Character. Bronze Bull.

[Iotrez]

Hi,

Here's my initial sketch for a mini contest on cg talk. Its a bronze bull creature( KHALKOTAUROI ) from Greek mythology.

c&c welcome.

Thanks.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.davies/Bull.jpg

[Chris Beatrice]

Iotrez,
It's kind of tough to comment on this piece at this stage. I guess the big thing at this point is that the bull isn't doing anything. Now that you've designed the character, what about a much more interesting, dynamic action pose? Also think about some other elements (i.e. a background). I'm not sure about the limits of the contest (or your time), but depicting the bull tossing around a couple of Greek / Mycenaean heroes could be cool (not that I know what cool is...)!

Also, I think how you render the metal (bronze) is going to be important, since by definition that is what the bull's character is - what you do with the color, light, condition (i.e. is it scratched and dented, smooth and sleek, etc?).

As for the lighting & color, I personally am not a big fan of the "black + colors" thing I seem to be seeing a lot of, because though you can certainly make great, powerful art this way, you are cutting out a major aspect of visual perception in so doing. Just because everyone does it, and it's relatively easy, doesn't mean that's the only way there is. I would worry about this piece going in that direction (which seems kind of likely from where it is now).

Hope that helps, and good luck with the contest!

[Iotrez]

Thanks alot for the feedback.

I'll definitely try to do a more interesting pose and background.

Also I'll probably create the final version with thin lines and colour washes underneath (in Photoshop)so there hopefully won't be larger areas of black.

I wish I could paint by building up opaque paint like when using oils or something, but haven't had any experience doing that.

Anyway here's another sketch. Still very rough at this stage.

Thanks.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.davies/Bull2.jpg

[Chris Beatrice]

Hey, if you wish you could paint in oils, then try it! There is nothing like creating the illusion of light with opaque materials (vs. on a monitor, which actually is light. It's also very satisfying to break out of the box, and do some larger work.

[Iotrez]

Yeah I'll give it a go when I get chance.

Here's an update. Probably not going to be able to paint it the way I would like as it's got to be done by tomorrow.

Going to keep refining the details and add scratches etc.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.davies/bull3.jpg

[Iotrez]

Added a few details and changed a few things.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.davies/Bull4.jpg

[Chris Beatrice]

Hey, not bad man!

[Iotrez]

Thanks.