Haemophages and other cutscenes..., (Need a feedback!!!) Options

[Jens of Zanicuud]

Hi everyone,

I'll treat this topic as a sort of "garbage collector" in which I'll post some of my game's cutscenes / pictures in order to get some feedback.
At the moment I need some feedback about this.

You are free to give feedback about the old pictures, but I'd like to know something about the newer one

Thanks in advance

old overtoure
I'm working at Tryadine Effect Project by November 2011, but never really designed how Haemophages (i.e. monsters which appears in the game) could look like.
A couple of days ago, I was hitten by an idea and drawn this creature.
1.

[Show/Hide] Haemophage

Then, I wasn't satisfied and slightly edited it.
2.

[Show/Hide] Haemophage (reissue)

What do you think of the picture? What was the best one between the two?
I'd really appreciate to receive some comment...

I had some problem too with Day 3 ending cutscene.
In your opinion, what's the best picture between those three:

1.

[Show/Hide] Drawn with Paint.NET, coloured with Paint.NET

2.

[Show/Hide] Drawn by hand, coloured with Paint.NET

3.

[Show/Hide] Edited Cutscene

Thanks in advance,

Jens

This post has been edited by Jens of Zanicuud: Nov 19 2012, 09:15 AM

[X-M-O]

The "Haemophage" image looks neat, but I like the black around the eyes better than not having it (it adds a lot to the picture, despite only being a small edit). =]

The second set of images is hard to compare... not because the differences are subtle, but because they are almost too different, lol.
The first one has a more feminine appearance (smoother, more curves) whilst the second one is more detailed and has less of a feminine appearance (especially in the face). Also, the second one seems to be more muscular with a lean body; so the breasts are completely unrealistic in size, lol. (She would fall forward, and the total body fat percentage is generally larger if you have breasts at that size - just saying from a girl's perspective, because it looks like a tomboy that wanted plastic surgery for some unknown reason.)
Hope that helps. ^^

Keep it up!
Practice will get you where you want to be!

[Magical_RuNE_Kni...]

Same, i like the slightly edited Haemophage picture; the second one w/ the little bit of black around the eyes.
It makes it look less innocent/friendly. : ))

i think i like the 1st cutscene image though. The mood of the scene seems meek and dark, and the character looks weak/ vulnerable.
Having a small mouth, rounded face, lighter build, and shorter nose adds to this vulnerability; it gives her child-like qualities/ physicality.

Edit: ...and the angle of the face is more accurate. >< Remember that the nose is in the centre of the face.

This post has been edited by Magical_RuNE_Knight2001: Jul 11 2012, 02:19 PM

[Jens of Zanicuud]

The "Haemophage" image looks neat, but I like the black around the eyes better than not having it (it adds a lot to the picture, despite only being a small edit). =]
The second set of images is hard to compare... not because the differences are subtle, but because they are almost too different, lol.
The first one has a more feminine appearance (smoother, more curves) whilst the second one is more detailed and has less of a feminine appearance (especially in the face). Also, the second one seems to be more muscular with a lean body; so the breasts are completely unrealistic in size, lol. (She would fall forward, and the total body fat percentage is generally larger if you have breasts at that size - just saying from a girl's perspective, because it looks like a tomboy that wanted plastic surgery for some unknown reason.)
Hope that helps. ^^

Same, i like the slightly edited Haemophage picture; the second one w/ the little bit of black around the eyes.
It makes it look less innocent/friendly. : ))
i think i like the 1st cutscene image though. The mood of the scene seems meek and dark, and the character looks weak/ vulnerable.
Having a small mouth, rounded face, lighter build, and shorter nose adds to this vulnerability; it gives her child-like qualities/ physicality.
Edit: ...and the angle of the face is more accurate. >< Remember that the nose is in the centre of the face.

Okay, I'm for the second Haemophage too - thanks a lot for the feedback:)

As regards the second cutscene...
Well, I'm not a drawing artist, I'm still learning and so have some problem with body proportions.
I used the first one as a cutscene, but I never get satisfied by that, so I tried drawing it by hand.
The breast wasn't supposed to be such unproportioned. It was my fault, but never wanted to draw it oversized, I swear
Have you any advice/hint on how to modify the second one to make it better?
NOTE: the girl in the cutscene is 25-26 years old. I forgot to mention it before...

I'll do the following things for sure:

1. smoothen the contours;
2. reduce the breast size;
3. reduce muscular size.

I've not understood Magical_RuNE_Knight2001's comment on the nose, I'm sorry...
In my opinion it's still set in the centre of the face, as that reply suggested.

If someone can tell me something more, or add any advice, I'll be really glad:)

And also... can I have feedback on this image too? I actually don't know how to improve the design for the Noctiphage:

[Show/Hide] Noctiphage

I think that's only a color issue, but every hint/advice will be well received.

Thanks again,

Jens


EDIT: I've try modifying the cutscene picture and this is the result. Tell me if it's better in your opinion...

[Show/Hide] Edited Cutscene

Jens

This post has been edited by Jens of Zanicuud: Jul 12 2012, 01:33 AM

[X-M-O]

It's definitely improved, but I still think it needs some work. ^^
One thing in particular, is that from this version from the Paint.NET version, you lose the curves that naturally apply to a woman's figure (her sides are too flat - much like you'd see in a guy). But she is slowly becoming more feminine. =]

[Jens of Zanicuud]

It's definitely improved, but I still think it needs some work. ^^
One thing in particular, is that from this version from the Paint.NET version, you lose the curves that naturally apply to a woman's figure (her sides are too flat - much like you'd see in a guy). But she is slowly becoming more feminine. =]

Thanks for yout precious hints
So, I have to apply more curves, right?
I'll try, then.
And as regards that Noctiphage? I'm having a bad time with it: recolouring a scanned piece of paper, filled with the usual 4mm notebook grid it's a real pain... If you have any suggestion 'bout it too, I'd be really glad to know.

Thanks again,

Jens

[bacon]

When you color make sure you use a different hue for highlights and shadows. Dont just make the same color darker or use the burn/dodge (not saying you did!).
As for the bodies, you might want to brush up on your anatomy. Right now it doesn't look like you are drawing a basic skeleton to guide where everything goes. Drawing guidelines is important because it helps keep your people consistent.

The first one is better than the 2nd one because the body is more normal than the other one. The whole body in the 2nd one is pretty wonky. First off, those boobs are way to huge. Like on a frame like her, those boobs would prop cause back pain because of the weight. x: If she is wearing armor you prob shouldn't ever see her boobs. The shoulders area a bit broad and stiff. Loosen them by letting the shoulders go down more. The neck is too broad as well and it makes it look more like a dude (because men tend to have broader necks). Also the face looks a bit masculine but that might be because of the neck and the placement of the features. Try shrinking your head a little but and soften the features maybe~
Just remember there are tons more different between male bodies and female bodies other than boobs~
Anyways good luck on your art endeavors would love to see more~

[Jens of Zanicuud]

When you color make sure you use a different hue for highlights and shadows. Dont just make the same color darker or use the burn/dodge (not saying you did!).
As for the bodies, you might want to brush up on your anatomy. Right now it doesn't look like you are drawing a basic skeleton to guide where everything goes. Drawing guidelines is important because it helps keep your people consistent.

The first one is better than the 2nd one because the body is more normal than the other one. The whole body in the 2nd one is pretty wonky. First off, those boobs are way to huge. Like on a frame like her, those boobs would prop cause back pain because of the weight. x: If she is wearing armor you prob shouldn't ever see her boobs. The shoulders area a bit broad and stiff. Loosen them by letting the shoulders go down more. The neck is too broad as well and it makes it look more like a dude (because men tend to have broader necks). Also the face looks a bit masculine but that might be because of the neck and the placement of the features. Try shrinking your head a little but and soften the features maybe~
Just remember there are tons more different between male bodies and female bodies other than boobs~
Anyways good luck on your art endeavors would love to see more~

And as regards 3rd edit? I've shrinked the head and resized the breast (as I said before, I didn't intend to oversize it. That is, I'm only a beginner and made a stupid error in proportions).

I'd also need comment&hints about that Noctiphage picture I posted in the previous reply...

Thanks in advance,

Jens

[X-M-O]

I'm not really sure how to help in the case of the Noctiphage picture. It's more of an imaginary character (duh!) so I'm not sure what it is that you want it to appear like. =\

[Jens of Zanicuud]

I'm not really sure how to help in the case of the Noctiphage picture. It's more of an imaginary character (duh!) so I'm not sure what it is that you want it to appear like. =\

Oh... well, I've something like a colour issue, since I've just a problem with those contours...
I've no idea on how to smoothen the image. It looks like a bit rough and I'm not able to improve it...

Jens

[X-M-O]

You might have to redraw it digitally to remove those problems, and then fill it in with non-textured colouring and shading.
If you start with filling it in with a much darker colour, then you can always add lighter greys to add additional detail to certain areas. =]

[bacon]

I dont know how every artist does it but for me, just doing basic sketches help me improve. I wouldn't worry about things like coloring. In order to fix a lot of the anatomy issues you just have to restart and redraw. Maybe instead of focusing on one piece at a time you should try maybe just mass producing stuff and practice blocking stuff out. As for the Noctiphage, like XMO says its an imaginary creatures, but at the same time it seems that it too wasn't blocked out.

When you color you use a 100% opacity brush and you paint. Don't use the burn/dodge tools. Its easier to learn about shadows if you just do black and white pieces with no in between shades; just pure black and white.
The drawing look rough prob because you are scanning them in and then coloring them. Not only that, it look like you are using a mouse to color (which is really really difficult most every artist that draws digitally uses a drawing tablet)! In my opinion, the best way for you to improve is just to do some paper drawing, scan them in, and just post them here. Start doing doodles and basic people blocked out correctly. You'll start getting all fancy and shit and before you know it you will be x10 better.

This post has been edited by bacon: Jul 14 2012, 08:20 AM

[Magical_RuNE_Kni...]

Oh... well, I've something like a colour issue, since I've just a problem with those contours...
I've no idea on how to smoothen the image. It looks like a bit rough and I'm not able to improve it...

Jens

Hmm;
Try simplifying the shape of the monster into some basic forms. So, The head would be an oval for example, the shoulders ovals as well, the torso, an oval for now, and cylinders as the connecting limbs, etc. You will prolly have a rough-- or better-- idea of how to shade a ball or cylinder/can of juice. ><

[Show/Hide] .

Now think of your light source. It seems to be coming from the bottom-right, so focus on shading those spheres and cylinders from the light. Since spheres and cylinders have rounded surfaces, the light will be diffused/faded the further the surface is from the light.


While you shade, don't be afraid of using dark colours. The background is pitch-black and there is only one light source, so you should be shading w/ the same colour, or a colour similar to the background. Keep in mind of body parts blocking the light, and the fact that again, light will become weaker the further away a limb is from its source. Here is roughly what i did for shading... :

[Show/Hide] .

i made the tongue more highlighted than the rest of the body, as saliva (water) can act as a mirror (highly reflective surface).


**If ur having a hard time w/ shades, u can also try changing the image into a monochromatic colour scheme. Our eyes technically process what we're seeing into two "layers"-- grayscale is responsible for depth while colour is responsible for identifying what we're seeing.**


i tried not to make this too long or complicated, but hopefully u understand. '-' i'm not a pro, and i know the edits are rough, but i hope i helped. (!)
Maybe i should do a tutorial about this instead.."

[Jens of Zanicuud]

Thanks for the hints, I've actually another doubt...
That creatures white bands are bioluminescent, so how can I implement that on the shading process?
Each band is similar to a low-power neon (especially the one on the head) and this is making things difficult...

By the way, nice tutorial:)
It will prove really useful.

Jens

[Magical_RuNE_Kni...]

Hmm... this is getting complicated, but i'll try to keep it simple still. x~x ><

In this case, you'd still do shading, but the shading would be less prominent-- think of looking at a lightbulb. The reason for this is because you still have the lightsource coming from the bottom-right + the bio-luminescence is weak; therefore, your eye would still be able to pick up some of its form.

[Show/Hide] .

However, you'd want to make the creases of skin near/on the bio-luminescence darker. And where the main source + bio-luminescene lights clash; this is because multiple light sources reduce the gradation-- or variety of shades-- you see.
Keep in mind again though that the further an object is from a light source, the weaker the light becomes. The arms should therefore have a stronger back light compared to the leg on the right.


You're welcome btw. i hope this helped as well... >< ^^ i'm rly thrilled you're learning from me, lol. (!) Just take it simple.

[Jens of Zanicuud]

Well, it looks amazing... thanks for the hints
I'm making a one-man-project, so ATM I'm the scripter/event designer/character designer/mapper/game designer/main BGM composer of my game and I'm a bit rough in spriting/colouring (fortunately, there are people like yamina-chan, Sakura Phoenix and Vexus who helped me a lot with characters&tilesets, and Sithjester's site, which actually was my main charas resource).

This tutorial will prove very useful, in fact, since I'm using a lot of pictures-made-cutscenes and I was wondering how to improve them.
Well, I hope to be able to draw something better than those creatures... and to make a decent female character graphic by means of a pencil and a paper sheet.

Thanks again everyone (Magical_RuNE_Knight2001, X-M-O and bacon) for the precious hints

Jens

This post has been edited by Jens of Zanicuud: Jul 16 2012, 07:51 AM

[Mustaklaki]

i mad u a vidoe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuWFbwnYJvU

[Lato]

Custom cutscenes are always cool to see, I like your lighting effects, I think to many ppl just focus on the char and forget about the background atmosphere. However your monster looks to much like a Resident Evil Licker to me. Keep up the good work.

[Jens of Zanicuud]

@Mustaklaki
I honestly haven't understood your video's purpose...

Custom cutscenes are always cool to see, I like your lighting effects, I think to many ppl just focus on the char and forget about the background atmosphere. However your monster looks to much like a Resident Evil Licker to me. Keep up the good work.

Hey, Resident Evil lickers were exactly the base
If you give a look to my first request (an old post buried inside the request section) you'll find my request was to create a monster which was a sort of mix between a licker and a Sangrophage (a monster from magic).
There are differences, however:
my creatures have eyes and haven't their brain exposed.
In addition, they can't walk the walls and the ceilings, they aren't zombie but only quadrupedal blood-eating creatures... and exist in six different types [Haemophages, Noctiphages, Siderophages, Lymatophages, Helliphages and Necrophages]

This chapter closed, then I'll ask for another feedback.

What's the best picture, in your opinion, between these two?
This is part of the opening cutscene of TryAdIne eFfect :: Chapter 2...
The robot is VORS Blame (see the project main page if you need some more detail...)

[Show/Hide] Version #1

[Show/Hide] Version #2

Thanks in advance,

Jens

This post has been edited by Jens of Zanicuud: Aug 10 2012, 11:28 AM

[X-M-O]

All right, so I see what you decided to do between the first and second image. The detail from the first would be great to keep, so I would recommend not blurring the entire image as the second image shows. It does need editing (first one), but I think it would be preferred to keep the detail. =]