C.O.W. - #041: Asymmetrical Creature

[Fozzybar]

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/images/cow/cow.jpg


Round #041

Topic:
Asymmetrical Creature

Deadline:
Sunday, 09th April 2006




- for any questions or help go here:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=37512

note: The deadline won't be EXACTLY after a week...it can last up to 24 hours more, i am human and have to work also, you know ;)

Post your creature for this week!

[Fozzybar]

thanx to Consuela for the topic suggestion!



ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- No individual Character! Design a species!
- Asymmetry must be obvious part of design

[Saise]

Hm, something like one of Batman or Superman or Spiderman (I don't remember...) enemy. Half something, half something. Or we can draw a pile of some ooze'e thing. Good Open Topic. Time to Work ;)

[Fozzybar]

no, not half something half something, just a creature which is not symmetrical...

Snarfevs posted this as an example in the ideas thread:
http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/650/yellowhandfiddlercrab0il.jpg

and this is exactly what i think of...nothing nonsense like, more something which is a brilliant concept and would work in reality...just as the fiddler crab above ;)

[Nexus]

Um well technically the Fiddler Crab isnt asymmetrical. It has bilateral symmetry, the crab is still symmetrical on both sides, the claw is just for purposes of attracting mates and fending off other males and other than that inconsistency its still a mirror image on both halves. The only animal that I can think of that has real asymmetry is the sea sponge as it possesses no axis of symmetry. Asymmetry means lack of any symmetry, so I think this CoW is going to be riddled with blobs, oozes, and other things lacking any form. Not sure if maybe the title should be reworked but I figured Id throw this out there before anyone got started and realized that they made a mistake.

[Consuela]

aw man, I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Time to work on an actual entry!

Also, Nexus, what about flounder? They don't really seem to posess any sort of symmetry.

[chaosrocks]

actually depending on how precise you want to be.. although we exhibit some level of Bilateral symetry . we are none of us precisely symetrical. My left hand is bigger than my right , my right eyebrow is higher etc.. although only by very small degrees.
Adult flounders are pretty assymetrical but Larval flounders are the same as any other fish. and are we asking for non-symmetry bilaterally or on all axes? what about star fish? just tryingto clarify the parameters.
thanks
C.rocks

[Snarfevs]

Um well technically the Fiddler Crab isnt asymmetrical. It has bilateral symmetry, the crab is still symmetrical on both sides, the claw is just for purposes of attracting mates and fending off other males and other than that inconsistency its still a mirror image on both halves. The only animal that I can think of that has real asymmetry is the sea sponge as it possesses no axis of symmetry. Asymmetry means lack of any symmetry, so I think this CoW is going to be riddled with blobs, oozes, and other things lacking any form. Not sure if maybe the title should be reworked but I figured Id throw this out there before anyone got started and realized that they made a mistake.

Technically, it is. Semantically the claw may be just an inconsistency, but it breaks the bilateral symmetry otherwise present. That this applies to every male fiddler crab flags this as asymmetry on a fundamental genetic level (although admittedly baby fiddlers start off symmetric and one claw grows huge) rather than simply being a unique trait acquired in one's lifetime like having 3 bumps on one side of your face and 2 on the other. The fiddler crab is actually properly asymmetric as it only has a 360 degree rotational symmetry.

However, I'm not entirely sure this is the best topic to do, at least without refinement. I am imagining that there are going to be situations where people are going to draw something without bilateral symmetry but with a 3 or 5-fold rotational axis, improper rotational axis or helical symmetry.

It is possible to draw a heap of structured creatures with no formal symmetry but I can certainly see things going awry when either the artist or someone else notices a mode of symmetry not previously caught in their beautifully rendered creature.

[Nexus]

Fair enough Snarfevs, the male fiddler crab is a rather strange anomaly amongst its pefectly bilateral cousins but its so near bilateraly symmetry that I would say its closer to being symmetrical in that respect than to say it lacks any symmetry whatsoever. In regard to the question of asymmetry I looked up the word and the defintion for it verbatum was "no symmetry". Pretty self explanatory. So no corresponding sides of any kind. If you make the thing have four legs then its limbs better not be positioned across from each other in any way shape or form. If you make a round creature then it has to be composed of entirely different parts loosely arranged in a circular fashion. This thing is going to take some consideration and its hard to think outside the realm of symmetry considering its everywhere. Also this creaure has to be truly asymmetrical to an extent that its noticeable not just his fingers are a hair shorter on one side or its leg is a bit longer than the other. That kind of asymmetry isnt whats meant. A person doesnt have the exact same length arms in most cases but they are still bilaterally symmetrical. Still waiting on Fozzy's clarification on this but I think thats whats meant.

[Plate]

Relax Nexus, Fozzy has already shown us what he meant with the fiddler crab example. Just make a creature with a noticable lack of perfect symmetry. That's really all you need to consider, there's no need to argue over semantics and definitions.

[Nexus]

Probably right there Plate but I just wasnt sure what level of asymmetry Fozz is talking about here. I mean if a fiddler crab's level of asymmetry is all thats necessary then I could just make a critter with one really big front arm. Or would that not be asymmetrical enough? Thats all I was trying to figure out. Ill leave it alone and just go with my gut on this one I suppose. I havent had time to do the last 3 or so but Im really gonna try to make some time for this one.

[Snarfevs]

no symmetry

The fiddler crab may be piecewise symmetrical, as is everything if you are sufficiently specific, but in terms of intrinsic symmetry the fiddler crab as a whole has none. Albeit this is only within the symmetry modes I have checked:

- n-fold proper rotational axes: none
- mirror planes: none
- centers of inversion: none
- improper rotation axes: none
- helical axes, glide axes, translation axes and antisymmetric axes are impossible

As far as point groups are concerned, one _whole_ fiddler crab has absolutely no structural symmetry whatsoever - check - the only point group the fiddler crab satisfies, even if you break it down to dots representing body parts, is the 360 degree identity rotation E. However I don't think fozzybar intends for this to come down to mathematical definitions of symmetry, rather he's probably looking for creatures that are sufficiently symmetrical, but I fear this is going to cause trouble down the track unless it's his executive decision as to what cuts it in terms of asymmetry.

yeah i'm an asshole :D but the reason why i posted the pic in the first place was because it satisfied mathematical asymmetry

[Tyranx]

jesus christ ppl... just draw! ;)

[Nexus]

Haha Tyranx has a point there. Overanalyzing things doesnt equal great art....time to put boot to ass and pencil to paper.

[Trashy]

Agreed...

Reading those last couple of paragraphs almost gave me a hedache.

[arteric]

Wow, asymmetrical creature huh?

What do you think Fozzy, should I take part in this one?:yayca:

Eric

[Snarfevs]

Overanalyzing things doesnt equal great art

Err... What I am worried about is that someone is going to get disqualified because their entry isn't asymmetrical enough. Or is but people aren't seeing it - like the fiddler crab which may, with caveats, be symmetrical, but really, really isn't. That is all. I'm not entering at any rate (tdome). I'm saying that fozzybar either needs to be really specific with the design brief (probably a bad idea) or really loose with the rejection criteria and listen to people's rationales if necessary as to why their design is legitimate.

[Plate]

Guys, come on. Directly below the picture of the fiddler crab, Foz posted "this is exactly what i think of". There's no debate over whether the degree of asymmetry of the fiddler crab is acceptable or not. It is. He said so right there.

The brief is clear enough. The only thing that's confusing it is all the overanalysis and math jargon you're forcing into this thread.

[Tyranx]

ditto, now git drawin mofos!

[Beelow]

I'm in, need pratise, hehe!:yayca:

[dragon4lunch]

Yes, Mofos! I dig that word, just sounds great!

I was entertained by the analyzing and Snarfves' scientific term dropping - he's a chemical student at university, I found out on his website!

Alright, let's draw some friggin scarry creatures!!! I bet that's what most people will come up with here!

[Chuck,mate.]

sounds like a fun topic!

my vote goes to jakkas.
ho wait...no one posted anything yet.
alright then - my vote goes to the other guy, with the ants and stuff.
no, wait a sec...ahh..
amm....
sounds like a fun topic!

[Nexus]

Haha, wow Chuck could you cram anymore sarcasm in there...oh wait I think theres a little room left for some bitterness.

[Chuck,mate.]

Haha, wow Chuck could you cram anymore sarcasm in there...oh wait I think theres a little room left for some bitterness.

don`t forget the very particular finger i`m holding, too.

[Nexus]

Nice, good to see you havent lost your edge Chuck. No ass patting to be found in your direction.

[Fozzybar]

aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh......all of you shut the fuck up, you are confusing me!!! ;)

Not that i only have problems with the english language for its own but now you are talking about maths and physic and what not...:perv: :)

I am talking about asymmetry as any normal person knows what it's supposed to be...and if anyone will post an entry with a 4 legged creature where 1 leg is 1 inch shorter than the others i will reject it...

and btw arteric :
BABY! Where were you man....enter this one or vanish for ever! ;)

[cognition.sb]

What about a 5 legged creature with one leg missing? : D

[H.H.V.]

Maybe this is also about feeling what 'the assignment giver' means, when Fozzy said his thing and showed that example of the fiddler crab, I got the feeling that I did know what he ment and I didn't worry about all the precise meanings of the terms he uses. I think it's more about the feeling you get.

[rWDrk]

:pirate: :confident lolsounds like a fun topic!

my vote goes to jakkas.
ho wait...no one posted anything yet.
alright then - my vote goes to the other guy, with the ants and stuff.
no, wait a sec...ahh..
amm....
sounds like a fun topic!

[redehlert]

i'm goin' to draw fozzy bar with one 'z' shorter than the other.
that'll win me this round fo sho.

pat - that was awesome bud, can't wait to see what you create.

cheers!
d

[JakkaS]

i'm goin' to draw fozzy bar with one 'z' shorter than the other.
that'll win me this round fo sho.
HEHE, GOOD ONE RED!
Can I ask which "Z"? Left or Right?:D

[redehlert]

allow me to surprise ya there, bud. ;)

[Fozzybar]

i will whip a "Z" on one of your butt cheeks...but let me surprise you which i choose...you will look so sexy asymmetrical after this procedure believe me...

[chaosrocks]

Im with Tyranx.....stfu and draw!.....Runs for pencil... breaks pencil grabs crayon......

c.rocks

[JakkaS]

i will whip a "Z" on one of your butt cheeks...but let me surprise you which i choose...you will look so sexy asymmetrical after this procedure believe me...
LOL

BTW, chaosrocks.... I have few sketches already .:D

[Trashy]

Last minute update, scrapped the whole original design.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c207/TrashCaretaker/thebeastofdetmer.jpg

The Ancient Mamaria Drake

There are only ten of these creatures that roam the planet and they cannot reproduce. There lifespan is unknown but they have been living on the planet for over a thousand years. Rumored to have been created by gods they are worshipped by many cultures and scriptures are written about them all over the world.
A very scary beast when first spotted it is well known for it's irregular shapes. It however is not a carnivore and seems to feed only off tree's. They tend to stay in very green areas and large forests. Some have attempted to capture these beast or slay them, but they seem to use magic to curse their enemies and their skin is nearly impossible to pierce.

[cognition.sb]

Trashy, I think you'll find that entry slots more in the 'character' basket than 'creature' since you've personified it with human impliments.

[redehlert]

i will whip a "Z" on one of your butt cheeks...but let me surprise you which i choose...you will look so sexy asymmetrical after this procedure believe me...

as long as you don't go 'SNAP!' in :az: formation....hahahaha!
just be sure you put an 'A' on the other cheek foz...that way i can be all phat and phart the alphabet. :moon: :x :moon:

[arteric]

Fozzy? Say it isn't true? Never come back? Oh please, do not banish me to the barren wastes.... I want to stay here in the civilized world. I need people or I'll go insane. And I hear there are BEASTS out in those wastes that would eat an artist in two bites. Please let me stay.

Mercy. Please show kindness my King.

;)

Eric

[Trashy]

cognition.sb- got to me before Fozzy. I was starting to think the same thing, I'll be putting up another sketch in alittle bit.

[Michael Jaecks]

Sweet mother of Christ.... and people thought I was bad over in ChOW with the metrosexual definition.

All you gotta do is draw a critter and make sure us dumb folk can tell one side is bigger and/or differently shaped than the other. I mean if the brief said "Winged creature" would you make the wings microscopic? Would you?

[dragon4lunch]

Awight!!! I'm in!!! Rematch from last time - that was a pathetic round for me :(
This is such a great forum - it is a way to have a productive healthy and fun competition! Let's go!!!

[Trashy]

Neorepto- Was that directed toward me? In anycase it did have obvious changes in sizes and one hand was far larger while a other was longer. It just had more facial expressions on it that made it more cartoony or character like. Not sure you saw it anyway.

In anycase the sketch is changed.

[Nexus]

Much better Trashy. This looks one hundred percent creature, no human traits here.

[Chuck,mate.]

WIP, sketch:
http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/4858/antsketch6rr.jpg

final:
http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/8455/antfinal5iy.jpg

do we need description btw?
because i can make some time and write something down if we do.

[Defiled]

what I am working on, hope it gives people ideas.
can someone tell me why my images all get lighter when I save them for the web...color settings maybe? Running on CS2

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5530/cowasymmetrical29zu.jpg

[dragon4lunch]

Defiled is leading the race, so far!

[Fozzybar]

ASYMMETRY FOR DUMMIES

http://www.beyce.com/ca/asymmetry_for_dummies.jpg

ok, let me get this clear...a creature is not asymmetrical when its upper body is bigger than its lower body or anything like that...

You will have 2 similar sides when you're staying in front of the creature and looking at it...

Having that said, i can be sure to safely reject every piece now which hurts this rule....hahaha! shut up! :perv:

[Fozzybar]

...because Trashy yours is not asymmetrical in the current sketch!!!! It's symmetrical!

And chuck,mate., i know you were joking, but the posted brilliant artwork could lead people in the wrong direction, so i had to clear things up...but then again the penis has one testicle, so it could be considered as asymmetrical :)

[Chuck,mate.]

damn you`re strict, man..
alright alright,
i did some more work on it, hope now it`s o.k.
final:
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8818/antfinal5iy6cm.jpg

ho, and joking? who`s joking?....

[Michael Jaecks]

No Trashy, it wasn't directed at anyone in particular. Just the flood of talk over a definition so simple.

Chuck,mate: Now the ant's head just looks like its in purspektiv, not smolar. So that would read as summetricle. But I like the level of rendering and the colors. Why can't you bring all your work to the same level?

[rWDrk]

hahaha that :lens: lens flair :lens: haha...........:er: how did ya do that?

brilliant :P

cheers

[Chuck,mate.]

Chuck,mate: Now the ant's head just looks like its in purspektiv, not smolar. So that would read as summetricle. But I like the level of rendering and the colors. Why can't you bring all your work to the same level?

well, now that i use ants as reference for my creature design, just like the pros. hopefully the level of my work would get as high as theirs.
(though i think i just passed way over it with this one. and i didn`t even use any specialy made Bubble-brush or anything...)
:yayca:

[Fozzybar]

don't overplay it Chuck!

[Chuck,mate.]

don't overplay it Chuck!

ho.
fozz....
i`m not even CLOSE to overplaying it yet.

[Mort]

[QUOTE=Chuck,mate.]http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8818/antfinal5iy6cm.jpg

QUOTE]

damn thats beutyful. such flesh control and superior anatomy feel.
one can allready see that in the nature. looks real and the lights are amazing.

i have so much to learn from the pros here.

[guggemmaneuver]

:lens: what? right.

flag planted, weird, weird creature forthcoming

[asoir]

Cripes. With chucks peice, why bother enter? Inspirational stuff.

[Nexus]

This thread has become decidedly negative all around. Chuck I have nothing but respect for you and you know that but if all youre going to bring to the table is blatant mockery for specific people and for this thread in general then just dont submit. It was funny at first but thats dangerously close to the line. My point is put up or shut up.

[Chuck,mate.]

This thread has become decidedly negative all around. Chuck I have nothing but respect for you and you know that but if all youre going to bring to the table is blatant mockery for specific people and for this thread in general then just dont submit. It was funny at first but thats dangerously close to the line. My point is put up or shut up.

point taken.
i was just goofin` around.
sometimes everyone here is so serious and "mathematical",
i just felt like blowing some steam.
i`m sorry if i offended anyone, including ant-boy himself.
(i actually think some of his art work is pretty darn good...)
we all have our flaws.
hell, i can`t draw hands. or environments. or robots. or animals. or things in perspectives. or anatomicaly correct people.
(come to think of it, what the hell am i doing here?!...)

won`t happen again.


:teeth:

[redehlert]

oh the laugh factory that became all so much more with the additition of the lens flare. can we see one with 'clouds' and 'solarized'? those were the days! hah!
thanks for the laugh, pat!
cheers,
d

[Nexus]

Understandable, everyone needs to vent every now and again.

[cognition.sb]

So anyway... Here's an actual entry:

original entry (http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f107/cognitionsb/COW-asymmterical-sbox4apr06.jpg)

FINAL:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f107/cognitionsb/COW-asymmterical-sbox5apr06.jpg

Sallon Whale

There are no same sex relationships in this species. Every partnership is predetermined by their interlocking anatomy. It's from a very early age that the large female requires a male counterpart for protection, stability and vice versa. When 'hooking up' with a fine young thing the fragile male slots his probes into sockets located on the female's lower left region. He'll then navigate retractable tentacles through her flesh until they protrude out from the female's upper body. In this state the male becomes permanently dependant on the female for sustenance and her body grows over the tentacles to fix him in place. Not only does this provide a communal defense mechanism, but it increases mobility for both creatures. Due to the male's eye placement (one at the front and right of the head), and the female's single side fin, neither are fit to swim solo, making it a struggle to find a partner soon after birth. However, once connected the male acts as the female's left fin, balancing her out and easing navigation. In this symbiotic relationship the female gains majority control and both sexes function as a single unit.

[H.H.V.]

This creature is symmetrical ain't it?

[Chuck,mate.]

oh the laugh factory that became all so much more with the additition of the lens flare. can we see one with 'clouds' and 'solarized'? those were the days! hah!
thanks for the laugh, pat!
cheers,
d

yeah well dave,
me being "funny" - much like the days you were a friend -
is all done and over with, mr. comdey sir.

[artiphats]

yeah I agree, Cognitions design is awesome for an example of symbiosis, and I do see how technically it is asymmetrical once the two are together. I think the problem is that the symbiosis aspect is overpowering the asymmetrical one. At first glance I see symmetry, which I don't think should be the case for this round, and worse yet the creatures are in fact perfectly symmetrical on their own (yes I know the idea is that they are together).

Entries should be screaming of not being symmetrical, at least in my opinion. I think with minimal effort, however, Cognition can add something to each gender (or take away from) to make them really asymmetrical on their own, and more so when they hook up.

[JakkaS]

Great entry cognition.sb. However, I think FOZZ can grumble that the creatures are symmetrical.
BTW, my idea is based on some kind of symbiosis also, but my creatures are definitely asymmetrical. I try to post my WIP today or tomorrow.

[redehlert]

pat - i sent ya a pm love letter... :)
kisses!
d

[cognition.sb]

Argh... The curse of my idea.

Well, I was either going with 2 asymmetrical things that make a symmetrical whole or 2 things that make an asymmetrical whole.

The male is symmetrical, but the female only has the 'dock' on one side. I'd like to think that even though it's fairly discrete, this feature makes it asymmetrical. Maybe if I just tweak the male?

Edit: Change of plan. The male is going to become the left fin on the female... She will definately be asymmetrical then. Still need to do something about the male, though...

[JakkaS]

Well, I was either going with 2 asymmetrical things that make a symmetrical whole
I have started with the same idea.....but in process of creation ......I have change it. I try post my WIP in two hours.

[Nexus]

Cognition if you just put some protrusions on the back of the male then it will definitely look as if that side is larger once theyre joined. Its just that the male is so streamlined so he just looks like a little lump. Put some dorsal spines or fins of some sort on there, they could be for the purpose of making a potential mate easier to see in the murky depths. Just a thought.

[JakkaS]

Still WIP, but I wanted to show what I have for this moment. Maybe the painting its not clear enough but description will explain everything. Crits are welcomed:D
BTW, when I finished the hermaphrodite one, I thought I have seen this before….I hope I am wrong.
---------------
FINAL
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/JakkaS/f918de7d.jpg
RO'DOS
aka Crystal Ant

It's a amazing new spicies that was discovered not long ago. Its dissimilarity comes out of body structure based on crystal, in contradistinction to other known organisms. Explorers have proved their existance founding some representatives living in the caves under the surface of Athanos planet. It's confusing, they feed the same matter they are made of. Plotanium crystals filling caves are part of their diet. This fact explains the ability to change shape, like need for having another leg or eye is being accomplished after few weeks. Their community structures resemble ants' community with the diffrence - they don't have any Queen. That's why they are called The Ro'dos Ants (aka Crystal Ants). Their growth is puzzling as well. After "birth" specimen can become one of three different kind of creatures: Hermaphrodites - big, strong but sterile warrior caste; Males or Females - workers and breeders that lay eggs and take care of the offspring. All speciman except hermaphrodites look for opposite sex to stick to for the rest of their live. Even that doesn't change their asymmetry.

[Mort]

asymmetrical with a function as the crab or just a wierd deformed creature?

[Fozzybar]

cognition.sb
hmmm...i am not sure what to think about your entry...because even if the male and female creature grow together, at the end there are two creatures and not one creature as a species which is asymmetrical...

[Sapphire]

NO, this is not my entry, it is an old piece, but I'm posting it to try and get at all of this confusion on what would be considered an asymmetrical creature/character/whatev.

http://www.deviantart.com/view/14835205/

I'll do my best to enter something this week, but I don't know if I can... I'll see how much time I get for my class project.

[TheDirtSyndicate]

gay emo hair is asymmetrical

http://www.brendoman.com/media/gayemohair.jpg

[LoneApe]

Hehe, neat entries so far. I'm still working on mine. I'm glad there aren't a lot of blobs for this one:teeth:

[artiphats]

Yeah I'm working on mine too, I think I am gonna bypass posting a WIP, and just post the final, hopefully soon.

Hey JakkaS, neat critters. I hate ants, but your Crystal Ants are cool. And geez, you have a lot of stars by your name buddy. I cant even get my profile picture to show, LOL.

[Thoras]

Don´t tell me that Chuck.Mate has started his double-moral posting...

[Nexus]

Drop it Thoras. The issue has been addressed and it was just a bit of fun. Dont stir things up.

[Thoras]

Really?!?!?
Then I'm deeply sorry, won't happen again!!!!

[Nexus]

Haha, no need to be that sorry. And definitely not trying to be the thread police but Id just like to see one week where people dont get into fights.

[Thoras]

Yep... I thought that in time it woul pass.
But there´s always sumthin that pushes someone over the edge...
Anyways... I don´t think there´ll be a single thread without a little fight... hahahaha.

[Soulweaver]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/Ekhidna/Bharu3.jpg

The bharu, or sail-monkey, spends its days drifting lazily through coral shallows. It lives almost its entire life on its side. It eats, sleeps, and mates sideways. Even its coloration is sideways.

A bharu's right arm is normal enough and is used to pick small bits of food from within the coral. Its left arm, though, is adapted into a sail-like fin. It protrudes above the surface of the water and catches the wind, allowing the bharu to move swiftly without expending energy.

Sadly, these unique primates are on the verge of extinction. Superstitious seamen consider their "black sails" a bad omen and kill them on sight.

[cognition.sb]

lol Jakkas - crystal ants.

They look pretty sweet. I like the way you've combined them - awesome concept.

Anyway, updated my image with a final. Now everything's asymmetrical!

[digital_robotics]

looking good so far everyone..
I like the idea you have going there soulweaver
jakkas- bad ass I think I smoked one of those once
I like your idea cognition, how it has to be in symbiosis in order to be asymmetrical
anyway, I wanted to participate, so here's my stab at it
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/digitalrobotics/blodrisk.jpg
this is an asexual creature who reproduces by releasing spores into the air to be recieved by other members of its species.
its common name is a blodrisk
for food,it absorbs proteins through a tentacle like proboscis.
The unrecieved spores act as a toxic agent to other creatures in its area

[Defiled]

cool cool. why would anyone fight at all over a forum? eh...
nice Jakkas, cant wait to see the final.
Soulweaver, how about when no wind? hehe. Looks good.

[dragon4lunch]

Digital Robotics your creature is a decent start, but I think simply sticking a little extra arm on one side, is not quite enough. Stretch yourself a little! And then of course, render it nicely - you might have a winner!

[MichaelMotion]

C.O.W. - #041: Asymmetrical Creature

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a48/-Michael-/COW041AsymmCreature.jpg

Meet Briguntji, the asymmetrical two-headed creature. He has one master-eye which he uses for long distance views over the valleys where he pinpoints his prey. The other four eyes he uses to look around, 'cause he's being haunted himself by bigger species. Most prey, don't stand a chance, because of his cute appearance.

[Fozzybar]

something i did for the 2nd thunderdome i think...it's quite old, but also asymmetrical even if not a very creative and excessive one ;) just a shot to add some more visual info aobut the topic...

http://www.kidomatix.com/ca/td/thunderdome_poison_fozzybar.jpg

[Lewis]

Some sketches, gonna work it out later

Things looked sad for the gorillaz. Thru some kind of evolution grapetrees grew their grapes inside the trees so only birds could eat it.
Many gorillaz starved, others became carnivores... but then a evolutionary miracle happened. Some gorillaz developed really thin, skinny and most of all long rightarms. With these they managed to get the grapes from inside the trees. The other arm has to be real strong to carry the whole bodyweight while grabbing fruit. This way the assymetrical gorilla was born.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8920/monkey7nz.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3590/gorillaz0yl.jpg

PS. love that doodle Michealmotion

EDIT: Final (made it more a monkeyface now, i hope)
http://img427.imageshack.us/img427/2230/gorillaz00013yl.jpg

Lewis

[rWDrk]

Lewis isnt that to human like ?

[Lewis]

Dunno, but it was mainly inspired by monkeys, gorrila, orang oetang etc. Not by humans.

[Fozzybar]

well if you're going for a monkey/gorilla look, try to shift it obviously in that direction...currently some of your sketches look to much like a human face or anatomy then a wild creature of the wilderness...

[Azathoth]

Cool ...COW.....Topic Nice and open................
Here is just an idea I'll maybe work....
Lots of wicked crutaceous love.......http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/SpiderofLeng/ASym_cre_03.jpg

[Defiled]

also, my first sketch is an ape/baboon type creature Lewis earlier in the thread. With a large and a small arm.

[artiphats]

http://www.houseofscion.com/artwork/assym-fin.jpg

The Assyrasaurus is an extra-terrestrial expirament on dinosaurs gone bad. Millions of years ago, an advanced race of aliens came to earth to hunt dinosaurs for sport. Most species were an easy kill, and so they began to capture certain carnivorus dinos and mutate their genetic make-up to create an even deadlier and more challenging prey. What we have here, is an example of the new breed before it was perfected. Still, several hundred of these hybrids were bred and let loose, and later used as targets to train up and coming alien hunters. Dozens of would-be hunters fell victim to the crushing, slashing power of the oversized left "foot", and even more were victim to the smaller yet faster right "club". The perfected dino's were more symmetrical, having spikes on both sides that covered two front clubs, larger than the one here and complete with claws at the ends.

[Form]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/thebohemian/Cow.jpg

Quezacoral:

The quezacoral, named after the aztec god of lighting, is an underwater coral-based sentient life form. Each creature is asymmetrical in its deformed coral shape, but each lifeform seems to have developed two long black tentacles which conduct electricty. Merging with the rockface in a coral reef and remaining undetected, the quezacoral will wait for its prey to swim between its toentacles floating harmlessly in the reef, and then discharge a strong electric burst from tentacle to tentacle, putting the victim into instant catatonic shock. GG.

[aturkone]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/aturkone/Untitled-1.jpg
here's my wip sketch

[rWDrk]

artiphats : Work that one out man !! Cool design!
I want to see the final design :D

cheers

[artiphats]

I'm working, I'm working! LOL... thanks.

[Condottiere]

*changed my entry* Watercolors take too long, not enough time.

[Defiled]

Condottiere, keep on it, I wouldnt call that humanoid, especially if you have a good story to go with...looks like a demon of some type.

Cool stuff all.

[digital_robotics]

Form - killer idea man, you and jakkas are ownin this one so far

[Eriboss]

ASYMMETRY FOR DUMMIES
http://www.beyce.com/ca/asymmetry_for_dummies.jpg


Man, Foz I was sooo blown away by your example creature, I couldn't help but "Monster Engine" it up heeehehhe >:D

presenting "The Asymmetriconsters" original concept by Fozzybar, aged 4.

http://www.reelfilms.co.uk/images/fozzcow1.jpg

hehe :P

Eri :evilmustache:

[followfunction]

Howdy. I know COW isn't really for beginners so feel free not to take this to the vote, but I could not seem to help myself..
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/followfunction/asymcreaturecolor.jpg

This quadraped lives on a tumultuous planet with violent predators (luckily he can regenerate some body parts -like the tail- after they are severed). Unluckily, however, his low energy level requires that he sleeps most of the day. The animal has evolved to sleep only on his right side with antler-like horns to protect his exposed flesh.

[Thefultron]

[QUOTE=followfunction]Howdy. I know COW isn't really for beginners so feel free not to take this to the vote, but I could not seem to help myself..


don't be modest. that's f#ckin awesome!

[cognition.sb]

hahah Eri, it has much more impact when painted. I especially like the sideways facing feet and it's "what the hell do I do now?" expression...

Come to think of it - Oh noes!.. Maybe it's a character! hah

[Defiled]

final. no more time to work on.
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/463/cowasymmetrical21jk.jpg
"TRIANTHROPOID APE"
This rather temperamental creature spends most of its life half way in the Earth, half out. Being an omnivore it will eat anything, but it prefers meat.
Using tentacles adapted for burrowing the creature will lie in wait for days in a semi-coma for an unsuspecting prey to walk by. Sensing its presence
using hyper sensitive nerve endings in a small antennae protruding from the head. This organ links directly to the larger appendage arm which will grab and crush the prey swiftly. In turn the ape will come out of its coma, quickly consuming its prize and move to a new location.

Known to be the largest anthropoid of its species, and most definitely the most odd, Humans hunted them to extinction during World War 2 to harness
their natural gilly suit, the government quickly covering it up.

Half of this asymmetrical beast has adapted skin that allows vegetation to grow on it which feeds oxygen while the creature is in the earth.

Having only one leg and two arms allows the ape to only have to burrow a small part of its body, while the rest is covered with vegetation.

[artiphats]

well, I'm leaving to Santa Barbara for the weekend, and have a dozen things to do. Updated my entry above, and since I won't have more time to work on it, I'll have to call this my final. See ya'll next week.

[Fozzybar]

Eriboss
Haha, that's so sick man....i really like it, you just pimped my monster :)

Maybe this is a beginning of a new activity :)

[rWDrk]

Hhaha maybe thats a good idea Fozzy. Chuck_mate did this with some friend a couple off weaks ago i think.

[walnut]

Very well, here's another freak for the pile, still in progress. Seriously, there's some weird fucking monsters out there this round.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a117/walberg/devilmonkey.jpg

Yes i know it's just a gibbon with an arm or five too much and a bird beak. I wasn't feeling very inspired this week ok?

Edit: And here's what i'm calling the final.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a117/walberg/devilmonkeyfinal.jpg

Another edit: Almost forgot my description! Here it is:
The kyuashi, as the biologists of the NeoNihon trade post heave baptized it is not a species itself but a common mutation of the common devilmonkey species. The two middle right half limbs are grown together at birth (with both males and females) and develop into an extra long, flexible arm. (There have been siting of leftsided mutations though.) This arm is used for brushing off predators, catching small creatures and reaching for fartherlying trunks. The same mutation also seems to have effect on the horns and the lowest two limbs of the creature. Notwithstanding this dangerouslooking outfit, the kyuashi is a very friendly creature, which feeds of fruit and leaves most of the time. The two smaller limbs are used to carry food to the colony and transporting young. According to recent studies devilmonkeys have a higly developed organization for a mere animal, and a kyuashi tends to be regarded as higher-ranking.

[JakkaS]

Maybe it is just a gibbon but this WIP looks good.

[Artifex33]

I think this might help everyone who's a bit wonky on their symmetry. I found this somewhere on the 'net. Can't remember where.

A completely asymmetrical creature would fail a symmetry check across any of the three axes: sagittal, transverse or frontal. This ant would be sagittally symmetrical. On the other hand, a typical tree would fail all three axes.

http://www.wesleyrast.com/img/anatomical_symmetry.gif

[Defiled]

arturkone, I cant stop laughing every time I see your avatar little dancy guy. hehe.
okay, I think everyone understands asymmetry. such a simple idea, dont know why it became so complex.
good stuff so far guys. so cool to see the different interpretations of a few words.

[Monio]

Sketches. First or second? Any suggestions are welcome.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/monio4/Fiend4.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/monio4/Fiend2.jpg

[Condottiere]

I would say 2 simply because it's got perspective/angle to it.

I'd also give it an extra leg join or two (look at dog/cat/dinosaur reference picture). Right now it looks like it's hyperextended its legs.

[digitalfly]

There is a my creature.
It's a "Piligrim Mother". Some like a great jelly-fish queen with a big velum for good speed.
Piligrim Mother use the velum when going to nerest place near a warm stream far far away.

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/93/asimetrc1a0mg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[possessed]

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/9600/watercontinue3sj.jpg

The Snag.
Snags are a lake dwelling species originally descended from a smaller land-based version called Snatchers.
This creature is a typical ambush predator. It will lie in wait for the perfect meal. The snag has two different methods of attacking and which one it will use depends on the prey it has it's 3 eyes on. One way, which clearly demonstrates the beings intelligence is that it conceals itself in the murky sand with only it's tentacle revealed. In it's tentacle it will hold a piece of decaying fish or some leftovers of it's previous meal. This will attract scavenging fish which will be snagged by the Snag before they can take so much as nibble on their last meal.

Another method of catching and attacking prey is a more direct approach. When the Snag detects a larger prey it will usually confront it head on and use a combination of tentacle grabbing and clawing with it's other arm. It's reflexes are extremely quick and believed to be linked to it's three larger eyes on it's head.

Because the Snag is an extremely fierce predator and does not shun battles with other Snags it is not unheard of for a Snag to lose a few eyes or even an arm. However, the Snag has a few regenerating capabilities and the lost limbs will quickly grow back on. It should not be left unmentioned that a ripped off tentacle arm might be regenerated into a claw arm and vice versa. In rare cases they have even been spotted with tentacles on their heads which grew from the remains of damaged eye stalks.

[Fozzybar]

possessed
I really love where your art is going lately man...nice to see your progress from the beginning in COW...congrats for improving a LOT!!! ;)

[brokk]

Yeah, what Fozzy said. Cool entry!

[rawwad]

Here is mine

C.O.W. - #041: Asymmetrical Creature

Demon Cat :
This creature is small, but very powerfull. For hunting and defensive it use same masking technique. It lie down and wait, it look like carrion (carcass) or like piece of crap for eating. When is animal in range, than cat attack. His asymmetrical body is great for playing dead, when is older than is level of asymmetrical higher.

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/8827/123le.jpg

[redehlert]

nice!!!!
look! a tripod! where were you a few rounds back? :) great job.

[artiphats]

rawwad that one is great! there are actually several entries this round that I like a lot.

[young paddy1]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/youngpaddy1/monkeyboy/duellingjanbo.jpg

These unusual Duelling Janbos start life as symmetrical as the more common Boxing Janbo, although upon reaching sexual maturity both the males and females leave the water and become land predators in and around swampy grassland. The feet once used as flippers shrink to become more serviceable, the female's tail grows flat and curves between her legs to carry the huge brood of tiny young back to the water and the male's hand like manipulators change shape to become weapons of the rut. Usually, the animal's left claw flattens and spreads significantly while the right narrows and elongates, teeth also protrude from the now much thicker carapace. Due to the drastic body changes in the males they can no longer hunt themselves, however the females also would not survive as their claws and teeth are too small for killing or tearing chunks of flesh. The females pen in their prey while the male delivers the killing stroke and carves it up for them.

[brokk]

young paddy, I had exactly the same idea as you, biped with limbs fused into sword & buckler/shield.

I didn't pursue it though, I decided to make something else. If time permits : P

[PriNcE oF SpAcE]

BTW, when I finished the hermaphrodite one, I thought I have seen this before….I hope I am wrong.
---------------
FINAL
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/JakkaS/f918de7d.jpg
RO'DOS
aka Crystal Ant

.

I believe it has a slight resemblance to one of brasshorsekillers creature designs...unfortunately it seems that he is no longer hosting the image of said creature.(big floaty sea-shell-ish creature)

I hate when that happens...you finish a picture and then you realise you feel like you've seen it some where before... turns out your sub-conciousness has been busy at work...\w/

[xyfzc]

hey wonderful works, guys
well actually im a beginner (though not welcome) but wotever, im thinking about a bird with twisted beak. i made some poor symmetrical sketch as i can't twist its beak satisfyingly. honestly im asking for help on that: how do u guys twist a 3d structure on paper? i studied a bit on paper folding, kudu's horn, elepant trunk, still is it not sufficient. sad that i dont have any clay.... thinking that it first goes more or less straight, then turn left while curling downward, after that the down curling stops and the beak tip twists clockwise (viewed from left) thus making the lower beak to the front of the animal.
anyway, hope i can work it out, it's to be my first entry.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/6015/shit100qw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9950/mycow0048em.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Azathoth]

Final; Vine Demon
It must have been an unholy force that gave birth to these abominations of nature.The species dwell in the darkest swamps of the
YinSloth jungles far from populated citystates. These creatures are a
cross between a carnivorous plant and a carrion eatting ,sentient insect race.
They survive on what they poison,snare and bring back to the Breeding/feeding
pit. The drugged semi-concious victims are thrown into the pit/patch.Then slowly absorbed by the newly growing acidic plant vines.The new growns,
absorb all the fleshy parts of the victim and use the undigested skeleton/ and or
inorganic materials to strenghten and become thier bodies.There are three types of New growns. There are the warriors ,the pollenators,the worker drones/clones. After a collony sets up a thriving patch, a Queen Pollencarrier is
grown and sent forth to start a new collony patch.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/SpiderofLeng/ASym_cre_21.jpg

[possessed]

young paddy, I had exactly the same idea as you, biped with limbs fused into sword & buckler/shield.

I didn't pursue it though, I decided to make something else. If time permits : P

You guys are not gonna believe this but it was also my first idea lol! I was gonna do two of them dueling together but couldn't get it to look right. :tihi:

[bumskee]

wow, some nice entries, COW is always awsome every round!

digitalfly, love your shit. :)

form!. nice... good stuff mate, see u in ChOW then!

here's me

http://home.exetel.com.au/bumskee/con/COW_29.jpg

had a helping hand from my dear friend idiotapathy with the right word choice on the description.

Even as far as underworld creatures go, the minion known as The Blood Sentinel is infamous for it's reckless behavior. A creature designed for quick and ruthless slaughter, most prey doesn't stand a chance against it's razoredge claws. However, in the occasions when the Blood Sentinel takes on more challenging prey it's massive wing doubles as a sturdy shield.

[Fozzybar]

xyfzc
1. this activity is also open for beginners
2. the sketch on the left is looking good
3. if you want to have your entry to the poll post a larger image, the size is too small currently
4. your creature is not asymmetrical at the moment, even if the beak is benched

[MichaelMotion]

Lewis: thanx!
rawwad: lovely rendered! Cool piece!
JakkaS: going for another * heh? :teeth:
possessed: lovely image.
digital: Great colors! nice concept..

Good entry's all...

[Form]

nice bumskee, a good functional approach to the topic. 2/3 man... where ur chow at?? :D

[walnut]

Nice one, digitalfly!

[rWDrk]

rawwad i really love that one :D
Looks like a cat thats run over ore something.
nice design

cheers

[MonkeYoakum]

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7127/decoy2ve.jpg

The Oonuknuk or "decoy" traverses the arctic hillsides. It uses its rainbow colored danglion to loure in unsuspecting locals who are not acustomed to seeing such bright colors. Unfortunatly it is allmost certainly the last thing they lay eyes on.



Side note to naysayers: His tentacle does not extrude from the center point on his left side.

[aturkone]

Great works guys...This is my first one at C.O.W
Final:Brrac
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/aturkone/fish.jpg

[digitalfly]

Thanks bumskee, MichaelMotion, walnut
That thread is very interest! So much god works

[michamachtlos]

gazzethai lives in that tap-dances .zum leichen he climbs thanks to his claw and spiderlegs with easy go on high stones .At the raintime he can last thanks to his schwanzes and flosse comfortably big ones stretch put back........... sorry for english online translation.
http://private.addcom.de/michamachtlos/gazzethai.jpg
www.michamachtlos.de

[followfunction]

Aturkone-
Cool render, I really like your use of color and line. I gotta say though, when I first saw your original sketch and this final I was looking at it all wrong. I thought for sure it was more of a puppy's head in perspective, with the right eye as his nose at the end of his snout.

Now that I know your true intention, its like a magic-eye that I can't stop looking at. Fascinating. Does anyone else see this?

[asoir]

Aturkone-
Cool render, I really like your use of color and line. I gotta say though, when I first saw your original sketch and this final I was looking at it all wrong. I thought for sure it was more of a puppy's head in perspective, with the right eye as his nose at the end of his snout.

Now that I know your true intention, its like a magic-eye that I can't stop looking at. Fascinating. Does anyone else see this?
Whoa! I see it too, i'm really finding it hard to decide on what it looks like. Unfortunately, mostly the dog theory, but it's still a sweet peice.

[seba_boi]

This is by far the wierdest COW... Some of these remind me of Dali... :)

[brokk]

wip text later I'm running really really late! :S

EDIT: ok, I'm back now, update

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/bk7600/cow41f.jpg
Harlequin Cannon Snail
On the shores of the tropical island of Kaliari, there have been found several specimens of a newly discovered sea snail species, characterized by their asymmetrical "cannon". This cannon grows on one side of the body only, though it can grow on either side. The reason for this evolutionary phenomenon is that these Harlequin Snails have a colorful shell that they use to attract their oposite sex for mating, though this also attracts many deadly predators. To counter this, these snails have developed a defense systems that consists of having adapted a part of their shell into a calcareous "cannon". Like clams that form pearls by high pressure, these snails can shoot carbonate calcium shards at similar high pressures and increadible speeds, even underwater, though in this case the high speed is maintained for a short distance.
The local tribes people from the island give these snail's shells several utilities, for making decorations and tools, to using the shells as poisonous dart shooting weapons, as well as ocarina-like musical instruments. These shell instruments are played in concert at the nights of the tribal weddings.

[chaosrocks]

started this one and then all the incredible entries
discouraged me... oh well some days are like that
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e181/chaosrocks/3_4COW.jpg

proof
c.rocks

[Mike Corriero]

edit: updated - posted later down the pages..

[redehlert]

awww....he's cute mike! i want one. :)

[Beelow]

Hey guys nice design, keep it up fam!:yayca:

[Form]

nice one MC... render that shiznit for the biznid!!

[chaosrocks]

hey Mike....It followed me home...can I keeeeepppp it?
nice
chaos

[Mike Corriero]

Thanks guys,

If you go to PetSmart they have them on sale for $10,000,000

Form don't worry I plan on it ;)

[redehlert]

The Hawksbill Hammer is a rare and unique turtle of the warmer oceans. Here, we capture a glimps of its 'dead man' forraging technique. Floating still, with head down and limbs limp, it awaits its favorite feast hiding below: crustaceans. Once a crustacean feels 'safe' that this enormous hovering creature is quite 'dead', it comes out of hiding. With a quick lunge of its large limbs and a slam with its hammer 'fist', dinner is served.

http://www.cognitionstudio.com/conart2/040806_cow41.jpg

[LoneApe]

Here goes nothing
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a149/monkeyshens/COWcopy.jpg

The Moslider is quite the creature. Known throughout the woods as the leading decomposer this gastropod slithers through the undergrowth seeking out suitable fungi to adore its shell. It then uproots a mushroom cap and attatches it to the the collection using a strange appendage that is grown out of the side of its shell. Almost all mosliders grow their fungus on only one side of their shell, so in this way they are kept away from the sunlight. It eventually cycles through its fungal collection replacing them with others it finds along the way, helping the forest's soil and the reproduction of mushrooms.

[bumskee]

love that shit dave, sweet mood.

[ceberae]

Great entries everyone! I... couldn't... stay away... from this one!

But eventually had to let it go. Time is of the essence!

Final:

http://www.logoesque.com/blink/Lawyer.jpg

concept: Prokuror.

description: If you are not Keanu Reeves or Brendan Fraser, chances are Satan won't be there making a personal visit to claim your soul. He's a busy man, you see. However, not to worry! Average Janes and Joes can still look forward to getting fooled into signing doomed contracts with their own blood. Prokurors were created for this very reason. Their grotesque asymmetrical bodies in no way represent the duality of their intentions. No Sir, you can trust each and every one of them. It is not a metaphor or a warning. Each one carries a personalized contract tailored to your every desire. All you have to give in return is your soul. No biggy :devil:

[JakkaS]

Mike and ceberae - Nice entries as always.
rawwad - nice little kitty!

[redehlert]

lol! thanks min! fun project...tryin' to branch out a bit. wrapped up the ole chow too. :)
peace!
d

[Fozzybar]

http://www.kidomatix.com/ca/cow/cow_041_asymmetrical_creature_fozzybar.jpg

The Tundra Rhino

The Tundra Rhino - a congener of the African and Indian rhinos - is a direct descendant of the prehistoric Wooly Rhino and optimized their anatomy on the environment and habitat more than its ancestors.

The legs on one side of the Tundra Rhino are adnated and form one big leg with a skid-like foot (scientists call it the "skateleg").
This mutation is extremely useful for the Tundra Rhino, because there is always snow or ice on the ground where it lives. On the other side the Tundra Rhino has 2 legs - 1 foreleg and 1 back leg as usually known from its congeners. With this 2 legs it pushes off itself by sliding with the skateleg on ice or snow. It's a wonderful view when spotting a herd of Tundra Rhinos sledding downhill in the forest or on a frozen sea. You won't believe how nifty and gracefully this massive giant beings can move their bodies through the vast snowy landscapes of the Tundra in Sibiria.

They sometimes lean their 2 normal legs on the big one when they are going downhill so they can rest and won't be slowed down by the ordinary legs.
An interesting fact is that the the side of the skateleg is changing from individual to individual - just as it happens by humans whether being left- or right-handed.

A very special creature on our planet, the perfect example of evolutionary adaptation and as an asymmetrical creature a symbol for being different than the norm means having a special place on earth...

[JakkaS]

Hehe, nice idea FOZZ. It could be a next Winter Olympic mascot :D

[rWDrk]

Wouw there really nice entry's.
Cant wait to vote :P
Hope i can enter something next round.

cheeeeeeeeers!!!!

[Condottiere]

Nice entries all~ I had to scrap my last entry, watercolors take too long so I couldn't finish it in time.

Final:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/Melefus/1b40d7ed.jpg

Slothtard:

The Slothtard is a peculiar creature indeed. It's ability to stay alive has left scientists astounded since its discovery. It sustains itself entirely off of the pity of other creatures. The most vicious of animals have been seen aiding the slothtard. It can barely move, and is completely unable to gather food. Other animals will take a slothtard under their wing, giving it protection. Attacking a slothtard is considered worse than hitting a kid in a wheelchair in the animal kingdom, and any creature that attacks one will surely be killed by other animals.

Several decades ago it was proven that Slothtards were indeed sloths with missing chromosomes. Oftentimes these creatures will breed with siblings, making their degeneration as a species exponential.

[dragon4lunch]

Here my entry: Nemotes are huge and massive lizards, who lack symmetry. Some are born with three legs on one side and only two on the other. Horns and even eyes can also grow in irregular asymetrical ways.

I wanted to show a confrontation of two nemote lizards, maybe about to fight over territory. I chose to stick with making a scene rather than a character sheet. I hope the lack of symmetry is obvious enough.

http://www.trickstertoys.com/additional/nemote_BenSchupp.jpg

I certainly hope to update the pic before tonight!

[ceberae]

Now that I’m not falling over with sleep, it’s time for something more ellaborate than “Nice entries” comment. I think I got everyone here!

Trashy: very funky design! When placing shadows, try to think in terms of light-sources and volumes. It helps to indicate the direction of the light on the page you’re working on to help yourself remember where it is exactly. Look at work by other artists using the same or similar medium to see how they’ve treated shadows (for example, search for “gravure” on Google). One more thing: for a design that involves asymmetry it would have been nice to see the creature more in ¾ view to accentuate the difference between left and right side.

cognition.sb: wow, prettyful! This one has such a nice underwater feel, you’ve conveyed it really well. The idea is great too! I would have really liked to see it in ¾ as well, so the asymmetry was more visible.

JakkaS: great idea! I would have liked to see it as complete as the other pieces I’ve seen you do for COW (rendering-wise), but the design is great and you have two of them! (I love the crystal eggs) Thank you for the complement on mine.

complete2: teh WINNAR!!!

Soulweaver: great incorporation of asymmetry into the creature’s life. One thing I noticed: you have fins of other creatures visible above water, but there is no indication of them underwater. This doesn’t have to be too obvious, but just a shape of slightly darker colour would suggest that it’s the same animal and not a rock formation. Also, the clouds: I think they could use being just a bit softer (especially the ones on the left)

digital_robotics: very cool. Rendering-wise, I think the white on the top is a bit distracting.

MichaelMotion: haha, so cute! The expression is just great. I’m not exactly sure of the nature of that bright blue highlight, especially on his belly. If you were going for a rim-light, I think it works most effective when it’s almost on the opposite of the main light-source, in the deep shadows.

Lewis: interesting idea. Hope to see the final version.

artiphats: Nice explanation of asymmetry and I also like the colour combination you’re using (and the sideways jaw: awesome). In terms of rendering, it would be cool to see the shadows describe the three-dimensional form more completely. For example, the belly is mostly round, so provided the light coming from top left, there should have been a soft shadow on the right of the belly/torso. Lights and shadows help to describe the volume and create an illusion of three-dimensional form.

Form: interesting creature. I don’t know whether this one’s final, but my only gripe is with the background colour: white is so bright. If only it was blue or something, to make the brilliant red of the creature pop.

Eriboss: haha, great! Yey for Monster Engine!

followfunction: great idea for asymmetrical defense mechanism. For future renderings, try to use more colours in your pallet. What I mean is, the objects in real life aren’t really uniform in colour. Different reflections and colour bleeding add to the object’s colour.

Defiled: lol, love the unsuspecting prey panels (there’s something about them that makes me giggle :) ) The grass side of the creature is nicely rendered and has a nice texture to it, so I would have liked to see similar quality rendering on the non-grass side. Think of what material qualities his skin has.

walnut: wow, I really like the pose! It has so much movement in it! Really well done. I like the design as well. I would only suggest is here and there, when some of the limbs are in front of others, they could stand out a bit more if there was more contrast between the limb in front and the limb at the back.

Monio: I like the second pose more, because it’s more dynamic. But it would still need a bit more work in the placement of the limbs.

digitalfly: beautiful colours! My only crit would be regarding the main fin: I think it would have been nice to have it more translucent and see more of the sky colour through it, to convey it’s lightness (kind of like the way you did with the jellyfish underwater)

possessed: very good design, I especially like the colours and textures. Only thing: I don’t think the underwater objects behind/under the creature are necessary. They look a bit blurry (I know it’s underwater and murky, but they seem too blurry, since the creature itself is pretty sharp and not murky).

rawwad: very fun design and great rendering.

young paddy1: nice textures and good concept. Try to pay more attention to larger shadow and lights in order to define volume, though. Otherwise, it’s hard to tell what’s happening in some areas, particularly where his left arm is in front of his body.

xyfzc: hope to see a final from you. Though the creature sketch on the left is symmetrical, it’s still nicely drawn. To add asymmetry, just try to think in terms of, why would the creature be asymmetrical? How would it be keeping its balance?

Azathoth: Reminds me of Kthulhu! :P Man it would be a nasty way to get eaten. I think bigger, more uniform shadows would help make the creature more 3D. Like his torso, for example, some shadow could define it more.

bumskee: very nice! I especially like the textures. One thing that bothers me a bit is the area around his head. It’s a bit hard to tell what’s happening there. May be some highlights could define it a bit better?

MonkeYoakum: an interesting approach, but I personally would have liked a bit more integration between the tentacle and the body. I’m not sure what the object in the foreground is.

aturkone: great concept and rendering. I think you also need a short description to accompany it.

michamachtlos: I like the soft shading of the creature, particularly the head is nicely done. Though I think the BG could use more work, those clouds the way they are now are a bit distracting.

bRØk3n_sPiRiT: this one is really nicely rendered, but I don’t think I see the asymmetry in it. It’s especially hard to see because it’s in profile.

chaosrocks: don’t let the good entries discourage you, treat them as inspiration instead :)

MIKECORRIERO: awesome! I don’t think it’s too humanoid and I love the way he uses his longer left arm to compensate for his shorter left leg. Great design

redehlert: ninja turtles go!!! :) Very nice presentation, though it would have been cool to see asymmetry pushed a bit more in the design.

LoneApe: interesting idea, but could definitely use more work. It’s looks unfinished to me.

ceberae: looks fuzzy.

Fozzybar: great idea! I think his shadow could be just a bit softer and follow his shape more. Kind of like the way you treated the shading in his footprints.

Condottiere: haha, interesting idea! In terms of rendering, watch your shadows: in some places the black you seem to be using to shade looks a bit muddy. Try using a dark blue or brown instead. Also, I think the green you’re using for his mouth clashes with the overall brownish tint. May be try using a different green?

dragon4lunch: great composition. In the early stages of the painting, I think paying more attention to getting the light and shadow working right should be first priority. The details can come in later.

PS: Is it just me or does anyone else have problems getting into their CA 3.0 account manager? I get wierd error messages when I try.

[JakkaS]

Thx ceberae

[Mike Corriero]

Cebarae Thanks for taking the time to give everyone crits man, I'm sure everyone appreciates it as much as I do. thanks

3.0 isn't allowing me to access it either

[Trashy]

Same here, thanks for those comments:)

[Soulweaver]

Thank you ceberae, appreciate it. :rendered:

[brokk]

Thank you for the crits and comments ceberae : )

[Condottiere]

Thanks for the crit Ceberae. It's hard for me to see what's good/bad about my images when I just complete them.

I made a few changes. I overdid the shadows, cause I was having problems with contrast and making it look 'painterly.' I'm a photoshop newb ;).

Anyways, took your advice and I think it looks a hell of a lot better.

[xyfzc]

finally, rite in time i spose. can't do anything more on it though far from satisfactory. anyway, here it goes.

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/3753/cowasymmetricalcreaturefinal4p.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Crotchetbill

Thanks to the chemical-rich sediment, snails became gigantic, big as watermelons, and super-reproductive. Paddyfields were spoiled and sadly the muzjiks just couldn't hunt the snails all down. One of them sad muzjiks remembered reading reports on ladybugs and summoned the others to breed their dear snails a natural enemy. Sad muzjiks believed if a predator had a specific mouth, it then could only feed on certain preys. And to snails, the predator needed some "equipment" to drag them out of shells. After tons of tryouts on contaminating bird eggs, they finally found a way to grow birds a split side-beak. And it's how Crotchetbills came to being.

Crotchetbills have actually a complete beak with an additional split on their uppers when at birth. After a month of industrial feeding with snail tissues, muzjiks then saw the straight, fish-catching beaktip off, keeping the split as a perfect hook for snail-slaying. After this artificial procedure, Crotchetbills are then spread randomly into paddyfields.

However, also sadly, the accurate contamination on bird embryos, which only splits the beak, does not affect on their brains (stupid, bird brains). And these mutants insist on fish-or-frog menu, though hardly can they catch anything healthy and fast. Sometimes a group of Crotchetbills attack and feed on their ailing kin.

Sad sad muzjiks.

[Mike Corriero]

I've been kind of updating mine as I go along, rendering it from top to bottom, got most of the head done, but damn there is a lot more to do.. wonder if I'll finish before fozzy wakes up :P not sure what time he's on over there in Germany

[redehlert]

i think foz is on 'hammer' time. ;)

[Defiled]

Wow, thanks ceberae. Good crit on mine, I would def input some more detail if I had time. I was going for a earthwormy skin look, guess not. Darn college homework!
dragon4lunch: tight!! throw in a few more darks and a few more highlights to punch out the red one if you can, the other one should stay kinda fuzzy.
condottiere: love the concept. hehe

[redehlert]

wow ceberae! many thanks for the crit - tmnt all the way, bud. lol!
i thought about pushing the asymmetry part, but thought naw...i'll go subtle. but superb point and one i should have spent more time considering. :) thanks again!
peace.
d

[Mike Corriero]

Actually I forgot, today is the 9th here Sunday, and Foz usually ends up closing the thread the day after the deadline 24 hours :P hopefully that means there is still some more time left.

[Monio]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/monio4/Fiend3.jpg
Final, but too late... no this time.

[Nexus]

There are some nice entries this week, although the interest in good ol CoW seems to be waning after the whole Cohesion Campaign. That might just be me though. I cant' wait for that wave of entries that usually comes pouring in at the last second. Ill have to pass on this one, only two weeks till my classes are over and Im swamped with stuff to do. Im gonna try to go back and do all the ones I missed and post them enmass over the summer since I usually have at least a drawing or two for each CoW even if I dont post a final. Good luck all.

[dragon4lunch]

rawwad: Your cat is cool and your description is hillarious!!! "[...]it look like carrion (carcass) or like piece of crap for eating"

Thanks Defiled and ceberae for your comments!

I updated my pic and will do so again by tonight!

[Condottiere]

Thx Defiled.

I liked your concept a lot, too.

So much good work this round, can't wait 'till this goes to polls.

[digital_robotics]

walnut - I dig yours man. it's good to follow the K.I.S.S. mantra every once and a while
defiled - killer ideA, but you should follow your advice and take more time to
render that bad boy!
Eriboss.. hahaha I also found fozzybear's drawing inspirational and educating at the same time, nice job on pimping it out, it looks like a monster painting from that dude
digital fly and possesed had great ideas too

[artiphats]

Ceberae, yeah thanks for the comments, very much appreciated.

[jpli]

Wonderful thread going on here.

First time posting with ya all.

I've got a dandruff eater. Lives on your scalp combing with his big flagella like hand. It picks up little scalp bits with it's feathery like fingers. Each feather tip is made of hundreds of little hairs that cling to the dandruff using static electricity.

He walks around until he finds a nice spot, then uses his tentacle like suckers on the end of his foot to hold on.

jp

http://pli.fwishkey.com/paintings/creature_dandruffEater.jpg

[Mike Corriero]

Dragon4lunch- nice update, at least I think u updated it since I last saw..the red nemote lizard is looking great, love the texture of the skin and details. The asymmetry is apparent but not overly exposed, I see his horns being asymmetrical and scales on his back neck tilting to the side, and one arm is smaller than the other? Hard to show an asymmetrical design when posed in a scene especially if half of one side is hidden. I really like it so far though. edit: saw ur comment about some being born with 3 legs on one side, would have been nice if it were visible on "one" of the creatures. I can see how the orange guy has 3 legs and the red has 2 but you couldn't tell from these angles that one or the other has 2 and 3 or 3 and 2 know what I mean?

Glad foz hasn't closed this yet, almost finished with mine :)

[Plate]

Last minute as usual, but here's my entry.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c27/Plate11/contest%20entries/decoyeel.jpg

The Decoy Eel
This bizarre fish has developed a highly effective form of camouflage to lure its prey - through evolution it has developed several fleshy protusions from its head that, when viewed from a distance, resembles the shape of an ordinary fish. The creatures typically inhabit beds of dense seaweed on the ocean floor, where their bodies are well hidden either under the weeds or in deep holes in the floor. It lays with it's head visible through the weeds and with one eye open, resembling a dead or wounded fish, seemingly easy prey for a hungry predator. When one approaches, the eel strikes out and snatches its victim in its powerful jaws. Decoy eels are known to grow up to twelve feet long, and though they are few in numbers, they have an exceptionally high survival rate.

Males and females of this species are easily distinguished - on the male, the "fish" faces to the creature's right, whereas it is opposite on the female.

[JakkaS]

Hehe, nice Plate. Love that idea.

Mike, nice update. Now it looks much more clear.

[digitalfly]

Thanx ceberae for critic. I though about translucent of the velum.
If I make it more translucent - it become a very gauzy. But it's a skin velum.
Be honest, I don't undestend how I must to put a color and where I need add the some paint. It's my hobby and I try to paint by my intuition. I have no practic and experience (know-how).

[Mike Corriero]

Thanks Jakkas- updated again ;) finally finished - im tired as hell though, almost 3 a.m. here and glad I finished before foz went to poll, im happy with it now.


http://pratt.edu/~mcorrier/portfolio/tiltadron-web.jpg

Tiltadron An Asexual Asymmetrical Giant
Clans in the west stumbled upon these oddly formed creatures, they were deformed due to the unsettled terrain of their homeland. The giants lived in extreme rocky mountains and hills with pits and gully's which in turn produced the genetically asymmetrical creature over the years. Their bodies evolved with the difficult ever changing terrain. The giants reproduce without the means of sex, as you can see a new creature forming in the stomach of the one pictured. This reproduction takes place at the end of a giants life cycle, almost as a rebirth so to speak. Neither two giants look exactly alike, each has its own distinct deformations, distinct size of eyes, number of eyes, variation in the proportions of their limbs etc. The Clans armour evolved in the direction to mimic this creatures body structure as well which became very useful and fitting for the warriors.

[JakkaS]

Hehehe, 3 a.m? Maniac!!!

[MichaelMotion]

thanx for the comment ceberae! I'll try that next time..

Learning much here by looking at all the entry's that come along.

[dragon4lunch]

Mike Corriero: That giant is great. I really like the idea of having offspring grow on the exterior and then dropping off some day :)

The face is a little too ugly for my taste, but hey, I'm not a zombie movie fan, yet there are many who dig those ;)

Definitely one of the top three contenders! It'll be interesting, no doubt!

[MichaelMotion]

You're happy with it heh, Mike?
You should be, looks amazing! Lovely concept..

[walnut]

Thanks for your comment ceberae. I appreciate it very much that you take the time to crit everyone's piece. That's dedication that i

[rWDrk]

Wow mike. I liked it before, when it wasnt finished yet. But damn dude this i beautiful!!
VERy NICE COLOrs

cheers R3M

[GatorKyle]

I don't have access to the internet on the weekends, so I didn't think I'd make this one. But here's my entry, I hope it counts for the vote, but if not, I don't really mind.

http://www.cunninghamillustrations.com/asyemmtrical.jpg

The "SideRazor" is a pack hunting predator on a planet that has giant herbivores similar to saurapod dinosaurs. It has a second, misplaced spinal column with modified spinous processes that is uses to slice the vulnerable underbellies of its prey. Through evolutionary processes it has developed a verticle mouth, and two extra eyes on the side of its jaw, to help with positioning as it jumps up to slice its prey in the act of hunting.

For some reason my image isn't showing all the time I load the page, but I hit reload and it works.

[Fozzybar]

redehlert
i don't know what "hammer time" means, i hope it's something vulgar...

And i will close this thread tonight, that's 4-7 hours from now...Mike, time enough for another entry :)

[redehlert]

ever heard of mc hammer? wikipedia him or google him....hahahaaha. enjoy.

[chaosrocks]

red you are a sick sick man... only good thing about Hammer was the pants!
make poor Mr. Bar listen to that........ew

heheh
chaos

[Mike Corriero]

:P Foz I'm drained from the first one and just woke up but asymmetrical creatures are fun, might do another just for fun on my own time.

[redehlert]

red you are a sick sick man... only good thing about Hammer was the pants!
make poor Mr. Bar listen to that........ew

heheh
chaos

lol! yeah...when i was in high school, i was slowly fading out of rap, but not before i saw mister hammer in concert. oh yeah. fessin' up to that isn't easy, but i really appreciate this support group.
whu?
this isn't hammer time anonymous?
:x shit. my bad.
;)

[Condottiere]

It's ok.

I still listen to 'Ninja Rap,' from Vanilla Ice.

[possessed]

Mike, you managed to create something cute and scary at the same time. Awesome work as always. I want to walk on it's arm and pick flowers and yell battlecries at the same time yay!

[Azathoth]

Ceberae thanx for the crit. This forum kicks . mike nice giant.
my post was too small. I thought we had to stay around 800x 600.
Oh well . Can hardly wait till the next COWhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/SpiderofLeng/CthApopGrn.png

[Mike Corriero]

Thanks guys for all the comments/compliments/crits

Haha posessed- yea that is why I added the flowers. If you check the Finally Finished section I posted two symmetrical version of each half in there and the one looks really cute :P also I posted a full high res. shot of the head.

[Fozzybar]

closed....i am quite busy over here, so don't panic when the poll is not online the next time...

[Fozzybar]

poll is on:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=65652