Waterbeast

[simfonie]

Ok. I was inspired by DSG880, the one with the lizard thing, and I came up with this Waterbeast. I don't have a name for it, so anything is appreciated. Here's the sketch. I will be painting it soon, then I will do another with a more dynamic pose or something.

Let me just give you a bit of BG info.
Obviously it's a water beast, but it's used as a packmule/transporter. It has no mouth (a result of experimentation) nor hind flippers. The abdomen looking sac it has is its air chamber, used to regulate its depth. Ok, have at it!

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2738/picture59xb.th.png (http://img212.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture59xb.png)

[simfonie]

Hahah. Just noticed some mistakes. Such as how you can see its abdomen THROUGH the blanket. And I don't like that pack thing hanging there. Post an update soon.

[simfonie]

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/8290/picture62ld.th.png (http://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture62ld.png)

Defined the lines, changed the horns (they're now connected in a loop shape), removed the pack, added banding, further defined flippers, fixed eyes and added nose, and reworked abdomen. Now time to paint!

[stoph]

its still a little too sketchy imo to be "defined linework". also, it looks like its sitting too far up in the water. a beast that size would certainly need to be floating lower, as its weight would displace more water. the neck and chest are fine up until the flippers, cause given their curve you would expect the stomach to graduate from it. this is not the case, instead its big and bulgy at one instant, then slim and small in the next. lastly, the little notch on his fins are on opposite sides.. not sure if you intentionally did that. dont mean to be harsh, hope i dont cause offense :)

[simfonie]

You're not harsh at all. I kinda don't see what you mean about the stomach thing, though. I think I might stop for a minute to redefine body shape and what not. Also, keep in mind it's a fantasy creature. (excuses, excuses :wink: )

[madster]

...Also, keep in mind it's a fantasy creature. (excuses, excuses :wink: )Fantasy doesn't necessarily mean impractical. Just as the no mouth design brings up a very valid question of, "How does this 'fantasy' creature get nourishment?", the basic physics of how the thing would stay afloat without rolling over upside down is a legitimate question that you should be considering when you are creating these "fantasies..." If you can't answer/resolve the issue, perhaps a redesign is in order. That is the "Concept" part of these forums.

~M

[Stupidude666]

You Totally ripped that creature design from Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando

[simfonie]

madster: I see what you mean. I'm doing a redesign right now. Another thing I have a problem with is the length of its neck. Thanks for the input!

Stupidude: Umm....Definitely didn't since I've never even played the game. But do you have a constructive comment?

[capt underoo]

The creature does need to sit lower in the water and I would (my personal opinion) extend the back end out more and give it more weight...he seems to front heavy...I would also extend the flippers out more...for an animal of that size, he would need more to push himself forward....the best advice that I can give is to use some pictures of whales as reference...it might give you some more ideas about what direction to take the character in...one of the things that I like to do, is figure out some of the characteristics of my creature first...is it bipedal or quadrapedal...does it move quickly or slowly...is it a carnivore, herbavore, omnivore...is it active at night....what kind of environment does it exist in (water, land, forest, swamp, desert)...etc...once I figure these things out, I find reference of animals that follow some or all of the same characteristics that my creature does...this gives me a realistic idea of how my creature may have to be setup....

[Stupidude666]

As for my constructive comment, i'll agree with what everyone said.