Generic Unit Portraits

[quartex]

It's very good. But to nitpick: his head seems smaller and his armor bulkier (his shoulderpads seem huge) which makes it seem a bit odd when compared to the previous units. It makes it stick out somehow.

[Jetrel]

Paladin looks good.



Actually, I should chime in that I'm not overfond of the character that the first stab at the elves has.

I'd almost rather that the elves looked more like the character you gave the knight. If nothing else, I'd kinda like to avoid the "foppish/arrogant noblesse" look that people sometimes like to throw at elves.

I'd quite prefer our elves to look more stoic and cautious. Giving them, on top of all that, the elusive "fey" quality is a bit difficult, and I don't mind them lacking in that department. However, the elves in some of the core wesnoth scenarios (especially the main one, Heir to the Throne) are somewhat tragic characters, and I'd kinda prefer for their appearance at least not to contradict that.

[Jason Lutes]

It's very good. But to nitpick: his head seems smaller and his armor bulkier (his shoulderpads seem huge) which makes it seem a bit odd when compared to the previous units. It makes it stick out somehow.

How does this look?

[quartex]

Much better, thank you.

P.S. I can't wait to see what the "Grand Knight" will look like.

P.P.S. in case you're wondering what those bronze bunny ears are on the helment of the grand knight. They actually are based on a real helmet. It had two bronze ears, flat pieces that stuck straight up and out on either side. Unfortunately the image fmunoz posted 6 months ago as his inspiration has been lost. Does anyone have a copy of that image (doubtful) or an image of a similar helmet? It's not critical that the portraits match the unit artwork exactly, but I thought you might want to know what fmunoz was going for. The helmet doesn't look quite as strange in real life.

[Jason Lutes]

Yeah, I've found some pretty wacky helmets in my research. I may not be able to adapt that look for this version, but perhaps I can do an alternate portrait of the knights if the image of that helmet pops up.

For your perusal: The Grand Knight.



Now, I expect all of the people who didn't like the orange Knight to really not like this one. If too many people dislike the purple, I'll work up another color scheme. I kind of like it, myself.

[torangan]

I don't know wheter it's based on a real helmet but it looks like the wearer won't see much unless it's directly in front of him. Not really usefull for regular battle where enemies can come from any side.

[turin]

But it is very similar to how some actual medieval helmets looked... I guess if you're on a horse, you just have to see what you're attacking, not what's on either side.

[Simons Mith]

Well, yes, tilting helms did have a very limited view - but then they are highly specialised pieces of armour, only used in competition - i.e. jousts. In the free-for-all of an open battle, greater visibility was needed.

[evil_green]

Just want to say I concur with Jetryl's sentiments on the working Elf portraits. The noses and the angle of the eyes in particular contribue to the "snooty" factor, if you will. I'd like a graver Elf to come through on the portraits.

Won't say much on the Orc, but just this: my favorite orc interpretation is Blizzard's, as theirs can actual have the nuance (and facial expressions to express that nuance) of an entire race. Compare this to say, the orcs of Peter Jackson, who admittingly are just "bad guys", but whose appearance is pretty boring, if frightening (a little) in a gross-out way.

So, my personal plea is that the orc portraits have some of this nuance and not too much of the "monster" aspect.

Also, the paladin portrait, IMHO, is not battle-hardened enough. I know paladins are upstanding warriors and all, but it seems like a unit with so much battle expertise would look less polished in expression and appearance.

To close: your work is top-of-the-line and I'm really excited to see more! Thanks!

[Jason Lutes]

Nice to hear my sentiments about elves in general are reflected here.

The Elves, take two:



Maybe still too elfin?

[Jason Lutes]

The Thug line, take one:



Left to right: Thug, Bandit, Highwayman.

I figure I might throw in visible weapons every once in a while with the higher-tier units.

Edited to change "Outlaw" to "Bandit."

[Jason Lutes]

Also, the paladin portrait, IMHO, is not battle-hardened enough. I know paladins are upstanding warriors and all, but it seems like a unit with so much battle expertise would look less polished in expression and appearance.

I went with a super-clean look on purpose, to lend him that distinction and set him more apart from the others as a healer-type, but I do take your point. My own feeling about Wesnoth's aesthetic is that a "storybook" look suits the game, which is why these portraits tend to be clean-looking overall. If I have time, though, I'll work up a more weathered version of the Paladin.

And thanks for your comments!

[quartex]

Wesnoth stories often fall into fantasy cliches, so a storybook or stereotyped version of units is fine with me. Wesnoth art balances between cartoony and realistic. And I've noticed that the scratches and cuts and other imperfections do add some realism to the portraits.

Storywise, it makes some sense that the paladin is shiny and clean, becuase he is a holy warrior who channels a bit of the power of his god. That holy connection might make him seem more than human. But I could create rationales for almost any style of artwork, what matters is that it looks great.

[Jetrel]

Nice to hear my sentiments about elves in general are reflected here.

Maybe still too elfin?

Maybe - and I think it's all in the eyes, and some terribly subtle things in the face.

I did a little photoshopping - some nip and tuck on the lady's face, and a replacement of the man's eyes with that of the knight. Frankly, I think on him, it is striking how much it changes the character, hopefully for the better.

[Disto]

Is it just me or has the grand knight got a flower on his left shoulderpad.