinbotp]

I made a boo boo! I actually thought the "giant" was being referred to the canopy trees ARGH! Now my monkey either needs to be spanked or grow ten stories taller, will think of something >_<" Thanks Mr.Wittman for your post and comment, wouldn't have known sooner:)

[SinnerMan]

Thanks Mr.Wittman :)
Looking good people!

Good luck everyone

[LacrymØsa]

thanks for the comments Witt. here's mine i didnt have the time to work on this with enthusiasm at all so i wont be submitting to finals. I didnt know what to do with spikes so ive left them untouched..maybe next round ill finish something.

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/183/canopyworm4hp6.jpg

[Evil_Sloth]

Here's mine. Have a few more things to do to it.

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1549/cowqz8.jpg

[LORD M]

Thanks a lot for your comments, grenogs, Mr.Wittmann and yoitisi. I'll fix the feet, thanks a lot! I'll maybe try and give it frog-like feets, for long jumping. :D I'll think I'll name it: The Canopy Diver (after how grenogs talked about stage diving, hope it is ok. :))

Just looked at the deadline, I forgott it was untill today. I don't think I'll make it, got the Norovirus right now hindering me. :(

[Nexus]

Well, this is it. I posted the image in Finals. But any crits would be great just as long as I can read them and make use of them before the end of today. Thanks.

[yoitisi]

This round will close in a few hours (4-6 hrs from time of posting) so make sure you've posted your finals before that!

[yoitisi]

This round is closed now, polls will be up soon.

Edit: Poll is up: C.O.W. #133: Giant Canopy Grazer - VOTING! (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=150209)