A rough life - portraits

[Jacques_Fol]

As for Pollox, I'll defer to your decision. If I understand correctly, you plan to develop the facial/lip expression into a full-fledged sneer? Either way, when you declare him finished, he'll be downloaded and added to the campaign.

For Luxor, let me have a go at it ok?

I'm happy to, although I must say I am now very much won over by that Crelanu portrait, as it fits on several levels. If you come up with something of comparable appeal, I will of course prefer yours; otherwise, I hope you won't mind if I stick with this one.

Oh and you're asking me whether I'll go back to that goblin rouser with the japanese style hat? Humm, I don't know, if I decide to I'll need to rework the lines/anatomy. On the other hand I don't see why you'd want to use the goblin rouser portrait that was done for LoW. Honestly it wouldn't fit for the evil rouser of your campaign. Again in my opinion this goblin (though it was intended as an impaler) would fit that role far better (since he looks far more agressive/greedy). But it's your call of course, you may either wait and see, maybe I'll feel like working on the intial one you have asked me to, or w/e. By the way, the correction for this goblin is I straightened his spear, that's all

I meant that one with the Japanese style hat, yes - that one would be ideal!

If you decide not to complete that one, I would still prefer to use the LoW one, although it would be the one with the more colourful outfit. I like it; it doesn't have the outwardly evil feel to it, but then again that's why the character is called the "Evil Goblin Trader" so as to help clarify matters . The vivacious colours, the handy bag for his precious possession, the horn to order his lackeys around, it all works for a tradesman. And, of course, if you want to be a good salesman, you may have good use for a face of an angel (in goblin's terms), even if there's an evil manipulator hidden beneath it.

Finally, the impaler portrait is wonderful but (to me) just has too much of a soldierly feel for someone who would order his troops around. That spear is clenched in his fists to be used at any time. He's not the boss of a company, but rather an enforcer of his boss's will. So, I will include him as the trader's handler, and he should work beautifully for it.

Also, for Bombasan, what runic hammer are we talking about?

The one seen here. In other words, that is the generic runemaster portrait (which is the unit type of Bombasan), and the runic hammer features prominently in what defines them and their attacks. What I meant was that I very much like the idea of the hammer but the actual body portrait should be more regal, since Bombasan is, after all, a king. If you can stick to the runic hammer or be inspired by it, great. In any event, I'll be happy to see what you come up with.

[thespaceinvader]

If I might interject: the hammer design there is intended to be a tool doubling as a weapon, rather than a weapon in its own right - I intended the Runemaster to be a high-status craftsman who can fight, rather than a warrior. Picking a war-hammer design and runifying it would be a better choice.

[Jacques_Fol]

If I might interject: the hammer design there is intended to be a tool doubling as a weapon, rather than a weapon in its own right - I intended the Runemaster to be a high-status craftsman who can fight, rather than a warrior.

Of course you are most welcome to interject! It is always helpful to learn of the original artist's intent, thanks!

And, actually, your intent is close to why I chose the Runemaster as Bombasan's unit. He is, like your impression of a generic runemaster, a character for whom fighting is only of secondary concern. What precisely his primary interest/craft is need not be defined, but the runic hammer successfully combines the down-to-earth and the esoteric, the smithy and the priest, the "one of the people" and the "philosopher king" combo feel I would like him to have (he did, after all, pursue an elvish lady, so he must have been a little out of the ordinary).

Therefore, I would prefer not to use a regular "war hammer" approach but would like to preserve the idea that the runic hammer he uses is more a tool (or a symbol) than a weapon, and I believe your runic hammer to work just well for it. Perhaps some upgrade on the handle (to make it a little more expensive-looking) would be welcome, but other than that, spot on.

That said, however, I'm also happy if bera chooses a slightly different way - as long as Bombasan doesn't end up looking as "just another dwarvish warrior king", because he is different.

[bera]

What about Luxor? They meet him in desert as a guardian of that temple, and I believe he has spent quite a good number of years there. I'm considering to give him a comfy look, like he is accustomed to desert enviroment. I believe he's Caucasian, yet I hope having him dressed as a Bedouin will be acceptable. Also if you have any other feedback for the charachter, now would be the time while I'm sketching him.

[Jacques_Fol]

What about Luxor?

Ahh, just caught me. Of course I'm happy to provide some thoughts, although I'm also ready to be surprised.

You are right that he is accustomed to living alone, and having him dressed as a Bedouin would be a perfectly acceptable deviation (perhaps without the headgear), provided it is still evident that he is a (silver) mage. He is also very old, and some flowing grey beard and hair sort of like in the Crelanu portrait would help establish that in a cynematic fashion.

At the same time, I suppose it should not be like Crelanu in order to give it a proper chance. One thing that is not apparent in the Crelanu portrait is that Luxor is half-mad. (Living alone for many years with a guilty conscience will do that to you.) He is also (maybe because he is half-crazy) extremely jovial, always on the verge of cackling up. I suppose the real challenge may be to make him appear half-crazy without overdoing it. He is also a little fragile (and possibly thin), but still full of energy.

Spoiler:

In reality, I suppose it is the Book's energy that keeps him alive all these years, which is why, when he gives the Book over to Jacques and Kyoko, he immediately passes away.

So, he is: an old, physically fragile silver mage in a Bedouin's clothing with silvery facial hair as much as the Bedouin's clothing will allow, half-crazy and good-natured, with his face on the verge of grinning or laughing, his eyes still conveying a lot of mischievous energy. Hope that helps!

[bera]

Flats for Luxor. Didn't fashion him after Bedouins, since you specifically wished him to have a silver mage looking - I'll add some further details while shading it (will be mainly referring to kitty's existing silver mage portraits). Oh and, I covered the glowing stone part of his staff just to give him somewhat a retired look...

edit: Something I noticed, the belt should be tilted to give the impression that the bags actually have weight. Another thing I should add, I deliberately had the eyes slightly looking at different directions to give him an older look.

[Jacques_Fol]

Glad to see new progress, bera! And let me preface any further comments on this Luxor portrait to say that you've managed to win me over: once it's polished, I will gladly choose this one over the Crelanu portrait. While it may not end up quite as good in terms of artistic quality, your portrait is much better at conveying some of Luxor's intended quirkiness. Well done!

That said, here are my comments, inasmuch as you may appreciate them in polishing him up:

- generally, I'm now almost sad you didn't go for the Bedouin clothing, as I was growing quite fond of the idea; what I meant was that it should still be evident that he was a mage, which could, I suppose, largely be achieved with smart use of the magic staff; still, I suppose it's not worth revisiting this now, since you've put a lot of effort in this guise and it's also going in a perfectly acceptable direction;

- the robe does, however, currently look almost too fresh; I liked the Crelanu portrait for the "hermit-y" feel it conveyed, particularly the patched jacket; for the same reason, I liked the idea of a Bedouin outfit; even as it is, I would look for ways to make the robe seem more aged and worn - perhaps dirtying up the robe and tearing the cloak would be enough, perhaps adding a patch or two would work here as well; the idea is to show someone who has lived in the wild, on his own, for a good many years;

- I also have two comments as regards the body; the first concerns the hands: I know you went for the "frail" look of a thin man, but I'm wondering (not certain) whether they may not be a touch too small, especially his left one, in relation to the rest of the body;

- and the second concerns his hair: it currently looks a bit as if it were glued to (or stuck on) the head; I guess this is something that is necessarily addressed during shading, but just wanted to flag it as an area that may require special care to get just right.

Perhaps someone else will chip in with more helpful comments. As for me, these comments notwithstanding, I like the general impression it gives very much, so I'm a happy campaigner waiting for the final image to include it in the campaign!

[thespaceinvader]

Once more, the mouth simply isn't shaped like a human's. This time it looks more like a goat's.

[xbriannova]

Once more, the mouth simply isn't shaped like a human's. This time it looks more like a goat's.

Actually, I don't know why but the goat look kinda fit the character pretty well. Luxor looks more like himself than when the generic portrait was used.

[bera]

Allright, shaded Luxor. Basically I paled down his complexion, tried to give a weathered look to his costumes. Again, unless there's a specific vital issue I'll consider him done.

Also Jacques, next I'll go to Bombasan. If there're any quirks you wish to be added to his portrait please have those passed to me.

[xbriannova]

Hmm... I just realised... Isn't his eyes spaced too far apart? I've seen people with faces like that. Nothing wrong with eyes like that, its all natural and stuff but... Did you intend it to be that way?

[thespaceinvader]

Anatomical issues aside, the shading needs a lot more contrast, and a clearer lighting direction.

[lostnumber]

his eyes look funny.

[Jacques_Fol]

Excellent, new work and another good effort, bera!

That said, I agree with the previous comments in that I find everything wonderful except for the face which could use a few more touches. Comparing it with the previous version, I see a few things that I liked better there than in the updated portrait: the eyes, the somewhat accentuated cheekbones, the smirk and even the hair all seemed to work better there.

Now, I don't know how easy it would be to fix this, but I would suggest spending some more time on the face: number one, I appreciate thespaceinvader's suggestion to increase the contrast on the shading and lighting, as that may help a lot, perhaps also if you re-accentuate the cheekbones. As for the eyes, I know you introduced the cross-eyed look on purpose, but perhaps they could indeed be moved a touch closer together and retain that effect. Finally, I would love to see what would happen to the hair if you introduced a few more shades of white/grey and perhaps a few stray hairs on the fringes here and there. (I suppose that's one part where that Crelanu portrait might be a useful reference.)

As for King Bombasan, I would go along with what I said above: he is a Runemaster King, which I take to mean that he is not your regular Warrior King but closer to a Philosopher King, interested in the esoteric crafts and philosophy more so than the fighting and conquering. Accordingly, I would have him keep the runic hammer of the mainline portrait, but would adorn its handle and the Bombasan's overall attire to make it more regal. As for personal quirks, he is a little out of touch with everyday reality and what's happening with the people around him. (Which is why certain twists in the story can take him by surprise.)

I look forward to how he turns out!

[bera]

Thanks for all the comments. Basically went back to the original linework, moved the eyes closer a bit and did another shading over his face. Gave the hair+beard a ruffy look. I call it finished. Tomorrow, I hope. I'll come up with something for Bombasan.