WIP: Zodiac Fanart Project

[Melora]

This is my first post here (although I was a huge lurker a few years ago) so please: If I do something wrong just let me know politely- I will learn and I am the kind of person that want's to correct my mistakes! :3

I'm doing something that might be viewed as a little ridiculous. But I hope that's okay and overlookable because I'm posting here to motivate myself. It's a fan art project for the Legend of Zelda series based on 3 of the female characters and the Zodiac. I have a lot of reasons why I'm doing it, but the reason I'm posting here is because I do want to improve my art and this is the most current project I've given myself. I'm not getting as far as I would like on my own- I mean with my skill in general. I've always had a hard time seeing things with it, problems and such, even though I'm very critical of myself. I would be very appreciative of pointers, critiques, feedback, -you know... all that- and I do really hope that someday I will be able to return the favor to everyone. (I'm a little shy right now)

These are the two I've finished to give people an idea:
This was the first one: Princess Zelda and Taurus. I did it a few months ago; I'm trying ot get back on track now. Click here (http://www.melorasworld.com/conceptart/taurus-fullsize.jpg) if you want to see the full size image.
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This was the thumbnail sketch that I pasted into photoshop. I seem to work a little better when I do this. Click here (http://www.melorasworld.com/conceptart/taurus-working-sheet.jpg) if you want to get an idea of how I work on things. It's a large process sheet and will probably give people a good idea of what process problems I have- if they need/want to know.
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This is the second one I did and the one I just finished: Zelda as Libra with a Link to the Past background. (I actually started on it after Libra had ended) The concept for the BG didn't really work out as I would have liked. I had a problem with lighting and atmosphere that I wont get into but, basically, I couldn't figure out how to fix it. That's why I wanted to try coming here for the next one. Click here (http://www.melorasworld.com/conceptart/libra-fullsize.jpg) for an external link to the full sized image.
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And the sketch: Click here (http://www.melorasworld.com/conceptart/libra-working-sheet.jpg) for an external link to a big process sheet.
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So, here's the one I'll be working on. I'll post updates as I go. It's Scorpio and Malon (http://melorasworld.com/conceptart/malon.gif); a ranch girl who is usually with a big chestnut and white draft horse, Epona (http://www.melorasworld.com/conceptart/epona.jpg). I couldn't think of anything positive to do with a scorpion (I didn't want Scorpio's to get the only freaky zodiac picture) so I figured I'd do a nighttime scene with Malon in a field with horses and the sign as an actual constellation. One of the things that bugs me it that it's the most uninspired concept that for the pieces in this project but since I've barely started on it I'd be thrilled for ideas on how to make it a better picture. (Positive themed only though. I can't make her into a woman-scorpion beast, or have scorpions crawling around stables) Here's what I'm starting with in PS, I should be back with changes soon- regarless of comments. (I know I should post more around the forums before I really deserve them.)
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Or.. with the horse behind her, I like drawing animals and fans of her seem to like it.
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Oh, and one other thing. I have to be able to get a close up of the main theme of the image (the zodiac and the character) so it can fit into the header image of this site (http://www.melorasworld.com/soth). Like this is the example (http://www.melorasworld.com/soth/pages/sign-taurus.php) for the Taurus image or this other example (http://www.melorasworld.com/soth/pages/marin.php). -Just noting that because I have to consider it in the composition.

EDIT: I apparently don't quite get how to use the attachment manager... :[ I thought the images would show up full sized..? Crap. How do I do this... The FAQ seems outdated...

[softocean]

Way cool ..fun concepts and nicely rendered :)
My only critique would be that the saturated colors make the taurus image bg look kindof flat. Maybe try experimenting with saturation of bg colors to get depth in the bg?

[Joey-b]

wow very cool!,

on the taurus pic, his front/ right leg doesnt cast shadow on the ground so he looks like he's floating a bit, maybe he's lifting it up from the ground a bit, but it looks just funny

btw.. love how u posted ur sketches/thumbs
very nice!

[jramauri]

Wow! Great images! I love doing fan arts too, and all I can say is that yours are great! Keep it up, I'll be following this thread.

[silken]

Joey's already mentioned it, but for the Taurus, I think teh reason that leg looks like it's making him float is because you don't see the bend as you do in teh thumbnail. I think it you fixed that, it would help explain that he's raising his leg a little better.

Aside form that, I love both finished pics....they have very differing moods and I love the irony of Zelda being placed to the left of the image even though she's depicting Libra.

I can't really comment on the third because it's still very sketchy. I DO like the one with the horse closest to her much better than when you had the horses in the background....I would make sure also to only focus on the Scorpio constellation.

Hope I helped some!

[Melora]

@ softocean: Thank you so much. I never really do backgrounds (it's what I want to work towards improving on most of all) so it's hard for me to figure out all the reasons I feel they're not really working. I'm not sure I would have seen it for myself but that saturation tip makes so much sense. It might take me a while to fully grasp how to make it work but I want to put that towards my future pieces

@ Joey-b: You're quite right- for something as plump as he is- he has almost no sense of weight and that leg is probably a big part of the problem. I wish I had come here sooner. Thank you!

& yeah, I love it when people post sketches. Not only do I find it cool to see how they start, I find it helpful in knowing what things look like- before and after -so I can kind of better guess what the final outcome may be for it.

@ jramauri: Thanks! And, yeah- I love it because I just find that fan art is a fun & less stressful way to practice X)

@ Silken: I love your avatar, the eye makeup on it is just awesomely beautiful. I really agree with you on the leg, it's something I just couldn't figure out on my own but it seems so clear now. I really appreciate the comments. (I always like my sketches more, I feel like I loose things in the final) What you said about the third piece was basically exactly what I was looking for. I'm having real bad concept/layout problems on this one. It's also kind of why I posted the previous pieces. If I didn't it be kind of hard to know I was going to do anything with something so horribly sketchy X)

I was messing (http://www.melorasworld.com/photoalbum/albums/userpics/10002/scorpio-concept.jpg) around (http://www.melorasworld.com/photoalbum/albums/userpics/10002/scorpio-idea3.jpg) in PS trying to figure out what I wanted to do with it and while I sort of/maybe liked the direction I was going, I still wasn't happy. A friend of mine said this and I think it's where I'm going now: "You know...you coulda probably done a portrait of Malon in a different outfit (like you did with Zelda) and given her a hair ornament with the image of a scorpion on it...have her hair pinned up in a bun or an elaborate knot or something (this just came to me lol) with a background of stars or maybe atop of Epona in the field." "...I also like the idea of having her hand up and petting Epona too..it would make her look more involved in the picture" The picture felt very cold and far away as it was and, I mean, I might as well redraw while it's still in it's infancy :) Thank you again for the great help everyone :)

[JAG.]

Melora.. i dunno what kinda of crack you're smoking, but your art is great.. its very enjoyable. your work so far is excellent.. and the few issues to work on.. well you're already working on them ;) you have a great eye for composition and a good use of color, good character showcase and a very vivid imagination. i think if anything its the slight lack of depth to your images [mostly through the backgrounds] thats hampering you.

as for your Malon-Scorpio piece.. why not draw all three that you've mentioned.. THEN decide which looks the best? no reason why you have to only draw one, right? keep it up, id love to see more of your work. - JAG

[Melora]

It's that kind of artist crack you get when you go on DeviantART and start looking at all the new work by your +favs and you're just like "Ahhh, man, I gotta keep trying harder" ;D It's good stuff. Although... even if it leaves you inspired you still get that damn downer kick. X)

Life got in the way (doh- lame excuse for not drawing as much as I would like) but I finally started the new stuff. I'm happier with the composition and, like mentioned ;) depth would be a good addition to my newer pieces. I shall try: but if you see me slipping up, feel free to point it out! ;) Here are the sketches. Malon's face just kind of started coming out so I ran with it. I'm probably going to do the lighting as an overlay because I'm not that sure of myself yet. (Feels kind a cheap- but I'll try to get to the point where I can see exactly what colors I need to use for lighting situations... hopefully) I'm going to try and use a lantern and some fairies to help give some color. Since she's not star gazing in this one it makes more sense for her to have a lit lantern I guess :3

#1 A face study based on screenshots and the basic layout #2 Another PS sketch #3 And this is where I'm at:

[JAG.]

hey its looking great.. i like the set-up and her looking back over her shoulder is a great idea.

my one bug is this: up in the initial sketch [below the face study] her face is more rounded. and just above in the last image.. its very angular and thinner. personally, i think it looked better rounded as before, gives it a fuller more youthful feel. but thats is just my opinion, its what YOU like that matters ;) great work.. keep it up - JAG

[silken]

Ooooh...thank you *blushing*....the makeup was a spot of whimsy on my part...if you want to see the whole image that I made (so vain am I) you can see it here: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/28464035/

I LOVE the new interpretation so much better...it's really lovely in composition. If you intend on creating the same type of background for the sky that you had played with originally, I would suggest keeping it subtle with opacity use. The way you had it in the first concept, it realllly overpowered the whole thing. You still want the main focus to be the girl and the horse...:)

I also agree with Jag about the angularity of the face now...I liked it more rounded too.