Okay so unfortunately I was busy somewhere else with no internet. I'll just update what I managed to do from the past 2 weeks. Here's what I got:
Here is the semi-final version of THETA front and back.
Here's a rough layout of his final character sheet. I still have some spare space to add his skills ( some Gravity force control and he can shoot THETA beam, like his name suggest), I'll leave this part aside for now and focus on the illustration. When I doodle some better supplementary stuff I'll just keep replacing elements here until it's complete.
So, heading to the illustration part:
I had a big struggle for days choosing thumbnails cause all them have different strengths and weaknesses.
My ideal picture in general is: The character standing in an orrery room doing his gravity skills, IF can show sky with constellation would be extra great.
Some of my analysis:
-1- Is easily the 'safe zone'
-2- Gets that powerful dynamic angle and beautiful circle composition and overview of the orrery room, but I was doubting the high angle gives that 'intimidating' feel that doesn't fit the character's passive vibe.
-3- Got a really peaceful desert surreal feeling that makes the character look big and passive, but is it too passive? As much as it fits, this is war.
-4- Different from the rest, this one he's using his Theta beam to explode some object coming towards him. Though shows the aggression really well, it doesn't fit his personality, and I find a bit too ambitious with all the actions and especially the lighting from the beam. I know my place...
-5- I really love this one to be honest, really nice pose, but to be fair this one is too erm...delicate lol. And I'm afraid it has no space to give the background some story.
So here's what I decided to do: I combined 2 and 5.
My best effort to get THETA to float in an orrery room with sky and constellation, and him passively doing his gravity move (have the planet hit some obstacle to suggest he can destroy things), while keeping his heroic character in control.
I got the color key, and correct some perspective issues.
Hopefully I can push it to the finish stage within the remaining two weeks, I really do cause I'm pretty much in the danger zone now. Oh well, best is not to panic.
At this stage I already forgot about this being a contest, I just want to do this character justice.
Thanks guys!