MBWUN- Creature from Relic!

[JeffZNY]

Gotta give credit where credit is due...I saw Exo's design of Mbuwn (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=29966&highlight=mbwun) and thought it was great. I liked it so much, it made me want to re-read the book. As I read, I made a note to jot down some descriptions of the creature, in order to take my own crack at the design. I haven't yet sent this to the authors, but I plan on it. In the past I've sent them portraits of Aloysius and Diogenes Pendergast, also creations from the minds of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, and their responses have been prompt, encouraging, and greatly appreciated. I hope you guys like what I came up with. I was planning on putting it in a suitably creepy setting, but I'm so excited about the new Thunderdome challenge, I think I'm gonna leave this one as is.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/JeffZNY/mbwun2.jpg

[Blitz]

I think your going in a good direction
But there are some things to work on here

The mouth seems a bit off from his head

You could work a bit more on incorperating texture into the painting..it still looks sort of flat and dosnt seem to work with the other portions of him.

all in all the concept is sort of neat
sort of Gorilla Catlike thing thats big and mean aperently >:D

[JeffZNY]

I lied...fooled around with the image a bit more, so it's now updated. Done now though...gotta get started on thunderdome!

[Bammer]

The backdrop's kinda busy and distracting.

[JeffZNY]

alright, changed the background...still busy, but a different color, so maybe the image will pop more

[mustone]

they are scary even when not turned into a monster

[N D Hill]

Pretty cool. It has a nice twisted face like a baboon. I like how widely spaced the canine teeth are and how the lips look very articulate and flexable. I can really imagine them peeling back off the teeth as sort of a primative threat gesture.

As for crits, you have a lot of different textures going on here. I think I'd have to agree with what others have said about the background. It's a texture that creates a contrast with the rest of the image that might not be the best thing for it. It competes with your subject for attention and really, something much simpler would work more to your advantage.

Great work, though. I'm pretty psyched about TD8 too. Time to get crackin'

[scottg]

Very nice work. like the colors alot.I was planning on putting it in a suitably creepy setting, but I'm so excited about the new Thunderdome challenge, I think I'm gonna leave this one as is.

I can understand that. But you can always come back and work on the background. I think a little background would add to the painting greatly. This would make a nice portfolio piece.
scottg

[JeffZNY]

Yeah, maybe eventually I'll paint a real background for him...in the meanwhile though, I'll submit to our panel of experts, and cut back on the texture in the background. Image updated.

[hurricane]

imo, now it looks like he is humping the guy... there is no defenition on where shapes starts and ends... it could be that there is a guy under the "lion" that gets humped and its doing it rocco style.. :D

sorry, but looks like it to me :)

[JeffZNY]

Hmmmmmm, disturbing. Can't say that was the effect I was going for...

Dammit Mbwun, why won't you die! This'll teach me to rush my backgrounds! Anyways, no more tinkering with something that's obviously faulty...Above has been updated with a spankin' brand new backdrop...hopefully fixes some of these problems. Mbwun is a lot of things, but kinky isn't one of them...

[Wayne's Darkworld]

Great interpretation on the creature from Relic, JeffZNY! EXO's was very good, but I have to say you hit closer to the literary mark. Exo has the skin texture going, as well as the 'undead quality' (for lack of a better term)...
Going strictly from my readings of the novel, however, the twist of ape and reptile you have captured are closer to my idea of Mbwun (is that how it is spelled?...I listened to the novel on tape several times, so I can pronounce it, but not spell it...how's that for a twist?!)
During my reading (listening), I continually had an insectile or birdlike sort of thing mixing with the ape/reptile. I envision the rear legs as three jointed, like a bird (or Raptor...it sounds more tough!). I also see the creature as bipedal, using it's powerful arms for attack as much if not more than for movement. These would be hair covered and very apelike, ending in taloned claws much like an Eagle's. Cool so far? For the body I had a Hyena vibe going...even with the subtle stripe hair pattern. The head and face sloped, as you have rendered...I see it almost as a Neandertal man mixed with reptilian jaws...and of course, glowing eyes...like an owl's when the light hits them in the dark.
I have never really been able to decide if the creature needs a tail. During my reading, I saw it both ways. Not much of one, but a good powerful balancing force for the effective use of claws and teeth.

Suffice to say I have never been satisfied with the movie version of the creature. I did like DeGosta as he was portrayed, but where the hell was Pendergast? That is a cool ass character! He should not have been left out out.

Anyway, great work, man. I am glad others have read and loved the novel. Did you read Reliquary, or Cabinet of Curiosities? They are both by Preston/Child, and feature Pendergast. Worth checking out, for sure. There is a new novel which brings together the characters from Relic....but it will have to wait for my finishing The Dark Tower .

Again, great work. I am inspired to revisit Relic and try my hand at a visualization of Mbwun. Keep an eye out. We all inspire and are inspired by each other!

Later,

W

[JeffZNY]

Thanks for the kind words, Wayne, they are greatly greatly appreciated. I have in fact read all the Pendergast novels, and if you check out my other threads, you'll see that I've done a portrait of Pendergast himself, along with his evil brother, Diogenes. I've also been in pretty freqent email contact with Preston and Child while crafting the portraits, so it's been a big thrill. Glad you enjoy the books, and the piece...take care!

[Wayne's Darkworld]

Hey JeffZNY,

Wow! A TRUE fan of Preston/Child. I should be asking you about the novels, instead of laying out what I think. I have yet to read beyond Relic, Reliquary, and Cabinet of Curiosities. I have yet to uncover Pendergast's brother...thanks for letting me know about that. Nothing like an evil brother of the ONE AND ONLY FBI agent in literary history!
I checked out your portraits of the two. Diogenes I can't comment on...YET! But You did a kick ass job on Pendergast. I am interested to see your progression in the future. If you have been in contact with the authors Preston and Child, then I can see good things happening in your future. Push the realism, man, but don't get cought up in it. It can be a deathtrap unless you can afford models and photography for every image. I like to walk the line between utter realism and total fabrication...and it is a bitch...but rewarding when you can make it work!
I'll keep an eye out for future posts. Let me know how things go with Preston and Child, if you don't mind!

Great work,

W