C.O.W. #141 Porous Exo-Skeleton -- WIPs posting thread

[Michael Jaecks]

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


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Round #141

Topic:
Porous Exo-Skeleton!

Creature Description: Porous Exo-Skeleton!-- Design a new creature that is exo-skeletal (like insects, lobsters, etc)... the exo-skeletal surface should have a VISIBLY porous (sponge, swiss cheese) texture. Make it interesting. Think about seeing the critter both inside and out at the same time....

Deadline:
Friday, 1 May 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 ;)
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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=156417)

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

[Jerik]

this looks really challenging.... i just might not contribute to this one :/
we'll see then

[Michael Jaecks]

Oh c'mon now. This is easily the coolest and easiest idea for a creature I have come up with yet. ;)

Given that you can paint in layers in Photoshop, the different ways you could work this topic should be completely obvious. ;)

Good luck to all!

[scorge]

Piece of (six layered) cake. Good one MJ.:D

[Lege1]

I didn't make the last cow apparently cause there has been alot going on in my life. Preparing to go back to the tattoo business here for bread and butter, but I look forward to still making the time to working on these awesome topics.

[AmbientSounds]

awesome, I'm hoping that I'll have time to participate in this one! XD We'll see how homework looks next week, finals are soon. Even if I don't, GOOD LUCK all! =)

[Mushroom168]

This is a very quick sketch of one of my ideas. Basically the main shell part of the creature is porous and similar to pummice, so it floats. Therefore it feeds on any water animals that swim around close to the surface. Any crits at this stage are welcome, whether they are on the creatures structure or how it fits with the topic

[Michael Jaecks]

Bouancy is an interesting concept... but remember to push your design. It doesn't need to be a lobster with a sponge-like back... create something new that has a porous exo-skeleton. :)

[Pixie Trick]

A thought. Either mouths/tongue things (like clams) out the holes, or a way to secure air for buoyancy.

Edit: just realized that is already had a mouth....duhhhh. Anywhooo...

655708

[barrymcw]

Hey gang,
First time C.O.W.'er here. Been watching for a while but work's prevented me from playing along. Crossing my fingers that (while staying employed) I'll be able to spend more time on "extra-curriculars."

Anyways, here's a quick notebook sketch that I'll be taking digital for my next posting. I'm imagining these guys as pretty large - a big snail-like shell with long, lobster/crab-like legs protruding from the bottom. Probably three legs but may go with 4 for symmetry. The holes in the exoskeleton are for big, bulbous air sacs that the creature inflates, lifting if off the ground - maybe to get away from prey, maybe to migrate/cross rivers/etc.

For the one on the right I started to think a little bit about a face. Right now it's just one eye and a jaw. That needs work as does the scale of the air sacs. I think that "realistically" they should be much larger but I don't want to just draw a "balloon animal."

Hoping to update tomorrow. Cheers.

[dwinbotp]

here's my rough, please tell me Mr. Jaecks if it's too humanoid under the humanoid rule and i'll promtply do something else, it's just this exo-skeleton thing keeps whipping my mind back to a "terminator Salvation" thingy in my head LOL. thanks! :)

btw, the porous exo-skeleton in my concept is actually porous rock, so it's a rock creature if it passes your guideline:)

[Droid]

Wow, cool theme MJ!

I'm busy with my folio deadlines, both needed finished next week, so I wont enter this week.

Nice theme though, pretty challenging...
heck, if I have 10mins I'll do some sketches, but I cant spend alot of time.

;)

[Crowsrock]

WIP

I try some arthropode type creature, land based, equipped to rip into herds of grasing animals and feasting on the remains of those it has hit.

[Korovyov]

interestingly enough, insects actually do have holes in their exoskeletons, called spiracles, that they breathe through.
here is some info on the insect respiratory system for those who are interested.
http://insects.about.com/od/morphology/ss/internalanatomy_5.htm

[Pic]

First real attempt at photoshop, feel like i'm drowning! Anyway, here is a WIP.

"As the Reeffish ages it collects debris from the seabed to cover its rapidly expanding body, secretions from the tissue coat and glue the particles together to create a semi-rigid translucent exoskeleton.
Slow moving and silent, growth is encouraged on its outer surface, until eventually it supports an entire ecosystem on it's back, using it for further protection and as a food source, the waste matter from the environment falling onto its porous nutrient absorbing exoskeleton.
Large gill sacks circulate the water as so the Reefish doesn't suffocate from lack of oxygenated water. Unfortunately they are prone to invasion from parasitic plants and are slowly dying out."

[waynedavis1977]

My first post here - been lurking for a while.

I'm thinking this creature would be an oceanic bottom dweller - it has
holes in it's carapace with fleshy extensions that mimic the surrounding
seaweed. The smaller holes around the bottom edges allow the creature
to expel water out when the mouth is open, creating a vacuum effect
to draw in fish.

I'm planning on painting in photoshop - should be interesting as I have
never done it before.

[Michael Jaecks]

Interesting starts, guys. Interesting riffs on texture. Looking forward to seeing where this progresses.... its maybe a little too early for deep crits...

dwinbotp: It's hard to say from a sketch this loose, but if it's veering into 'maybe too humanoid' in your own mind, maybe the finished product you're imagining will be... I dunno... Remember that a lot of times what makes something too humanoid is not the fact that something walks on two legs with its head held up... its a matter of proportion and center of gravity... we're back to the gorilla vs. guy-in-a-gorilla suit example. Hunching the shoulders over, giving it a lot of mass through the thorax, shorter legs and longer heavier arms goes a long way into to pushing something from 'too humanoid' to 'creature'.

[kisou]

the cheesier bug, tasty:)

[lkjhgfdsa]

wip...

[Reymus]

plant/crustacean hybrid...maybe.

[Hexxon]

did this like 15 min be gentle :android:
may add some mechanical sci fi w.e elements :)
oh and this is a WIP!

[3mMajster]

Hi guys, this is my first COW, and also mine first post here. :)
I recently started to paint in photoshop, and I'm still learning. Anyway here it is, it's not finished, there are more details to come. :)
http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu248/trimmajster/Chernobyl-spider-LOW.jpg

[Pic]

I'm liking your style lkjhgfdsa, and 3mMajster that's looking pretty good to me considering your new at photoshop!

Snarfevs has already posted his in the finished thread. I'm envious of quick and talented people.

[sketchius]

Here's my initial pencil sketch. I'm going for a plated dinosaur-looking thing. I'm not sure if I emphasized the porousness of the plates enough. Maybe I'll try to add some more in Photoshop.

657570

[3mMajster]

Thanks Pic, there are some more details to come, I hope it will be done today. :)
Exellent job everyone, can't wait to see final work!!! :)

[Pixie Trick]

Some more wips. The shell covers the delicate gill material and body of the critter, while allowing fresh water to the gills. I'm having issues deciding on a colour for the shell. Ideas?

658279

658280 658281

[Pic]

Pixietrick-
I would say maybe have his shells contrast with the colours of his foodsource, and his foodsources colour more suited to the environment.
So maybe the reddy-orangey-yellow spectrum for his shell, and the foodsource bluey-greeny.

I think too bright colours would overpower the piece though, for the shells main colour base anyway.

[Mushroom168]

Pixie Trick: when i look at that creature, i imagine the 'skin/flesh' of it to be a maroony colour and the shells to be dark orange bordering on red. Looks awesome by the way..

[Mushroom168]

As I've said before, I can't draw on the computer very well. I've done another sketch using flash, but I don't think I'll be posting in the finals. Sorry about the size of the last one. This one is a follow on from my previous one. I just want to see what you guys think

[scorge]

Interesting ideas so far guys.

Did these this afternoon. Need to pick one. Any suggestions?

[Mushroom168]

scorge: i really like the tall one, i don't know why though. and i want to know the concept for the blue one

[Nils_Carstens]

i thought i throw in a lunchbreak scribble, eventhough it looks like i won't find time for something polished.

:geekg:

Nils~

[Pic]

scorge: The tall one does it for me too!

Updating my WIP, just to show i haven't fallen out.

[Pixie Trick]

Mehhh.... I like the tail a lot, but I am having such issues with the shell that I'm fairly sure I shall explode. I think I'm inventing light sources but how to get the front lighted??? ... gahhhhh. Arm bits still need adjusting, so many issues... And advice at all is much appreciated.

659125

My attempts at some crits/thanks:

Pic: Thanks for the suggestion. Why did you change yours to a brown-ish bg?!?!?! I think is looked much better before. I like how you've added the water hilight wave things on the bottom though. They would be on the creature too.

Mushroom168: Thank you for the suggestion as well. Like Michael Jaecks said, push the design even more. It still says lobster to me.

Scorge: On first glance I would pick the tall one, however, the more I look at them, the less I think so. I think the blue would be my final opinion. It does look a little unbalanced currently, but that's fixable. The other one just looks a bit too randomly put together for my taste, and the tall has very little pouricity (hehe made a new word :P).

Nils_Carstens: To me, it verging on humanoid, but a very nice sketch. Also a bit mech....

[scorge]

Thanks for the advice guys. Love the feedback, really helps.

PixieTrick: I did a little paint over for you, hope you don't mind. The hardest thing about your lighting is the fact that the main source is back light. If you darken the values in the front of this guy, then use what you can to provide a a secondary light source, you can bring out the face and make it more of the focal point. I also adjusted the angle of the arm. Looks a little more natural. Hope this helps. And thanks for the honest advice.

[lkjhgfdsa]

the critter absorbs helium from the atmosphere so as to float... farting to loose altitude?!

[barrymcw]

Whew! So I'm having a hell of a time finding time to work on this. Here's a super-quick update that I may, may be able to get into shape for Friday.

Some great work in the thread, looking forward to seeing more.

Cheers.

[Nils_Carstens]

pixie trick: thanks for the input!

i scribbled some more :drinkup:

Nils

[geronimo66]

Here is my WIP, I am thinking a giant swap turtle with solar collectors that reach above the tree cover to gather warming sunlight.

I can see it in my head, but my execution is poor!! Any help is greatly appreciated. This is only my 3rd try at digital painting, so I have a very steep learning curve here.

Thanks,

Chris

[Pic]

Nils_Carstens:
I prefer the first two, I'm liking the legs of the first one and the steam concept of the second...i also like the body shape of the first.

Pixie Trick:
I like the idea of the bioluminescent food for your secondary light source. Also i changed it to brown as i wanted to place it in a river setting, as it seemed more that kind of creature to me. Now two people prefer blue and two people prefer the new version! I've decided to stick to the new one though

lkjhgfdsa:
The green reflected lighting your got on your is beautiful, I like how you've added a sense of scale with the little man.

geronimo66: I like the solar powered concept! Think darker darks and lighter lights, your values are all middling which is making the creature appear flat. (I do that myself alot)


My COW Critique thread: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=156648

[rushwolf]

Ah scorge im loving those. Especially the big one on the bottom and the left side. Ugh I like how you use them colors. Looks natural yet sexy.

And I doubt I'ma enter this one. Unless I do a last minute entry tonight.

[Michael Jaecks]

Scorge, those are gorgeous just the way they are. Really fresh looking and polished, even for sketches. The third one seems the most developed, of course, but my eye keeps going back to the interesting design and color choices of number two.

lkhjgfdsa little makes me quite as happy as seeing green light with orange shadows. It's so otherworldly in its subtle way. Loverly....

The poll is coming soon, kids. Firday is the deadline which means a Saturday morning poll to go along with your corn pops and cartoons...

Looking forward to peoples finishes....

[scorge]

Aw shucks guys, you're just saying that.:bashful: I have to admit I've been slacking a bit on this one, not sure if I'll make it in time for the final, but I'll do my best.

lkjhgfdsa:Looking promising my friend!

[geronimo66]

I found some refs. that pushed me in a different direction, then added more to the solar crystal idea... I am liking the new direction much better.

I still need to darken the side a lot more, then punch the highlights out... more more more contrast. So far so good, I hope I can refine it to the level that's in me head!! ;)

Please crit, harshly is cool :) I need to build skills fast!! I start school in the fall.

Thanks!!

[Michael Jaecks]

All righty. Lets get those finals finalized.

I plan on setting up the poll Saturday morning around 10am Central Standard Time, US.

[rushwolf]

scorge - Finish it you bastard! Or Post em as is, they're exceptional.

[Keenir]

is it too late to enter?

if it is, no problem.

if not....

Mankind ventured to the stars, and found himself alone. There were worlds-aplenty with life...but none of it was even on par with dogs, much less with chimps or humanity.

In desperation for company, mankind began the process of UpLift. On the world Sa Phiragomas, they increased the size of the dog-sized Tripedi to deer-sized, and increased its brain mass.

...only to discover that the Tripedi were not truly trilateral creatures at all - they had evolved from a marine ancestor which stood on one jointed leg, using two more slender arms to grab food.

The process of UpLift revealed the disparity in how the ancestral one-leg differed in joining to the body from how the ancestral two-arms joined the body.

(the bottom image is of how the arm-sheaths look when stripped of under-flesh and over-velvet)

.~~.

Made for the ConceptArt.org challenge of a creature with a porous exoskeleton.

Well, that brought to mind what I'd read about how deer antlers are very porous because they have to feed the growing velvet that forms the antlers.

And one book on making aliens (Aliens And Alien Societies, by Ben Bova) suggested that, if velvet-covered aliens come to dominate on a world, it will be because neither normal exoskeletons nor bony endoskeletons are present to compete against them.


(I hate what my scanner does to drawn hair)