Cool Costumes, and good costume design advice!
By
Aerones,
Posted on: 2007-10-26 24:36 in Multi-Media Fan Creations
well one advice I can give though I don't use it all the time is If you are gonna make a character with black and another dark color is to find a neutral color to balance it out.
I would like to take a moment thank those who support me and understood my post in that thread. I really really appreciate it.
With that said onto my bulleted list of advice:
<ul type="square"> [*]Try to keep at least 3 colors (usually 2 primary colors and 1 supporting color) in the costume if possible. You can get by with 2 though if need be, but you'll really have to space your colors out to make it effective.[*]The 3 farthest columns on the CC color bar are a great selection for pastels and neutral colors. I highly recommend playing with these if you are having trouble with your primary color choices or just need a supporting color as a fill-in.[*]You'll want your 2 or 3 main colors to be scattered all over your costume. The idea is to have the viewer's eye be drawn to the entire costume equally and not specifically to one part. For instance, if you use Green on the Legs then try to have a different color or shade on the feet to contrast it. Anything to grab the eye's focus.[*]Black is fickle color choice, it tends to eliminate any textures on objects and merges into any surrounding dark colors. I recommend avoiding it as a primary color choice if at all possible. If you do use it make sure that you combine it with bright or neutral colors only.[*]sometimes less is more, don't feel like you need to use every option in the CC. For Example, I most of the time skip on using shoulder pieces and/or capes, since they can tend to look "clunky" sometimes. [*]Don't get into the mindset that your hero or villain has to look a certain way based entirely on which side they are on. Villains don't have to look all dark and vicious like Venom and heroes don't have to be all bright and colorful like Superman.[*] Concept should override any of the above guidelines if absolutely calls for it.
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One nitpick my art-schooled brain can't get over--
Black *is* a neutral color. But not a neutral tone.
Three colors is good. Pick two primary colors and two-tone it, with a third accent. It's often a good idea to pick two contrasting color temperatures plus a neutral tone. For instance:
Split Infinitive wears primarily white(neutral) and a light blue(cool). As an accent, she wears a gold-colored belt(warm color). There's also a bit of black, but the nice thing about a neutral color like black is you can scatter it about with the white a little without throwing anything off color-balance-wise. I generally like to keep one of the primary colors neutral, the other non-neutral, and use the other non-neutral for an accent, which keeps it from getting overpowering.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can foray into slightly more "iffy" territory, and rather than pick contrasting color schemes, use analogous schemes instead, but this can go pretty badly if the colors are too close together. Su-Lin is a nice example, as her main costume is primarily black and red, with gold accents(warm and warm). The hues are separated far enough that it works nicely. However, you would want to avoid, for instance, red and pink, because they're pretty close together and are hard to work with.
There are other interesting options, but they probably get too complex for general use, delving into major color theory topics like split compliments, triadic schemes, blah blah blah. I personally don't like to get that fancy, it's too easy to mess it up on a single character.
You can also get some really good results out of subdued colors. I had a tank for a while that was soviet themed, and since bright red on bright gold was too overpowering, I toned it down to a darker red and gold, and it looked fantastic.
It's hard to articulate, but the best way I can describe my approach, is that I look at a new costume as a blank canvas. It is there for me to implement color.
The colors will either be dictated by the theme of the character or I have a a pre-determined color palate in mind. I utilinze each costume piece almost as a brush stroke to implement the amount and placement of each color.
Most of the time, my preference is to use a minimum of three colors. Two main colors that contrast well with each other, and the third color for accent and flavor. I also view hair and skin color as part of the costume, not just the clothing.
I challenge myself often by trying to squeeze as many different colors into one costume and still make it all work together. 
[url=http://starwindgraphics.deviantart.com/]My deviantArt page[/url]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/AceFrankly/Starwind-Name-Signature1.gif[/IMG]
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LES BLK PLZ!
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http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=115217
The Guide to BURN
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LES BLK PLZ!
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Black isn't a bad color to use if you know how to combine it with other colors besides there are many characters that use black in their costumes and workj. venom, punisher, spawn. batman, nightwing. Bane, ect ect.I think depending on the character's theme depends on whether you use the color or not. Personally I like dark characters batman being my favorite Though I do like some non darkety dak characters as well like supes but it's just a matter of preference and opinion.
here is an example of Dark Character I made using just black
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/...8-19-25-35.jpg
Here is an example of character I made using the advice i was giving
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/...5-16-27-22.jpg
I heard that back in the Golden and Silver Ages of comics, that many artists used the Heraldic tinctures to help design color schemes.
Wikipedia Link.
It is recommended to use one metal and two colours to make a three-color costume.
I think what Suichiro is protesting against, is ALL black. Or "Henry Ford" black.
You know, where everything... is black.
Consider using a very very dark purple, green, or blue... or red.
Also, choose colors that contrast nicely with the character's skintone (ESPECIALLY if you've got lots of skin). This turns the skintone (be it flesh colored or some wild shade of purple) into yet another contrast to play with.
And lastly... unless you want to be placed into the "garish" category, don't choose colors that are completely opposite on the color wheel (yellow and purple, or red and green, or blue and orange) AND totally saturated and bright. The human visual cortex goes a little wonky when viewing these combinations. If you do want to use these combinations, space them out with a third color, and try not to put them next to each other.
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"You can have the model T Ford in any color you like... as long as it's black."
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
Here is how I look at it.
Black
Gold
White
Grey
These 4 colors are "accents".. these are the only colors which can easily be added in with 2-3 other colors and not look terrible (if done right).
When applying accents, keep the additions balanced over the entire toon. Meaning, if you give a character black boots..then you need some black on his upper torso..either his gloves, shoulders, or chest detail.
A "good" costume CAN be made with 2 colors..but 99% of the time, 2 color costumes will not catch the eye. Ive never seen a GREAT costume that only used 2 colors.
3 colors is required to make a truly unique costume. My advice would be to decide on one color before hand, and then decide on the accent that you will use with it (black, gold, white, or gray)..create your costume, then apply the 2colors to it and fiddle with your 3rd color till you find one that stands out to you as cool looking.
Then there is the dreaded "4th color". It is possible, and even cool looking, when done right. One of the best costumes ive ever made was a 4 color scheme. The trick to using a 4th color though, is to apply it to only ONE area..and it has to be a noticeable one. My favorite spot is the head, but the chest and belt are also possibilities. Also, it can be applied to a cybernetic arm, or arms...or a cape.
Another tip...when you are choosing the color for "tights"..go with dark shades. Instead of red, go with burgundy..instead of blue, go with midnight blue. Darker shades on tights tend to look more classy. On metal, lighter shades bring out the shine, and detail, of the armor piece it is applied to.
As always though.. it doesnt matter what advice I give, there are always examples of great costumes that will completely contradict what I say. Its a testament to the awesomeness of the character creator..if there is no set guideline.. use your imagination and put some effort in to it..and you can make anything look great.
halp.
toons cicada and toon graveless have no costume
only name. halp
What are the concepts? it would make it easier to make costumes to fit them.
cicada its a bug. that does nothing. i want the costume to b blue and i want it to be a chick.
graveless dude. suppose to be a ghost from an empty grave. a grave with no body. a soul with no life
I'll see what I can come up with tommorow.
Ok Ralok here is what I came up with. I hope you like them.
First for Cicada. When you get her to 20 get her the insect wing looking cape, or even better if you have Vet rewards try to get the recipe for insect wings.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/...7-13-07-06.jpg
Here is what I came up with for Graveless.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/...7-12-49-39.jpg
i love them
cool i'm glad.
lets keep this in the front in case more people have advice to give. this should actually get stickied
Nice job Gideon_B!
[url=http://starwindgraphics.deviantart.com/]My deviantArt page[/url]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/AceFrankly/Starwind-Name-Signature1.gif[/IMG]
Proud member of The Impossibles/Pinnacle -[url="http://www.theimpossibles.org"]www.theimpossibles.org[/url]
thanks
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I would like to take a moment thank those who support me and understood my post in that thread. I really really appreciate it.
With that said onto my bulleted list of advice:
<ul type="square"> [*]Try to keep at least 3 colors (usually 2 primary colors and 1 supporting color) in the costume if possible. You can get by with 2 though if need be, but you'll really have to space your colors out to make it effective.[*]The 3 farthest columns on the CC color bar are a great selection for pastels and neutral colors. I highly recommend playing with these if you are having trouble with your primary color choices or just need a supporting color as a fill-in.[*]You'll want your 2 or 3 main colors to be scattered all over your costume. The idea is to have the viewer's eye be drawn to the entire costume equally and not specifically to one part. For instance, if you use Green on the Legs then try to have a different color or shade on the feet to contrast it. Anything to grab the eye's focus.[*]Black is fickle color choice, it tends to eliminate any textures on objects and merges into any surrounding dark colors. I recommend avoiding it as a primary color choice if at all possible. If you do use it make sure that you combine it with bright or neutral colors only.[*]sometimes less is more, don't feel like you need to use every option in the CC. For Example, I most of the time skip on using shoulder pieces and/or capes, since they can tend to look "clunky" sometimes. [*]Don't get into the mindset that your hero or villain has to look a certain way based entirely on which side they are on. Villains don't have to look all dark and vicious like Venom and heroes don't have to be all bright and colorful like Superman.[*] Concept should override any of the above guidelines if absolutely calls for it.
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Turbo is made of win and awesome.
This post says pretty much all the advice I have on costume building.
I *especially* want to agree with the part about the furthest right colors.
Also the furthest left colors are excellent if you want a very dark color but black isn't looking right.
Oh, there is one other thing too:
Greys - Judicious use of shades of grey will take you much further than just blacks and whites. Especially since the dark greys *don't* tend to ruin textures where black would. This isn't to say 'never use black' - hardly (I use it very frequently) - its just that awareness that often times a good grey can do the same job, better, than a solid black; is a big help.
A Warrior's Friend: ID 335212 - Help Infernal save Valkyrie from Battle Maiden.
Above Mars Part 1: The Wellington: ID 159769 - Save Mars by destroying a monstrous battleship from the inside!
>.> My DA page, where I attempt to art.
My contribution:
<ul type="square"> I know how a lot of people love to make bada**, hardcore, demon-winged, Batman-esque costumes for their superheroes, but please, limit yourself to only one per character. These emo/gothic themes are too overused.[/list]
Just kidding. Maybe. 
Yeah...
Advice is fine, but comments like this
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Just for the record Demarko is black and dark red, and he looks pretty freakin kewl to me.
[/ QUOTE ]Yes, I'm sure you'll fit right in with the twenty other "Kewl" kids that dress all in black and look completely identical to each other from 10 yards.
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are lame.
Okay, anyway, all the stuff about color is great. But there should be more talk about the costume pieces themselves! I always ask myself, what does this object say about my character? It should have some meaning. Also, pay attention to texture.
And that's all I got for now.
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Yeah...
Advice is fine, but comments like this
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Just for the record Demarko is black and dark red, and he looks pretty freakin kewl to me.
[/ QUOTE ]Yes, I'm sure you'll fit right in with the twenty other "Kewl" kids that dress all in black and look completely identical to each other from 10 yards.
[/ QUOTE ]
are lame.
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Oh you left out the part where he called me a Nazi for promoting individuality.
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[ QUOTE ]
Yeah...
Advice is fine, but comments like this
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Just for the record Demarko is black and dark red, and he looks pretty freakin kewl to me.
[/ QUOTE ]Yes, I'm sure you'll fit right in with the twenty other "Kewl" kids that dress all in black and look completely identical to each other from 10 yards.
[/ QUOTE ]
are lame.
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Oh you left out the part where he called me a Nazi for promoting individuality.
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Well you DO have blonde hair and blue eyes! >.>;;
... But then again last I checked Nazis didn't create scythes of ice <o.@>;
A Warrior's Friend: ID 335212 - Help Infernal save Valkyrie from Battle Maiden.
Above Mars Part 1: The Wellington: ID 159769 - Save Mars by destroying a monstrous battleship from the inside!
>.> My DA page, where I attempt to art.
Ok, over in the Brute forums a kind of flame war has started over costumes. (Which is a pity because Turbo is giving fantastic advice.) So I figured I would gather the collective knowledge of the Art Forums, and create a guide that will help all players design good character costumes, and maybe a great backgrounder!
I will finish typing up my little part, and see what you all think of it as well, but in the mean time, add your advice and I will start this guide to help the "Creatively Challenged" peeps that want to make some Bad-A toons!
~Apple~