Voting: Puppetmaster & Puppet

[S.C. Watson]

Welcome to the voting thread for our first One Month Challenge - Puppet Master and Puppet!

Description are not included, as these challenges are about how well the artist grasps the illustration brief and about how well they illustrate the concept provided. Technical skill is a factor, but it is also to be balanced out with the artist's individual level, and emotional impact. Please keep these parameters in mind when voting.

There is a 14 day voting period.

The Posting Thread for Puppet Master & Puppet can be found here. (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=57653)

And now, on to the images:
_____________________
Infinitum
Title - Puppet Master & Puppet
Medium - Pencil and Digital
Image size - 700 x 329
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y153/Infinitum1/InfinitumPuppetMasterPuppetFinal.jpg

masque
Title: Turning Point
Medium: Digital paint (Photoshop CS2) 650x683
http://www.metrocast.net/~chipartist/ImagePost/TurningPointChOWwebU1.jpg

fes
Title: Puppet of the Goddess
Medium: Digital
Size: Original 4200 x 3900 pixels
http://www.fionasansom.com/assets/dsg/puppetmaster_004.jpg

trevor
Vengance
650x700 pixles
painter 8
orig:13x14@300dpi
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/trevorclaxton/puppetmasterwebfinal.jpg

FlipMcgee
NANO-DECEPTICON MASTER AND PUPPET
Photoshop 562 x 700
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/Flipmcgee/nano_mcgee.jpg

dariocoelho
title: defending el dorado
medium: painter. size: 700x585 pixels
http://www.8ung.at/dariocoelho/gallery/paintings/puppetmasterweb.jpg

Kiriko
Title: Pulling the Tide
Medium: Ink and Digital (Photoshop 7.0)
Size: 461x690
http://kiriko-moth.com/pulling_tide.jpg

Andrea Smith
Title: Swan Lake: "Will you marry me, Odette?"
Medium, size - Photoshop 5.0 with a Wacom tablet, 700 x 873
http://img8.picsplace.to/img8/6/swanlake2.jpeg

shadoman
Title: You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry
Medium: Digital using PainterIX (for everything minus the first girl sketch)
http://www.shawnadomanis.com/images/illustrations/PuppetMaster_Final.jpg

Panagos
'Puppet Master'
Graphite on paper
11"x14"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/Panagos/WEBPuppetMasterX.jpg

bwkeough
446 x 700
painter 8
"loyalty cannot be bought, but it can be commanded"
http://nand.net/~keough/sketchbook/master-and-puppetFIN.jpg

Zephrym
488x700
Pencil, Photoshop 7, Wacom
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/5237/puppetmasterfinal26ds.jpg

bluefooted
title: Queen Mab
medium: ink, watercolor, digital
size: 390x644
http://www.angelfire.com/art2/bluefooted/images/mabsm.jpg

[Infinitum]

These look great all together. I think everyone has come up with some solid finals for this challenge.

I voted for Masque, I really liked both the idea and execution of the piece. But it was a close call. I think the overall quality of those who made it to the final was high.

Well done everyone.

[redehlert]

i would like to vote three times please.
sigh....i know i cannot, so here it is:
masque - hot damn that is so wonderfully done, you'll really stepped up to the plate on this one and hit a home run.
blue - i love this piece from it's emotional pull and tug on the heart 'strings' of my soul. you rock, maddam. is the crow trent reznor with tori amos as the puppet master? ;) kidding...
kiriko - the story behind this is seemingly obvious with the strength of the tide being dictated by the fullness of the moon. your rendering, pose, composition and technique (line work, etc) are too much. i humbly serve you with my vote.

wish i could chat about each because there are some sweet entries here, but i've gotta get to work.
cheers!
d

[Alday.J]

I voted for bluefooted for the amazing and charming mood of this pic... as always ! ;)

[Andrea Smith]

Wow! This is a hard choice to make! In technical skill, I think Trevor and Masque did sooo well, but the theme's don't get me as much.

Trevor—Awesome! I really like this one! The moon makes it feel like the characters are in a dream world, and I really like the creature. Hmm. You may have my vote!

Masque— if yours had been a bit starker I would like it more. I like it a lot already, but the gradual gradiants of tone seem kind of soothing. I think a sharper contrast would highten the drama.

Fes—I really like yours! It's beautiful, even if you didn't finish it as much as you wanted! I especially like the goddess's blank eyes.

dariocoelho—I still like your pic! I love the "jungle-ish" colors, and I love the design of the golem. Plus, in your close-ups, the little conquistadors are just so darn cute! The only thing I think is that the shaman doesn't seem connected to the golem. Isn't he supposed to be controlling him? All in all, I like it a lot!

bwkeough—I love the mood and bright colors! I'm not sure what's going on, though. Who's the puppet master? (Of course, someone could say that about my pic, too).

Infinitum—nice coloring! It has a cool mood, sort of creepy feeling.

Kiriko—I think the anatomy is a little confusing, but I do love the colors. They are so peaceful and luminous! I like the concept, too, even though I'm not sure what the metal parts are doing.

FlipMcgee—Eee! Creepy! But where's the nanobot?

shadoman—Wow! That girl is scary!

Panagos—I liked your sketches a LOT, but I think the finished image isn't as compelling. Your puppet master seems to have lost a bit of his nobility.

Zephrym—Interesting concept. You might want to check the woman's anatomy, though. The red lighting adds a nice drama to the pic.

bluefooted—Lovely! The raven is my favorite part! I think the texture of the feathers is really nice, and the man looks so unhappy. Great job!

Well, I guess I'm going to have to make a choice. I think...Fes! I just like your linework, and the neat "feel" of the piece. I also think you got a spot-on interpretation of the assignment.
Dariocoelho, you've got my next vote!

[dariocoelho]

fes, you got my vote, because im really stunned by the power of your painting. i hope you feel motivated enough to finish it. would be sad if you dont...
the relationship between puppetmaster and puppet is clearly showed and i think while reminding of the character description: "who operates behind the scenes, avoids public scrutiny, but controls others and event through subtle and often unseen channels. They are cunning, devious, and dangerous. They are the power behind the power." youve made it!

i would like to give several others my vote too, but as i mentioned, i think you mastered it in a perfect way, keeping every point of the character description in mind. (and i like freaky gods who use old ugly women to get some attention)

great work all! this was really fun to be with.

[bluefooted]

Great job, all! My only wish was that more people had finished (or entered).

Thanks for the kind words, Redehlert, Alday J, and Andrea!

My vote goes to Kiriko: love the stylized linework and coloring, and I thought the concept was very original and interesting. Great job!

[fes]

Thanks for the votes Andrea and dariocelho! I went with bluefooted because I liked the characters and the watercolour. Masque woulda been my second choice.

[Orm]

Trevor, you get my vote. I like the bright, fleshy colors and clear character of the image. the view feels very fresh, thats nice. the creature is very interesting to, even without its mask. very nice. although I think the lower part of the right arm is a little too sharp and slim if you get me? shiny might be the word.
By the way here´s a promise: If I ever sign up for one of these contests again, I will force my self to make a final even though it feels like its going to be shit. sleep well everyone, and be proud of your work

[Phaytfool]

I was torn between masque and fes. Both well composed and detailed peices. In the end I voted for fes. My decision came down to creativity and not to say that masque's peice insn't insightful, fes' peice left me 'wanting to know more'

Great job everyone!

[noche]

for fes.
phaytfool talks for me aswell.

[Thoras]

Alright, I voted for Dario because of his good concept on Mayan ancient magic and, of course, since Im a mexican my heart lies with them and the aztecs. Anyways, here are my critics, this time theyre respectful. :bashful:
They're in alphabetical order.

Andrea Smith- Good design and Hamlet-like atmosphere; though the eyes are very dark and their expressions are lost in shadows. I have the impression the room isn't finished; seems like it ends up sharply at the window. The pines and the lake look realy good;the characters shadow are very good, but the shadow that the characters project are too dark, it seems more like theyre at night in their room; and if it is at night, then the moon gives too much light. Besides the light reflected in the lake isn't quite good, it seems to be surrouding the characters, I suppose that was what you intended, but it doesn't looks realistic enough; altogether is a great piece.

Bluefooted- Nice, the colors lack strength; the tree that serves as bench is a little unreal, but I suppose it's dark magic, je, the root of the right one seems to be coming out of a rock, which enaces the dark-old-gloomy woods atmosphere. The desing and concept is very good, nice work.

Bwkeough- One thing, shadows; while the light held by the soldier is realistic, save the fact that the soldier's shadow would be a little smaller and closer, the one at the back makes no shadows, a light at the back would make another, lighter, shadow in front of the characters. The warriors' concept is good, I can't tell if they're from the Middle East, but that's my best bet. The concept and design of the witch is terrific. Nice work.

Dariocoelho- What can I say man... AWESOME. I love your piece, since I'm mexican and all that; but because of the rock-golem-puppetered-by-shaman concept. The piece design is great, save for the jungle background that is a little fuzzy; and the giant heads, again you mistake the civilization, giant heads were from toltecs, not mayans; but the piece really is cool. Exellent job.

Fes- Really nice concept, the brightest one, in my opinion. Few details, the window should be a little (little) more to the left. And the fact the medium, or high sorceress or whatever she is, seems more african, and the godess seems more indian. Exellent work.

FlipMcgee- Nice drawing, I like the concept, since I used to be a big Transformers fan. Miss that series... I dunno what the thing at the bottom is though. The microscope the scientist is using could have been more detailed. Good work.

Infinitum- Nice concept, maybe you know scientist actually use that kind of suits already to experiment with highly dangerous diseases and such. It's pretty nice, though color would have made it a lot better. Nice work.

Kiriko- Pretty nice, cartoon like concept. The waves are really looking good; thought the belly and chest of the man could've had more detail in it. The moon and sky look awesome. Nice work.

Masque- Really freaking cool, dude. The black-and-white movie atmosphere is really good for the piece, gives it more life. Reminds me of an old series called "El Santo", not the wrestler, ok? Really shows the emotions of the puppet, his fear fighting against his morale and damming up his soul of sorrow... wordless, man. Nice detail that one of the trascans and the little poster; one thing, though, the light wouldn't be lighting them both only, it would threw light to everywere. Exellent work.

Panagos- Nice design and concept; of course, colored, the piece would have been a LOT better. But the creatures are alright. A piece of advise, don't submit the stuff If you haven't finished it, I know it feels horrible for someone not being able to submit it finished, but a good artist only shows finished jobs, no malice intended.

Shadoman- Nice Carrie concept, the drawing is also a little cartoon like, which gives the teddy thing realistic. One thing, detail. The bear isn't close enough to have battered down all that part of the school; and the table thats upside down doesn't seem to have been hit by anything. Besides, a teddy bear doesn't seem strong enough to batter down a school, the again, its a cartoon. Nice work.

Trevor- Nice simbiotic beast puppet; also gives me the impression of an ancient civilization beast and shaman. Everything is really cool, save the fog that shadows the serpent like beast. Nice work.

Zephrym- Cool futuristic concept, the beast reminds me Aliens and Necrons, the second been a miniature game (Warhammer 40k) race; nice colors, design and detail. One thing, whats that thingy at the back of the beast?

That's all, hope it's been helpful.:bashful:

[trevor]

voted for blue footed
i came in a distant second
i like the fact that it was mainly natural media
and the style is kind of sentimental to me
love yer peice masque it may have won me over if it had been more contrasty
dario i like your peice very much as well
strange we had similar south of the border ideas
and kiriko
very nice style
andrea i thought the swan lake thing was a great idea
and the pic is very nice i would have liked to see it a bit more developed
or maybe even in color
fes i love the color scheme
but theres something about it im not sure of..........
but also close to getting my vote
good work everyone
]hope to do this with you again soon

[Simon Boxer]

Voted for bluefooted - Love your interpretation and execution.

Next favourite is dariocoelho's. Great concept, but I think I preferred the initial sketches where there was some lighting on the central area. Still, excellent work.

[Simon Boxer]

Voted for bluefooted - Love your interpretation and execution.

Next favourite is dariocoelho's. Great concept, but I think I preferred the initial sketches where there was some lighting on the central area. Still, excellent work.

[Infinitum]

Thoras - I didn't know they used suits like that already. I didn't know they were that advanced. My idea was for the Controller to be in a secure facility somewhere but controlling the robot out on a battlefield. Kind of scary to think thats possible now.
I originaly intended using colour but once I had finished in B&W I thought it would be stronger as it was. I might do a coloured version though, to see how it would look.

[walnut]

I voted for ... bluefooted! An original touch to the concept together with those beautiful lines and subtle colours have led me to do so. She did have close competition from fres(great linework, shame the coloring job din't quite match up), dario Coelho and masque (solid compostion, though it could have used a bit more salt on its potatoes, if you know what i mean). I don't think any of the participants have anything to be ashamed of. Solid work throughout!

[masque]

*clip* ...though it could have used a bit more salt on its potatoes, if you know what i mean...no, sorry, don't quite get what you mean, could you be more specific in less culinary terms? :) it's good to get crits on technique or concept, but the cooking analogy escapes me.

[redehlert]

hey shane - when is the next one month extravaganza?
i'll try to play along.
cheers!
d

[poise]

everyone did a good job, but bluefooted your is so beautiful, and I love the concept. Great Job!!:)

[Thoras]

Thoras - I didn't know they used suits like that already. I didn't know they were that advanced. My idea was for the Controller to be in a secure facility somewhere but controlling the robot out on a battlefield. Kind of scary to think thats possible now.

Jaja, don't worry; they can't make 'em move fast enough to be in a battle yet; but yeah, tehnology in hands of a soldier is like an axe in the hands of a ´psycho.

[shadoman]

Thanks for any comments. I think that this was fun, but I wish there were more participants. Always next time.

I voted for bluefooted. I think that she pulled off a beautiful and elegant piece while having a dark and brooding subject matter. Excellent line work, stellar expressions, and great color work pulls you into this piece. Nice job.

Honorable mentions were Masque, Kiriko, dariocoelho, and Fes.

[Define.]

I had to vote for Masque in the end, so much planning went into this. The perspective, I find, is wonderful, not something you see every day. The whole image is quite "mysterious", and really catches my attention. Really intricate details which you have to search for in order to see.

My second vote would have went to bluefooted, BEAUTIFUL image. Third would have went to Kiriko, really captures a serene, peaceful night filled with some kind of higher connection.

[S.C. Watson]

hey shane - when is the next one month extravaganza?
i'll try to play along.
cheers!
d
Heya,

Not sure yet. Still deciding if I'm going to do another one. The turn out wasn't *quite* what I wanted, but certain enough not to skip on it.

I've got a few ideas that I'm churing over. I most likely will not post anyting until next week, as I've got some traveling to do over the weekend... But I'm thinking perhaps a literary character...

...maybe...

Cheers,
~Shane

[redehlert]

Yipper, bud! Thanks....!
d

[Andrea Smith]

That would be a GREAT idea, Oregano! How about Jane Eyre? Or maybe Tarzan or Jean Valjean or The Hunchback of Notre Dame!

[Infinitum]

The Hunchback of Notre Dame would be a great on to do. Or Tarzan. They are both characters I have thought about drawing but never have.

[Wargoul]

i wish i could vote for em all. XD

i went with masque's piece. there may be some that are artistally better, but i just love the concept. its just so damn great!

bluefooted almost got my vote. i love watercolors, but i suck at em. -_-

[masque]

a number of strong contributions in this round, though i find that all (my own included) have some flaws (some obvious, some subtle) that perhaps shouldn't be there given the time allowed for the project. my vote went to bluefooted, though there is in my eyes a serious spatial ambiguity problem with the raven. i see it as in near full profile, it's tail extending behind Mab's head, yet it's perched on her hand, well in front of the face, in which case the tail should also be in front, or the hand postion should be adjusted to appear farther back. that and Mab's expression seems to me understated almost out of existence. but these are just nitppicks, really. the line work and color is superb, and it's a fair rendition of the main concept.

[Art_Addict]

Masque : That's excellent storytelling right there. There are some good other entries but everybody in here could learn from your ability to make an illustration more narrative I think. Now I don't think your concept is super creative but the theme you chose is really hard to visualise in just one image. But I think you handled it perfectly. Composition, number of characters, figure placement, expression etc.. all enhance the emotion and story you want to convey. One hell of a piece man , Bravo !

[Drawnblud]

Bluefooted: That is just beautiful! It has the feel of an illustration from an old fairy tale book or something. I love that picture!

[bliss]

my vote went to bluefooted :^^:
loved the execution

[asoir]

Masque's is too damn HAWT not to vote, great stuff though all.

[Prehistoric]

my vote went to bluefooted.

another great illustration, and of course excellent coloring.

beautiful image.

[Andrea Smith]

Oh, WOW! I got TWO votes! If anyone else votes for me, though, PLEASE tell me why you did! I would REALLY love to know! Thank you!

[masque]

many thanks to all who commented on my pic and especially those who honored it with their vote. i put a lot of b,s & t into the piece and your good opinions make it all worthwhile.