Henri's Arty Creations and stuff.

Hi guys, here's my latest arty creation. This is Takeshi Northstar, AR/Elec blaster, PPD officer and Mech pilot. This is my first attempt at producing a line art sketch. Not sure how i feel about it yet, it seems very amatuer to me, but prehaps once i put some colours on it it will come to life. I really don't know what i'm doing to be honest, don't know where the lining should be heavier or anything so i just kind of made it up. The mech has no heavy lining as it will be partially hazed in the background.

Going to attempt cell shading to colour it, something else i've never tried before, or even know what it is really, lol. The style itself is a change from my usual too, much more anime than my usual style. Oh well, gotta try these things

I really would be interested to hear any tips or advice on lineart sketching and cell shading, infact on any arty subject really, lol. Specifically lineart and cell shading though, as i say this is totally new ground for me.

Thanks for looking, and watch this space for the colours

K, so here's my first attempt at cell shading my Takeshi lineart. I'm fairly happy with it considering i'm learning as i go, but obviously i've got a lot to learn yet.

That is looking very good, Henri!
It looks like you are on your way to your style!
It's fun to see you grow in your artz!

I do has a little feedback for yah.
The thingies around his shoulder... (I know what they are, but can't think of the english word for 'm at this point and am too lazy to use a translater *giggles*) They look a little like huge sigarettes...

It may help if you put a third, an even brighter...or lighter, colour on top, to make them more shiney.

Do have to say.. I adore the eyecolour!

*waves*
DeeDee

CoH Fan-Art Sale still several slots open!

Read my in-game stories and check out my DeviantART page.
- coXso - It was a memorable time filled with art!

I'm afraid DeeDee is right, the shells in your bandolier do make him look like a serious chain-smoker...

Perhaps more texture and/or a different coloration would make them look more like shotgun shells, or rounds for your BFG.

Be Well!
Fireheart

Hey! Wot choo on about Willis! They are cigs, 20 Benson and Hedges in a handy sash... no pockets see....

Heh, thanks for the feed back and yeah you're both right, they do look like cigs (i'm refraining from calling them ****...) i've forgotten to apply the highlight to the shells so they look really flat, but can soon fix that. As for my style DD, i don't think this is it. More of an experiment in lineart and cell shading, and also to try an anime style piece as it's a style i like when it's done well, don't think it really suits me though. As always i will finish it but i don't have a lot of passion for it really :/

Oh well... next

edit: oh, i see i've been bleeped for using the word ***, even tho it's what 60 million people in Britain call a cigarette... wonder if i can say Mitsubishi Pajero given it's meaning in Spanish...

yes i can...

Looking good, Henri!! Keep it up!

Ok , not sure what to write up for this now. At first i thought i'd never finish it, had no interest in it at all, but i've actually really enjoyed doing it as it's gone on. I've actually learnt a bag load of stuff too, not just about cell shading, but stuff i can now use in other methods of colouring too. In the process i've actually restarted from flats twice and even changed the lines coz i wasn't happy with them.

All in all, i'm pretty happy with how it turned out, but mostly i'm stoked at how much i've learn't doing it.

Cheers for looking H.

Looks really good Henri! Nice job.

In the future I'd suggest, on an image like this, that you consider putting the second character a bit more off center than the first. I think it tends to give a more dynamic and realistic look...

But very cool.

ok, good to know. I'd placed the mech directly behind because the mech is him, thought it would emphasize it. i'd like to hear any views, i need all the input i can get. My wife thought he was wearing a big hat... you have to stop for a minute to work on a comment like that...

no one understan... oh wait, no, i'm past that...

Please, more feed back, and Caem, if you've got any nice lines that need an amateurs touch...

Yeah, I get that you want the big metal suit kind of looming over him. Personally I think it works best when he is right in front of it or, as I said, when it's a bit off center. Of course others may have different feelings...

As for nice lines... Well, feel free to take your pick Click the banner for my DA page, go to gallery and then go to the black and white section! I believe I have (or could get) permission from any of the artists to have the pieces colored. A couple have already been so but I never mind seeing different takes Anyone's free to tackle my characters or the lines as far as I am concerned.

So by all means, have a go at whatever strikes your fancy!

Like I stated on your DA page.... I love it!

To me it looks like the robot (sorry, I don't know who is who *blushes*) is trying to sneak up on the guy..but the guy is on to him without the robot knowing it... Works for me!

*waves*

CoH Fan-Art Sale still several slots open!

Read my in-game stories and check out my DeviantART page.
- coXso - It was a memorable time filled with art!

What are his feelings about the suit, or how does he feel about himself when he's in the suit? Heroic? Trapped? Powerful?
Is it sneaking up on him prankishly or something more ominous? Is he okay with what it represents to him or does he have mixed feelings?

Perhaps if you think through the story of what's happening some of the elements (like where behind him the suit is) will lend themselves to the answers you come up with.

The thought I get with just looking at his expression is that the suit makes him feel uncomfortable or stifled. So if I wanted to play off that I would have the suit higher up and casting a looming shadow over him or maybe even resting it's open hands on his traps on either side of his neck not like it's going to choke him... but it could.
Sidenote: That might even work for a piece about Daybreaker Alpha.

One --> Artz Giveaway <-- To Rule Them ALL!

I will settle this. ORANGE FTW! - Ex Libris

That's interesting that you're all getting the vibe that it's a scene, that something is happening. My intention was that it is more a kind of 'comic cover' introduction to a new character, or a dvd cover, where the main character/s are depicted not particularly doing anything in an attempt to say to the viewer 'hey, i look cool but i'm not giving anything away, watch/read if you want to know what it's all about!' Not that this is a comic project or anything, just a stand alone piece introducing my character.


Takeshi Northstar is a PPD Mech pilot, i believe his feelings towards his Mech are like a soldier today feels about his rifle. It's a tool, but a tool his life depends on, without his rifle he cannot be effective as a soldier. Takeshi's Mech is part of who and what he is. Takeshi is a man in anger at the world he lives in. Anger at the senseless crime and violence, which is why he joined up, to make a difference and to protect those that can't protect themselves. Anger too at the fact the odds are stacked highly against him, he is just a man, fighting a superpowered fight, his Mech allows him to survive the fight, but he's still just a man.

In game he's an AR/Elec blaster. I've been quite strict with him to follow his bio, as he didn't get his Mech until level 20 (2nd costume unlock) which conceptually is when he finished his training and transferred to Mech division. His elec powers and flight are all abilities of his Mech, so until level 20, he was AR/Ninjarun-away I allowed him ninja run as he's my manga anime based character, you can't be anime and not run like a ninja, lol!

anyway glad it's sparked some conversation, it must be art, heh

Wow! I have seen your posts, Henri, all over the place, but it wasn't until I saw your avatar change and a post somewhere else with the full image that I found out you had artistic talent (outside of costuming that is).

I am blown away by some of the pieces in here!

Ummm... are you by chance in need of images of characters... for ummm... reference? (Hint hint.) Especially those with a story all their own so you can test yourself on interpretting that into a drawing as has been happening lately?

Thanks very muchly 37, appreciate the praise I'm going to be out of the country for a little while from Weds but might being looking for some refs when i'm back, cheers for the offer

For now, here's a piece i finished recently, Test Pilot Ooni:

There is something about that sorta sideways smirk that gets me. Not quite sure what you are going for in the background... but its cool!

Pretty, but her mouth looks a bit crooked in relation to her nose. Or mebbe its just me

I see what you mean, Neko, but I think that's just her expression, pulling her mouth to the side.

Be Well!
Fireheart

The blacklining is just a bit too heavy on that right hand side, good spot Neko. Love comments like that coz it tells me that the smallest error can make a difference and that people do notice it.

The background, 37... ahh, i hate backgrounds, lol. I have an idea of what i want in the pic, and why they are there, but then can't do a background to fit. Basically, this is Ooni in some alien landscape (her home landscape) after an eventful test flight of the latest aircraft. She's a survivor and walks away from the burning wreck.

I'm really unhappy with the eyes tho, i've done so better eyes before, just couldn't get them to live in this pic tho, ho hum, next...

(actually, next is finished, another Robot H3 NRi pic, but can't decide on a background... i could post it so far, and you all decide... what dyou think?)

cheers H.

Her eyes could mayhaps be a little bigger, they look pretty small on her.

But i frickin love her mouth, so want to kiss it.

It's probably just me but I think the helmet looks way too loose on the left side (or both sides really, I guess the hair just gives the illusion of it being snug on the right side which is done well I think). A good gust of wind would blow that right off XD

Aside from that I love it personally, it kinda looks like she's being bashful and biting her lip a bit because she just ejected from some million dollar jet.