ChoW#225 :: Viking Berserker

[Martheart]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii293/chowarchive/CHOW_Headerimage/QUEENOFCHOW_logo-2.jpg



ROUND #225 :: Viking Berserker



DESCRIPTION


Viking Berserker


Berserkers were legendary Norse warriors who are said to have fought in an almost trance-like and uncontrollable state. In this state they were incredibly strong and didn’t need any armor to protect themselves; instead, they wore the pelts and carcasses of animals like bears and wolves they had slaughtered with their own hands to strike even more fear in to their enemies. The name “berserker” is said to be derived from the Norse words for “bear” (ber) and “coat” (serkr[/I}). There are theories that tell Norse warriors would consume hallucinogenic mushrooms or drink massive amounts of alcohol to achieve this berserker state. They didn’t even feel any pain when fighting! All in all, you didn’t want to encounter these aggressive, mad and terrifying warriors on the battlefield!

Design a Viking Berserker!


Stick to the original Norse setting (Viking)
These warriors are not like normal Norse swordsmen, they are incredibly terrifying and their appearance alone should be horrific enough to scare away any opponents!
You are also allowed to design a female berserker!


More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berserker


Good luck!
http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/vikings-berserk-bear-shirt.jpg



PLEASE NOTE THE RULES AND THE DEADLINE TIME

---------------------------------------------------------
DEADLINE:
SUNDAY, December 12th, 2010


Deadline is Sunday, at 9:00 pm (GMT +1).
Check your timezone (http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/)


---------------------------------------------------------
THE RULES
If you do not stick to these 6 simple rules, you will not be added to the poll.
---------------------------------------------------------

:right: 1) FOLLOW THE TOPIC.
It's about designing the character of the topic. The environment or side characters are far less important.

:right:2) SHOW AT LEAST ¾ OF YOUR DESIGN.
This is not an illustration contest, but a design contest. Show your whole design!

:right:3) POST YOUR FINAL IN THE FINALS THREAD.

:right:4) INCLUDE WIPS WITH YOUR FINAL.
Show your work in progress and post (links to) this in the finals thread!

:right:5) SAVE YOUR FILES IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT. Chow##_Nickname
example: "CHOW#100_Oblio.jpg" ;)
No final.jpgs please!


:right:6) 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).



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. Icemoon and Arthemis IX will make the selection.
[I]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!

[nicopen]

Love this idea. So many ideas already.

[B-Man]

Hell yeah! My Viking blood is already boiling. I'll consume great amounts of alcohol and se what comes to mind.

[ChrisProof]

YES! I have been in a viking mood for weeks!

[Niva.]

Great topic, I might have to draw something!

[fdisk]

LOVE IT! Can't wait to participate in this one!

[Nikola Marinkovic]

can't wait to start drawing!

[tbaldree]

This should be sweet. Quick face scribble to get some ideas down.

[B-Man]

I got this idea for an epic peice. :)
1116086

[tbaldree]

'Nother quick face scribble. Trying to decide between going male or female on this one.

[RayTwicket]

wow, can't wait to see the action on this round :)

[JanJager]

B-Man
Daynamic scene, I like the rotational moment with the centre in his head. I think you should go further with that.
tbaldree
Good faces. I think the male has more berserker power but a female berserker is a nice take.

[NoShot]

Fun Topic! Here are a couple sketches

EDIT: Just realized that this is very similar to the God of War video game dude. I'll hve to come up with something else.

[ARRGH!]

Trying to get the berserk just right! Quick gesture I came up with. Now the hard part, finishing this thing. Awesome topic & entries all round. Thanks

[Jager]

nice berserkers already!
here is some sketches

[NoShot]

Second idea: Instead of an angry/shouty berserker, I'm gonna go for a different kind of scary... drug addled and crazy.

I need to work on the perspective of the axe it looks off.

[ChrisProof]

Sweet entries so far.
Here's my go at it so far.

[OliviaM]

WIP
1116244

[nicopen]

I think i'll run with this idea.
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad303/ninja_sea_monkey/chow225_nicopenwip.jpg

[ErikStorstein]

As a Norwegian I guess this is kind of mandatory to do as a member here. I have heavy deadlines on wednesday but after that I should be able to invest some time into it. morningsketch here, time to run in the shower.
1116306

[sourfruitjunkie]

Very intrigued and excited for this topic. Here's a sketch. I'll probably work more ideas on a pose later.

[JaneMag]

And since I'm a Norwegian too, I'll honor my ancestors and join in! Wheee, can't wait! :D

[gdlr]

BWAAAA! The song of the norses war.

[ArtByManon]

Oohhhh man this looks fun. I don't think i'd go for a female since there were no female bear-shirters. At least, not that i've ever read about.

I've not got viking roots, but mine are with the celts... so not dissimilar ;)

[B-Man]

tbaldree - Just to make sure. You know you need to paint a full figure character? or at least ¾. Keep up the good work.

JanJager - Thanks man. Im gonna try and paint it with a traditional feel. I do think I might need to rework the composition. I'ts still early in the week and my commision work is kinda slow atm. :) There is some issues with the proportions in your peice. I know its in perspective but his knees are to small. makes his lower body look tiny. Also could be cool if one of his feet came out steping on some guys face. :) Gonna be fun to see your progress.

NoShot - Think you should go back to the earlier concepts and rework them into less GOD of WAR. :) Thay worked better as a warrior. This new guy looks like Zombie. :P

ChrisProof - be careful when you put alot of skulls in your design. Might end up more high-Fantasy then Viking (historical) Nice rabid look hes got. keep it up mate :)

ARRGH! - Cool sketch. He looks like a caveman dude. The vikings were good Ironworkers, maybe you could add some more stuff to your design. I think it would look more interesting if you did. :)

Jager - Any relation to JanJager? and maybe Mick Jager? :P Good looking design. looks like a berserking little druid.

OliviaM - Looks reallty good. I like the reds in the face.

nicopen - I would sugest you make it look more viking. rightn now it looks alot like a warrior from wow. Keep up the good work.

Zilrion - Looks damn intresting. cant wait to see this more rendered. :)

sourfruitjunkie - Nice. Dont stray to far from brief. :)

gdlr - still early, intresting pose. Keep it up :)


So I see that there is alot of designs with animal pelts on the head. I took mine away. Maybe i even rework the whole image. make it a more historically correct depiction as the brief asks. :)
1116386

[reginanegra]

here is my first idea. not very dynamic but the guy looks really dangerous and kinda crazy :P
if i am gona go with this i need to emphasize the animalistic element more. i thought i would project like a bear spirit out off him...dunno.

[Urötskidoji]

As stated above, my norse blood will aswell be joining this challenge.
I recently made a game for my school in this similar fashion too :)

Good drawings so far!

[Partisan]

i think this would be my first time participating in CHOW, first sketch tomorrow, but i think instead of the usual epic fighting scene i`ll go with something more like after a fight or something more ito the sublime.

And for all of you who arent very into metal, listen to Amon Amarth or Bathory ( just two examples) to get into the right viking mood

so long
seb

[Pixeltuner]

This is getting old but: I'm still waiting for my computer parts.. I wanna join iiihihihihihiiiin. Had to skip the Harajuku already, I'm getting fed up with not being able to participate in cool rounds.. :(

That said: Nice starts already. I especially like yours Jager the first one is kind of comical but full of character :)

[Ironbyte]

Viking fun :D

WIPs and where I'm up to

[MasterStryke]

AWESOME topic

gonna collect some refs of real vikings and old germans


some ref for those who want to make a female one :asspat:

http://halloweenmart.com/media/core/LG83241_SEXY_VIKING_WARRIOR_NEW.jpg

[Partisan]

first WIP and concept

[Ironbyte]

Some possibly useful viking stuff (http://www.vikingsonline.org.uk/resources/gallery2010/) :)

[Nikola Marinkovic]

first idea.

[Paolo13]

My start!!!
Ciao

[CrookedHorn]

count me in :rocker:

[60"]

this is my start... and my choose :steph:

[dustin53545]

Sweet I'm doing this one. If anyone like heavy metal then listen to "Sons of Odin" by Manowar its about Viking Berserkers. It'll get you in the mind set.

[sourfruitjunkie]

Update. Definitely changing the weapons to fit the "viking/norse" period. Hope the rest is not straying from the brief.

[Jager]

Color update, I think I’m moving away from funny to a darker look. Not sure where to take it :)


sourfruitjunkie nice start
Paolo13 this looks majestic, I love it, looks like a chieftain. I like the loose vs. the details in the face, nice with the ornaments too. Looks Norse
B-Man nice one, I like the idea with the priests. Yepp, Janjager is my brother :)
Zilrion awesome mood in your pic , looking forward to see more
OliviaM haha not sure what’s going on but very funny , the facial expression is great
ChrisProof nice, the pointy hat and black beard almost makes me think of a pirate captain.
NoShot a different take, I like it, he really looks wasted.
ARRGH just awesome anatomy! Is that charcoal?
JanJager yeah that’s a real berserker jumping over the ship rail
tbaldree fantastic faces looking forward to see more

[Ian Barker]

General crit that applies to a few of the entries so far: The poses don't look particularly berserk or terrifying as the brief calls for. When I see a guy just standing there in a neutral pose, even if he's dressed in armor, berserker is not that word that comes to mind.

[zwei]

doodling doodling

[NoShot]

small update. I think I'm gonna stick with this pose and see how it turns out.

EDIT: replaced with slightly updated version.

[Dranyer]

some really cool stuff so far guys!

i've got a couple rough sketches, still figuring out what i wanna do

[Creedy]

a quick one...
never taken anything that far that fast :)

well, but still WIP

if you guys are interested in vikings, there's a pretty cool comic named "Northlander Vol 1: Sven the Returned"

and for the extra viking berserker mood: Amon Amarth^^ did help me a little...

for critique:
JanJager verrry dynamic! needs more viking and he's good to go (berserk that is of course...)

ChrisProof pirate viking. Think it's the beard and the skull on the chest

nicopen no viking. google some pictures. 13th warrior is a good movie if you want some slightly more realistic viking stuff. The axes are fantasy/dwarven and way too big

Zilrion yarrr... perhaps let him raise the other hand, too... dunno

B-Man Cool arrangement! You might want to take a closer look at his arms, especially the left one (with the sword) looks off to me (too long?)

reginanegra Oh noez! pelt-panties, they're so 80s! Outrageous! In the name of Odin get the poor man some proper clothes!

Partisan That is one epic guy! but sadly no berserker :'(

Paolo13 That is one epic guy! but sadly no berserker :'( (yes I know copypasta)

60'' That is one f#cked up guy... What did you give him... seriously...

sourfruitjunkie that update rocks, love the headgear

Jager Funny guy :) But I think he's missing something that makes him more norse and more berserker... Could also be a native american shaman or something like that... except for the Thor's Hammer thingy

zwei keep it up! looking good

NoShot Nice improvement in the pose. The axe still doesn't quite fit the viking setting... so do the kneepads. I like the stoned out of his mind idea... interesting take on the topic. Dunno if it's only me, but I'm missing that little violent spark that makes him go berserk...

[Dana_T]

LETS DO THIS.

Here're a few sketches I did after class. Still don't know what kind of fur he'll be wearing. Muskox is kinda silly. Maybe the elk or the ibex (spelt ipax on the sketch cause it's mad late). Or I'll just go with a bear.

Lemme know what you guys think!

[Penpoint]

a start... think its a bit overworked and outta wak so far...
thoughts and help on the pose?

the work is looking great on here so far. looking forward to seeing the progress this round.

[Hellfire]

Hi there!!!
Nice one this CHOW. I'll definitely work hard on this one. This is the kind of stuff I like to do.

Anyway, this is my initial sketch, but I really don't know if its looking good so far. Any comment would be very, VERY helpful!!!
Great works guys. Maybe in the future I'll post a comment about everyone's works.
Cheers!

[Onnophris]

Here's what i got... Had a pelt on at first but then decided to go with the helmet.

1116907

[ThabisoMhlaba]

just some thinking sketches.
I'll do stuff in PS in a bit.

[Niva.]

Everyone here's drawing axes, at the risk of making mine look like Thor I call dibs on a huge war hammer :)

[neutral.]

Hmmm imma go with a spear, it seems to have been quite a popular weapon in the viking era. Or so the internet tells me...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/sentone/CA%20CHOW/CHOW-VikingBerserk2.jpg

[emerging]

this is awesome! trying myself out on this one as well

[tbaldree]

Playing around with a pose and some first initial figure scribbles. Fiddling with exaggerating the features, expression, and stature a little more.

Nice stuff everybody!
Hellfire - that looks like it's going to turn out sweet! It has a very 'stalking through a burning village in the snow' sort of feel, embers and snow blowing around him. nice.
Dranyer - love the pose! 2nd is my favorite.
Jager - the creepily freakish take is neat
Paolo13 - really dig the massive feel of the character, huge and bearlike.

[tbaldree]

Penpoint - here is a thought on the pose.

It seems a little to me like he is leaning too far forward - like he's diving onto them rather than getting ready to bash the crap out of them - it's hard to envision how is legs are extended below him that doesn't feel like a dive.

I did a quickie rotate and paint to put him in a bit more upright position - if you want to depict the moment before the strike, then he'd be more upright. You lean forward as you swing, but the 'windup' position is more vertical or back.
Anyway, just a thought - might be a crappy idea :)

This is the painting that springs to mind when I think about the arms outstretched moment before attack that you ahve going on- even though it IS on a horse.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kvv3fcoXqVE/S-h4xjG-30I/AAAAAAAAGso/Q6lu9l0QJf4/s1600/lancers_conan_conqueror_painting.jpg

[LordTrilobite]

With my first post I'd like to participate aswell with a berserker slaying a dragon.

[Ironbyte]

Update, not sure if I'm biting off more than I can handle with the background. Crits and comments welcome.

[Nikola Marinkovic]

little update. :)

welcome to CA LordTrilobite

[Tawnos]

First trys, I want to find a more dynamic pose, too.
Plus, I have problems with drawing faces, may be because I don't really have a feeling for the pen, plus, I always had face problems...
PRACTICE NOW! :)

[ryan mcshane]

i was going to enter, then i saw emergings... :D

[Tawnos]

I had the idea for this pose just 5 mins before I had to leave for Uni, so I crapped it out of my brain to save it for myself!

[Wiggers]

Great stuff so far!

[Pixeltuner]

i was going to enter, then i saw emergings... :D

you chicken?!? :-p

[Aeronik]

Hard to resist portraits sometimes...
http://www.aeronik.com/images/CHOW225sketches01.jpg

http://www.aeronik.com/images/CHOW225sketches02.jpg

[fudgeloaf]

Well gonna give CHOW another try and maybe finish it this time!

Awesome Entries so far

B-man- looks really dynamic hope the other characters dont slow you down
Janjager- Great angle he definately looks mental haha
Noshot- Nice pose the shadow underneath really made the pile of bodies stand out for me, great stuff
Arrgh- Great gesture even the lines look angry! cant wait to see it rendered
Jager- Really interesting pose, reminds me of an old coot or something :)
Chrisproof-Great emotion in here i really struggle with that, cant wait to see more
Olivia M- Cool idea no so sure the bear pelt would be that high up though unless the character is jumping down from something, would like to see more though.
Nicopen-nice start
Zilrion- It was your piece that made me want to start in colour man very good start in my opinion :D I hope you can refine the shit out of it
Sourfruitjunkie-Liking your new pose loads more dynamic and glad you kept the axe :)
gdlr- looks like this is gonna have a lot of character
Reginanegra- cool start looks very menacing, the bear spirit idea sounds great, watch those knees :)
Gloombunny- Good start, hes looking really scottish at the minute and the pose is a little confusing but its still early days, cant wait to see more.
Partisan- Great simple thumbnails <<envy!
Nikola Marinkovic- nice lines, he's not looking very berserkery at the moment though with the pose, he's looking really proud in my opinion
Paolo13-Daaamn great face really hope thats a huge bear pelt in his back
60"-That guy is definately mental!
Zwei-always good to see a female zerker, i like the first pose but cant really see why she would cut herself without being angry in the face, look forward to seeing more
Dranyer- Nice Silhouettes
Creedy- Awesome mood and cant believe how much you got done already haha
Dana t- liking the deer antlers hope you stick with them would make a good silhouette
Penpoint-tbaldtree already said what i thought but good scary face you got there
Hellfire- This guy reminds me so much of judge dredd, theres lots of character in there i wanna see mooore, the only thing that sticks out for me is the axe, the position may be a little strange especially if the wind is blowing that hard he may want to shield it or put it more to his side.
Onnorphis- Great start loving the axes pointed towards the viewer and his crazy eyes!
Formic Acid- good idea with the spear, looks like the guys is gonna fall over though or he may be thrusting or cant get his balance, other than that good design.
Emerging- Daamn here you go again haha awesome as usual!
Tbaldtree- Liking the last pose and your style he looks very menacing, but i cant get the scottish idea out of my head! bah might just be me.
Lord Trilobite- Welcome to CHOW! not a bad start keep in mind youd have to render the dragon out too which looks like it could take a while otherwise it may let your character down in the long run, hope this helps
Wiggers-Good start, his legs are quite long at the minute watch your proportions man
Aeronik- loving the portraits he reminds me of a drunk god of war so far, i wanna see more

Wow didnt realise there was that many people.
1117067

Crits encouraged i still dunno what im doing, but the overall idea is a more drunken viking taunting a pack of wolves(with a bunny), not sure about the composition or anything at the mo and i need to make him look less like a hick and more swedish!

[gdlr]

B-Man Thank you. I like your background sktech :)
Paolo13 Epic Viking!
sourfruitjunkie Hehe nice start! I want to see the next step :p
Jager Brrr scary!
Dranyer I prefer the second sketch, keep it.
Creedy Damned ! So fast! So cool!
Hellfire Nice
Onnophris The pose is interesting
tbaldree I love his head
Aeronik Good idea. Great belt :)
fudgeloaf hehe thanks. I hope i gonna satisfy you

[Saleem]

heres a quikie from me

[Wiggers]

Update.

[ArtByManon]

Hi there!!!
Nice one this CHOW. I'll definitely work hard on this one. This is the kind of stuff I like to do.

Anyway, this is my initial sketch, but I really don't know if its looking good so far. Any comment would be very, VERY helpful!!!
Great works guys. Maybe in the future I'll post a comment about everyone's works.
Cheers!

LOVING the energy in this... AWESOME!

[GEB]

Release the fury!

Not to be confused with the furry...

Loads of great work already.

Jager: Loving this he looks as mad as a box of frogs

Tbaldree: Wow they look mental!

Hoping to get something done though I'm not sure where I'm gunna find the time. Well here's my start anywho

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=1516&pictureid=26035

[GEB]

Paolo13: Love the face looks really strong, like he's seen a lot of action

Aeronik: Sweet

[ryan mcshane]

ive been sketchin, nothing worth postin.
but i want to tell people things
---
GEB: woah cool! just maybe do some simple colors, so you keep the nice blacks and dont spend too much time (that you dont have) on it, keep at it bro!
wiggerrzz: looking really nice, just his hat doesnt look like a bear and uh he's not very craaaazy lookin' but real cool so far!
saleeem: WOAH, reminds me of this cartoon i used to watch haha, the guy in the foreground should be bigger and closer to the camera, it looks like the vikings jumping over him, you'd prolly only see the foreground guys shoulders and head and maybe sword
gdlr: watch yer proportions, legs aare pretty small, hes got a cool attitude though
fudgeloaf: that guy sureee showed that bunny whos boss! look for reference bro, like norse/swedish landscapes for colors and lighting, what it's like to be there etc, and the foreground objects aren't readable, work on that, keep at it!
aeronik: haha love the facial experssions!! this guys gunna turn out greaaaaat!!
tawnos: legs are too smallll but yeah it was qiuck i'll give you that! grab some reference when you come back to it and work that viking!
nikola: watch how things are sitting, the axe bends at the top of the hand, doesnt look right + the hand doesnt seem to be holding it, and the blade should go in front of his foot not behind, id throw in some ground shadows now to make it sit better too, keep at it
gloombunny: woah thats lookin hot! though HIS right hand is a littleeee small and maybe some more, well, less edward cullen, skin tones to make him fiercer, some nice warms yumm, keep go'n!
Lord Trillobite: welcome bro! his arms are bent weird and his heads a little big, but nice for your first post :D keep at it!
tbaldree: i shat myself, do i needa say more?
emerging: your an asshole, i hate you, whyd you go post something this nice? get outta the CHOWs and stick to winning all the COWs dude! hahaha, nicely done broo!! keep at it, color it, your a good challenge! make everyone pick up their game eh?!
formic acid: woo looking cool! love the comp, cant wait to seee some sexy colors on this bad boy! :D
Thabiso: nice sketches bro, now work out a cool composition and lets get it goooing! AIIGHT
Onnophris: oou creepy guy! i like it, just need some anatomy reference yeah? keep at it!
Hellfire: aww man i love this guy so much! i dont know what to crit about it! looks lovely :D
penpoint: nice colors and dynamics! looks cool but i agree with tbaldree's paintover, so do that :)
dana t: woooah love them! such a cool attitude to them :D i like the one with the bear - err, i mean the one where hes like *rawwrr ima bearrrr* :D keep at it!
creedy: woah love it! cool colors, and atmosphere, nicely done so far! now try to show the bear a bit more and just work it to the max bro! keep goinng
Dranyer: i prefer the second one, has a better dynamic, good use of strokes, hope you dont loose them in your final! keep at it
NoShot: cool design concept! maybe add some firey colors to it?
Zwei: oou nice doodle, i like the one on the right, she looks very horny , ugh i mean BERSERKKK! :D her left hand is too small though, remember the hand is almost as big as the head! try putting your hand up to you head, is it there? SMACKKK - sorry bro i had to
Jager: PFFFF THATS HOT. the boy who cried wolf? then he slayed the wolf and then found a cool horn! i like that story :D but try an make it more bear like? iono it's really, really pimpin'!
sourfruitjunkie: nice man, now get some legs in there!
60": lookin cool, maybe add some more costume to it? its nice so far! add some color too, and background!
Paolo: uhgh i love the face!! is that 3/4? maybe extend it a little bit more? looks so cool though :D
Partisan: i like the one on the right, has cooler shapes. keep workin it yeah? can't wait to see it done :)
, bleh too tired to do page 1 sorry guys ;_;
my eyes hurt and sorry for some lame comments im kinda tirrrrrred

night.

[Parsakoira]

i bet this round is gonna be a hellofa brawl!!

tried a more dynamic approach than the last times

[Venger]

Penpoint - a little to similar to Mandryk's art for me
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2925042&postcount=1
Near the bottom.

I'm seeing a lot of nice illustrations but very similar designs - push it some more people :D

If only I had time...

[Parsakoira]

started laying in some COLORS

[Obacmar]

Hi Yo

Its been a while since I did one of these. Inspired by a awesome character topic! Im gonna listen to metal the whole way through this one. :rocker:
Haha
I find myself flexing, screaming in the mirror. This is so fun.
Here's my start
oot

[ArtByManon]

Started with something shit - now i have to draw something with some movement...

[Parsakoira]

refining
http://imgur.com/xUC5L.jpg

[UCT]

started by doing an aerial view, then realised Im not up to the task of populating it with a collection of servered limbs, torso's cadavers and a vikings nut job. :(

This looks like an aerial view though right?

[Aly Fell]

Lots of great action poses this week!
1117157

Some grey stuff... Viking women were probably quite tough I imagine.

1117810

[insipidalien]

Here's mine so far. I'm not crazy about any of it but the arms are completely fecked. Wondering whether to keep going with this or start over.

[Urötskidoji]

First draw:

[Parsakoira]

poor viking is being posessed by the bear pelt hes wearing :)
http://imgur.com/h1MHA.jpg

[Urötskidoji]

More work:

[Jager]

wow things is really happening in this thread, great stuff everyone. I´m extra found of Parsakoira, Dranyer and tbaldree

Here is some refining on my viking dancing and chanting himself into berserker mode :)

[GEB]

Bit more work on mine

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=1516&pictureid=26053

[Partisan]

a WIP , I took the critique to heart and started a new attempt , sorry for the big picture but i am too lazy to change it again , the next update will be smaller

so long
Seb

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/7585/skizzenversand3.jpg (http://img843.imageshack.us/i/skizzenversand3.jpg/)

[Parsakoira]

one more update for today.... :) thanks JanJager! i dig that side view a lot! you executed it very well!
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/9210/berzerker.jpg

[Molly]

beautiful work Parsakoira!

[dawnusllaw]

here's a quick sketch. May try to whip up a male version as well. Crits?

[Quinn Simoes]

Trying hard to stay within the brief... Hopefully I will have time to get this finished.

[60"]

update

[Aly Fell]

Parsakoira - Lovely stuff! Are those intestines? Eew...

[Penpoint]

@tbaldtree
Thanks for the paintover idea. going to put some more work into it today.
The Frazetta you referenced is exactly what im looking at for inspiration :)
I love that piece! but who doesnt right?
@Parsakoira
initial sketches and movement were great! the red eyes are ruining it though for some reason, and the rendering is starting to make the composition stiff. lighting is nice too, but again, you're starting to lose it with the rendering. take a step back i think, try to find that initial dynamic again.
@jager
love this pose. and the story that is going with piece. he looks like the mushroom taking, shield gnawing, type of Berserker. Maybe more frightening than the barbarian type :) Look forward to the final.

Off to work!

[walnut]

Not sure if i want to commit or not, but i might as well show this:

[Sarmati]

Awesome topic, today morning I got myself a fresh sketchbook and quickly sketched some ideas. Well That's what I came up with, quite generic but I want to add some glowy runes all over him. Usually when I draw characters from regions folklore or history I try to stay true to their fashion so I equipped my berserker in a dane axe and a sax. I just can't picture him in a stuffed jacked in which they probably fought (or even a shirt, I am a fan of blessing my characters with clothes. Particularly the ones from cold regions :D) I still need to work on his head looks flat and kind of stuck to the arm.

[Paolo13]

Small Update, I worked on it after my day job.
Tomorrow is national holly day, so I will have time to make it look good...I hope!!!
Ciao

[ChrisProof]

Oh my, I had an eye-gasm. So many amazing entries.

small update


wip

[Parsakoira]

last update for tonight @_@
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/7694/hurfdurf.jpg

[Nikola Marinkovic]

thank you for noticing my mistakes ryanoir.

here's another update.

i don't have time now to say few words about entries.
i think i'll find some tomorrow.
so many great entries. awesome work everybody!

so.. i placed an axe in front of his leg, done some more polishing, fixed his hands a bit..

[kischi]

hope I'll find the time, but for now
1117511

[ThabisoMhlaba]

Found a Pose. Going to shift it and add to the costume to make her scary.

[emerging]

ryanoir - you give me too much credit bro haha look at all these other guys PAWNING my work like nothing! now i am thinking - wtf was i thinking entering this hahah

[Sarmati]

I have changed the head now he looks more menacing... and angry

[FridayEve]

Bjorgolf of the redrock- Berserker

[Paolo13]

This is getting interesting LOL!!!! FridayEve you viking literary ROCKS!!!

[~baxter]

Ugh, love the topic. Lot of cool stuff so far.

Probably wont be able to enter this week (as much as I'd love to). Work decided to pile on the hours this week. =X

[60"]

updating :carnifex:

[Dranyer]

update

[NoShot]

Update: Rough background and some rendering on the guy.

[emerging]

so many cool ones! really nice topic! here is my progress so far

[j.s. sabastian]

thanks emerging now i have too step up my game!!!

[ThabisoMhlaba]

Alright. Ready to start making proper changes.

[tbaldree]

Some rendering and color.

Nice progress everybody! :)

[ChrisProof]

More rendering, added colour....


more tweaking to do when i am not fried

[tbaldree]

ThabisoMhlaba - I hope you won't mind if I make some paintover suggestions. The current pose you have feels fairly passive and not from a position of strength and aggressiveness - I did a quick paintover with a few thoughts. Don't know if they are helpful or not!

Also, after looking at it some more, it seems like both of her hands are probably near her centerline, which means that the sword would come down between her legs, instead of on the other side.

[ThabisoMhlaba]

ThabisoMhlaba - I hope you won't mind if I make some paintover suggestions. The current pose you have feels fairly passive and not from a position of strength and aggressiveness - I did a quick paintover with a few thoughts. Don't know if they are helpful or not!

Also, after looking at it some more, it seems like both of her hands are probably near her centerline, which means that the sword would come down between her legs, instead of on the other side.

I dont mind at all. Thanks a lot, I definitely be re-working her pose, and the background for that matter, because I don't think her outfit does really too much to show the character so I might use the context to do that.

[j.s. sabastian]

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/jssabastian67/vikingberzerker1.jpg

[Tawnos]

Omg, you guys are too good, I can't post here without being ashamed! :D

[Parsakoira]

I must say this round has to be the toughest one yet @_@ very amazing work everyone!!

[LordTrilobite]

An update, I reshaped the arms and scaled the head a bit down.

[Parsakoira]

I think i have everything in place now, only further refining and detailing left!

http://imgur.com/gPv8y.jpg

[emerging]

more update

[Partisan]

so my update for today, story behind this guy will be:

The "Prinsslakter"
He uses his eternal rage to end the bloodlines of rivalling tribes and kingdoms by fighting his way through dozens or hundreds of palace-guards to slay down the children of the tribeleader or king. He then collects the skulls of the slain children to remind everbody what he is capable of.

PICTURE:

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/3248/skizzenversand4.jpg (http://img580.imageshack.us/i/skizzenversand4.jpg/)

[j.s. sabastian]

i am so glad i have four days too finish!!!
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/jssabastian67/chow2.jpg

[UCT]

Lord Trilobite - Dude, don't take this the wrong way, but I really love your image for all the wrong reasons. It looks like a scene from the muppets. I know you are trying to make it look like the viking is slaying the dragon but to me it looks like he is playing the dragon like a massive drum. They are the equivalent of norse punk music, both just shouting and banging the drum. Its ACE!
- Trying to be constructive, I would suggest making the dragons back appear to have sustained damage because at the moment the integrity of its structure appears to be healthy. For me this effects how the viewer reads the image, it currently looks like the dragon should be fighting off the viking in its current predicament not lying down taking it. I like the piece, and look forward to seeing it finished, not sure if Ive been a bit dooshy with my crit but welcome to CA. Keep Posting.

Parsakoira - Looks lovely dude, the colours are really starting to come alive. The immediate thing that springs to mind tho is that your viking is an angry midget (rhymically slashing down 'big' people). Im not sure if the foreshortening works, the guy he is slashing appears to have legs that extend behind the viking charater and yet are bigger than his body? I think your previous wips showed him slashing and hacking away at multiple people which helped give his figure and gesture more context. Looks cool dude, I'm in a bit of a silly mood so sorry if this seems insincere.

emerging - Great rendering but Im in a really stoopid mood, yknow the kind thats dangerous when combined with the internet, well. It kinda looks like a rape scene. You have captured the moment when a bear loves a viking perfectly. Just at the moment of climax the vikings expression of surprised horror tells all. The worst thing is he looks like the guy from Orange County Choppers, who I've always thought looks like a big gay bear.

[Sarmati]

Ok, just a quick update, before I'll do some other project.

[Partisan]

I am totally new to CHoW its my first time around here so i do have a few questions that are not directly CHoW related but they belong to it.

My problem is to save pictures in the right resolution, they allways seem to be to big (meaning that they load slowly), or - if i make them smaller - they become blurry ( even if they are pretty normal sharp looking on my PC)

So the questions are:

1. wich resolution do your pictures have? (for instance 800x1200 pixel ?)?
2. how many pixel per inch?
3. wich file format ?

i want that my pictures come out as they really are, so please help me and my apologies for using this thread

thanks in advance
Seb

[gdlr]

Epic round
Great work everyone.
Fix my sketch for a more "BERSERK" version.

[kischi]

trying to near to a berserk version. great work everybody really exciting round so far.
1117864

[McPandaBurger]

Epic round
Great work everyone.
Fix my sketch for a more "BERSERK" version.

This is sparta!!

[Parsakoira]

I am totally new to CHoW its my first time around here so i do have a few questions that are not directly CHoW related but they belong to it.

My problem is to save pictures in the right resolution, they allways seem to be to big (meaning that they load slowly), or - if i make them smaller - they become blurry ( even if they are pretty normal sharp looking on my PC)

So the questions are:

1. wich resolution do your pictures have? (for instance 800x1200 pixel ?)?
2. how many pixel per inch?
3. wich file format ?

i want that my pictures come out as they really are, so please help me and my apologies for using this thread

thanks in advance
Seb


Its just me, but heres the file specs i work with:

1. I always work on very high resolution, like 4000x3000 px or something around that, but then resize it to 1200x when posting the final (with 1200x being the longest diameter)
2. 750 dpi
3. Finals I always post in JPEG form, i just find that easiest

[Penpoint]

a little progress so far.
still fighting the stiffness of the pose..
I look at other artists versions of movement, frazetta in particular, and man! i cant get that flow down! going to my anatomy books tonight for some more ideas :)
going to keep trying to get that movement right! and figure out a nice background...
think the lighting is starting to work out...going to work on the face, and tempted to change his garb to animal skin.
thoughts?
Things are looking great here! Very inspiring.

[GEB]

Parsakoira: I think yours and Jagers are my joint favs right now. The rendering's coming on a treat!

Did a little more to mine

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=1516&pictureid=26074

[Parsakoira]

thanks UCT and GEB!

ive been thinking if i was to add a background scenery to this, but well see... Atleast i have time to experiment :)
http://imgur.com/FdSlj.jpg

[Urötskidoji]

More work for today!

Im woundering what kind of background would be best suited, I want some kind
of battlefield...

Great posts everyone!

[Partisan]

small update, just a few details, need crits please


http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/5309/skizzenversand5.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/skizzenversand5.jpg/)

[Paolo13]

Update

[fudgeloaf]

update,

having fun with this, help and crits welcome and theres still lots of work to do!


1117919

[George Abraham]

Not to late I hope.

I’m going for a senile rugged older man look that drinks his potion that's a mixture of Brandy and delliriants. He can't look straight but he wreaks havoc in the front lines in terms of pain. Wedgies is his favorite mode of attack, painful ripping ones.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc256/wenresep/Bazercer1.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc256/wenresep/Bazercer2.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc256/wenresep/Bazercer3.jpg

[emerging]

Lord Trilobite - Dude, don't take this the wrong way, but I really love your image for all the wrong reasons. It looks like a scene from the muppets. I know you are trying to make it look like the viking is slaying the dragon but to me it looks like he is playing the dragon like a massive drum. They are the equivalent of norse punk music, both just shouting and banging the drum. Its ACE!
- Trying to be constructive, I would suggest making the dragons back appear to have sustained damage because at the moment the integrity of its structure appears to be healthy. For me this effects how the viewer reads the image, it currently looks like the dragon should be fighting off the viking in its current predicament not lying down taking it. I like the piece, and look forward to seeing it finished, not sure if Ive been a bit dooshy with my crit but welcome to CA. Keep Posting.

Parsakoira - Looks lovely dude, the colours are really starting to come alive. The immediate thing that springs to mind tho is that your viking is an angry midget (rhymically slashing down 'big' people). Im not sure if the foreshortening works, the guy he is slashing appears to have legs that extend behind the viking charater and yet are bigger than his body? I think your previous wips showed him slashing and hacking away at multiple people which helped give his figure and gesture more context. Looks cool dude, I'm in a bit of a silly mood so sorry if this seems insincere.

emerging - Great rendering but Im in a really stoopid mood, yknow the kind thats dangerous when combined with the internet, well. It kinda looks like a rape scene. You have captured the moment when a bear loves a viking perfectly. Just at the moment of climax the vikings expression of surprised horror tells all. The worst thing is he looks like the guy from Orange County Choppers, who I've always thought looks like a big gay bear.

LOL.. maybe it is

[Dranyer]

started adding some more detail and such, started to feel like i was getting abit to far from the whole viking thing, so i started roughing out something alittle different, changed up his pose gave him a shield and a more vikingish axe. not really sure which idea i like more now.

[Penpoint]

@Parsakoria: looking nice! fix those eyes, they aren't placed right from my view, have you looked at the imaged flipped horizontally?
@Partisan: nice pose, but arms need work. rear isnt placed well, foreshortening is off somehow. The front needs to come forward more, think its just a lighting issue.
@Dranyer: my favorite poses of the round so far. If your colors work as well as the values and thrust of movement, then youre golden.

attached is a nice reference, from the late great Frank.
anatomy, movement, pose...perfect.
not exactly a viking, but he's got an axe, and seems pissed :)

keep em coming...things are looking great!

[Dranyer]

Parsakoira looking really sick!

Urötskidoji watch the anatomy on his left arm, he seems to have an extra muscle group right now.

Partisan nice work so far, i think soe darker darks would really help your forms to pop.

Paolo13 really beautiful work! definitely my favorite so far.

fudgeloaf the foreshortening on his right arm looks rather wonky, try posing in a mirror for reference.

George Abraham neat idea, i'm excited to see where you take it. watch his balance, right now he seems to be leaning abit too far back.

[Partisan]

Dranyer: Take the first one ! PLEASE ! :yum:

[gdlr]

This is sparta!!
Hehehe :)

[Sarmati]

Recently I got help from Dave Rapozas stream of him drawing Super Meat Boy and I started practising this technique of getting greyscale to colour. I can say... works for me for now, we'll see what'll it be like when it comes to final rendering. Well... this WIP is from when I just started putting the colour on the pic.

[Thujon]

Drayner
First one is really stunning, so much motion! Remonds me of Frazzetta Fire and Ice character, dont remember his name...

Artisan
Nice execution so far, great mood!

Parsakoira
Wow mate, you nailed the pose here...

Great work everyone!

Ive had this pic in my head, gosh I wish there was a cable plug in to my head and a generate picture button, it would meke things so much easier LOL, but where would be the challenge ehhj?

So heres what I got so far:1118055

[schwager]

Wow! So many awesome Vikings hacking and slashing a way... I love it :P

It amazes me week after week how much talent there is around here. Can't wait to see everyone's final.

The bit that really grabbed about the description of a Viking Berserker was the shield gnawing part. So I built my concept around that.

[Obacmar]

Hey
Love this topic! Such brutal characters!
Im line crazy... Super fun but I don't think its going anywhere. I love doing the details, but is this going to be too much to shade??

[master.mind]

crazy stuff in here

http://attachments.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1118077&stc=1&d=1291849390

[reginanegra]

LOL.. maybe it is
it most definitely is not!! i find your berserker to be totaly dignified and awe inspiring....! not at all the colourful image uct described... in fact the minute i saw it i decided to loose the idea of a bear spirit projecting out of my berserker since you allready depicted it so perfectly. keep it up! :)

[Penpoint]

Trying a new pose.
Just not feeling the original today..
thoughts? crits appreciated

[60"]

my new update...nice work everyone!! :mod:

[insipidalien]

I tried to fix the arms but they still don't look right to me.

[emerging]

here is another update! this is lots of fun!

[Penpoint]

ch.ch.ch.changes
im done for tonight.
to leg or not to leg..?
any thoughts?

[Obacmar]

Hi
Well..Coloring, shading. Im done for the night.

--next day--

Ugg... I hate mine, probably gonna stop or start over. It looks like a He-man toy..poo.

Emerging- Yours is a great piece, rich colors, depth.
GEB- The movement and perspective rules! The shading is pimp aswell.
Mastermind- Your pencil-work is inspiring, thx :)
Creedy- I love the mood and composition

[ryan mcshane]

bleeh

[Aspectabund]

Whoa. Some great entries going on in here! I can't really compare in terms of realism, so I figured I'd do something a bit... less so. I'll do some crits on other people's stuff in my next post, too. C:

This is Thork Thorkson, and he is HAPPY to see you.

[Aspectabund]

@Penpoint: To leg, I do believe. C: Also, this is just my inner storyboarding-voice talking here, but I think you should push your fella so that he's composed more to the right than he currently is. This makes it feel more like he's moving to the left, since compositionally he's got more room.
@insipidalien: I drew over the arms! They're both in poses that are understandably frustrating, especially the left one. Also, don't forget about drawing the underlying structure of things! When I drew how his torso goes, it became clear that his head was in the wrong place. I forget to do this myself sometimes, and it always bites me in the butt!
@Drayner: Hmmm, tough choice! Both are strong choices, but I feel that the first has the most interesting design. The only issue I can see with it at the moment is that his straightened leg is a big long. Good stuff!
@Parsakoira: GIVE ME YOUR SKILLS. Hahaa... no really. :I Anyway, everything looks super solid... except for the ripping hand. It seems kind of weak to me, considering the powerful action it's supposed to be doing. I attached a quick draw-over for ya. C:
@schwager: FFFFF please tell me you are still working on that! It is freaking adorable.

[ShehZ]

Too much brutality going on guys! Awsome work!

Some Concept line art..
1118320

[pb4urnmys]

Thinking of changing the whole motive. His left arm is looking weirdly long because of the cape hanging wrong and there is no actual depth in the image with the arm.
had a hard time placing the legs

[Aspectabund]

Boop! That'll be it for now - I'll pick this up again later. C:

[gdlr]

Update.
To many amazing viking in this thread.

[(lark]

this topic is dope! super awesome shit in here so far.

here's a sketch i did. hope i can finally finish something that isn't cow.

i was gonna give him some axes, but i think i like the idea of him just tearing fools up with his hands. gonna make said hands all bloody.

1118346

[master.mind]

@emerging cool entry so far-what distractes me is the point where the blade meets the ear of the bear.. it kills the illusion of depth.. if you don`t know what I mean

---> click (http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2010/11/tangencies-in-real-life.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FNVaYV+%28Gurney+Jo urney%29)

[GEB]

Amazing work so far everyone!

Just been trying to sort some proportion issues, still got a long way to go!

[ryan mcshane]

GEB: the guy doesnt seem to have feet and his hair lines ultra receded
looks really nice though! great values :)

[Nikola Marinkovic]

I'm gonna work out some values here and there.. but i think i'm pretty much done by now.

let me know what you guys and gals think ;)

[GEB]

Ha yeah I see what you mean. He's gunna be in snow if I can get the look right... I'm hoping to amend the face a bit today and give him a tash. Also the axe is all off...

Some colour would be nice too ey...

[ArtByManon]

started adding some more detail and such, started to feel like i was getting abit to far from the whole viking thing, so i started roughing out something alittle different, changed up his pose gave him a shield and a more vikingish axe. not really sure which idea i like more now.

For me, i like the top one best - AWESOME movement and power.

[Partisan]

added some environment to fill the blank space still lots off things to do , fixed the arm in the back , still not happy with the hand , colors have to wait until the foreground is finished but at the moment I am quite happy with the picture , actually the best i did so far :lounge:

so long
seb

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/9061/skizzenversand6.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/i/skizzenversand6.jpg/)

[ArtByManon]

Can't attach at the moment for some reason...

Anyway, still not feeling this. my mojo has gone walkabout... grrr...

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1240/berserkers.jpg

[Creedy]

Update
still some issues with his left arm/hand and mostly the clouds...

[Parsakoira]

ooooh i wish it was sunday already! I have almost finished mine but you guys have to wait :)

[Urötskidoji]

Agh, this will have to do for today. Thanks for the tip about his muscels, dont know if I´ve enough about it though.
I should probably have given some light to his upper skirt-thingy as well, but I got a roleplaying adventure to wright!

[GEB]

Managed to get a bit of time to sort out his giant slap head. Starting the redering now, really don't think I'll hit the deadline as busy all weekend... It's a hard life

[insipidalien]

Quick update. Thanks Aspectabund, the head was definitely too low. Still looks wonky but good practice I guess.

[kiwigarbage]

Here goes my insipid attempt. I don't believe I'll be finishing this one :D It's great seeing everyone else's awesomeness though!

What's more intimidating than a Bear Head for pants??

[emerging]

master.mind - you are right it was bugging me a bit too. Easy fix :)

[FridayEve]

Ingirun the Berserker and cat Hælgi

[Paolo13]

LOL!!!!

[Cameli]

hahaa awesome!My fav fo sho!

[Juki]

Thought I'd chew in on this CHOW also, lots of quality work in here!

The background is a bit distracting atm but perhaps I'll think of something, some crits and tips would be greatly appreciated folks..
1118590

[Paolo13]

slowly...slowly...

[ryan mcshane]

GEB: imagine this, his front foots that sunk in, so his next step will utterly fail, he will face plant and make a fool of himself haha ssssso just bring it up a bit outta the snow? its lookng real cool stiill :D

[Ishren]

http://i55.tinypic.com/v7uky0.jpg

[Sean McClain]

o.k. so started out with pencil and took it into photoshop,
I need to take a break from it, I should probably start flipping the canvas
and checking my anatomy. when you stare at something too long it all just
looks like mush anyways though. I may do two of these and try to really
nail the beserk attitued better as well,...
11186861118687

[emerging]

Just about done

Viking Berserker.
His blood is boiling with adrenaline and alcohol and he feels no pain. His soul is a grizzly and he is possessed by the true animal instincts. He is a fierce warrior that does not seem to have any fear of death

[Partisan]

so far, just a few things left and then I call it a wrap, only thing that still bothers me is the one guy in the foreground that doesnt looks perfect and the left arm of the berserker himself needs still a bit pixel-love :asslick:

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/6052/skizzenversand7.jpg (http://img694.imageshack.us/i/skizzenversand7.jpg/)

[MasterStryke]

@Partisan: I like it, even if it does not look like a berserk to me but a super warrior..


ok..

FEEDBACK PLS.. (this is the very basic)


Anatomy? Proportions? Pose? Only posting because of a little feedback...

.

[CrookedHorn]

some penciles...i have an idea for an illustration but not sure if time will allow for it.


great work so far everyone.

[JanJager]

CrookedHorn
Great designs. Left my favourite.
Partisan
Good mode
emerging
Very much Nordic berserker
Paolo13
Really like your work.
FridayEve
Great idea
GEB
I think you nail the character
ArtByManon
I like it. He's looking like his about to go berserker.Perhaps a bit more space above his head. Why not have some Vikings holding him back before releasing him on the battlefield.
B-Man
Thanks for the crit. Have been changing he's proportions.
Its coming along good in your update. I like the tree that's gives the environment and leads the eye to the berserker.
But perhaps dampen it a bit to get more attention to the berserkers silhouette.

Sorry for not critting more, there are a lot of awesome entries.

[Auspiciouspanda]

Neat topic! Just working on some sketches right now.

[Gavin.Gray]

Hey guys joining in on this one. Things finally slowed down again at work.

Crits welcome and appreciated! =)

[tbaldree]

FridayEve - love it

Lots of great progress everybody!

Some more detail work, and a new background thanks to some crits from Beelow. Various minor anatomical/detail adjustments. Getting closer.

[Prospektor]

Really excellent work everyone!:D

I didnt feel right about posting the image in this thread but I will llink a shameless plug that fits this category nicely!! Hope you dont mind.. Call it inspiration if we have too ;)

http://goo.gl/DbJHc

Again keep up the good work guys!

[GEB]

Friday eve: That's wicked!The only thing I would say is for me her head is on the small side
Tbaldree: Love the look in his eyes. Like he's got an attic full of broken toys

[Partisan]

so ok i have a few things to say defending myself, hope it wont be too harsh ( thats really not what I am attending to )

So first ( no offense ) but this is like the real norseman looked like (exept for the horns ^^) :
http://www.ancestryuk.com/Viking.JPG

and this is what the CHoW description says :
# Stick to the original Norse setting (Viking)
# These warriors are not like normal Norse swordsmen, they are incredibly terrifying and their appearance alone should be horrific enough to scare away any opponents! sooooo:

MasterStryke: in comparison to a NORMAL , ORIGINAL SETTING Norseman i DO think mine is terrifying and not normal + yours looks not very different from mine (really no offense !)

FridayEve: really great style and execution! BUT sadly this has nothing to do with an original viking setting ( yeah I know woman in generel dont have anything to do with this setting either )

Juki: his hand in the foreground needs work, the thumb ussually should not be seen, and then you need to ad a few darker colors, at the moment it looks a bit flat

Paolo13: not much to say here, great work so far .

Sean McClain: the face needs some extra pencil-love , it looks a bit distorted and he squints a bit . and the chest muscles should be the other way round.

JanJager: very dynamic posing ! I know very obvious ^^

GEB: looks very crazy and i do like your execution so far, keep it up

so far , would like to comment more but i dont now exactly how to say it , in lack of the prop english skills

so long
seb

[ryan mcshane]

partisan, im sure real norseman also had 2 legs haha, one like dissapears in that D:
allso it says that the berserker only has the bear coat for protection, not like a regular swordsman he don't need protect, he carraazzy

[MasterStryke]

partisan:
agree, but I have to crit your crit:

From when is this picture? Because this says everything.

Also ryanoir says it - I also doubt that the berserkkrs had had such a normal war equipment..


PS: wtf you don't offend, partisan. AT LEAST ONE said something related to my sketch.

Everyone who can't stand crits has no balls. So please do not fear to offend someone.



STILL:

Crits please... Before developing the cloths and equipment I need to know, what is wrong with the basic..
:ilaekae:


That guy who makes a helpful overpaint of mine gets a cookie.

[Sean McClain]

so ok i have a few things to say defending myself, hope it wont be too harsh ( thats really not what I am attending to )


I agree with you, the problem here is people are just googling berserker, and not understanding the historical element that is involved. The Norse
vikings come from Scandinavia but migrated to Scotland and Ireland were
the natives where picts, which is when the berserker's started having all
the crazy body paint. however those would be "celtic berserker's" like Cuchulain.



Partisan Thanx, I will do all of those things, I am going to start a new
one today with a bit more Berserk to him.

[ryan mcshane]

MasterStryke: you cock faced mofo (tryna offend)
clean it up! draw the BIG shapes, it's so dirty your gonna feel like shit painting it D:
you can hardly make out whats what, you really needa define your negative shapes and BIG BIG BIG shapes bro! all this detail is worthless unless it has some nice BIG shapes for foundation! NOW GO DO IT FAAAAST (but dont rush ahha) CAUSE DEADLINES COMINNNNGGGG

[LordTrilobite]

Partisan is right though, many look really awesome, but have not much to do with vikings. Vikings do not have horns, pauldrons, double-bladed battle axes.

On top of that, vikings did not have much armour to begin with and berserkers have no armour at all (according to the stories at least). The whole idea of a berserker is that he storms in to battle nearly unprotected in a wild rage, not a heavily armoured tank.

[Partisan]

^^ i have to says one or two more things to defend myself afterwards I`ll shut up ,I´ll promise :bashful: :

its said that they had a Bear or Wolf belt thats the etymology of the word itself + scientist arent quite sure yet which is the exact right etymology ( because the word for bear would be "bjorn" and the word for bare is "berr") but this doesnt meen that they did not had any other sort of protection and concerning the weapons i`ll just quote this one :

"The Úlfhéðnar (singular Úlfhéðinn), mentioned in the Vatnsdœla saga, Haraldskvæði and the Völsunga saga, were said to wear the pelt of a wolf when they entered battle.[1] Úlfhéðnar are sometimes described as Odin's special warriors, with the pelt from a wolf and a spear as distinguishing features.[2]"

"In earlier studies, the element ber- was often misinterpreted as berr-, meaning "bare", understood as indicating that the berserkers fought naked. This view has since been abandoned."

another referrence :

"I'll ask of the berserks, you tasters of blood,
Those intrepid heroes, how are they treated,
Those who wade out into battle?
Wolf-skinned they are called. In battle
They bear bloody shields.
Red with blood are their spears when they come to fight. [...]"

- Haraldskvæði, a skaldic poem composed by Thórbiörn Hornklofi in the late 9th century in honour of King Harald Fairhair, as ulfheðnar ("men clad in wolf skins"). [WIKIPEDIA]

so they had pretty normal wargear ^^and if they do used spears and shields i think there might also be a little chance they had a small metallic plate ( which is the only "armor" i gave my guy ) :hugsmile:

and if anyone of you is able to transalte this from german you might also get a deeper insight :

Das Wort Berserker ist ein Wort des Altnordischen, formal ein Kompositum. Der zweite Teil serkr wird einhellig als 'Gewand, Waffenrock' gedeutet. Bezüglich der Erstkomponente gibt es unterschiedliche Annahmen, von denen zwei diskutiert werden. Einerseits wird eine Verbindung mit einem Wort für Bär, obwohl dies im Altnordischen bjorn lautet, erwogen (Lloyd / Springer). Andererseits argumentiert McCone, dass es sich bei den Berserkern den Beschreibungen nach um leichtes Fußvolk gehandelt habe und daher ein Vergleich mit bar 'bloß, frei' angebrachter sei. Näsström verweist darauf, dass schon aus praktischen Gründen die Verwendung eines Bärenfells mit einem Gewicht von ungefähr fünf Kilogramm eher hinderlich und unpraktisch sei.[2] Alexander Jóhannesson[3] schreibt dazu: berserkr ... zum Adjektiv berr nudus, vgl. Andrésson 1683: miles, qui sine armis, lorica balea &c. pugnat, auch Bj. Halld. (1814): indusio tantum non lorica indutus. vgl. auch Snorri: fóru brynjulausir. Man geht heute eher davon aus, dass die Bezeichnung der Raserei entnommen ist, wie ein Bär oder Wolf zu kämpfen. Dies wird mit den in den nordischen Sagas oft geschilderten Verwandlungen, die auch hier im Zusammenhang mit dem Werwolf bekannt sind, in Verbindung gebracht.[4]

- http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berserker

it basically says that the word "berserker" has to be read :

A) in a methaphorical sense , which means that they were reffered to fight like a bear or wolf , this in head they were related to the actual transformation in to an animal which is an usual metaphor and also a strong socio cultural belief in this time often used in nordic sagas

B) it is beliefed that the term "berserker" is by descriptions from this time-period a term for light infantry, and it is by belive of a scientist named McCone, very hindering to fight with a large bearskin on your back.

Also in mind we do think of Vikings as tall musclepacked hulks actually most people of this timeperiod were like 1,60-1,70m tall, especially this time period ( 8th-12th century) the man became about 2 cm smaller and a final quote (sadly again a german one) :

Marie Louise Bauer ist der Auffassung, dass diese Beziehungen nur für Durchschnittsgrößen aufzustellen sind: „Ich bin groß, deshalb bin ich immer optimal ernährt worden“ sei ein Fehlschluss, da die Körpergröße sehr stark genetisch beeinflusst werde. - http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6rpergr%C3%B6%C3%9Fe

SO WHAT I WANT TO SAY BY USING ALL THIS REFERENCE IS :

dont be HYPERCRITICAL none of us has drawn a correct image of a berserker :wink:

[LordTrilobite]

Yes people were shorter in the dark ages then they are now. But not vikings, vikings were about as tall as people are today due to a healthy diet of loads of fish and vegetables.

[matias]

Wow, this round is going off!! Some many great entries, the vote is gonna be fierce!
Heres my sketching so far. I found it interesting how my first instinct of a berserker was immedialy 'dual-wielding', I see alot people thought the same, just made me wonder about the effect of games/media using the same archetypes, I always find myself doing them again and again.

Had so much trouble with his legs, he was one of those additional sketches on the page that just run off the edge, d'oh, once I got it into photoshop I had a hell time trying to figure out what I had hinted at with my sketch!

I still kinda prefer the guy I was initially going to go with but we'll see!!

[Parsakoira]

MasterStryke, can i has a cookie now? :3
http://imgur.com/dWUSy.jpg

[ryan mcshane]

parsakoira, you moof you always draw dicks and :3 in your paintovers! :D

[Cian McNabola]

A berserker giving the classic moody conan look..

[Parsakoira]

MOOFanoir, do you have something against penises? ;3

[ryan mcshane]

http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/a455/ryanoir/chowvikingberserkergrayscalealmostdoooone.jpg
blade hand penetrates the vagina.

[Geir]

Yes people were shorter in the dark ages then they are now. But not vikings, vikings were about as tall as people are today due to a healthy diet of loads of fish and vegetables.

Yes -be course vikings were the only ones in the whole wide world in the dark ages that ate fish and vegetables. In rest of the world McDonalds were allready invented, and had taken its toll on human groth:P

Damn! I wish I had seen this before. To little time left now. But some really cool ones have come out of this. And some a bit odd. Here refering to the historical refrences that Partisan gave, wich it would be cool to see if more could keep to.
Still, keep it up guys:)

[AndreRuben]

i did a few sketches for this, maybe i'll go on with this one, used a lil ref for the pose

[ArtByManon]

JanJager - thank you for the feedback! I hope i have time to do it justice. i was thinking of having his shadow being that of a werewolf type thing...

[Penpoint]

so, er, when is the deadline again?
Cant find the info:mod:
thanks

[Paolo13]

It is on the first page, top of thread

DEADLINE:
SUNDAY, December 12th, 2010


Deadline is Sunday, at 9:00 pm (GMT +1).

[Dranyer]

started working on color...

[pb4urnmys]

worked on it a little more. please comment and give me crit.

[MasterStryke]

@Parsakoira:

thanks !! !! yeah I know that my anatomy sucks.. I already started a daily training-program for anatomy...

somehow I fail a lot more at digital sketches.. dunno why..


and yeah the pose is not interesting, because I kinda prefered to do a CONCEPT not an illustration, unlike most of you guys do..

since I know that my anatomy is nooby, I don't start great fighting actions here C'X



@the hard facts: I also started with a more tall guy, but my artmate said, it's a little fag and needs more muscles.. obviously I became a victim of mainstream.. whatever:


@LordTrilobite: Vegetables? I believe, that norsemen simply had other genes so they were bigger than the rest.. How partisan said, it's a matter of genes.



Post scriptum:
Guys.. most of you fail, no matter how good your technique is.
It actually should be about the CONCEPT..
some of you guys start epic illustrations.. which of course win the challange, because they appeal to the general user... but where the fuck is the concept-work? (...)
kinda sad imho..

If I have the time I am definitely going to work out everything I collected and make a really good design..

/wall end :anime:

[GEB]

Well there's norway (sorry) I'm getting this done in time but I will defo complete it. Did a bit more though

[Sean McClain]

well I touched up the last one, and I wont work on that any more, and
I did a little speedpaint, the design on the second one was way boring
I will do another with some more thought into the design and pose...
1119029
1119030

[jrbarker]

Dryaner, you're just killing it with this one. Very Frazetta-like

Here's where I'm at. Lots of work to do still...

[Hellfire]

Another update. Running fast to finish in time.

Great works by the way guys!

[Paolo13]

Update!! You guys are making me work!!!! LOL

[Venger]

Post scriptum:
Guys.. most of you fail, no matter how good your technique is.
It actually should be about the CONCEPT..
some of you guys start epic illustrations.. which of course win the challange, because they appeal to the general user... but where the fuck is the concept-work? (...)
kinda sad imho..


It doesn't have to be static to be a good concept (or a turn around image)
Part of concept work is also describing the mood of the character as well as providing detail for modelling.

However CHOW is about pushing your design skills and usually its a reinterpretation of an existing idea though not always.

In most cases this round people are following the brief:

* Stick to the original Norse setting (Viking)
* These warriors are not like normal Norse swordsmen, they are incredibly terrifying and their appearance alone should be horrific enough to scare away any opponents! (hard to do with a static image IMO)
* You are also allowed to design a female berserker!

Although the brief is quite tight I'm a little disappointed that many of you are doing the same thing (design wise) but there's some nice illustration as well.

[Auspiciouspanda]

Worked out my pose and basic character proportions.

I do unfortunately think that CHOW has become a bit more of a character illustration challenge and less of character design challenge. Its true that creating a mood for a character is important, but more often then not i see people creating one or two ideas then moving on to a final illustration. You will almost NEVER see a concept artist do that. Its much easier to create an interesting dynamic character by doing 15 or 20 quick variations and then move onto a final with a much clearer idea of what that image is going to be. This is also a much better way to learn how to design a strong character, and with so many people participating in CHOW to do just that i think everyone is being detrimental to their own progress by concentrating on only that final image from the get go.

Anyways, thats my two cents.

[George Abraham]

Some update. Might take a while.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc256/wenresep/Bazercer6.jpg

[buffichar]

upload first then i'll talk

[Partisan]

@Venger: at the risk of stressing it :

* Stick to the original Norse setting (Viking)

[Venger]

@Venger: at the risk of stressing it :

* Stick to the original Norse setting (Viking)

'Viking' as a theme is quite broad, it doesn't have to be purely historical. Compare the '13th Warrior' to 'Pathfinder' or 'Outlander' all are (suppose to be) Viking, all have different takes on it.

I'm just seeing a lot of what has been done before (many, many times):
Viking Berserker (http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&biw=1422&bih=986&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=viking+berserker&aq=f&aqi=g2g-m1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=)

however, it's all just for fun, I was just hoping for more extrapolation from the original.

[artozi]

Wonderful artwork guys! I love Vikings and their moods, mainly beause of famous "THORGAL" comic. I am still working on mine trying to meet the deadline. Thank you for great inspiration!

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4375/berserkerwipartozi.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/1109/berserkerwipartoziwips.jpg

[(lark]

damn everyone is lookin sweet!

here's where I'm at...
1119368

[Hellfire]

Last update of today.
Tomorrow I'll finish it up.
Cheers!

[60"]

will be difficult but I hope to finish it for Sunday ... congratulations to all ...
and now...go to bed...:steph:

[Partisan]

Venger again no offense:
I'm just seeing a lot of what has been done before (many, many times):

I just browsed through your portfolio and your gallery, not saying that my work would be any better! its definitely not,but I cant see anything special there either (concept-wise) so maybe you shouldnt point a finger at others.

so long
seb

[Jager]

update

[Auspiciouspanda]

figuring out my color scheme

[mbetteker]

Roar!!

[Bnoch]

Love to see the various interpretations of the subject matter. It's even more badassical to see people involved in doing these assignments outside of work or class or whatever it is that you do (porn extra, stunt man, cat whispering,etc.)
Forgive me or a lack of process images, I got on this one a bit late in the game.

[Onnophris]

So many cool vikings in this thread! Here's an update on mine:

1119505

[dragon4lunch]

Here my sketch - I'll probably do a detailed gray-scale render of this.

http://trickstertoys.com/additional/VikingStyle_Fighter_002-copy.jpg

[schwager]

@ Aspectabund: Thank you for the nice comment...most certainly am, and here's another update.

@ FridayEve: Just gorgeous... love the cat, too. Can't wait to see this finished!

@ emerging: Love it in so many ways!

@ Jager: Great take on the subject. Something a bit different, yet very fitting.

@ Hellfire: Very Chaos Marauder-esque... love it.

@ GEB: Love the face and the angles. Great work!

@ Dranyer: Glad you went with the first pose (although I really like the head on the second one), just awesome. His right leg does look a tad big compared to everything else, though.

@ Paolo13: Love the character and the style. His head seems quite small, though.

@ Bnoch: Awesome character... very believable, yet badass.

Everyone else, great work... and they just keep pouring in.

Here's my latest WIP. Still a lot to do on it.

[fudgeloaf]

Great stuff everyone. looks like this is where i stop, im working all weekend :( was a good experience though cant wait to see more finished vikings!

1119571

[Venger]

Venger again no offense:


I just browsed through your portfolio and your gallery, not saying that my work would be any better! its definitely not,but I cant see anything special there either (concept-wise) so maybe you shouldnt point a finger at others.

so long
seb

?? :wtf: HAHAHAHAHAHHA (I was stunned there for a minute - 'no offence' indeed hahahaha)

So I have to be an 'uber mega concept artist' to offer an opinion do I?

You look through the link I posted you'll see many, many version of semi naked guys, wearing a bear head - I look through here I see the same image, where's the reinvention?

We'll have agree to differ or this thread will derail.

I'll have to save your reply as a quote - kids nowadays heh

[Paolo13]

@Schwager: do you think that they are both small? THX.
@Aeronik: at this point i think your entry should be the only one to make it to the pols!!!! That is what i call concept art!!!! You brought us back to reality, THX!

[ArtByManon]

Venger again no offense:


I just browsed through your portfolio and your gallery, not saying that my work would be any better! its definitely not,but I cant see anything special there either (concept-wise) so maybe you shouldnt point a finger at others.

so long
seb

He's not pointing a finger, he's just being observational, and quite spot on too. This is for fun this contest and to improve all of our art. all opinions are different.

[ryan mcshane]

Crits?
http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/a455/ryanoir/chowvikingberserkergotscolorz.jpg

[Partisan]

ok sorry, I apologize, I really didnt meant it as an offense, but the thing is its totally obvious that there is nothing really special in this round of CHoW ( my entry included) but if you are the one pointing that out, than you just have to be in the position to do so.

Because: yeah you are a good conceptartist ( I underlined before, that you are way better than I am ) BUT there is nothing really special to these concepts of yours, you have a anubis in an Egyptian setting, the raptor looks like straight out of warhammer ( an older version of the table top) , the first guy in your portfolio has a dish-like thing on his back as seen in many movies concerning egyptian-like seetings, this green avatar of nature-like guy has some elements that are one on one from a knight that is also a part of warhammer, you have some sort of Ice-Queen having ICE-Weapons and ICE-pauldrons ...and so on ..

The thing here , there is no problem in helping out somebody with posing, colouring and other technical issues even if you arent as good as he is


BUT : if you have concerns about ingenuity, THAN you have to be better yourself to point that out otherwise its very questionable

PLUS it isnt any helpful to anyone pointing out the obvoius

And yes save the quote but I dont see where this is any less immature.
then again sorry if I hurt somebody that wasnt my intention

so long
seb