FINAL | ARTWAR 2 | 2D | Saturday Knight | MDashow

mdashow 2018-01-08 14:19:35 UTC #21

Thanks for your continued support and feedback, @rgdraw. This thread would be a lot more quiet without you, and I appreciate it!
Meanwhile, I've been listening to the disco hits of the 70s to set the proper mood as I paint, paint, paint!

Rainbows and gold lamé bellbottoms... is it 70s enough yet?

rgdraw 2018-01-08 14:31:42 UTC #22

You're welcome dude !
This is getting even more awesome, dare I say this thread is Gold !

mdashow 2018-01-08 18:18:42 UTC #23

@rgdraw Gold?

Anyhow, I could use some folks' opinion about the breastplate: The idea is that her armor is covered with mirrors (like a disco ball), which is why she has this cadre of cherubs following her around and shining lights at her. Expect lots of reflected light all around the scene. But what I'm wondering about is whether the two breast plates should be separate (A) or should it be a single breast-plate (B)?

What do you all think?
Thanks!

rgdraw 2018-01-08 23:32:03 UTC #24

B would work better i think, more realistic and practicable
A would be okay in a clevage situation thought
I hope it helps

mdashow 2018-01-10 04:07:14 UTC #25

Thanks, Robert. I'll probably go that direction (but if anyone else wants to weigh in..?)

Either way, I'll likely delay rendering the mirror-ball armor 'til I have a more finished environment for it to reflect. In the meantime, I've been refining the sword:

Oh, and does anyone have any brilliant ideas for the belt buckle?

anthropon 2018-01-10 04:22:36 UTC #26

This is looking good. She totally looks like she used a full can of Farrah Fawcett hair spray.

rgdraw 2018-01-10 17:22:14 UTC #27

Nice progress!
I'm sorry about the belt buckle, I'm like you, i never know what to do with those u.u

mdashow 2018-01-10 18:32:11 UTC #28

Thanks as always @rgdraw!
I managed to do something with her belt buckle: Paladins often bear some sort of insignia for their kingdom, so here she has a sun-like symbol that represents the light. The big question is, should I repeat the insignia on her armor (as in B below.) Any thoughts anyone? (Let's not always see the same hands )

(btw, the disco ball armor is still work in progress: I need to make them look more faceted, but don't want to take them too much further until I have the environment they'll be reflecting.)

anthropon 2018-01-10 19:04:52 UTC #29

B works well and repeating it three times is the right choice to tie the top and bottom of the outfit together. It also makes the overall image feel more like a Brandy Bunch sunshine day, so it's a win-win. Is there any chance we can get some mork from ork rainbow suspenders on one of those cherubs? It would be fun to see them in some 70s garb if it can be done without detracting from the main character.

alykam 2018-01-10 20:45:29 UTC #30

It's looking awesome, good job so far. I prefer B as well, since it ties the armor together.
If you don't mind answering, how you did the golden pants? I tried the same effect with a gray scale base and gradient maps, but was unable make it look as good as yours

mdashow 2018-01-10 22:02:39 UTC #31

Thanks for the notes, all. Good to hear from you!
@anthropon, I got the rainbow stripes onto her costume, I don't think I need to get in suspenders as well. And really the vibe here is supposed to be 70's Disco, not just all 70's across the board. (But I'll definitely take it if it's looking Brady Bunch to you! I still haven't managed to get a disco floor in though.

@alykam, thanks for the note. For the pants, I did it the exact way you mentioned. The key is to have really smooth transitions in your greyscale, so I paint it entirely with a soft airbrush. Also, be sure to paint it like it's lit from above, white on top. Here's what my greyscale and gradient map look like:

Hope that helps!

alykam 2018-01-10 22:14:40 UTC #32

It really does, thank you

rgdraw 2018-01-10 23:01:32 UTC #33

Looks better and better! And I agree with everyone else, B work nicely!

anthropon 2018-01-11 08:28:32 UTC #34

You are totally on the mark with the disco theme. My cherub clothing comment was just some humor. You are right. It would detract from the scene if actually attempted. The Gothic arches and cherubs are well suited to support the knight theme of your character. It all reads well at a glance. I was making a reference to the later Brady Bunch Variety hour (not the original sitcom.) The show had disco music and many disco themed outfits. The movie Xanadu also comes to mind. Thank you for the mini tutorial on the pants...very useful tip.

mdashow 2018-01-11 17:17:11 UTC #35

In the "Better Late Than Never" category, I never posted a lot of my early sketches while I was working out the Saturday Knight's costume details. Here are some early outfit and insignia roughs (REALLY Rough! ) that I forgot to share:

mdashow 2018-01-12 03:41:30 UTC #36

I finished my first cherub. This one was the hardest because of the boombox, which I probably over-detailed!

frankeometry 2018-01-12 04:59:11 UTC #37

Wow! This is next-level thinking outside the box. Very creative!!

paulmartin 2018-01-13 11:51:16 UTC #38

I like the fun you seem to be having with this concept. It's very original and much more light-hearted than most other entries so far. I love the shiny gold pants she's wearing and the cherubs with their accessories just make the piece even more charming. Keep up the good work.

eissa 2018-01-13 12:51:22 UTC #39

woah !! I really liked the expressions and teh cocnept it is !! too sad we are rival hahaha!!

keep it up, man !

mdashow 2018-01-14 16:31:31 UTC #40

Thank you for the kind notes, @paulmartin and @badboys9805 !

No huge progress to report here, just working away at the cherubs:

Cheers!