Malcom Art Blog

[malcom]

Can almost call this final...Maybe
Looking for feedback on colors, composition and design.

[cedricgo]

It looks really nice! There's only one very minor nitpicky thing that's bothering me and it's the glow at the bottom. It feels too straight to me, following the bottom border of the picture instead of following what would be the body of the eel dragon creature.

I think it should maybe look more like this.

Beyond that, it's really cool!

[bennettdurfee]

Gotcha, I like that crystal idea. Maybe these folks would add tattoos or body/facepaint around the areas where the gems are embedded (?)

[bennettdurfee]

Really nice work @malcom! Hope it's ok I did a quick paint over as well, got a couple of notes for yah.

First: The composition you have is great if you like you can make it a bit more dynamic by taking advantage of the nice diagonals you had set up. I kind of just gave the character and her glowy friend a nudge towards the areas of interest. Also seemed like a cool idea to tilt the fish in the background to line up with the rest of the composition.

Second: Think the value range of the glowy eel needs to be closer to the character since they are close together, and the eel is emitting light. My thought was to bring some of the lighter values you have near the hands over to the head of the eel. The forms and wrinkles on the eel are super successful. What's your method for painting glowy semi-transparent stuff?

[malcom]

@cedricgo I like the glow change and I now see what you mean. It does give off that effect of being straight.

@bennettdurfee Love how you made it more dynamic. I originally had the values of the eel creature closer to the character but because of it being a bright pink, it was the first thing my eyes and others would see. Same thing with the glow effects. It being an underwater scene made it harder seeing as there isn't any specular.

When is comes to the semi transparent stuff, I paint the whole thing as a solid object and slowly chip away at the parts I want to be transparent. After I like where it's at, I'll add the lighter parts to the form to flesh out things. Also making sure I don't go to dark on shadows is vital as well.

@cedricgo and @bennettdurfee thanks a lot for the feedback. It has been helpful.

[malcom]

Good idea. I think the idea can work out really nicely.

[bennettdurfee]

Gotcha, that makes sense that you'd boost saturation instead of brightness to lead the viewer's eye around the way you want, clever. Another way you can do that is through scale. If the glowing stuff is stealing focus from the character making it smaller and breaking up the trail could help.

Thanks for the glow tip btw Ill go try it out, it is one of those things I've needed to actually study for a loong time:smile:

[malcom]

yeah glows and transparent stuff are fun. I'm still trying to find my own style with it.

[malcom]

Posting these quick designs for the "Ruby" people here first. instagram and other places a little later.
1. Which designs do you like? (Can give me your top 3 or top 5)
If you don't like any, let me know that as well.
2. In the context of a world of characters, should I keep all of them or thanos snap some away?
I ask this because some are more "casual" than others.
3. Are there designs you think I should try mixing?

These are my questions. any an all feedback welcomed.

[bennettdurfee]

These are great! Really diggin' #3.
Since you're creating a world of characters I think you should hang on to all the designs. Casual is ok and could be an indication of status among the Ruby people. It may be cool to mix 2 and 8.
Good stuff!

[malcom]

Thanks a lot for the feedback. Mixing 2 and 8 sounds like a good idea. When making a hero character I'll keep that in mind.

[malcom]

All current races for my personal project called Core Gem

Next up are orange and purple aka amber and Amethyst

Let me know what you think.

[malcom]

Preview of a new Character. Gonna be taking a break for a while. My hands have been killing me.

[malcom]

Forgot to share this as well.

Poses coming for my last 2 characters. Exploring magic vfx

[joycew-art]

Woah you've been working hard!
I'm really curious to find out what Project Core Gem is about (unless you've mentioned it already in the sketchbook and I missed it...)

[malcom]

I have a first draft of the story linked here if you want to give it a read. I think I'll be changing things around. Any feedback is good feedback. So if have any thoughts while reading it, please post it. It can be about anything. For example, if you think I should take an idea from an anime or movie, write that down. If something doesn't make sense, write that down. If you have your own idea about the magic, write that down.
Also questions are great as well. Questions can be on anything.

[castonia]

I really like this one, I think her design is really unique and she's super cute!
I really like these Core Gem designs, keep posting more pls ^o^

[malcom]

Thank you. I will definitely be creating more from this world. More to come.
Here are some action poses for her

The bottom right is inspired by a Ross Tran sketch

[castonia]

Dude I love these tho!! Im a huuuuge fan of Avatar and this reminds me so much of the water tribe and just brings it to the next lvl I LOVE IT !!

[malcom]

I didn't know you were a Avatar fan. I love Avatar as well. The Sapphire blue people(which needs a better name) are inspired by the water tribe.