ART WAR 4 | 2D | War of the Elements | Dynera - Antar Fire Warrior | joeypoolart

[joeypoolart]

A warrior wielding white flames and dragon infused sword.
Usually I paint environments... so this is a bit of a challenge for me!

Name: Joey Pool
Email: joeypoolart@gmail.com
website: joeypool.com
Art channels: instagram & Artstation

Current State and final version:

[joeypoolart]

Hi all, here a preliminary sketch!

My concept for this challenge is a bit more grounded and based on something I was already working on in my mind. Dynera, the main person, is part of a dying race of fire warriors. They can control heat in a variety of ways and fight with wooden weapons made from a steel-like tree.

Using this sketch I'm going to explore and refine a bit further and then try to make an epic painting

Feedback is always super appreciated!

[bozonnet-arthur]

You have a solid back story, and a good base design!

I know your character is meant to be grounded and not so fantastical, but you could incorporate more visual elements that suggest fire (warm colors, actual flames, fiery pose and attitude...), kind of like Chandra from MtG:

Hope that helps!

[joeypoolart]

Thanks! Yes that’s definitely a good idea! It feels like the design could use something dynamic to heat it up. Really cool reference as well!

[Oceane_Roh]

That's nice to see classic design of grounded character (even for the fire faction). I agree that your design may need a little more punch. But you could also add this with your composition and lightning as well as the colours.
Keep it up that's nice !

[joeypoolart]

Thanks Oceane_Roh for the feedback! Yes! That’s definitely the plan! One of my next goal is to explore the fire magic, that will probably add a bit of punch

[joeypoolart]

Hi again!

The first sketch was a bit bare bone, so I decided to explore some more looks for my character design. I ended up drawing her in different phases of life... or levels if it would be a game character

Right now I'm most interested to take the more regal "3" further. Doing another pass and start exploring color and material a bit, while also sketching comps for the final illustration.

Feedback always super appreciated!

[joeypoolart]

Back again, so I took number 3 from my last sketch and refined it with a line drawing and then a color pass.

I like where the design is going and I have a more refined pass of this design on the way, which also explores the materials a bit more. Though I might also try out some variations on the color scheme, as it lacks the warmth of fire.

I'm also a bit worried about the anatomy of the current pose right now, but as it is a design drawing it might not be that important. Feedback is very welcome though!

[joeypoolart]

A more rendered character design... quite happy where it is at! Might tweak it a bit, so suggestion are very welcome!

But first it is time to start sketching compositions for the final illustration.

[sani]

Interesting backstory you have here. I like the grounded approach but, like the others, I'd like to see a bit more flare and indication that she's a "fire warrior" in the design. Exploring some color scheme could help. Keep it up man!

[Oceane_Roh]

Well she look way better like this she as a lot of assurance. You should just be careful the way you paint the white flames, make sure it look like true fire and lot light. otherwise that's really cool !

[joeypoolart]

Thanks Sani for the great feedback! Yeah, it could definitely use a bit more flare, especially after seeing all great designs for this challenge, I need to step up my game!

[joeypoolart]

Thanks Oceano_Roh! That some great advice and something I hadn't thought of!

[joeypoolart]

Quick update, didn't have a lot of time, but managed to put in a few hours here and there, so still aiming to finish it in time. I started with the final illustration, after, if I'm honest, quite a short thumbnailing process. I like where it is going, though definitely quite a bit of refinement is still needed!

[sani]

I like all the movement you've got here, man! It looks good so far, I hope you can find time to finish this!

[joeypoolart]

Thanks Sani! Yes it's gonna be tight to finish it! But I'm confident

[joeypoolart]

Final illustration! Wished I had a bit more time for more polish and to be able to take a fresh look at it... but a deadline is a deadline!

I hope you enjoy it!