A rough life - portraits

[Jacques_Fol]

And there he is! Pleased to meet you, Gronar, I wondered what you looked like.

I like where you're going with him. Artistically, I neither wish to nor can offer much critique, and I'm grateful others with more authority chip in. For instance, I agree with thespaceinvader that he's leaning back too much, and I wonder how the arms will work out once completed and shaded.

But in terms of style and accoutrements, as far as I'm concerned, bang on! Yes, he is in the desert a lot, so the mask makes perfect sense, and he already explicitly calls out for the hunters to bring him "pelts, tails and fangs". (Presumably as proof that the beasts have indeed been killed, but once you have such things, why not hang them around your neck?)

In general, I will be quite happy to be a little "surprised" by how the characters turn out in portraits, as long as they generally follow their role, because the surprises may only add to the experience or even provoke fresh ideas. For instance,

Spoiler:

Gronar has one mighty sword in this portrait! Looks almost too big for him. But maybe it's a special sword, and that got me thinking: why don't I include some reference to it in the story, and then maybe Jacques could even "inherit" it, especially since he also takes over the role of the leader the next day.

After all, he starts off with just a knife but eventually wields both a sword and a bow.

Which - again - got me thinking. Gronar technically uses a bow and a sword. In the scenario after Gronar is killed, Jacques (provided he already is level 2, or whenever he levels after that) transforms from a thief line (wielding a dagger) into a Trapper line (wielding a dagger and a bow). So, it would make even more sense if what he inherited from Gronar was a bow rather than a sword. Alternatively, he could inherit both but at first only start using the bow and then (once he transforms into a commander) also ceremoniously take out the sword. (Not to mention the fact that the Sand Trapper also uses a face mask.)

And ka-boom, a new plot element is born! Hang on, one more idea, this one involving Lieutenant Popper!

Spoiler:

Lieutenants use swords, right? And Popper dies just before the company goes to the Shadowlands, where Jacques can already be transformed into a Commander. So, it might make perfect sense if he were to acquire the bow from Gronar after scenario 4 and then the sword from Popper after scenario 7.

I don't know if you would wish to amend the portrait in light of the above ideas - for instance, by moving the sword (somewhat scaled-down) to where the dagger is and adding a bow at the back. I will adapt to whatever your final choice is, but I think it might make for an interesting flavour, storywise, not to mention some interesting art continuity

Spoiler:

as the second and third portraits of Jacques could then obviously be portrayed with the same bow as Gronar and later also the same sword as Popper.

Either way, I'm looking forward to how this develops!

[bera]

TSI: Agreed about shoulders, but I quite like the way he leans, that gives him some character imo.

Jacques: Reason I felt like donning him with a great sword was because of the sprite - though looking at it today it looked gross/groβ Besides, liked your idea a lot, so swapped the sword with the bow. If you like I can decorate the bow a bit tomorrow if you think it looks too ordinary. Besides that I call him finished, unless you have something important to add.

edit: Put some white on eyeballs ^^ Also the reason I'm ok with the way he leans is I had sketched him imagining him leaning to a wall (cave wall actually), so I guess for me he'll be always quite comfortable there.. I'm aware that's not very professional but Jacques, maybe you can clarify the situation on the campaign adding a text line 'Gronar leans to the cave wall and sighs, giving Jacques a stern look', or something like that Anyways, tomorrow I may have something for our Lt. Popper and I wish to proceed with that.

[Lord Ork]

Why the eyeball isn't white? I think the contraste between eyes and skin could make him a favour. Apart from that, I like him.

[Turuk]

His lean looks both uncomfortable and unnatural since there is nothing behind him but oh well.

While I understand the perspective you are going for, his right bicep/elbow/forearm area is huge, taking up about the same area as his face.

[thespaceinvader]

Why the eyeball isn't white? I think the contraste between eyes and skin could make him a favour. Apart from that, I like him.

Eyeballs shouldn't be white - a light grey is actually a much better colour. Eyeballs, eben when they are in the light, aren't pure white, and they're almost never lit, shince they're shaded by the brows. nOne thing that people can do to add a bit more life to their portraits is shade the eyeballs correctly, since they're often just one pure colour, which they shouldn't be - they're spheres, after all.

[Jacques_Fol]

I see what you mean with him portrayed as leaning against a wall or rock. While it still looks a little odd without it, I also imagine drawing the actual rock would not be advised. Bottomline: I will be happy to accept this stance if you consider it final and will try to incorporate something in the text to advise the player that he is, indeed, leaning against something. I already have something in mind.

In any event, another job well done! The only remaining detail that may need some further attention is the bow. Most importantly, I think the bow string currently seems much too loose to serve its purpose; it should run straight, or still almost entirely straight even if the bow is carried on the shoulder. I suppose that might simply be achieved by moving the bow higher up, or perhaps by finding another way to fix it to the shoulder/back; perhaps some "wesnothised" variation on this or this?

Other than that, I leave the decision as to the style of the bow and its decorations to you, although I would suggest making it (just) a tiny little bit "special", so as to enable a plot of Jacques adopting it as his own. I suppose the flatbow shape is the right choice, while a "historically" plausible type of a composite bow would also be possible. Your call - the storyline will be adjusted to whatever shape and level of adornment it turns out to be.

And, of course, I'm eager to see how Lt. Popper turns out!

[Lord Ork]

Eyeballs shouldn't be white - a light grey is actually a much better colour. Eyeballs, eben when they are in the light, aren't pure white, and they're almost never lit, shince they're shaded by the brows. nOne thing that people can do to add a bit more life to their portraits is shade the eyeballs correctly, since they're often just one pure colour, which they shouldn't be - they're spheres, after all.

I think it was the colour that returned my monitor in the perspective I was looking, but I was seeing eyes and skin as having the same colour. I wasn't talking about pure white as I don't talk about pure black when I say black.

[bera]

Did very minor specializing work on the bow.

For the string, maybe it's not so obvious but he has a grab on it by his left hand - that explains why there's a tension on the string as if from a pivot. Also if you look to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inuitbows.jpg you'll notice some bows strings are more like a streched piece of hemp, and those are the ones I referred to some extent.. anyways, I think I'm ok with the way bow+string are positioned, and not that bad looking considering it was a substitute for the sword

[bera]

Also flats for Lt. Pommer. I finished it today, and looking from here I already see some minor issues (misplaced strap on his right arm for example, or the missing shield belt - might be many more). I'll fix them while shading, until then though, would you think of any symbols, engravings, etc (like on his chest)? Oh and also the dark grey under parts under his breast plate and so on are to be worked as chain mail, just so that you know.

[Jacques_Fol]

Did very minor specializing work on the bow.

For the string, maybe it's not so obvious but he has a grab on it by his left hand - that explains why there's a tension on the string as if from a pivot. Also if you look to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inuitbows.jpg you'll notice some bows strings are more like a streched piece of hemp, and those are the ones I referred to some extent.. anyways, I think I'm ok with the way bow+string are positioned, and not that bad looking considering it was a substitute for the sword

While I remain unconvinced that the string could *in reality* ever be so loose and still perform its function (even if it is gripped by the left hand), I gladly accept it here as the portrait is wonderful if many other respects. I am also completely won over by what you did to the bow. Unassuming, yet most appealing. Just what was needed to make it that little bit special, thanks!

Also flats for Lt. Pommer. I finished it today, and looking from here I already see some minor issues (misplaced strap on his right arm for example, or the missing shield belt - might be many more).

Again, this is to be taken with a grain of salt as I'm no artist, but just looking at it I think there are a few slightly bigger problems here. For one, his proportions seem a little off - for instance, if I compare the size of the head to the length of the arms, or both to the size and shape of the torso. The torso (or the lower part of the body) also seems awkward - he seems to have quite a stomach and/or grow larger at the hips, and there is no outline of how the legs would fit beneath this. (I have to say I like the head on its own, though! Quite apt for a lieutenant, I believe.)

I suppose if I tried to draw something, besides being 200 times worse than you, I would most struggle with these very parts, the head, the limbs and the proportions of the human body, so they may be a common challenge. I would then, of course, also suck at shading and ornaments, which you do extremely well; but I suppose shading alone may not be enough to remedy all the existing faults. In any event, I would appreciate someone more versed in drawing to offer their views and tips.

I'll fix them while shading, until then though, would you think of any symbols, engravings, etc (like on his chest)?

Hmm, good question. So far, I can only think of what would be logical in terms of their living circumstances. Because of the sun affliction, one symbol could be a moon, perhaps a crescent moon with embellishments such as this, perhaps with an added symbol of a tree below to symbolise their success at cultivating plants without daylight. Alternatively or additionally, he could also have the symbol of a scorpion's tail (since those are one of their chief menaces and possibly food sources).

Keep up the great work, I remain extremely grateful! Once Popper is done (and perhaps, depending on the timeframe, TSI's ancient wose as well), I will upload a new version of the campaign with all the wonderful new images and some added lines to reflect and showcase the much appreciated art!

[thespaceinvader]

Also flats for Lt. Pommer. I finished it today, and looking from here I already see some minor issues (misplaced strap on his right arm for example, or the missing shield belt - might be many more).

Again, this is to be taken with a grain of salt as I'm no artist, but just looking at it I think there are a few slightly bigger problems here. For one, his proportions seem a little off - for instance, if I compare the size of the head to the length of the arms, or both to the size and shape of the torso. The torso (or the lower part of the body) also seems awkward - he seems to have quite a stomach and/or grow larger at the hips, and there is no outline of how the legs would fit beneath this. (I have to say I like the head on its own, though! Quite apt for a lieutenant, I believe.)

Agreed. Listen to this.

Jacques: you should be aware that, once it's finished, the AW portrait will be in mainline for all Ancient (and probably Elder) Woses, so (assuming that's the unit type) you won't need to worry about including it, it'll happen automatically.

[Jacques_Fol]

Jacques: you should be aware that, once it's finished, the AW portrait will be in mainline for all Ancient (and probably Elder) Woses, so (assuming that's the unit type) you won't need to worry about including it, it'll happen automatically.

True, although it may be a while before we see it among the core units on the available 1.6 stable branch (and thence on our computers), depending on when there's another maintenance release. Accordingly, my cryptic reference to timeframe - I could include the image in the campaign folder as soon as it's finished for players to enjoy and then remove it from future updates once the appropriate maintenance release of 1.6 branch comes out and it's available in core. (Accepting that some extra coding and later code cleanup might be involved, but I'll be eager to see it in-game anyway.) Either way, the really cool thing is that the portrait will do great justice to the unit.

[thespaceinvader]

Actually, it won't be going into stable until 1.8, i'm afraid - we're no longer adding updated graphics to 1.6.

[bera]

Yup, he had proportionality problems, good eye there Tweaked them, added some ornaments on his armor (basically it's a compilation of every idea you have: a scorpion + a crescent moon on his right forearm; plants growing over another crescent moon on his breast plate) As far as I'm concerned I call it finished unless I miss something.

[Turuk]

His back seems very flat? Same with the way his hip curves back on the right (our left) side. The line work seems to suggest that there is no depth to him in the back. But, as you said, it's mostly complete and for a UMC, so not a big deal.