Chow 161 :: The CITY

[Aly Fell]

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

ROUND #161 :: The CITY

DESCRIPTION

The City

No it's not Environment of the week! ;) Thanks to Zaxser (http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1910752#post1910752) for this suggestion.

This week we want you to take a city, anywhere in the world, your own, or another, and visualise it as a character. Present a city as a human personality, male or female it’s up to you. If possible try to avoid national costumes, and instead imagine how the city would look as a person.

Zaxser’s suggestions:

London is crying. It's just one of those days.

Paris is such a tease.

New York is a huge .

People think of Miami as a party girl, but she keeps her secrets well with an abyss of hidden depths.

Tokyo is incredibly obese, writhing and feeding. No one knows where she ends and her sisters begin.

Some people say everything is bigger in Dallas. Some people lie.

Since the flood, New Orleans just hasn't been the same.

New Amsterdam is the normal one in the family. What's their problem?

People keep saying a character can be a plant, an animal, an object, a place. All it needs is personality. Prove it. Present a city as a character.

---------------------------------------------------------
DEADLINE
MONDAY, June 8th, 2009
Deadline is Monday, at 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5).
---------------------------------------------------------
: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).


POST YOUR FINALS IN THE FINALS THREAD!
Remember to include your nickname in the file name.

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. Daestwen and Poshspice will make the selection.
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)
-------------------------
:right:SUBMISSION FORMAT REMINDER (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1911002&postcount=28)



PLEASE REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR COPYRIGHT INFORMATION UNDER THE IMAGE IN THE FINAL BURNING THREAD SO I DON'T HAVE TO HUNT YOU DOWN LATER!

[Phuzion]

I love it!

~d

[bangalore_monkey]

thanks for using up all the good ones! :P

great idea, i'll have to do one of my home town.

[Aly Fell]

thanks for using up all the good ones! :P

great idea, i'll have to do one of my home town.

You can still use those ones, they were just suggestions. And there are no dibs on any particular city. More versions of any particular one the merrier! :)

[courtyard]

Oh. My. God. This is beyond exciting--thanks so much, Posh!

[S.C. Watson]

this should be fun :)

[Ghostbrush]

yeh this sounds great...again! could get quite personal with peoples different perceptions of places, should be some great characters! :yayca:

Alex

[Cosmitron]

Wow! that's a challenge! :)

[bangalore_monkey]

it's hard not to visualize a city as one of it's inhabitants. so much of a cities character comes from our view of it's people.

[darklogik]

This is going to be a fun challenge! Gonna be Great to see what comes out of this round, almost complete creative freedom. I think Im going to go more exaggerated cartoony Denver since I know most people are going to take the cool cities. Sports, Beer and drugs =P, ill stay away from the other evils of Denver, just too many of them LOL.

[trevor]

wow!
i think this may be one of the best topics ever in chow
crazy almost existential premise, i absolutely love it!
whether or not i will have time to do it on the other hand...sigh

[darklogik]

Thinking of going this route... or should I go more / less cartoonish? Let me know.

[clockworksnail]

LOL at Denver, i like it :) ive never bin, but i now want to go! :D

[Phuzion]

DARKLOGIK: I think you should have him getting PWNED by Kobe Bryant!! :P

[lkjhgfdsa]

Brisbane City- Australia... heh ha!
'hey mate, got a smoke?'
'hey mate, gota dollar?'
2headed, inbred, meth-head is what I'm thinking...
...not that there aren't pretty places in brisbane...
...without 2headed, inbred, meth-heads...

[Phaethon]

Extra points if your character is actually dressed as a city.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/01/01/realestate/01scapspan.jpg

:P

[NicHolS]

Brisbane City- Australia... heh ha!
'hey mate, got a smoke?'
'hey mate, gota dollar?'
2headed, inbred, meth-head is what I'm thinking...
...not that there aren't pretty places in brisbane...
...without 2headed, inbred, meth-heads...

haha wow you mustve met the wrong people while in brisbane... the only people ive met who said that are homeless people from the valley... and im pretty sure every city in the world has worse :P

made me laugh tho...

what a weird topic, hopefully i get time this week away from my color theory tutorials :( i really missed out on last weeks topic... bummer

[~baxter]

Very interesting topic. Thinking about going with the good ol Steel City, Pittsburgh. Lived there for 3 years and I'm starting to miss it a bit :P

[Gavage]

Clever idea for a topic!

I'm tempted to do Essex but I don't think enough people would 'get it'. >_>

[-HAWK-]

This is going to be the coolest CHOW, I'm totally psyched! :D

[Sulk-Sal]

Wow, this is so tempting...If I do this it will probably be Philadelphia PA or my home town of Johnstown PA. J-town would be a bit easier since I know more about it but it could be a good one too.

[DefiledVisions]

Oh damn.. This is so interesting.

[darklogik]

So many people pwn'in denver lately hard to choose LOL

[Max Martelli]

I'm liking this idea. I think I'm gonna have to go with Boston. Home sweet home.

[-HAWK-]

I think I'll try New Songdo City, it would be an interesting challenge for me and I thought I could maybe incorporate tech into the character's body as it's being developed as a ubiquitous city. Would that be ok?

[MichaelNoel]

Eh... So vague. D:

I guess I'll twirl a globe and see what I land on. :\

[Tommoy]

Teteringen has probably been taken so I'll go for Berlin.

[clockworksnail]

:P is that really how you see berlin???

[mojokingbee]

Nice challenge for this week...a little trickier but interesting nevertheless. Here's a super rough..Lady London...Lived there for a year and I got the impression of fast-paced modernity contradicted with old traditional values..lot's of old and new with a heaping serves of hip, arrogance and crankiness plus the lovely weather...I miss London.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/mojokingbee26/chow161_rough1.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/mojokingbee26/chow161_rough2.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/mojokingbee26/chow161_rough3.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/mojokingbee26/chow161_rough4.jpg

[Gavage]

First idea-

Prypiat (Ukrainian: При́п'ять, Pryp”jat’; Russian: При́пять, Pripjat’), or Pripyat, is an abandoned city in the zone of alienation in northern Ukraine, Kiev Oblast, near the border with Belarus. The city was founded in 1970 to house the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant workers, and was abandoned in 1986 following the Chernobyl disaster. Its population had been around 50,000 prior to the accident.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prypiat

I see 'her' as a cross between the cast of a Pompeii victim and rusting derelict industrial items sprouting weeds, frozen in a (hopefully) clearly 1980s sense of clothing (though I may opt for something a little more Soviet in style). Once lively and hot but now quarantined, alone and forgotten.

Bit of a downer... maybe I should have gone with Essex after all.

[ikuru]

Indeed a Kick ass subject!
CHOW is getting Better and Better these days! Thanks for running it so well Guys!

If I find the time, I'll go for Bankok.

[Aly Fell]

I feel myself strangely drawn toward New York, seeing as it's probably my favourite city. Although London is probably equal, favouriteness wise..! :)

[Ghostbrush]

ooo I dunno what to go for!

[AvisNocturna]

Well this is an interesting Topic. I'll probably go for Munich, as I'm living there (although its not my favourite city at all, ha!) But maybe I'll chose Hamburg... Need to think about it and look what you guys come up with! Looking pretty cool so far.

[Martheart]

Now this is an original topic! I'm gonna try Amsterdam, make her a little trashy on the one hand, but with a beautiful long dress symbolizing the colourful and rich (plus often overlooked) cultural history of this city.

[ArtbyWard]

Very good topic, it requires some thinking :)

I will go for Hiroshima. After visiting the city, it left a very powerful impression on me. I was impressed with the city being rebuild so quickly, and the plants that were growing again a year after the bomb inspiring people to move on with their lives.

I'm thinking about a woman with a half undressed kimono (with a phoenix pattern) showing her scarred back. But that is behind her as she is smiling now, holding a child or flowers.

[Cosmitron]

I'll give Paris a try. :)
Dirty, snob, speed, depressed yet charming, sensual, essential, festive. Young as a fresh partying teenager with the heart of a tired mother, Paris has the eyes plenty of lights.

(No, not Paris Hilton! Come on!)

[grenogs]

very interesting, hopefully ill have some time to join in on this, so far im thinking tel aviv or jerusalem, 2 great cities both full of contradictions and yet so very different to each other

[Droid]

Most interesting CHOW I've seen in a long time.

Challenging too though.

Perhaps New Orleans....or Glasgow.

Glasgow should be fun to draw.

We'll see what I can come up with.

;)

[¿Dubious?]

Interesting topic. Ive got some job searching to do but hopefully Ill have time to get in on this in between. If I may throw in a quick opinion though I like the topic but I think maybe a specific city may have been better. As it is it seems to me someone could perfectly capture the essence of, say, Amsterdam and I would have no idea if they had done it well at all having never been there. I guess posting a description of the city (no matter how well known it is) would solve this. In any case I like the topic thats just my opinion. Im thinking about doing Savannah G.A. or perhaps Boston. Probably the two cities Im most acquainted with.

[blackcherry]

This is an awesome idea for a topic! It should produce some really interesting characters :) Hopefully I'll have time to do this one.

I'm not sure what city I'd go for, maybe Paris or maybe Las Vegas but I don't know yet... I think I'll think on it and brainstorm ideas first.

[pahavasa]

Sweet topic, really interesting and fun!
We'll go for Helsinki, Finland's capital city. He likes to make others think he's really international and does serious business, but the truth is he's just another average hick you'll see.
The stuff coming out of his briefcase consist of items traditionally seen Finnish, but there's also modern technology and misconceptions foreigners usually have about Finland - for example that we have polar bears.

686649

[Wingedchime]

This is a great and inspiring topic! I have a lot of ideas and can't decide on the city - I hope I'll be able to complete it before deadline this time :)

[Claudio Grassi]

holy smokes! if this doesnt push out some creative juices I dont know what would @_@ Im eager to see what people come up with because Im drawing a total blank....hmmmmmmmmmm gotta go dust off the old thinking cap...Havent used it for years :P

[Clochette]

This is a beautiful idea, so good to not being so literal for once! :)

I chosed Sarajevo. As a strong and hurt woman tired of noise and war.

[Sketched]

This week topic rocks ! my first time participating.
Spent a bit of time in Tokyo so i think ill start there.
Cant wait to see every1 elses

[emerging]

First idea-

Prypiat (Ukrainian: При́п'ять, Pryp”jat’; Russian: При́пять, Pripjat’), or Pripyat, is an abandoned city in the zone of alienation in northern Ukraine, Kiev Oblast, near the border with Belarus. The city was founded in 1970 to house the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant workers, and was abandoned in 1986 following the Chernobyl disaster. Its population had been around 50,000 prior to the accident.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prypiat

I see 'her' as a cross between the cast of a Pompeii victim and rusting derelict industrial items sprouting weeds, frozen in a (hopefully) clearly 1980s sense of clothing (though I may opt for something a little more Soviet in style). Once lively and hot but now quarantined, alone and forgotten.

Bit of a downer... maybe I should have gone with Essex after all.

nice subject.. truly non banal.. im from ukraine originally so thumbs up! just watch out for your anatomy and also try not to include that text on her forehead.. i think it would be much better without it.. to hint its Chernobil, you could just use different less explicit signs on the character as well as background

[darklogik]

Think Im going to revise, mine, Not sure if the cartoon style is good enough to pad my portfolio and to push my abilities, creativity and skill.

Clochette - Absolutly beautiful, both skill and creativity, you've inspired me to push mine. ty

[Ghostbrush]

I think I going with Hiroshama, need to do some research tho to see if my idea fits

[emerging]

guys a question... so the city has to be recognizable without description? like that would be pretty damn hard to do you know.. like lets say that beautiful Sarajevo piece.. like i would never be able to tell if its Sarajevo.. but with the context of description it makes total sense to me... so just wondering how the works are going to be evaluated and if obvious recognition is a big plus or not? Im concerned also because such banal choices as London for instance are quite easy to portray if you compare them to some less known and less obvious cities..

[Reymus]

Istanbul, my hometown.

Not very Istanbul-y so far.....first thing I thought of was too big, too crowded, and old.

[Razorleaf]

I love this topic but my city is so damn diverse I am having a hard time narrowing it down to something I can put into a single character. :)

[Ghostbrush]

I am going for Hiroshima, trying to work some symbolism into the character, The long hair flowing into a shape reminiscent of the mushroom cloud is to represent the cities history, hair being almost a record of life, something that grows with a person like the city's history shapes its future, Hiroshima is a young girl, representing a new life, new hope and rebuilding, the light she is heading towards is the future, onward and upward, healing and growing. that make sense? hope so

here is my thumbnail so far


great CHOW topic btw, was a real mind bender at first but think this should be a super super round! :yayca: gets better every time

[kingkostas]

Hello all, very nice sketches :D!!!

I am coming from Edessa the city of waters(greece)
So my hero is something related :D Waterfalls born from his hands, fishlike armor and such :P

I hope i will find the time to finish it.No ref used.

See ya :D

[Ghostbrush]

yo update! :D

[Blueman]

I think it would be fun to do an Alaskan City, either Fairbanks or Anchorage. Since seasonal weather plays a huge role in the personality of the state, it might be fun to make two versions of the character, one representing the extreme cold and darkness during the winter, and the other representing the fleeting, bright, and vibrantly green summers.

[Viridis]

Awesome concept. I gotta do Chicago. :D My home city, and still my favorite.

Also an interesting piece by Neil Gaiman on the idea of cities as people:


Cities are not people. But, like people, cities have their own personalities: in some cases one city has many different personalities -- there are a dozen Londons, a crowd of different New Yorks.

A city is a collection of lives and buildings, and it has identity and personality. Cities exist in location, and in time.

[...]

Occasionally I idle time away by wondering what cities would be like, were they people. Manhattan is, in my head, fast-talking, untrusting, well-dressed but unshaven. London is huge and confused. Paris is elegant and attractive, older than she looks. San Francisco is crazy, but harmless, and very friendly.

It's a foolish game: cities aren't people.

Cities exist in location, and they exist in time. Cities accumulate their personalities as time goes by. Manhattan remembers when it was unfashionable farmland. Athens remembers the days when there were those who considered themselves Athenians. There are cities that remember being villages. Other cities -- currently bland, devoid of personality -- are prepared to wait until they have history. Few cities are proud: they know that it's all too often a happy accident, a mere geographical fluke that they exist at all -- a wide harbour, a mountain pass, the confluence of two rivers.

At present, cities stay where they are.

For now cities sleep.

[...]


Don't ever take a city for granted.

After all, it is bigger than you are; it is older; and it has learned how to wait...


Full article:
http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool_Stuff/Essays/Essays_By_Neil/SIMCITY

[Clochette]

Ghostbrush : You should use that awesome tree Ginkgo biloba (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginko_biloba), it's the first plant to have grown up after the radiations, and it's a symbol of hope, strongly associated to that city. Its leaves are very "graphic" you could use the shape of the leave for her clothes or something? I think it would give a clue of what city is it.

Extreme examples of the Ginkgo's tenacity may be seen in Hiroshima, Japan, where four trees growing between 1–2 km from the 1945 atom bomb explosion were among the few living things in the area to survive the blast (photos and details). While almost all other plants (and animals) in the area were destroyed, the ginkgos, though charred, survived and were soon healthy again. The trees are alive to this day.

I figured out that mine totally lacks of clues by the way, i'm gonna add things to make it clearer. :)

[Ghostbrush]

Clochette wow thank you, That is a very oddly shaped leaf indeed, Love it, can definitely work that in for sure :D

Gotta love these nice people on here, makes me smile

Alex

[Gavage]

nice subject.. truly non banal.. im from ukraine originally so thumbs up! just watch out for your anatomy and also try not to include that text on her forehead.. i think it would be much better without it.. to hint its Chernobil, you could just use different less explicit signs on the character as well as background

Thanks. :) I'm glad someone from Ukraine approves of it, I was a little paranoid the image might be seen as distastful. I'll be changing the pose and making the text a lot more subtle (printing it over the forehead is a bit too blatant, in retrospect).

[tron-one]

I am SO in on this one! I hope the turnout for this is just as good as the last CHOW.

[Chance.]

Mighty interesting city selections guys.

Mah hometown, Richmond Va, Usa

Old, living in the past, hung up on the civil war, indulging in all the southern comforts, artistic, elitist.

[bangalore_monkey]

that's a great concept chance, very nice.

[darklogik]

Having a hard time not making this feel more like an editorial satire of the city rather than just a character.

Denver - party/sports town where everyone drinks , Pots even legal (although Its still State illegal, so there for means nothing) But the underside is the Corporate greed, homelessness, drug traffic, major gang problem and one of the largest foreclosure markets in the country.

Give me your feed back, I may need to revisit this later this week.

[AhChu]

man another awesome topic...me thinking of Ibiza at the mo, should be able to work in some good motion and colours.....

[tron-one]

Here's my first WIP. I'm trying Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. I'm loving this topic. :painting:

[kingkostas]

Some more progress in my entry.
See ya all :D

[Vulgar`]

Great topic, looking forward to this one.

[NicHolS]

im so in for this one... and seeing as i spent all week distracted doing color theory tutes i will go with Chernobyl, Ukraine... will try and whip something together tonight for this :P cant wait to see what else people do!

adam

[NicHolS]

First idea-

Prypiat (Ukrainian: При́п'ять, Pryp”jat’; Russian: При́пять, Pripjat’), or Pripyat, is an abandoned city in the zone of alienation in northern Ukraine, Kiev Oblast, near the border with Belarus. The city was founded in 1970 to house the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant workers, and was abandoned in 1986 following the Chernobyl disaster. Its population had been around 50,000 prior to the accident.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prypiat

I see 'her' as a cross between the cast of a Pompeii victim and rusting derelict industrial items sprouting weeds, frozen in a (hopefully) clearly 1980s sense of clothing (though I may opt for something a little more Soviet in style). Once lively and hot but now quarantined, alone and forgotten.

Bit of a downer... maybe I should have gone with Essex after all.

shit, same city... err let me know if you change cos ive got some ideas im dying to try on this one...

and there i was thinking i was the only one thinking of Chernobyl lol

[PixelFish]

I'll probably chip in with a San Francisco, if I can find the time to do this. SF is my favouritest city evar.

[Aly Fell]

shit, same city... err let me know if you change cos ive got some ideas im dying to try on this one...

and there i was thinking i was the only one thinking of Chernobyl lol
Nichols - We're not doing dibs on cities. If you want to do one someone else is already doing that's fine. If a number of people lived in say, Paris and wanted to do their own city then there should be no reason why not. Missile and yourself will have very different impressions. :)

[bestow]

Some more progress in my entry.
See ya all :D

you could always use Kratos's fish suit from god of war 2 as a reference!!

http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/resources/2007/03/cod01.jpg

[Mr. P Show.]

Man this is a challenging one.

[emerging]

Nichols - We're not doing dibs on cities. If you want to do one someone else is already doing that's fine. If a number of people lived in say, Paris and wanted to do their own city then there should be no reason why not. Missile and yourself will have very different impressions. :)

i have a question that was ignored previously :( me so sad haha. but anyway... so the city has to be recognizable without description? like that would be pretty damn hard to do you know.. like lets say that beautiful Sarajevo piece.. like i would never be able to tell if its Sarajevo.. but with the context of description it makes total sense to me... so just wondering how the works are going to be evaluated and if obvious recognition is a big plus or not? Im concerned also because such banal choices as London for instance are quite easy to portray if you compare them to some less known and less obvious cities..

[Witha-K]

*raises hand* Can I play? ^_- Oh hai, so this will be my first submission. I’ve been a long time observer of the CHOW, envious of all the great talent here!

I saw the theme and instantly thought of “Chi City,” aka Chicago. So here is a first sketch of Wendy. (ps. If you got my reference to Wendy you rock!)

[Aly Fell]

i have a question that was ignored previously :( me so sad haha. but anyway... so the city has to be recognizable without description? like that would be pretty damn hard to do you know.. like lets say that beautiful Sarajevo piece.. like i would never be able to tell if its Sarajevo.. but with the context of description it makes total sense to me... so just wondering how the works are going to be evaluated and if obvious recognition is a big plus or not? Im concerned also because such banal choices as London for instance are quite easy to portray if you compare them to some less known and less obvious cities..

Well, it's fairly likely some cities will be harder to recognise than others. My personal opinion is obvious recognition isn't a big deal. This is a fairly interpretative brief, so artists will be using their own perspectives, which may be pretty obscure in some cases. What I hope people will judge on, as it is the public who vote, is imagination and design rather than literal representation or technique. But of course, that is ultimately out of anybody's control.

You are free to provide a description with your piece. In fact it could be helpful viewers.

[Gavage]

NicHolS: afraid I don't have any intention of changing it but like Posh said it doesn't matter if people do the same ones. Chernobyl and Pripyat are two different cities, too - Chernobyl is slightly smaller but a few people still live there, for example, and they both have a few key landmarks that could be worked into the images to make for very different pieces despite a similar theme. :)

[mojokingbee]

Still playing around getting the hang of the character...need to give her "lived-through" look despite her youth(she used to represent the power of Brit empire)? Think piss and vinegar, scrappy but not out...cunning, perhaps? need to accessorise her with subtle londony-stuff and get rid of the union jack--too punky. Go for a mish-mash of old and new fashion elements...I swear that city loves antiques and flea markets, no one seems to throw old stuff away....This isn't making much sense just yet..trying to think it through..lol. Also, this is my distorted view of her based from my experience there. I really hope I can colour this well..
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/mojokingbee26/chow161_rough7.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/mojokingbee26/chow161_rough6.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/mojokingbee26/chow161_rough5.jpg

[Muninn]

Woah, interesting topic! I really like this idea, very inspiring. Probable don't have enough time for this one tho :(. Good luck all. Saw some great sketches already!

[KonnA]

If I'm going to try, I'll be trying; Tokyo or Dubai.

Tokyo (to me) Is always awake and always tired, I feel it is an insomniac. I also feel, it has a lot of history but is like a teenager. Trying hopelessly do get some sleep, but all the features of itself keep it awake.

Dubai (to me) A younger male, business man with much to offer and much potential.

I'm unsure at the moment.

[~baxter]

Nice entries so far :)

First wip for my entry. Still messing around with it. Going with Steel City, Pittsburgh. Going for a hardy, industrial look, basing the look off of an old time steelworker.

[idoru]

Hopefully will finish this one, now fully equipped to do so. I'm doing Olympia! I haven't lived here very long but I think I can get it across.

[Ghostbrush]

trying to work my symbolisim into my character, going with Clochette's suggestion of the Ginkgo leaves (thanks again for the heads up on that Clo :D)

The city is Hiroshima btw

let me know what u think.

looking forward to seein more entries, this topic is the best I have seen :yayca:

[AhChu]

Alrighty then, here is a quick colour and pose thumb, hopefully I will still like it by tomorrow :) DJ IBIZA chicky partying on down on her holographic turntable

A killer start from people already...man....Ghostbrush, your pic is evolving really nicely I am eagerly awaiting to see what you choose to do with colour. Baxter you beginning rendering looks cool, abit more of a 3/4 view might make him abit more solid and sturdy

[Clochette]

Nice ideas everywhere guys! :)

Update on mine.. tried to add more stuff to make it more "Sarajevo"
Though I don't want it to be just a portrait of war and desctruction, i'd like the character to keep something of hope and strengh in it. Dunno dunno... :]

Hard time!

687286

[mojokingbee]

Nice one, Clochette. Nice, clean lines and I like her expression.
Another roughie from me..might as well take my time and develop the character. Mine's not too overly symbolic, just how I'm picturing the city if it were a person...I have a love/hate relationship with London.



http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/mojokingbee26/chow161_rough8.jpg

[Ghostbrush]

Clochette I think she does looks strong, almost motherly, I get a sense of elegance, this to me portrays a strong women despite the themes of war, also I really like the "quite" gesture, the hushing, really helps enforce what I said about motherly strength, I really think once u get some colour in there, these things will really come through.

[Aly Fell]

Clochette - Putting the finger to the lips is also the symbol of the sign of Harpocrates, or Horus, which is an hermetic symbol. The silent watcher, or god of silence. It seems rather apt for your impression of Sarajevo.

[Darkwolf]

I'm liking most of these, although lady london is a gas. Yeah, London is indeed a place of contradictions. Ah, well... with a bit of luck, my GFX card is back this week, so maybe I'll give this a go. Heh. Haverfordwest, prolly...

[Ghostbrush]

ok moving into some colour, not too sure where I going with it colour wise, looks kind of ethereal atm, any suggestions? obviously it aint finished yet, may well change a lot from this.

I do like these colours atm though


let me know ur thoughts

[Razorleaf]

Looking good GhostBrush ...

I chose Halifax, NS. It is a relatively young city but it is exposed to a lot of crime, killing, drugs, violence and poverty. Really when you think about it, it is in its enfancy when compared to other, older cities.

[hunchback]

woooo try this again xD

Im doin tokyo
so its like all corrupt and stuff, but its also one of the brightest places on earth and its a bloated city by the water. Thinking of making her (yes her!!)
more beatiful on the top then getting dirtyr and bloated towards bottom...
suggestions woould really kick asss!!!

[Cosmitron]

So here's a sketch of Paris :)
http://bolospoilerman.free.fr/Chow/Paris/Paris%2001.jpg

[Razorleaf]

Hunchback .... I like yous. Tokyo has a surface beauty covering up a cesspool of crime and corruption. I'd go with an innocent beautiful face but keep your idea that the more you uncover the worse it gets. :)

Mine, well .... mine has no spark. Its kinda dull and boring - any ideas.

[tron-one]

@Razorleaf - Personally, the explanation of what you want to do and what you have so far don't really sync up for me. Judging from your little synopsis on Halifax, I would've pictured a kid or a pre-teen. A child that's a product of a bad age or a good kid that's fallen to bad influences. First thing I think of are child soldiers. Make her younger, if it helps. I'd probably choose a different pose to something that invites the addition of more details that'd give a visual description of the character.

[Carnifex]

razorleaf - perhaps go with a teenager growing up on the streets? joint in mouth,knife in hand?
cosmitron and clochette - no fair! you're already winning!

[courtyard]

Well, I tried to escape her, but Las Vegas, my off-and-on hometown for the past 20-ish years, kept sucking me in for this project. I really hope I can pull this off, because I think this is one of the best ChoW topics yet...

Las Vegas is the largest city in the US to be founded in the 20th century, so I see her as a precocious child playing dress-up. She's wearing all of the eclectic gaudiness that's plastered across this city's exterior--a cocktail of Venice, Paris, New York, Rome, and ancient Egypt, among other things. But she's ephemeral--as soon as you think you have an idea of what this city's all about, she'll detonate that part of herself and cast that costume on the floor.

I'm going to draw her reflection in the mirror only, and outside the mirror we see the cracked desert floor that she pretends doesn't exist (casinos feel perfectly justified spending billions on non-native trees and the water to sustain them...meanwhile the city is experiencing a crippling drought crisis). The detonated hotels/costumes also reside outside the mirror--ironically named things like "The Sands", "The Dunes", and "The Frontier."

Rough initial sketch:

[SunRoamer]

Tis' Hollywood. (Although I kind of imagine every city like this)

I should stop making up difficult poses without having any references xD
What's wrong so far (anatomy-wise):
-abdomen
-her left leg (so the one we see on the right^^)
-hands (they're sketchy now, anyway)
-tilt of her head/face
-twisted upper body

so that's almost everything xD Do you see something else that's wrong?

Moreover I have to work on her expression; she has to look more lewd (make her lick her lips?) and also more tempting. Additionaly, you can't really see that she's making a kind of "come 'ere"-gesture :< And well, can you recognize the buildings atop her head?

And I'm not too sure about whether I'll really take part in this chow... currently my pictures going in the illustration-direction again and for that I rather work on it without having a deadline to catch ;)

Anybody wants to hear what I was thinking about?

[darklogik]

~baxter - Amazing direction so far, a great way to blend the old and new and I love the style so far as well.

Ghostbrush - I think its a beautiful piece thats Is coming along well, the deep-ness behind the idea is great.

Clochette - Like I said, I think you've nailed it, can't wait to see it progress more

mojokingbee - I love it, I feel it depicts london well, a little sassy a little beat down but still smiling. ( she looks a little Irish to me atm, but does that matter? =} )

Poshspice - Please DOn't Pull whatever you do out this time, your not getting paid to do this so, your not above the competition, nor are you the only Judge of it. Having to compete against talent like yours will only make everyone else push themselves harder.

kingkostas - Very interesting take on the the challenge and I love the style, Hope to see it finished.

hunchback - Very powerful concept so far. I can tell its a "She", Might like to see a little bit of New Tech In the piece since Tokyo is also one of the most advanced cities in the world, but thats just me.

Cosmitron - I looks good and seems to have alot of potential so far, will have to wait till its a little more refined to critique though.

Razorleaf - I think you have a strong idea to work on, I like some of the other suggestions made for it so far, and I think it needs a little more "Personality to it" maybe bare and naked make me think its abandoned not living, even if its not living well.

Thats it so far~

Mine need to be reworked again, I think its such a deep idea for me that Im over / underthinking elements for it.

[pahavasa]

Nice stuff here so far, everyone.

Another sketch of Helsinki, as the previous one was all over the place. Need to work more with the clothes.

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[Razorleaf]

Thank you for the suggestions. I see Halifax as "exposed". Exposed to wealth and poverty and crime and justice. It has bared its soul and still survived public ridicule. Still, it has a beauty to it ... a level of excitement that is just starting to emerge. Still, I'm thinking of a few things to pep this up a bit :)

[kjdawson80]

I'm going to TRY to participate in this CHOW (most likely the most "unlikely" subject for me to try my hand at). That being said, I'm not making any promises :D

I decided to focus on my home town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Brew City. Home of beer, brats, cheese curds, custard, and Summerfest! I mean, I know Milwaukee's not perfect, but sometimes I don't think we get enough credit for the fun stuff we have going on here :/

So here's my first sketch in my moleskine, drawn at work during my lunch break >_>'

[bangalore_monkey]

i'm doing a character for Cleveland.

made him a musician (rock n roll hall of fame, big performing arts city)

dusting himself off, pant's still dirty- city is an example of urban renaissance, once called "the mistake by the lake" trying to revamp image. don't quite know how to capture this effectively.

thought about showing him unable to play sports, as cleveland's team's haven't fared too well in recent years.

just a quick sketch so far, may go in a different direction, or city

[wiggum]

bangalore monkey- I like it, but for some reason that looks more like a New Orleans or that city down south famous for all the blues (I can't believe i don't remember which one...)

I really want to do this one, but I don't know if I have time, or even if my scanner works. I want to do Detroit, maybe a beat up old guy? I can think of about a million metephors for whats happened to it over the last 40 years.

[murkus]

Oooh! I've always loved the classical representations of abstract things like cities or virtues. This will be really fun! I wish I could do more than one.

[Razorleaf]

Halifax "Exposed"

[Gavage]

Loving these so far.

Hunchback's idea of Tokyo and and Cosmitron's idea of Paris are admittedly the opposite of how I'd see them but they look like very promising concepts. Can't wait to see more of them.

This is an abandoned idea for Prypiat, was dabbling with the thought of having her stomach look hollow like a wrecked building but it's way too inhuman/industrial to use - for the body, at least. Currently aiming for something sealed off instead, in clear plastic or glass. Or maybe covered in dust. Too many ideas. I'll add future WIPS to my old post so as not to clutter up the thread too much.

[SunRoamer]

Hrm, I was just kind of messing around... trying out different things, already thinking a lil bit about the colouring and so on. Backgrounds gotten far too concrete, again (and it looks shitty xD)
Also, I'm not too sure about her dress... I don't want her to be naked (doesn't really fit the city in my opinion) but the dress right now makes it impossible to see her actual pose, so it may look really awkward (besides, I bet painting the folds would kill me). I'd love to keep it luxurious, however.
I guess I'll just grab a fashion mag, like Phuzion suggested :)

[AvisNocturna]

I'm impressed by what you guys come up with. So many cool concepts. And it's such a difficult task this week...

Well, here's Minga (Munich). I don't really have a cool idea this time, as I feel a bit frustrated lately... *sighs*
Which one do you like most?

I don't know if I should co for the young happy maid or for the old lady. I find the first one more appealing, but its so much of a clichee.

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[NickTrip]

Is it possible to do something a little smaller like Jonestown or Centralia or does it have to be a large city?

[tron-one]

@AvisNocturna - Try the old lady. I think it'd ultimately be more interesting.

[~baxter]

Is it possible to do something a little smaller like Jonestown or Centralia or does it have to be a large city?

I don't see why not. Given that Jonestown and Centralia's history is pretty notable, they would be easy to work with and would make pretty awesome pieces. Come to think of it I really wish I thought of Centralia. :P

Another wip. Changed the pattern on the arm to a chevron. Old one reminded me too much of the Steeler's Helmet pattern :P

Edit: Another small update. Incorporating the Golden Triangle (nickname for downtown Pitt)

Edit 2: Another Small WIP. Fleshed out the smoke and changed some coloration overall.

[S.C. Watson]

Just to throw a monkey wrench in everyone's plans/ideas - when the topic was initially mentioned in the suggestion thread, I imagined something more along the lines of taking a city, and giving it personality - a mood, an atmosphere, that went a little farther than a simple environment (not to say that environments are simple), but not being a "humanoid" character either - showing the character of the buildings, the ambient quality of the city that is described as the personality. I think the simplest example of what I'm talking about is imagining the city as a living thing, as the city, and playing up the traits it is known for.

Just my thoughts on this week's Chow. I was just sort of surprised that everyone immediately went with a person as their city.

Think of it this way: what if the city were one of the characters in a story? How would you portray it?

That said, if you've already got yours going, don't worry about running back and redoing it. I'm just sort of thinking out loud here.

~S

[AveOfSpades]

Hello everybody!

Been wanting to join in the activities here for months now ;)

Anyway...I've chosen Venice to be my character. Do let me know what you think.

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[Razorleaf]

Just to throw a monkey wrench in everyone's plans/ideas - when the topic was initially mentioned in the suggestion thread, I imagined something more along the lines of taking a city, and giving it personality - a mood, an atmosphere, that went a little farther than a simple environment (not to say that environments are simple), but not being a "humanoid" character either - showing the character of the buildings, the ambient quality of the city that is described as the personality. I think the simplest example of what I'm talking about is imagining the city as a living thing, as the city, and playing up the traits it is known for.~S


I like your idea but then I'd have to ask ..... we are participating in Chow ("Character" of the week), if it isn't humnoid would it still count as a "Character"? I mean I could see your idea doing really well in a Cow as the artist could pick anything that wasn't humanoid. So, if I chose to give personality to the Eifel tower - and depicted the Eifel tower - would it still count as a "character"? :)

[S.C. Watson]

I like your idea but then I'd have to ask ..... we are participating in Chow ("Character" of the week), if it isn't humnoid would it still count as a "Character"? I mean I could see your idea doing really well in a Cow as the artist could pick anything that wasn't humanoid. So, if I chose to give personality to the Eifel tower - and depicted the Eifel tower - would it still count as a "character"? :)

I *really* need to post this somewhere :)

A character is *anything* that has a personality. Period.

Doesn't matter if it is a human, critter, rock, fork, car (The movie "Cars" for example).

As long as there is a personality associated with whatever we are dealing with, it is a "Character."

A common misunderstanding about this activity is that it is confined and limited to humanoid characters. That is simply not the case and frankly counter to what Chow is about. :)

However, I must we're guilty in Chow of perpetuating the misconception because we consistently go with people, or humanoid type characters. Perhaps it's time to stir things up a little bit ... ? :)

Best,
~S

[edit]
http://www.mouseandmore.com/images/lithos/BBfireplace.jpg http://www.fevj.org/images/movie-cars-group-press-0-photo-Disney-Pixar.jpg http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/11/19/wall-e-poster.jpg http://www.dan-dare.org/FreeFun/Images/CartoonsMoviesTV/MonstersIncWallpaper800.jpg

The message here is: Don't limit yourself.

[rinjii]

but there's nothing wrong with doing a humanoid character, right? if that's how we choose to interpret it? this is only my third ChOW that i plan on partaking in, so perhaps i'm just not seeing the huge 'monkey wrench' that has been thrown in the mix, other than saying that the idea doesn't have to be a human-shaped entity.

that being said, i'm doing amsterdam, the netherlands >)

[S.C. Watson]

but there's nothing wrong with doing a humanoid character, right? if that's how we choose to interpret it?

No. Nothing at all.

My point wasn't to say everyone was doing it wrong, but merely to say "have you thought of it this way?"

~S

[ikuru]

Razorleaf, the eifel tower is not a city, and a character does not have to be a human being, Mickey mouse is a character too. So is Nemo, but CHOW mainly keeps it withing the humanoid sphere. ;)

[Aly Fell]

Hmmm... maybe this is a case of misinterpretation of Zaxser's original suggestion. I can see how it can be interpreted both ways. However, seeing as so many people are well under way with their pieces it might be better to leave the brief as it is, and make the city humanoid for this round. Who knows what next weeks ChOW will bring or the week after's...

[S.C. Watson]

Razorleaf, the eifel tower is not a city, and a character does not have to be a human being, Mickey mouse is a character too. So is Nemo, but CHOW mainly keeps it withing the humanoid sphere. ;)

only if the brief specifically calls for it :)

[Leo Ki]

A common misunderstanding about this activity is that it is confined and limited to humanoid characters. That is simply not the case and frankly counter to what Chow is about. :)
Mythologies and religions tend to use humanoid figures to symbolize everything, but I agree it would be interesting to do otherwise. Do you have any examples of it?


mojokingbee - Looking very nice so far!
Missile - Your idea rocks! Take the time to ponder and design the pose and anatomy.
pahavasa - Karhu! :P Helsinki's quite beautiful, don't make it too ugly :)
Clochette - Splendid allegory!
Reymus - If the guy was seen from a low angle it might look more impressive.
Ghostbrush - Don't make her too stiff. Can't wait to see the development.
kingkostas - Mythology's eternal, great modern take at it.
Chance - Looks great - maybe give the character more importance graphically.
darklogik - Into funny depictions again :P Even for not-so-funny realities.
tron-one - A few words about the symbolism?
~baxter - Great! Will you add more town elements to it?
hunchback - Terrific!
Cosmitron - The reason why I don't like Paris :P But great expression as always!
Razorleaf - I understand the allegory of the pose, but your character is hardly visible and it may clash with the CHOW rules (I'm not sure though).
SunRoamer - If you want to go glamor it's a bit difficult. Try sketching different poses, and train on references a bit.


I'm doing Lyon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyon), a town I've never felt home in - but I've never felt home on this planet anyway :P

[S.C. Watson]

Mythologies and religions tend to use humanoid figures to symbolize everything, but I agree it would be interesting to do otherwise. Do you have any examples of it?

No. Which is why I find the idea so compelling and interesting.

And, like I said, there really is nothing wrong with using a humanoid figure for the city. I just thought another approach would be interesting. :)

[S.C. Watson]

Hmmm... maybe this is a case of misinterpretation of Zaxser's original suggestion. I can see how it can be interpreted both ways. However, seeing as so many people are well under way with their pieces it might be better to leave the brief as it is, and make the city humanoid for this round. Who knows what next weeks ChOW will bring or the week after's...

I agree - I wasn't attempting to really change the direction of this week's round, but as I said, more of a "has anyone thought about this?"

Best,
~S

[Leo Ki]

Just thought that countries were often symbolized by animals, especially in war propagandas, for instance. Maybe something to explore.

[rinjii]

No. Nothing at all.

My point wasn't to say everyone was doing it wrong, but merely to say "have you thought of it this way?"

~S

ok cool, just wanted to be sure i wasn't misreading anything. :)

[alesoun]

I've just seen this, and if I can find a spare hour or so, I'm in. Edinburgh, I think; a city composed of many village areas. Old, dark and haunted, fresh and burgeoning. A lady of the night, filled with fresh hope and social problems. Sophisticated and run-down. Could I use twins as an image?

[courtyard]

Further progress on mine. Lots of amazing WIPs in here so far...

[AvisNocturna]

I find it quite interesting that there are mostly posts without pictures but thoughts about the cities. Hope this will result in some great pictures!

Well, decided for the old lady. Ergh.. I included doves. And I hace doves, I almost have some kind of Dove-Phobia what makes painting them kind of difficult.

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And update... I knew there was something wrong with the composition :)

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Update:

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update 06/07
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[kingkostas]

Here near finishing my entry.
Sorry all for not giving any critiques and such :( i am busy with assigments and that offers me little time to work on other things.

I would love to see how all these entries will become when finished :D!!!
See ya

[Razorleaf]

Razorleaf - I understand the allegory of the pose, but your character is hardly visible and it may clash with the CHOW rules (I'm not sure though).

Huh!?!? :)

[Leo Ki]

Huh!?!? :)
I mean the character is expressing something but I don't really see the design because of the pose.
But please forgive me if I'm saying stupid things, I'm new to the CHOWs. I'm just trying to help, but maybe I'm epically failing at it :)
And this CHOW looks special anyway, all allegoric and not necessarily about design.

[darklogik]

I went ahead and rethought my piece. Im using a Gladiator to embody the main feeling of Denver, which is its competitiveness, whether that is sports, fitness, or money. I imagined a almost Mythical Colossal figure as the embodiment Of Denver, ready to challenge anyone willing. It may be a stretch but it's fun.

As far as the Brief vs the Turn out thus far, I think people are pretty much on track. I love the Toons that are posted, but what makes them work is the humanoid features they are given, and as far as embodying a City, Im not sure if a building with eyes would dictate the emotion and atmosphere of the city. Not saying thats what your aiming for, but for a character its as much focus as it is personality and attributes, and I feel Giving "Character" to inanimate objects may fail to capture the essence of the city. This is my opinion but Rome is no more the Vatican as New York is a taxi cab. =) Just my 2 cents on the subject

:rocker:

[Felida]

Awwwwwwwwwww~some topic *__* I just have to participate, but I never thought my dream city would have almost been taken ;__; Avis, I took Munich, too. I love your idea of old lady Munich but I chose something different.

My Munich is a very pretty lady who is definitely a little bit snobbish and loves to party. But on the other hand, if you take the time to talk a little bit to her she can be really nice :)

Background is still random. For the costume I chose the traditional "Münchner Kindl" dress. The "Münchner Kindl" is a girl who's parents and grandparents are born in Munich

[MJ_Alcazar]

I chose to do Tulsa, OK even though it might not be counted as a city to some standards. And it's not well known or anything. I might try my hand at something else. Really beautiful and fun ideas so far guys.

I was thinking young and growing city, still optimistic about everything. Built on a multi-cultural background and still manages to hold on to that as it looks to the future.

[druvid]

Clochette, I really really looove what you have so far, I think you have the concept down perfectly - it's very beautiful and poetic - I can't wait to see it finished! :)

[rinjii]

here's my first sketch up of my take on Amsterdam- went for the 'red light dstrict' hooker, with a few extra touches [ganja joint, lingerie with the city's flag motif, a set of laurels with tulips interwoven]

still not sure if she'll be like a pinup poster or waiting for her next paycheck in a showcase window.

[tron-one]

Another WIP for Addis Abeba. She always fights to protect herself and her children. She is Ethiopia's queen.

Ok enough of that. Made some headway, still have a ton more to add. Crits very much welcome and needed. :painting:

[Phaethon]

A quick sketch of two concepts for my home-away-from-home, Saint Louis.

The first is more realistic - St. Louis is kind of depressed, but with a bit of hip-hop flare at his back. The second is the fantasy - St. Louis as a fun, 20s jazzman, out of date, but he's doing his own thing and he doesn't care.

If anyone's got comments, I'd love to hear them. Here are some for you:

Leo Ki: Nice! I like how your symbols integrate with each other.
courtyard : This concept could be really cool, but it seriously creeps me out. The rendering is coming along nicely, though.
AvisNocturna: I like her! Not sure what that left arm is doing, though.
kingkostas: Nice design! I'm sure this is just because it's at the sketch stage, but the water falling from his hands reads like sand right now.
darklogik: There's some weirdness going on with those shoulders. It's hard to tell between the pads and the horse head, but it looks like they're connecting to his body at chin-height. Also watch the difference in size and design between his calves. I like the idea of making a mythical embodiment of Denver, though.
Felida: Looks good. I'd turn her head so she's not perfectly in profile.
MJ_Alcazar: The jetpack's a bit too sci-fi, I think. I'm not sure what she's holding either. Otherwise, looking cool.
rinjii: Resize before you post - it'll be easier to get a sense of the drawing if we can see the whole thing at once. About all I can tell you now is that the eyes are too big and it's flattening out her face.
Ghostbrush: Really striking. But her costume looks more high-fantasy European than Japanese to me.
AveOfSpades: Cute! I'd watch that the shoes don't become too hooker-y, but good idea with the platforms.
~baxter: Badass. I'd go for a more steampunk, old-tech arm rather than the current high-tech one. The way you have it now, it says Japanese Robot more than Pittsburgh Steel.
SunRoamer: Ridiculous celebrity fashion. (http://gofugyourself.celebuzz.com/) And ditch the sign in the background.
Razorleaf: Watch her hands and feet, particularly the fingers and toes - they're all too small. The background might also be premature at this stage?
Missile : That's very unsettling. I like it. Show us her face and we've got something.

[wiggum]

Well this topic was just too damn good. I haven't had a chance to do much drawing in a while, but I just had to give this one a shot.

This is my hometown: Detroit. I wasn't sure what direction to go with this at first. At 308 Detroit is pretty old for an American City, and its been through a lot. Fires, Riots, racial politics, globalization...the list goes on and on and on. Basically its been like a slow motion Hurricane Katrina over the last forty years. Anyways, despite all this Detroit just keeps going on.

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I can already see a lot that needs improvement, but C&C is most welcome and appreciated.

[~baxter]

~baxter: Badass. I'd go for a more steampunk, old-tech arm rather than the current high-tech one. The way you have it now, it says Japanese Robot more than Pittsburgh Steel.

Thanks. Ironically, I wanted to avoid steampunk since I wanted to push old Pitt meets new Pitt, as one of Pittsburgh current top industries is robotics. Plus I wanted a more streamlined look :P

A few crits/comments for the night:

Ghostbrush: Like the color so far, maybe a bit more green/ blue-green in the bottom?
mojokingbee: Keep it up, Diggin it so far.
darklogik: Interesting idea so far. Perhaps you could throw in a bit more orange to match the mane.
Leo Ki:Great work! Cant wait to see color :D
AvisNocturna: Very interesting take on Munich!
Felida: Nice work. I think you could push the snobbish part a bit more, but only a bit :)
Razorleaf:Her face seems very flat.The bridge of the nose and brow should be very defined with your lighting and angle of the head
Phaethon:Id like to see the second! I think you'd have more to work with and his premise is just plain fun.

[Reymus]

Still very rough, overlaying some ideas onto what was just a boring figure. Istanbul is a city built on top of itself over and over again, literally in many parts, where modern building sit on top of Ottoman, those sitting on top of Byzantine, crowded together with the poor, rich, middle class.

Darklogic - When I saw the shoulders, Living on the east coast, any time Denver is mentioned here in the news, it's always to the backdrop of the Rockies, for some reason, it could be the newest hair transplant to a hairless lemur, or a meteor struck the capitol, it always has snow capped mountains.

Baxter- Where's the Mt. Washington incline tram?!

[birdsatemyface]

Well damn, I really have to try to get in this week with New Orleans.

[PixelFish]

My first sketch of San Francisco, doodled today. I wanted to evoke a sorta techno-pagan feel to the city, and evoke the past of the city, the activism and the culture, as well as stress the technology. I've got some notes on how I want to do this, since not all of it is in the sketch.

Past: Gold dust streaming from her braids. Stylised railroad tracks circling a drum. (Each of the three drums will probably have a sort of theme.)

Culture: The drums themselves (if you've ever spent a summer's afternoon in Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park, you'd know why.) I'm pondering a sort of meditative posture instead of this floating one....something like a partial lotus position. You can't see it in this sketch because the scan faded out too much but she has three masks tied to her wrist, as well as various talismans representing the city's history.

Technology: She's wearing googles (kinda steampunky) has some techy tattoos, and one of the drums will probably reflect this theme as well.

Clothes: Some trailing bits which turn into fog.

[darklogik]

Yes, His shoulders are the rockys, I hope to have them more defined by finish, Thanks for the crits, final version will be better =)

[lennon]

Hey, I guess I'm not very original in this, but it's election time here.
I didn't wanted to post so early, but I was really wondering if I'll have any problem with this stuff, I mean, after I render it could get sort of nasty.
So, is it ok?

[IIKII]

Trying to give some helpful crits/comments.

Darklogit – Feel that the composition can be much better. The pose is stiff and lack rhythm

Missile – The character looks very stiff. The anatomy needs work too.

pahavasa – His balance is off, he seem to be falling.

Clochette – Her left side of her face is bigger. It seem that the wind blew her dress to her right but her hair/smoke is blown to her left? But it is interesting

kingkostas –His left knee should be facing the same direction of his left foot.

Ghostbrush - Feel that her pose is quite stiff especially her legs.

Chance – The perspective of the painting (the one he’s painting) is off. Judging from the painting, the eye level is near the top but everything in it except for the painting stated that the eye level is slightly above the centre. Well, I am still a beginner in perspective, if I am wrong, please correct me.

Razorleaf – She’s lacking saturated halftone. Add some red in her. She’s missing a ear and the leg need some work.

PixelFish – She’s going to fall on her face.

Phaethon – The way the second man holds his trumpet looks uncomfortable.

tron-one – Her proportions of her arms are wrong. Her arms should be much longer.

MJ_Alcazar- Maybe her pelvis can be much bigger.

lennon – It’s ok but maybe the image can be bigger and you could render it more.

[darklogik]

As far as conduct, Are we aloud to use Re-drawn real logos in our work?

[Clochette]

^ I dunno but i bet if there were something 'not allowed' it would be in the brief. :)

update !

[courtyard]

I decided to move away from the child pageant direction, as I couldn't get the tone right (I deleted my previous post so as not to be a thread hog--I'll include it in WIPs). Now I'm going for full-on dress-up mode, complete with ratty hair. Will definitely leave comments tomorrow...suddenly got dead tired. Great work, everyone!

edit to add--Clochette that is GORGEOUS!!!

[mojokingbee]

Clochette: nice choice of colours. Is she wearing/embracing a flag?
courtyard: cool and tricky pose.

hmm..still finalising her look...adding-in some more britannia stuff(as if a bowler hat wasn't hard enough to draw) and a cup of tea? should almost be ready to start proper...
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/mojokingbee26/chow161_rough9b.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/mojokingbee26/chow161_rough9a.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/mojokingbee26/chow161_rough10.jpg

[Felida]

Clochette, your Sarajevo is just beautiful!
I have to go to school now :( I'll comment later, but: Interesting concepts everyone!

[Blueman]

Here's what I have managed so far. It's going to be a sort of golem-like creature wearing a heavily modified Alaska native mask and carting around a totem pole, with a little fairy/elfin character riding on his shoulders. I'm probably putting too much thought into this, but I was thinking (like I said in my earlier post) to make the two characters represent the seasonal personalities of my home city.

EDIT: Just reread the project description and saw the "HUMAN" requirement. back to the drawing board =(

EDIT EDIT: Unless... would including that little human character on the shoulder eke me by the brief if I claimed the golem was a wardrobe accessory? =3

[Gavage]

Clochette: great so far - sorry if you've mentioned this before but what's going on top of her head? Is it a mass of hair or a hat or something else entirely? I like how half of her face is quite subtly skeletal.

I was a good boy and updated my first WIP post to show the current design:

Here! (http://conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2280136&postcount=31)

To explain some of the colour and item choices in boring detail: Trying to keep it more human has made it a little more macabre - the look I'm going for is a sort of crime scene with a chalk outline (although I imagine her more asleep than dead). Aiming for a large fur coat that I might work some slighty machine-like parts into, with the collar inspired by the ferris wheel in the city. The leotard, leg warmers and hair are my attempt at depicting the 1980s fashion the city is frozen in. The necklace will be two dolls and a rocking horse; people were forbidden to bring too many items with them when the city was evacuated so many things like toys were left behind. The red hair was inspired by the 'Red Forest' nearby in which the trees were scorched red by the radioactivity; though the area has been bulldozed and the trees buried it remains one of the most radioactive places on earth. I still plan on having her draped with weeds and dust, though that will be the last thing to go on. There was a statue of Prometheus (from Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods and gave it to the mortals and was punished horribly) originally in the city - I thought it was an eerie piece of symbolism as a sort of 'playing with fire' idea, so I'm planning to add something as a cross between a gas mask and a Greek theatre mask, though it will be kept in a separate image on the side.

tl;dr - If anyone's willing to offer some critique, I'd love to know if you think I've got the legs right, the reference photo I worked from finished just below the waist so it's been guesswork and anatomy isn't my strong point...

[Witha-K]

Hey, I guess I'm not very original in this, but it's election time here.
I didn't wanted to post so early, but I was really wondering if I'll have any problem with this stuff, I mean, after I render it could get sort of nasty.
So, is it ok?

Definitely no problem here. You shouldn't censor your art, ever: in my opinion. Kind of defeats the purpose.

Small update on Wendy, Chicago. Just a close up of the face in progress.

"I met this girl when I was three years old and what I loved about her most was she had so much soul."

[Ghostbrush]

hey hey

Trying to figure out which bottom half is better and which I should run with.

1. I like because legs are visible but not sure overall

2. looks more relaxed and "floaty", will it get cut if her legs are not on show? thinking of making it a kimono that joins to her hair

Witha-K looking good, keep pushing it

Missile much prefer the first one to the new one, first one was looking real promising as a sketch

Clochette those colours are really well chosen, looking forward to seeing how this one ends up



I hate fixing during painting, learning that the hard way

[pahavasa]

Clochette, looks beautiful! Love the colours.
Courtyard, very nice rendering you've got there.
Ghostbrush, version 2 looks better imho. If you're going to keep the legs you may want to define them a bit more, it's kind of hard to see the position they're in.

Quick update.
688127

[Gavage]

Ghostbrush: That's fair enough, what makes you prefer the initial sketch though out of interest? About the legs in yours - the position of them looks a little strange, it might be to do with how the dress looks above them, kind of hard to work out where the bends in the knees are and what direction they're going in. Personally I like the dress one better.

Witha-K: Nice freckles. Just a suggestion, but when smoke is released from the mouth without exhaling like that it tends to flow in a slightly thicker manner from both corners of the lips - here's a picture to show what I mean (http://www.afftoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/marla.jpg). :)

[Ghostbrush]

Missle I just felt that ur first sketch had a sombre and damaged look about it, I really felt she looked down and I liked the pose too, looks defeated and really suits what u were going after, did not need that much explanation in my eyes to tell what city it was, I pretty much guessed from looking at her. just my thoughts though, if u dont like it then dont run with it.

yeh I think i will work number 2 up, make it a kimono type dress and really get some costume design rocking in there, pretty happy with were this is heading though :D

[lennon]

I really didn't wanted to show this image now, I wanted to show it just before the end of the week; but now I'm thinking that it wouldn't be fair, as everyone is showing their great work.
I'm putting it all in the table now cause I want a good challenge.
I'll render it some more before the end.

[Ghostbrush]

lennon pretty dam intense there dude! I dont know anything about buenos aires so u may have to enlighten me as to whats going on in the image regards to the city, the perspective seems a little off however, the bottom half of the image has a different perspective to the top half

[Monika Gruszka]

Great idea for chow!

i decided to illustrate my city, Warsaw:) Polish people are always saying that Warsaw is ugly, drossy and has no character. But I really love it, it has a beautiful, but sad history. it was almost completely damaged during the World War II and now Warsaw architecture is incoherent, chaotic. but if you look carefully, you'll see the real interesing beauty.

So my concept is to portray Warsaw as a teenager, hiding herself behind baggy clothes, shy but intelligent, having virtues that you can know when you meet her closely:)

sorry, my english isnt good enough to explain my idea, but i hope you know what I want to achieve:)

[no_name_brand]

Great CHOW this week. Cheers to whom ever came up with it.

Hear is my sketch.

San Salvador is the city of my birth, a city I and my family left 20 years ago amidst a civil war.

San Salvador is a place desperate to be a modern city, despite it's immense poverty. A city wounded from civil war, a city that carries over 300 years of violent history. Despite all of this, it is a friendly upbeat and proud City. Ready to walk into the 21st century with it's head held high.

[Rabies]

!Edit! Babylon IN SUMER
"The Cradle of Civilization"

As the name implies, Sumer it was the first "civilized" region, with all the proffesions like doctors n judges n whores. So how do you picture a person as a cradle? By painting the character as pregnant ofc. Sumer is ancient but im not gonna make a pregnant old woman. Its mystic and intelligent, and among those nephelim enthusiasts is said to been "taught" by them. So a pregnant depressed alien perhaps?

I dont know, heres my first sketch.

Btw how do you guys color black n white picures?

Thanks Jefita im gonna go see if i can get anything for whats left of my brain
Im gonna incorporate some hangin gardens later :P

[F87]

Set a layer above it to overlay to put in basic colors, then you can go from there.

no_name_brand -

your concept speaks to me man. It is a great start, very solid sketch and idea. Don't quit on this one!

[Cosmitron]

Here's an update. I may be too much focused on the drawing than the concept itself. Need to work on that. :)
http://bolospoilerman.free.fr/Chow/Paris/Paris%2002.jpg
http://bolospoilerman.free.fr/Chow/Paris/Paris%2003.jpg

[Jefita]

This is such a cool topic this week. I enjoy reading people's interpretations of the various cities almost as much as I like seeing the images. I liked S.C. Watson's interpretation of the topic too. Wish I'd thought of that, even though I don't know that I'm skilled enough to pull it off.

I chose to go with my home town for this one. I grew up in a small town in rural Oklahoma (middle of the U.S.), so no one will know where it is. Hopefully smaller cities are ok to do. I care a lot for my hometown, but I also find her sad and depressing. Plain and motherly, she is friendly and comforting on the surface. If you've been there all your life, you can seen the wear and the depression. You can't keep any secrets from her. She cares for her children, but she's broken hearted so she does it sort of wrong. She fetters your ambitions, so it's hard to leave. I feel like this could apply to a lot of small towns.

And now I tried to give a few comments. I found it hard to give commentary on cities I don't know much about. Sorry if I missed people.

SunRoamer - the fashion mag is probably a good idea. Also, it looks more like she's sneering than licking her lips. Perhaps have her face angled down instead of the up view. She has a kind of androgynous vibe.

~baxter - Cool progress. Maybe a bit more light on his face?

AveOfSpades - I like the platform shoes

courtyard - creepy, but fitting

AvisNocturna - Love the expression and perspective so far

darklogik - legs make him a little unbalance looking. The closer one needs pulled in a bit I think.

Felida - I like the sort of nouveau look. She seems to be floating right now. Also, I think the costume is cool, but wasn't there something in the brief about avoiding cultural costumes?

MJ_Alcazar - Yay Tulsa! I'm probably the only other person here who would think that's cool. I think that's a pretty good description. I'm not sure what she holding on to though.

rinjii - a good start. Her far eye is a little too high I think.

tron-one - Her overall form seems good, but I'm not sure what's going on around her belly with the hand now.

Phaethon - I like the jazzy one better. It has more of the character of the city to me.

wiggum - Cool sketch. Is that an octopus in his pocket?

Reymus - I like your idea with the layers built in. The pose needs a little more work I think. I feel like he's going to fall forward.

PixelFish - Your description was so detailed, can't wait to see more of that develop in the sketch.

Clochette - Your work is always so cool, and this is same a usual.

mojokingbee - All your sketches are so fun. I'm still curious what the final will end up being.

Blueman - Actually strictly human isn't a requirement, as was brought up later in the thread. I say keep going, but perhaps show more of the golem.

Missile - I think your first interpretation was a bit stronger, but I like the colors in the new one. Her torso seems a bit long though, and the left leg is a little awkward, like her hips don't quite line up.

Witha-K - The face is coming along nicely. The neck seems a little thick.

Ghostbrush - I prefer the second version. I think it should still count as enough of a view. I prefer the more floaty look. Lovely work.

pahavasa - I like the stylization of the anatomy, but it's a little too skinny about his chest to me. A bit more contrast would be nice too.

lennon - Wow, pretty dark. I think the menacing corn actually weirds me out more. Good work.

Monika Gruszka - Good start.

no_name_brand - I really like the upbeat face. I think it matches well with your description.

Rabies - I hate to say it, but that's not really a city, just a region.

And that's all I've got for now.

Edit: Added color wip

[F87]

Jefita - I think it's an awesome concept! I live in a small rural town in Oklahoma right now. : P

[rinjii]

thanks everyone who pointed out the eye size- i think i rectified it so that it doesn't look so out of place.

i'm right now about 90% done with Lady Amsterdam as far as grayscaling is concerned... blasting t.A.T.u. is helping a LOT, and i don't know why.

comments/crits are welcome, of course.

[Rabies]

I wasnt gonna post another one untill the finals, but i felt like i made such a jerk out of myself so id better just try for some dammage control :P

Here is a close to allmost being nearly finished wip of Babylon

Now iwe allready explained the sumer part, but i added a bunch of other stuff to make it more "babylonish". The halo represents the strong religion they had. I tried to get a mysteriouse "Did they know something we dont" kind og feel with the face with the glowing eyes and the staring expression. The hair is for the hanging gardens, the scrolls are for their high knowledge and the snake represents the god of the city "Marduk". Its hard to "personalize" the city when you have no idea what the actual city was like, so i had to use alot of symbols. Oh and her left foot symbolizes the fall of Babylon and the Babel tower.

Edit
Lol the face is fucked ill fix that before the finals

[Aly Fell]

First sketch... Maybe a bit heavy and cliched... I really want to be light and fluffy, so I might do something else. But my partner lived in Darfur for two years and is very passionate about what is happening there.

[rinjii]

so i've reached the conundrum of footwear for Lady Amsterdam, and have settled between knee-high boots or ankle-boots.

i include both versions for the viewing public. which do you think fit her? i'm more partial to the knee-high boots, myself.

[Pixeltuner]

tokyo :) cybernetic just not quite real. or something..

[MJ_Alcazar]

Phaetheon, Jefita - thanks! She's holding on to like that top piece of an oil drill. Tulsa used to be the oil capital of the world, and it's using those funds to invest in new technologies such as the jet pack seen in the Tournament of Roses parade in 2007. I think I'm going to think of a different way to show future technology and oil though, that was just my first thought. :) Thank you so much for commenting!

[kjdawson80]

so i've reached the conundrum of footwear for Lady Amsterdam, and have settled between knee-high boots or ankle-boots.

i include both versions for the viewing public. which do you think fit her? i'm more partial to the knee-high boots, myself.

Knee highs for the win :D

[SunRoamer]

@rinjii:
I think that, in the knee-high boots, her legs look, like, really friggin' long :D Although I kind of guess that's the effect most of those who wear those boots want to achieve... xD
But, design-wise, I actually do like them better than the ankle-boots so I suggest you take the first version^^

@posh:
I really love the sketch and there're also many other "heavy" entries so I wouldn't worry about that, however it's not quite clear to me what's going on (which isn't really that bad, it's a sketch after all and the most important thing is that you yourself understand it^^)
Like, where exactly is the blood (or is it fuel?) coming from? The something in her hand or from her own body?
But like I said, it's looking really good so far and she also got a lot of "personality"; I can even kind of imagine her story :) Can't wait to the the next WiP-shots! :D

@rabies:
Ah, Babylon, you surely picked yourself a helluva interesting city! Also, I really like all the thoughts you put into creating this one :) There're some things, however, that could be improved: first off, she kind of lacks definition, like the colours look really smudged and there're no clear lines (toes! and also her face... although I kind of come to like it the more I look at it :D)
Oh, and there's one thing that's just totally freaking me out: she got no belly button! I mean, that's creepy. Although... I guess it could have been done intentional; she herself was the mother of all cities, so who gave birth to her? Her not having a belly button kind of shows that, maybe, there was nothing like a mother in whose womb she could grow up but rather she created herself ;) (now the city really sounds like a godlike entity, doesn't she :< )


Ah, well, I'm running out of time so I won't write anything about the other entries just yet (although they all look very promising). And I also want to thank you for all the feedback so far. Especially the link with all those fugly-fashion celebs was awesome :D

So, a little update on my entry:
for now, I completely removed her dress and simply corrected her pose a little bit. Also changed her tongue; maybe it'll help already with her expression (although I think that a sneer also is very fitting... for me it should be somewhere between lewd, obscene, vain, sneering and alluring... at least for the foolish ones :)) and I didn't have the time to work on mayor changes just now ;)
So, okay, her pose is still an epic fail right now... anybody got any suggestions or maybe even the time for a little paintover to show me how it should be done? :)

(oh, and nevermind the colours right now :<)

[Reymus]

Istanbul, still rough and working as I go along, eventually I think he's just going to be a mass of buildings :/.I need to clean this up, it looks muddy right now.

Cosmitron - Your sketches are awesome, but I think you spent a bit too much time with that one :).

[darklogik]

Re tweaked the design, and gear, Im trying to keep this a Character Design, not an illustration, so it will be a lil different than #160. Really wanted to focus on the Main focus of the city and its obsession with Competition through sports. (Although I could really care less about them) Denver is represented By a gladiator like Giant, Surrounded with the rocky mountains braced on his shoulders. One thing Denver prides as much as its sports is it mountains.

Let me know your thoughts will be starting polish tonight.

Thanks

( Stadiums on the belt buckle for extra Points =} )

[AvisNocturna]

Well then, seems like it's my turn for some C&C :D

Hope I can say something useful oO

Page 6:


Reymus: Well, I think yours looks pretty much like Istambul, the perspective is nice and I like the overall expression. Try to keep some loose strokes, though to add some interest and play with saturation.

SunRoamer: I think the upper part of her body is still a little mit short, let's see where you're going with this one :D

Pixeltuner: Wee, I really love your sketches! Nice Tokyo, I somehow got the feeling she's off balance though. Could be because of her feet, haha... just maybe make her pose a little more dynamic.

rinji: Ah, you added legs. would have mentioned it, if you didn't but so far.. Maybe you could exagerate the pin up pose a bit more?

Poshspice: I'm sure this will turn out as well as every piece you start.

rabies: very epic :D Try to vary the textures, they all look pretty much like of the same material right now.

Jefita: I like your interpretation so far. her hips could be a little rounder maybe...

Cosmitron: Woah! insane! I love it, really... got my vote already o__O

No_name_brand: I really like your interpretation. I don't know the city myself but everything you mentioned is very well visible in your concept.

Monika_Gruszka: Ah, nice concept... looking good so far, let's see where this is going :D

lennon: woah... that's... somehow it hurts, but in a positive way I think. Scary but cool.

Ghostbrush: Loving your colours so far. I don't know, are the legs that important? I think the second one fits a little better.

Witha-K: Cool expression. Her nose looks just a tiny bit out of place. mirror it and I'm sure you'll notice.

Blueman: Very cool concept. I'm diggin the golem and its pose, maybe the fairy could be a little smaller, she seems a bit too big in comparison.


mojokingbee: ah, now I forgot what city you chose... I like the first one most, the expression is just too cool :D

courtyard: I'm not sure if you're planning on working on the overall composition. If not, try to, I really like the design and pose, it only feels like she need more space.

Clochette: ahhh! this is insane as well. I just love the mood, it looks so epic, sad somehow...


Page 5:

PixelFish: I think its too early for crits. Let's see how it develops :D

wiggum: I love his glasses! and his character somehow... he really has some personality.

Phaeton: wee, I love the "20s jassman" :D

tron-one: no crits yet, post more :D

MJ_Alcazar: Whatever it is that she's holding up, it looks kind of heavy which should show on her pose :) Her face looks too cute :D

Felida: Haha, wanted to go for the münchner kindl as well but well. so you'Re doing the young version. Maybe you can communicate the same without the dress? just a thought. (Snibbish was the number one entry on my list as well, haha)

darklogic: pretty coolk design, I like the mix again. (Are you always browing through fanshion magazines and collecting everything? I really like that as it works somehow, haha) give him feet!

kingkostas: very dynamic pose, cool design as well... the colours feel a little too bright for my taste, thought.

Leo_ki: there's something about it that really captured me... maybe its her expression? more :D


page 4:

Aveofspades: Maybe you could make her pose a little more dynamic? like exxagerating a hollow-back? just a thought. Nice design so far :D

hunchback: this sort of reminds me of chow 157 :D pretty cool so far :)



~baxter: I like him, he's got a lot of personality. I don't know if I'd like to meet him in the dark tough, haha :D

Missile: I like this, very expressive pose, more :D

Razorleaf: I don't know where you're planning to go with this, but maybe you could add some more colour varation to her skin?

bangalore_monkey: I like the pose and design somehow. let's see what you come up with next :D

kjdawson80: I like the cheerful design. The perspective is off, though.

pahavasa: intersting design! 3 cigarettes at once, wow. that's not very healthy, ha :D


page 3:

AhChu: Nice idea so far, no crits yet, let's see where you're going to take this :)

chance.: MAybe you can try to say everything you now suggest with the enviroment with your character?

page 1:

tommoy: yep, the second one is berlin :D yay, she's sitting on the wall!


I guess I'm done now o____o wha! it's late already, time for bed...


Updated mine on post 131 (http://conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2282869&postcount=131)
:D

good night :D

[lkjhgfdsa]

The Ettin that is Brisvegas...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a134/jonoy/Speedpaint/lkjhgfdsaCITY_1.jpghttp://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a134/jonoy/Speedpaint/lkjhgfdsaCITY_2.jpg
Moneyhunger and industry eating away at the natural world.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a134/jonoy/Speedpaint/lkjhgfdsaCITY_3.jpghttp://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a134/jonoy/Speedpaint/lkjhgfdsaCITY_4.jpg

[Max Martelli]

Here's my take on Boston as of right now. Old, weathered, and always happy to get right back up when they get hit by a pitch. Whenever things seem hopeless and times are tough, spirits are always high and there is always enthusiasm and the will to fight. Plus, in my opinion at least, you can't have Boston without baseball. (that's a black eye by the way partly in homage to my favorite player and cousin, Tony Conigliaro, who coincidentally embodies the concept of what I'm going for.)

Let me know what you think.

[tron-one]

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The cradle of civilization. She happily brings life to man, it's a burden she takes great pride in despite the suffering. Her children are destroying her from the inside out while others seek to protect her. She still shines brightly despite the struggle. I really wanted to get the symbolism written out properly before I posted this but I'm super tired. I haven't even gotten to the various elements that would link this to Addis. Just managed to do some work on the face, going to fix the problem with the arms that someone pointed out earlier. Sleep now. Fix in morning. Ugh.

[wiggum]

I doubt I'll have time to finish this, I think I might need to start over again, but here is a quick update of Detroit. And yes that is an octopus in his pocket, it has to do with a local hockey tradition, if the Detroit Red wings ever get into the playoffs people believe its good luck if you throw an octopus on the ice (there's a story behind it, but I'm not going to get into that here) I also added a few symbols and the little demon fella. Brownie points to anyone who knows his name.

688833

[rinjii]

ignoring the fact that i have no freaking clue as to a background, i'm really liking the way this is progressing.

just started to add the color- crits as always are more than welcome!

[darklogik]

AvisNocturna - No, All out of my head, I dont use references much at all all though I prolly should. I just like to push my personal creativity in practice rather than copy what someone else imagined. But I really should doe a bit more reference work.

I really love the way yours is coming along! Alot of old wisdom is apparent on her face.

Alot of other people are coming along great as well. Post more later.

[Cosmitron]

lkjhgfdsa>TERRIFIC!
Love what I've seen so far. I'll take some time to comment it all soon :)

[emerging]

i dont like my own work lol, but ill force myself to finish it anyway.. dont really know what to change or how to make it better at this point :S so im kinda stuck and confused.. anyway, hope you guessed right, this is Las Vegas

[Martheart]

Very nice work in this thread, I'm going to start on mine this evening.

I have one general crit/advice and that is that for this CHOW, think of the character of the city, rather then the stereotypes of its citizens. The examples in the subject are very much all about the city: London is crying, Tokyo is obese. The character of a city is not the same as the cliches of its inhabitants :)

Good luck everyone!

[PixelFish]

Reworked the sketch and got a new pose.

Also added:
+ Parrots - for the parrots of Telegraph Hill
+ Chinese Coin - for the cultural exchange the Chinese (who were forced to work on the railroads) brough to the city
+ Portrait of Emperor Norton - San Francisco is fond of her crazy people.

I'm also trying to work incense sticks into her hair. (Because I associate the smell of incense with San Francisco.)

Anyway, there she is....chillin' out, doing her thing.

[Gavage]

Updated my post with another wip here (http://conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2280136&postcount=31). More detail in the face along with some 'rust', and a version with the gas mask. Tried to base the tubes on the shape of an atom but it looks a bit of a mess at the moment. Brought the neckline of the leotard down a little to lengthen the neck and shorten the torso a bit.

PixelFish: Nice concept - especially like the masks floating like kites. There's something quite refreshing about this.

Emerging: Good so far. What you could change depends on the particular way you're trying to portray Vegas because it's a little hard to tell at the moment - the lighting and pose suggests something as a cross between glamorous and a little sinister (come here so I can steal all your money...) but something kind of playful too. The most notable aspect of Vegas, aside from the casinos, is the sheer volume of lights and fake tacky items. Some gaudy jewels with a little light reflections might help depict that a little more - rings, a necklace, that kind of thing. Just an idea, feel free to ignore me. :D

Jefita: I love your idea, it's quite specific but can be applied to a lot of places. The broken heart on the dress is a nice touch. I think your concept (from the description) could be made stronger in the image depending on the expressions of the two characters (like a slightly more pained smile, whether the girl looks content, impatient or even sad - depends how much you want to play up the 'tragedy' of the piece, which can still work on a very subtle level) and, in particular, how tightly the mother figure seems to be holding onto the daughter.

[darkrain]

WIP 1 - rough sketch in Alias Sketchbook - didn't use reference, maybe should have? Hope I get the chance to finish this up, life is crazy right now.

This is the city Old Delhi - as a Transsexual Prostitute. I've lived too long in that city, friends of mine have written books about it, I've shot films about it. Guess what they say is true... Familiarity breeds contempt?

Fantastic work peeps! will post soon my (unwanted) 2cents on everyone's work.

p.s.: I don't have anything against transgenders, hope I don't give that impression.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb70/shonarain/CHOW161thecity1.jpg

UPDATED the sketch:

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb70/shonarain/CHOW161thecity2.jpg

[NickTrip]

I'm jumping in a little late here. Here's the idea I've got:

He is the instigator. An ever proponent of change, whether it be for good or bad, there must always be a change of hands, and overturning of power. Ancient, He witnessed the formation of lands, the coming and going of many peoples. Once He called himself Shackamaxon and nutured a great tribe. But calling for those winds of change, brought forth a new people to rebuild His image through poverty and strife. Yet again He brought revolution and bloody warfare and grew through corruption, violence and progress. Yet again He will use men as his minions of change, but for now He calls himself Philadelphia.

So the idea I'm pusing here is that the city isn't really so much a collection of buildings, but instead a place that manipulates men to reshape them and existed before the city itself.

[ThaDeus]

Hi everyone .The theme of this week isn't very easy ,but i've decided to come back to try to improve my technic and anatomy.
I choose New Delhi,for it is a very big multicultural ,multiconfessionnal city with great history...
Here's my very early concepts ,i'll make a mix between different poses and try to represent the Yamunâ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamuna) (a major tributary river of the Gange and one of the seven Sacred Rivers in India )....
A lot of work to do ,but i hope this time smeone could finally vote for me ;)
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[ThaDeus]

Sorry i didn't notice that my choice was the quite the same as darkrain ..... Obiouvsly the ideas are
different .... Darkrain ,is it a problem for you ?

[Rabies]

Mine is based on some of the same things as Tron-one's even tough its not the same city. We both called it the cradle of civilization, so... were there SEVERAL cradles?!
Mine is done now but i wont show you untill the finals >:P

[darkrain]

Working as fast as I can, running out of time, :( so a bit sloppy maybe. Anyway, C&C coming soon.

Colour pass:
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb70/shonarain/CHOW161thecity3.jpg

Closeup of the face:
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb70/shonarain/CHOW161thecitycloseup.jpg

[darkrain]

Sorry i didn't notice that my choice was the quite the same as darkrain ..... Obiouvsly the ideas are
different .... Darkrain ,is it a problem for you ?

@ThaDeus Not at all! Stunning drawings. I'm just pleased someone else has chosen an Indian city. But obviously you haven't lived there ;) heehee

Can't wait to see your finals!

[Cosmitron]

ThaDeus> Glad to see you back in the saddle! (comme si j'étais pas au courant :D) I kinda like the center sketch pose.
DarkRain> Sexy! :D

Besides, here's a useless update. :)
http://bolospoilerman.free.fr/Chow/Paris/Paris%2004.jpg

[tron-one]

Mine is based on some of the same things as Tron-one's even tough its not the same city. We both called it the cradle of civilization, so... were there SEVERAL cradles?!
Mine is done now but i wont show you untill the finals >:P

Yeah, I was kind of excited when I saw yours. I'm working under the idea that Africa is possibly where all life started and still has a thriving heart despite the social and economic dischord. I think the pregnancy is all we have in common though. (That was something I never thought I'd say in my life) I think we're going in slightly different directions. I can't wait to see your final.

[Ghostbrush]

Cosmitron looking sexy dude, lighting is so nice and fits the pose perfectly, very chic.

Going to crit everyone later (or at least try) sorry I have been rather lame on that front so far, will get to everyone though. I promise.

here is a lil update on Hiroshima, having a lot of fun painting this...

[darkrain]

Gotta run now :(
Must find time tonight!!!

Cleaned up color pass:
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb70/shonarain/CHOW161thecity4.jpg

[Mtijn]

@ Ghostbrush, your character made me think of Japan because of the little anime/manga look the girl has. After I read the city's name I was like: I knew it! He quite managed to capture the country the city's in!

Epic feel though you gave it, she looks hopeful, serene and some sort of reviving. If that was how you wanted to represent your chosen city (Also since Japan is the origin of Manga/Anime) then you quite succeeded in that. :)

@ Darkrain, I do like your character, however you made it look transexual. Not a problem with that, but if it's a male who wants to be female, then you should take a look comparing the shoulders and the hips.

Why? A male has his shoulders wider then the hips, and the female has this vice versa. Now it simply looks female with a bit too many male hormones XD

[Tetrodotoxin]

Oooooh Cosmitron... looks very promising...


Wheeeee, its Berlin!!! (Brandenburg Gate, Victory Column, Fernsehturm & Cupola of the Bundesrat)


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[lennon]

-Great image Cosmitron, I'm a big fan of your work at making comic covers, I'd really like to now some stuff about that in another occasion. The drawing is amazing, you've got a great gesture as in the previous chow. For the the moment you can count with my vote.
-Ghostbrush, thanks for the tip on the perspective, I was going to fix that but I forgot. I was wondering about your drawing, as I observed now that the shape resembles a mashroom explosion (or is it just my imagination?), seems like a good idea. Very nice render, big piece.
-emerging: I would put way more stuff like chips falling from the sky, and jack pots in the background, perhaps change the face to make him wink, more details so that the eye of the viewer can travel longer, but it looks very good.
-lkjhgfdsa: Great idea, but I'm not so crazy about the colors
-Max Martelli: Great concept, I'd like to see how you're puting the lights, to make the composition pop-out.
-wiggum: Just by looking at the image, I thought "Detroit".
-rinjii: I think that the skin may look a little flat like that, perhaps you could put some subtle pink or orange in some parts to give the hint of Sub surface scattering. Good work.
-PixelFish: The composition is cool in terms of elements, very ambicious, full of cool stuff. Perhaps you should be carefull not to loose the focus of the viewer when you start adding values or it can become messy.
-NickTripl: If I base my views on you and M.Night Shyamalan it seems that Philadelphia is full of ghosts and goblins around every corner. Good concept, very Cthulhu-like.
-tron-one: I must see more before talking.
-ThaDeus: Good idea, let's see how you pull this one out.
-darkrain: Brilliant take on that one, the arms are a fantastic touch, the cells and the beard too. The colors that you've chosen I wouldn't like in most cases as they seem too saturated, but in this case (intentionally or not) I think that they go with the spirit. Very good job.
-Clochette: Second favorite after Cosmitron's, very good stuff.
-Tetrodotoxin: It does look like Berlin. Perhaps you could make an animated gif out of it.

I would keep mentioning but I have to go now.
I've been thinking on making a second drawing, to see wich one is better.

[rinjii]

lennon- thanks for the suggestion. i knew that the color that i have now is too flat, but i didn't know which colors to use to create a more believable skintone. but since i'm going for a more pale skintone, would i be using more pinks than oranges?

either way, i'll keep experimenting to see what works. thanks again :)

[Rabies]

A tiny bit of C&C
NickTrick
Well its nothing like any others idea, and the sketch looks promising, keep it going!

lkjhgf and so forth
What a name. Now alot of nicely made symbolism, just try not to focus too much on the background :)

Darkrain
Disturbing, but nicely executed. I expecially like the clothes, im having a fight with those every time.

Ghostbrush
Its all very nice with the lightning and the colors and the feeling. But it just think a city like Hiroshima would have somekind of scars, even if its healing. but's got a very nice feeling to it.

Cosmitron
... yeah... you dont need my critique...

Tron-One
Lol yeah i never thourd id need that sentance either :P Yours looks great allready, way better than mine :P I really liked the "Her children is destroying it from inside", suited the picture id say.

[courtyard]

Hey AvisNocturna -- Thanks for the comment...yeah, I've been cropping it since the background is still blank, but she will definitely have more space. :)


Ugh--sorry I still haven't had a chance for comments. Will try to get it in somehow. Really cool watching these develop.

Quite a lot of changes since the last post, still a lot to do...

[NickTrip]

Lennon !!!! I was actually thinking "how can I make this brief a little more Lovecraftian?" Hopefully I don't get cut for straying a little bit from the original intention of the brief. Thanks for the comments.

Thanks, Rabies. I gotta hurry up and get it done soon. I have a busy weekend coming.

[Razorleaf]

Courtyard, yours is coming along great. I love the detail. I almost hate to see you put any color to it. It has such drama now. :)

[Cosmitron]

Hey AvisNocturna -- Thanks for the comment...yeah, I've been cropping it since the background is still blank, but she will definitely have more space. :)


Ugh--sorry I still haven't had a chance for comments. Will try to get it in somehow. Really cool watching these develop.

Quite a lot of changes since the last post, still a lot to do...
Great progress!!!
I can't wait to see the next step:O!

Rabies> You're wrong! I'm not here to show off! Comments would help me know how to enhance it! :mod:

[Gavage]

Photoshop has decided to turn into a mushy pile of lag so here's where I got to before resigning for the evening:

WIP! (http://conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2280136&postcount=31)

Changed the background - going for the sort of area an explosion has taken place, with the coat now containing pipes and debris that are rooted into the surrounding dirt (trying to represent the way nature is taking over all the artificial structures there now). Also made the leotard grey because it was blending in with the coat a bit too much.

[Carnifex]

little sketch on istanbul,dunno if i'll make a finished one. going caricaturist road.
golden horn(actually a river), wooden houses on shoulders,moshee on top,hidden pollution,getting too big,open to trade,trying to get in tourists. some arrows from earlier wars yet.

[Nadiamoon]

Москва - Moscow
http://i39.tinypic.com/8zijwz.png

[SunRoamer]

@Cristinart:
Your piece is really beautiful but it's against the rules :(

See the "guidelines":

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

Sorry I have to say this but I guess it's better you know it now and not just when the poll's up and you've been disqualified :/

[ArtbyWard]

Here's my Hiroshima.

Hiroshima is a city forever marked in one instant. The white things on her kimono will be cherryblossom also resembling ashes. The ashes from which she arose like a phoenix. Her back is still bears scars of the event, but she looks forward, and thinks positive. She tries to tell the world about the horrible event that has happened, but unfortunatly, still a lot of people don't listen..

[Aly Fell]

Cristinart - SunRoamer is right I'm affraid. It's a great piece but because this is character design challenge we need more than just a portrait. Three quarters minimum.

[Jefita]

Update on p. 6 (http://conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2283825&postcount=169)

I filled out the image some more and tried to take into account the various suggestions.

A few c&c while I'm here:
Nadiamoon: Looks like a pretty solid start. I think it would be cool if you worked some different colors into your shadows and highlights.

Carnifex: Amusing, I look forward to more definition.

Cristinart: Aww, too bad it's not big enough. Perhaps you can expand the image?

Missile: I think you are progressing well. I prefer the face you chose to go with. You might shorten the length of leg from the ankle to knee. It looks a little long. Also, thanks for all the suggestions on mine!

[Cristinart]

ohh!!! T_____________T I'm sorry, I haven't read propertly the rules!!
I know for the next time.

Thank for the advise =____= !


@Cristinart:
Your piece is really beautiful but it's against the rules :(

See the "guidelines":



Sorry I have to say this but I guess it's better you know it now and not just when the poll's up and you've been disqualified :/

[Cosmitron]

ohh!!! T_____________T I'm sorry, I haven't read propertly the rules!!
I know for the next time.

Thank for the advise =____= !
Could you please repost your picture? Although it did not match the rules, I'd be interested in seeing it! By the way -keep in mind I haven't seen it- maybe, you could still use it for the full length character? :)

[Ghostbrush]

darklogik Hey looking nice as the sketch, I would say style wise its really up to you, might be nice to go very stylised after ur last CHOW was very realistic.

Tommoy BErlin, awesome city, been there before and loved every second of it. Liking the look of the characters u have atm, maybe work some more symbolism into it. looking cool though.

mojokingbee hey they do look like cheeky cockney bird I give ya that! I like it a lot, maybe without the british flag I may not have recognised it as London, but then again I think most are going to need some kind of explanation, its a very personal topic after all, keep going! ha ha love the later sketches with the cuppa tea! essential! loving the sketches.

Missile first sketch I love! you should push that to final even if that not the one u submit, the pose is great though her right leg is a little odd, her calf i don't think should be over the underside of thigh like that. Instantly recognised the city which is why i feel its stronger than ur second image. good going :D The second design is also good, should try push ur rendering some more, everything is fading from light to dark quite evenly across the forms, making everything look like the same material, try find a reference of someone in a similar pose and look at the shadows on the body, this should help you know what I mean. good luck dude.

pahavasa preferred the first idea you had, was a funny image dude, like the symbolism ur trying to get, need to see more really, but good start :D

Clochette what do i say? I love it (as per usual) ur style has caught my eye since I first saw ur SB and continues to impress me, keep it Clo

Reymus yeh thats a strong image, watch the colours though, looks a tad muddy in some places, sure u know that, love the architecture as part of the character, reminds me slightly of shadow of the colossus in that respect. keep pushing.

kingkostas very marvel super hero style, I like it, strong pose and interesting concept with the waterfall hands, love the vibrant colours too :D

Chance. cool sketch dude, just watch one thing though, remeber this is CHOW, while scenes are good for context they are not character design as such, try to focus more on the costume and similar elements to make ur character unique. The facial expression is there, not make him an elistist with his outfit too. good work so far though :D

tron-one looking good so far, cant say much at this stage, keep going and post ur wips, maybe I can help then. :)

Witha-K she is one hell of a quirky aggressive type :D love the attitude and the BMX, ha ha very cool, its coming on well. go go paint

~baxter when u said steel city I thought Sheffield ha ha but its not, but thats fine I just know sheffield as steel city. Love the face reminds me of that photo of the New York skyscraper builders having lunch for some reason. Like the robotic arms, looking forward to seeing more of that.

AhChu pretty much though this was gonna be Ibiza or the other similar party hot spots, holographic turntable is sweet. hips are looking a lil thin atm, give her some dancer hips and she is ready to rock.

Razorleaf hey, nice idea, not sure where naked stands as far as character design, however this brief seems to be taken more as symbolism so it does it fit with that, maybe use some reference for the shadows on the body, all looking pretty uniform atm. watch the has lines in the background, they are a tad distratcting atm.

hunchback awesome sketch, love the idea, need to see more to really cri, but love the sketch, she is hot but gross, i kinda fancy her ha ha ha keep going with it

Cosmitron boom! you really dont need my help on this dude, rock it, kick my ass :D

SunRoamer I like the concept, but maybe experiment with some different poses, something more glamourous would make this really nice. keep going with though, CHOW is good practice :D

Leo Ki Lyon, nice place, been a few times :D very strong pose, need to see this more fleshed out, so keep pushing.

courtyard looking good, rendering is coming on nicely, keep going. love the feather...butt...thing, dunno what they called but looks cool!

AvisNocturna wow, cool old lady :D love the dress, would love to see some kind of netting on it, or maybe a heavy floral pattern stitched into it.
push that painting some more and u have a nice character there.

emerging hit the nail on the head there i reckon, great image, right amount of sleaze in that guys face hahahaha :D

darkrain argh u drew my dad 0_0 ha ha nah its disturbingly good idea, want to see some strnger brush strokes though, looking a tad soft at the joints, I would expect some creases ya know. keep going :D

Carnifex please finish it, I love the facial expression, go go finish!

Nadiamoon vibrant! would like to know more about some of the items in the clothing, want to see more of this please, go go paint :D

IceMoon lovely skecthes, the kimono is looking sweet, both sketches are worth pushing I thnk, they are both pretty strong already, keep going

whoah! think i got most, if u are missed out its not on purpose, I just complacent. great entries again, looking forward to seeing them all done, keep up the good work everyone.

Alex

[Razorleaf]

I think this is about as far as I'm going to take mine time wise ..... "Halifax Exposed"

[Razorleaf]

I think you are right Ghostbrush ..... mine does seem a bit uniform. Plain ole naked doesn't say much for character design but its what I got out of the brief for my city. I think I'll stick with what I've got but I probably won't go to poll with it. :)


Nadiamoon - I am liking yours. Its got this kinda Odin slash Warlord mix to it.

[Rabies]

Ghostbrush / Icemoon
Thats what i ment with scars. I know you, ghostbrush, wanted to keep a kind of "reincarnation" or "healing" in the picture, but i think it would have more impact, if it had some scars like Icemoons.

Btw to both of you, i had an assignment on it some time ago, and i saw some pictures of a special kind of wound that didnt heal. It looked different from any other wound, the actual wound was ON the skin. Its hard to describe but it didnt curve inwards. It was called something with chlor, and was a very common wound in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Just thourd id share :P

Cosmopolitan
Yeah i know, but i dont think i can really come up with something you could use :S

[rinjii]

minor update...not done with the skin just yet, still have some highlighting and deeper shadows to define. not to mention working on hair, tulip wreath, face and general background.

[darklogik]

Just wanted to throw up what I have rendered atm. Dont Worry! he is actually full-body.

Comments needed =)

Thanks

[Vongola]

Nigeria my home land
Appealing and lively while dangerous and wild
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/streetkid4/wipafrico.png

[Cosmitron]

So here's two updates, and I think I'll stop there, unless I've forgot something essential :)
http://bolospoilerman.free.fr/Chow/Paris/Paris%2005.jpg
http://bolospoilerman.free.fr/Chow/Paris/Paris%2006.jpg
Comments are more than welcome :)

[~baxter]

Ty for the crits/comments so far.

Ghostbrush: That's pretty neat that there's a "Steel City" over there. Didn't even know about it. Your dead on with the inspiration, as I used this photo. Despite its NY, its the same clothing for the time period, so it works :P

http://www.trevorlittle.com/wordpress/wp-content/photos/142_4226.jpg

Small update from me on 114 (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2282662&postcount=114)

[zephyri]

First off replies!

Clochette: damn I love your work more every time I come to look at it. You've really come on amazingly recently. Sarajevo looks amazing, even in this early stage.

Courtyard: Like the fact you've gone for a younger looking child, gives a more unique look, and all her little odds and sods are interesting, makes me wonder which city you're doing!

Mojokingbee: Eheh now no mistaking that's british! The 'cheers' makes me laugh, as I say that a lot, but more as thanks than anything! Really like the face... it's a nice mix of that gritty determination the brits have.

Witha-K: the face on yours is looking gorgeous.. loving the colour scheme too. One thing i like about it is you've captured that kind of laid back arrogance of character, something I could imagine the city having. You might want to check her right eye as we see it, it looks a little sunk back in the head compared to the other one... or it could be that it's not quite following the curve of the face.

Ghostbrush: another really unusual take, especially given it's Hiroshima! The hair cloud is a nice touch, but i really like that she's got this ethereal look to her.

Pahasava: Ooh, interesting design. Feels really functional and straight forward, and I'm guessing there's hints of the business man and pollution there too. The muted colour scheme is nice, it's be interesting to see the odd splash of neon colour in there too.

Lennon: wow, that's an intensely violent look at the way you feel about the city. I find the corn somewhat distracting, especially as they seem to be painted photos on top of the purely painted image at the back. Distracts from the character a lot.

Monika Gruszka: This is one of my favourites so far for it's lack of overt costuming or social comment. I can tell so much just from the eyes, and even without you saying I'd have guessed some eastern bloc country of europe. Great job in capturing the essence of a city in the face.

No Name: interpreted exactly what you described as the city's hisotry really well in the drawing. i like the mix of modern day and the war torn past. Looking forward to colour.

Rabies: ooh, interesting take on the city's characteristics! The alien idea is interesting too. I'd be tempted to add some rim lighting to her form, just to break up the solid black outline you've got going round everything, but it's well on it's way.

Cosmitron: wow, this is such a visually interesting piece. She definitely says european western to me, and I love the allure she has, even though it looks kinda dangerous too. Really nice work so far and love the lengthening of the leg's forshortening.

Jefita: lovely stuff. The metaphors of what you described in the picture are very subtle, which I love. And it's not that what's holding her there is bad, per se, but you know that she wants to be more than what she is. Nice work. If I had any suggestions, I'd maybe move the girl's feet a touch to the right, so her centre line is straight, rather that leaning,

Rinjii: Ehehe nice.. Amsterdam as a sexy lookin' hooker and a laurel. Very direct interpretation of the city, but it's one of the things it's known for. It'd be nice if you could work some softness into her face. Amsterdam has some real beauty and sadness to it too, would be lovely to see a hint of that.

Posh: Something a little different for you here Aly.. really like it too. This feels like it could have some real emotional depth to it, especially given it's a topic close o a dear one's heart. Look forward to see what you do with colours for it.

Pixeltuner: Liking the grey and red in this earlier stage... that could be quite striking just as a colour scheme in itself, but not sure if it's tokyo!

Sunroamer: Her pose isn't too bad atm... her left shoulder as we look look quite wide and the way the forearm overlaps looks a little far down on the upper arm. Maybe a little foreshortening on the hand too, and having it in less than a straight on, fingers clasped together might help sell that she's beckoning to the viewer.

Reymus: ooh, awesome idea to incorperate the actual buildings into the character. I like it. Gives a feeling of wholeness about th ecity, not to mention strength and dogged determination!

Darklogic: love the mountainous shoulder pauldrons, they're awesome! The whole outfit is neat. One thing i might say is that there seems to be a lot of primary colours fighting for attention at the mo.. maybe tweaking the yellow slightly more into orange, and darkening the orange a little more into red, or pinking it off slightly would help tie the character's overall scheme together, but still keep all those sports colours. Nice design thus far though.

lkjhgfdsa: Liking the conceptual feel the design has here.. i could almost see it as one of those business metaphor sort of illustrations that feature in editorials in magazines. The green on the final colour one is a bit too neon for me, I think maybe a little more desaturated colour onto it, and more darks will help a lot, but the overall message is really clear.

Max Martelli: Ha! No mistaking the americanism of this one! brill design, simple but very effective.

wiggum: nice character! He feels a little manic, and the demon by his side is cute, what's the story behind him?

Emerging: No doubting that's vegas. High rollin' money loving, but all in all good fun, long as it's not for too long! LOVE the shirt, that's awesome and I want one.

Pixelfish: lovin' the breezy feeling to this one, I want to be in that city right now, looks lovely! Like that you've got so many physical aspects of the city into the piece too. Nice work.

Darkrain: ooh, another somewhat scathing summation of a city's character! Love illustration though, she has a lot of character and is kind of oddly appealing for it. he mobile phones on the belt is a nice touch too, mixing the old with the new.

NickTrip: i like the way you've taken the characterisation of the city a little differently, rather than focusing on the people as what creates the city, you've flipped that. Nice twist.

ThaDeus: not much to say this early on, but I really like the stylisation of your line work.

Tetrodotoxin: made me giggle.. I could imagine him as an informative cartoon character on a tour round Berlin!

Carnifex: LOVE that you've gone more caricature on it. Even in that sketch that sneery smile has a tonne of personality... hope that stays if you work him out!

Nadiamoon: Ooh, lots of historical aspects in this character. I like the design, but it'd be nice to see more personailty to him, maybe considering the way his legs are posed, to make him seem strong, or proud, or maybe distanced... however the city makes you feel while you're in it, or imagine yourself to be if you're not.

Icemoon: Lovely frontal sketch, and i love the idea of the scars on her back. She looks kind of proudish in the front sketch at the moment, though.. one of the things the back sketch has is that sense of frailty, but without being weak, would love to see that in the final thing.

Razorleaf: nice illustration... it would have been awesome if the graffiti had been on her body rather than the wall. give she's supposed to be the city, it would have been a lovely metaphorical, but also literal translation of that aspect of the city.

[zephyri]

And now my own. I've tried not to think about the kind of people that live in ym home town of Cambridge, UK, but rather the kind of sense of character i get while i'm in the city. It's a place that is well to do, but is steeped in history and grandeur, yet for all that it feels relatively friendly and homely while you're in it. And it has a certain charm and lure to it, especially in the balmy days of summer. So I've tried to design a character who might reflect all that in one way or another, and came to an older business man with gypsy esque roots, comfortable with both aspects of himself, and a dab hand on the violin. All in all a very charming person, but not without a pin sharp mind, despite the outer somewhat eccentric look.


689499

[Leo Ki]

A few more comments:

Ghostbrush - The lighting is mesmerizing! The ginkgo leaves are a bit hard to recognize - could be mistaken for birds or butteflies, but maybe this is intentional?
AvisNocturna - The Old Lady's way of looking in the latest update (third picture) does ring a bell (a Bavarian bell) :D (see the line below)
Felida - Cute one, that's the München I recall - more than the Old Lady (see line above), but both are the town.
darklogik - The gladiator looks fearsome!
Blueman - I like the idea. If you're unsure if the golem is human enough for the brief maybe ask the moderators.
Missile - Her face is creepily expressive. Very good job with all the details and symbols. On the technical side, I'm waiting for the picture to gain some texturing.
pahavasa - Hm, you dropped the white karhu... The character is very funny.
lennon - Very strong image. Care to explain the symbolism? Crisis of the 90s? Agricultural politics?
emerging - LOL. I think you've pinned it down.
NickTrip - Fascinating mythology invented real time!
Cosmitron - I'd have imagined a bit more Parisian gray-blue in the mood. (la grande ville au coeur d'acier :P)

I'll update my picture tomorrow.

[Aly Fell]

Cosmitron - Love it, but I personally think you've overdone the 'bloom' on the bottom one. It actually makes it more... photographic, but you loose a lot of your wonderful subtle tones. Maybe a compromise between the two?

Zephyri - Cheers Sam. I'm not sure about mine yet. I actually think I might broaden it out and spend longer on it than I can this week. The original sketch was done on a scrap of paper at work and had faceless figures standing and watching her bleed to death and doing nothing. Not a very subtle point really! Yours looks smashing, and he reminds me of Ed Alleyne Johnson.

[Cosmitron]

Leo Ki> You're right! I think I've forgot that side of Paris. Lucky I still have some time to find something. :D
Poshspice> You're right! I'll try something more subtle :)

[zephyri]

Cosmitron: agree with Aly.. the bloom is almost more retro photograph, but the colours on the first are so soft and inviting, it seems a shame to wipe the subtlety out with the bloom.

Darklogic: Like the stony facade the character has, but maybe the darkest blacks are a little overwhelming at the moment.. if you tweaked it with levels to lighten the black then go back in and add just a touch of really dark colour instead, it'll probably stop it looking quite so heavy.

Vongola: interesting mix of attributes! Will you be doing any one particular city? Bit early to offer advice right now, but the flow of the figure is working well so far, but the finger at the mouth doesn't really suggest wild or lively.

Aly: cheers! Smashing is a jolly good word for describing Cambridge really. Would definitely like to see you flesh yours out more too - the darker concept of it intrigues me, and would make it more of a raw emotional impact. Though I hear you on the time you don't have, oi.

[darklogik]

Im gonna work on on the face a bit more, thank you. Once I have the shadows and highlights of each area down, ill adjust the colors so they are not competing as heavily.

Keep em comin =)

[Reymus]

Istanbul mini update, still muddy, but adding more structures into it, shops, stalls, breaking the legs apart even more.

edit: The "muddiness" I've come to realize is a large part on Painter, Photoshop rarely if ever does this, but I've never painted in photoshop (or painter until recently for that matter) so I can't be 100% sure. Photoshop just produces cleaner everything that I may just dump Painter for these activities.

Razorleaf - Her shadow looks like it should fall a little to the right of where you have it, coming up against the wall, and blend her some into the background so it dosen't look like she stands out too much.

Emerging - Awesome render, but LV has more to that than just gambling, the city has a pretty dark history, albeit everything revolving around money, maybe make the guy look more desperate or sinister. Corruption and greed in a silk shirt.

Cosmitron - I agree with Poshspice, I liked the top version, the luminosity kind of swallows her up.

[rinjii]

zephyri- thanks for the suggestion!! you are right, amsterdam does have a very soft yet sad feel to it, especially after its golden age died away and the stains of the holocaust victims like anne frank.

i changed her expression a little by merely changing her eyebrow direction and a few minor tweaks to make her look a little more wistful than hard-assed.

i'm also thinking about putting a star of david necklace in her hand, and [maybe] a few scars on her to hint at that- but not large enough to take away from the piece as a whole.

[ThaDeus]

Here's a little update ..a lot of work to do ,but the idea is there ,i think... feel free to comment ...time to go to bed for me ... i'll come back later and comment all the great works you're all creating :)689579

[Razorleaf]

Zephyri - I actually tried your suggestion but I thought it totally changed the symbolism of the piece. The naked woman is suppose to represent the purity of the city, what is innocent and good about it, while all around her is the violence and crime - hence the city "exposed". But having the graffiti on the woman somehow changed it so that she represented the crime and violence. Still, I agree that it is missing something. Thank you for the suggestion though. :)

[Clochette]

Thanks for taking the time to make all these comments! :)

Cosmitron, your Paris is hot! I agree with Posh as well about the bloom though. Also the glass of wine is a bit lost, but this way it's subtle, so i guess that's what you wanted to. Anyway c'est terrible! :P

Ghostbrush, I like your take on Hiroshima, the atomic mushroom shape is clever, and the light from the top fits well with the new hope thing you were talking about.

Rinji : The joint, did you ever hold one? hehe, because on your drawing, she's gonna burn her fingers! :P Nice idea tho, but maybe we forget a bit too much the 'other side' of Amsterdam, cultural stuff, painting, etc? Drugs and prostitutes are only one part of it. :P

I think i'm done with mine, it's becoming boring.. :]

689601

See you !

[tron-one]

Not much time to work but squeezing it in where I can. Here's a small update. Added jewelry, shield and spear. Her right arm (our left) looks funky. Maybe it's a little too long. Wish I could crit everyone as wips go up. Hopefully I can help out on saturday. Now, sleep.

[Nadiamoon]

http://i39.tinypic.com/20u1mqd.png

[dadoalmeida]

I´ve finished my 3rd COW enter in time so I´ll try CHOW, if you guys don´t mind. :-)

I really do like to try capture a much more fun char to express the city I live (São Paulo, Brasil), but I think I´m being more sincere with that theme picturing the city as I fell most of the time.

Gonna spend more strokes in this one, but there´s a wip to you guys:

[rinjii]

clochette- ah, you caught me! yes, amsterdam is lovely for its art- totally enjoyed myself in Rembrandt's house and the Rijksmuseum. but what's not fun about drawing a hooker? :P
i did have an idea about drawing amsterdam in its golden era, but i wasn't getting anywhere with it, at least not fast enough for the deadline. maybe a side project for another time?

but thanks for pointing out the issue with the joint- and no i've never held one, is it that obvious? XD the stuff messes up my lungs like crazy. i'll fix that post-haste, though :)

[Ghostbrush]

why am I up at 6am?

Baxter what a guess! ha ha yeh keep going its coooooooool, yeh steel city over here is where I went to Uni, know it very well. peace

zephyri thank you :D

Leo Ki cheers, appreciate that dude

Clochette Thank you my dear, kind words :)

Update

gonna work the face some more to make it less flat!

[rinjii]

final sneak peek before the final burning thread! all that's really left to do now is tackle the hair and the background.


once again, any comments and/or crits are more than appreciated!

[Cristinart]

Could you please repost your picture? Although it did not match the rules, I'd be interested in seeing it! By the way -keep in mind I haven't seen it- maybe, you could still use it for the full length character? :)

^^ of course, I can! jiji
Thanks for your interest!

I think it's not a picture that I can recycle for make a characher complete. Because my intention was to saw the eyes of the girl.
But, for me now is a challenge! Because I have 3 days for make another character :D
I hope to achieve ò3ó!

And your drawing is awesome! I love the style, the position of the character, the perspective, It's a very good job.

ps: Excuse me for my english, I have a intermediate level .

[lkjhgfdsa]

What it all means;-
Cities (compared to the country towns) are in such a rush imho, flowers tucked behind ears are now bluetooth and everyone is obsessed with the 'deadline'. the relaxed 'she'll be right' mentality of the bush is replaced by the fasterfasterfaster! of city life,.
Economy, hard edges and concrete instead of soft curves, streams and forests.
Without the country to grow its food and cloth, the city would die yet there is more wealth in a city (money wise as opposed to cultural identity) and people fall into the metropolis effect like a trap- and as an anarchist it is a trap- designed to keep people in a system of make money-spend money over the rural metaphor of Jonny Barleycorn and Jack Frost (simple life/death cycle).
So My 'city' is torn between the simplicity of country and the complication of city.
yeah...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a134/jonoy/lkjhgfdsaCITY_5.jpg

[Rabies]

Zephyri
Lol thanks i actually did add rim ligtning i just hadnt posted that yet, since i didnt want to post anything further untill the finals :P Thanks, great minds think alike ;)