My version of LINK (pic)... help!

olimario

First of all, I'm a new member here.

I've been reading P-A for as long as it has been around and just recently have I tried my hand at being an artist. I've found Gabe's work to be an inspiration and the front page to actually be a pretty neat resource into the mind of a developing artist.


Anyhow, after seeing and hating the artwork for the new Zelda title I thought I'd try my hand at designing what I see as the perfect version of Link (shield from LoZ, cape from ALTTP, tunic from TP, and inspiration from a lot of old Zelda artwork).


I need help, though. I can't pose him naturally to save my life.


I don't know if anybody here would be interested, but I'd kill to see another artist pose him correctly or do their own take on my design. Critique is always welcome because I know I'm not very good. I feel like I have good ideas, but getting them out is a HUGE struggle.

Thanks! Glad to be here!

winter_combat_knight

You know, even though its a little crude, i actually like the drawing. I dont think the pose is working well. The placement of the arm/shield looks a little awkward. Same with the sword. Have it verticle makes it look a little stiff. But i do like the colours and the shadow. Is that a cape? Id re-work that.

EDIT: to get the pose right, USE A REFERENCE. Take a photo of a friend or even youerself.

BTW, i think that the design youve done is a totally different genre to what the new wii game will be aiming at. Id say yours is more of a wind waker re-design. I also hate the new artwork.

Tam

melting doll needs to get in here

olimario

winter_combat_knight wrote: »

You know, even though its a little crude, i actually like the drawing. I dont think the pose is working well. The placement of the arm/shield looks a little awkward. Same with the sword. Have it verticle makes it look a little stiff. But i do like the colours and the shadow. Is that a cape? Id re-work that.

EDIT: to get the pose right, USE A REFERENCE. Take a photo of a friend or even youerself.

BTW, i think that the design youve done is a totally different genre to what the new wii game will be aiming at. Id say yours is more of a wind waker re-design. I also hate the new artwork.

Thanks for the help!

Yeah, the pose is killing me.
I was actually thinking about using a photo as a guide, but a couple "artists" I know said that was cheating. I feel like it's just a tool, though. I want to use whatever I can to get better.


how would you re-work the cape? I like the idea of him having one (ala ALTTP's magic cape).

And I don't see my design as a Wind Waker redesign as much as I think of it as an attempt to make Zelda more timeless. I really think a ghibli-ish, storybookish look could help with that.

Fletcher

olimario wrote: »

how would you re-work the cape? I like the idea of him having one (ala ALTTP's magic cape).

i don't know whether you were going for an oddly-shaped cape, but at the moment it starts off very cape-y up the top, then turns into a kind of cloud/thought bubble at the bottom

capes usually end in quite a straight line (occasionally tattered/toothed) or (not very often) in a rounded base

whereas the one you have at the moment seems to be made up of lots of circles stitched together

other than the cape i really like it! the muted colours and texturing make it look like something out of a particularly cool childrens' storybook

winter_combat_knight

I can kinda see maybe youre going for a softish round look for the cape, but i dont think it works. Look at other examples of artists. Batman and superman would be good examples

e.g.

the capes are much more flowing, and have shape. Think when you hold a bed sheet, how it moves through the air. Looking at yours, it doesnt make sense.

olimario

Fletcher wrote: »

olimario wrote: »

how would you re-work the cape? I like the idea of him having one (ala ALTTP's magic cape).

i don't know whether you were going for an oddly-shaped cape, but at the moment it starts off very cape-y up the top, then turns into a kind of cloud/thought bubble at the bottom

capes usually end in quite a straight line (occasionally tattered/toothed) or (not very often) in a rounded base

whereas the one you have at the moment seems to be made up of lots of circles stitched together

other than the cape i really like it! the muted colours and texturing make it look like something out of a particularly cool childrens' storybook

and

I can kinda see maybe youre going for a softish round look for the cape, but i dont think it works. Look at other examples of artists. Batman and superman would be good examples

To both of you-

Some very good advice!
When I rework the pose I'll rework the cape, too.

Marth's cape looks excellent to me. I'll try to take some cues from that.



EDIT:
my favorite artist and biggest inspiration is jens classens.
He is able to create highly unique characters and kickstart your imagination using very little detail.
http://jensclaessens.blogspot.com/

I want to see his take on EVERYTHING

Xaquin

I really like the colors a lot.

npc.EXE

I find your style jarring, and I LIKE IT. The cape has a unnatural pose and the shield seems off in the chosen perspective for Link.

This is just a tip that works for me when I'm working on a drawing. I use a sculpting mannequin

and dress the bugger in a similar fashion to that of the subject I'm considering. Works wonders for my issues.

I made my first one using some cheap balsa I had lying around from an old project.