ART WAR | 2D | Nori | lumaris / Yukimi

[lumaris]

Team: Fantasy!
Name: Yukimi Strasil
Email: yukimiwintel@gmail.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yukimi.mills
deviantart: http://lumaris.deviantart.com/gallery/

Champion name: Nori the Dragon Warrior

Narrative:

Young and foolish, but swift and calculating – Nori and his brothers-in-arms were conducting investigations on dragon nesting grounds locals believed to be near. These times were dangerous for the dragons – for no race or specie seemed to understand them as the Aeteli had. Dragons of all kinds faced decimation and mutilation – servitude and captivity. The market between elves and humans reeked of dragon parts – when outlawed, they slipped underneath in the underground trades. Dragons were in danger, and Aeteli were the only voice they had.

Nori, rebellious and cocky among his peers, was challenged to find the dragon's nest-of-sorts rumored to be in the area, and introduce himself. Legend told them the dragons only allowed those of brave heart and soul within. Nori's mischief led him instead to come face to face with dragon hunters.

In a life-or-death duel, Nori barely survived, but sent a powerful message to the men following the human leader. They left, and Nori discovered the carnage they had wrought days before. All dragons were killed – very young adults to hatchlings. Tails severed, scales shaved off, horns hacked, wings clipped. Among the wreckage was one soul – a wyvern by the name of Erulan.

Desperate and angry, Erulan bonded with Nori to demand aid in revenge. Nori accepted – moved and angry as well. The two destroyed the human camp and raged war with anyone claiming to be dragon hunters. Other dragon-bonded Aeteli joined the fight.

Eventually, Nori became a legend, and in some areas of the world, he was remembered a god.

-

The Aeteli and Nori's story are part of the world I've created for the books/series I've been writing for some time.

Here is my finished illustration (working on putting together the concept sheet soon)

[rgdraw]

Yeah ! Team fantasy ! Dragons !
Can't wait to see your work !

[lumaris]

This is all I got so far. I have a word document on the character's background as well as a supporting character.

Right now I might do 1-3 more of these to figure out a solid "armor" design. Also need to flesh out some tidbits like - what's the thing on his belt at the hip? I have an idea, but I need to do a bit more research first.

Anyway, really excited to do this! I've been on a long art hiatus, so I'm definitely nothing compared to the elites on here. Go, you guys! Just excited to participate in something that may help me grow a little more as an illustrator.

[rgdraw]

This is starting out nicely ! Keep up the good work

[lumaris]

Thanks! Going to try ha.

I can post this to FB as well, right? As long as it's known it's for this contest? I don't recall anything in the rules on it. If not, I'll delete it from there.

[lumaris]

Now I'm narrowing down which one to refine/work on colors for.

[rgdraw]

Nice work ! I like the C, looks really cool
I think it's ok to post your work on FB, I did it too

[lumaris]

Sweet! I've included the #artwar as I think I'm supposed to mention it somewhere. Thanks, too! (I looked at your thread and whoa, I love how you're using references to build up your characters, weapons, and setting the scene! Definitely love the direction you're taking it.)

I'm leaning toward a mix of C and perhaps the boots/shin guards of A and B . In the mean time of deciding on that, I've roughed up the concept of the weapon~ a stupid staff that breaks into half, reinforced with "magic" energy that commands it to turn into sturdy, rather sharp blades of wood. (oh goodness, it reeks of fantasy here.)

I need to update my main post to include the story - I have it written out in a document folder, just haven't gotten around to updating this, eek.

[rgdraw]

You're welcome ! And thanks a lot

Sounds like a great idea to mix your concepts, and i like what you did with the staff !

[lumaris]

A few updates.

Dragon concept (supporting character, which will be interesting if I can keep it the background and not the sole focus):

My choice on the armor color scheme (which took a week of getting others' opinions)

Now I'm working on thumbnails for the composition - it's tough for others to see what's going on. I should try to refine them a bit more.

[rgdraw]

Nice work!

[lumaris]

thank you! I chose the second composition idea, and have worked on it a tiny bit, to see how it's going

[michael_howe_arts]

I really like the staff design! The blades look like blades - I originally thought they were simply swords. But on reading your description it's magically reinforced wood, so maybe make sure the texture will look like wood, not metal. Really cool Look forward to seeing the finished piece.

[rgdraw]

Wow! I can feel the epicness coming !

[lumaris]

Working on color and refining details~

[lumaris]

Roughly 2 more hours since the last update - I really need to spend more time than a little here and there on this. Eek.

[rgdraw]

It's getting nice!
I like the colors, but I think you could improve it, maybe with a sunlight, which would make the image more dynamic and dramatic

[lumaris]

Thanks! Could you elaborate on sunlight? As in, orange/gold colors, or throw in a sun in the background and play with the lighting/shadows it would cast? Thanks again!

[rgdraw]

By sunlight I mean like during a bright sunny day, giving strong contrast
I hope this help

[lumaris]

It helps a lot! I appreciate it :D! I've been working on the color scheme of this, and trying to add better contrast/mood to it while working on the fine details. Here's the update thus far (admittedly, I have not spend more than a few hours since the last update on this bugger.)