Character Design -Critique me pls
2yr
Rubén Frutos
Hey! Here's a design I'm working on. I just wanted an honest critique on any matter: design, render, local values, color...
I thought of him as a royal guard that has bigger aspirations and will do whatever it takes to fullfill his purpose. The archetype could be somehow similar to Scar from the Lion King
2yr
Hey @Rubén Frutos, I see you’ve posted this a while ago - hope I’m not too late to add some thoughts!
I like this character you’re creating! The style of rendering reminds me a bit of “Street Fighter” characters, which I personally find appealing. In terms of values, color and rendering, I won’t bother critiquing anything, good job!
In terms of design and storytelling, I have a few comments. One thing that comes to my mind is shape language. His overall silhouette is coming close to an upside down triangule, a dynamic and unstable shape - which makes sense with the menace and perils his ambitions may bring his way of others’ as he goes after what he wants. I’m wondering maybe this inverted triangle motif might be something you could explore some more in the design? Maybe give some more hints of that type of shape by pushing armor parts, weapon details, anatomical features towards more angular indications, making some roundish contours more angular too?
The lurking, curving gesture you’ve given him might already be a good counterbalance to the triangles. Since you’ve compared him to Scar, I’m thinking he’d probably be willing to do all sorts of unethical stuff to achieve his goals, and be a threat to other characters in cunning, malicious ways. Maybe he poses as a trustworthy guard, but his sneaky and treacherous personality would show through in little mannerisms as he acts, talks and moves.
Maybe play a bit with symbolism? Perhaps there would be an insignia or inscription on the sword. Maybe a universal symbol like a snake or a skull, or maybe something more subtle that could represent the sneaky side of his personality… this could take some research!
Anyway, just some ideas for you to consider and maybe experiment.
If you’d like, please let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Keep up the good work!
Rubén Frutos
2yr
Thanks a lot for your notes, @Liandro. Very valuable aspects to have in mind for the design. Here's the "final" version of it tho. I'll probably add some of these details that you suggested but it feels pretty done for me.
Thanks again :)
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2yr
design, render, local values, color seem so good to me, congrats 😍
I thought I'd tell you, that before reading your description, he appeared to me as quite feminine / gay and shy, maybe having a crush on someone. because he is blushing, vovering his face (shy) and the pose of the legs.. hope this helps ..
2yr
thanks!! Well I liked the contrast that the feminine pose made with his face, maybe he's a bit feminine in his way of moving what could give him sort of a gracer look. It was made on purpose, but thanks for pointing it out!
2yr
Hey Ruben!
I think your design is coming along well. I think the pose suggests there is something sinister about him. The way he's looking to the side, the way his hand is occluding his face, and the fact that he is an upside down triangle all suggest this guy cannot be trusted so when you say he's a riff on Scar, I think that you're pulling that off nicely with the shapes.
I like the design of the sword, the shape is very appealing, but it cannot functionally go into that scabbard as it's too large. Even if it only went up to the unsharpened part of the blade it would be too large for the scabbard. Also, that sword would need a counterweight in the hilt to prevent it from absolutely obliterating the wielder's wrists. There are ways to lighten the blade to make it more believable without a counterweight such as adding a groove (fuller) in the center mass of the blade. This is only important if you want the character to pass as believable. If you're going for a more cartoony style then the sword can probably pass... still maybe a bit too big compared to scabbard though.
The legs are a bit long and because they are so narrow compared to the torso this effect is exaggerated. If you're going to keep the legs this long, A camera angle that is higher up looking down would work better and then the upper body would be benefitting from the foreshortening. The size of the torso and legs makes me think that it should be looking down with foreshortening, but your horizon appears to be at crotch level. Crotch horizon is not something I tend to do especially when you're not trying to draw interest to that area. Maybe if you're drawing cute girls and want emphasis on the booty or something.
As far as lighting goes, I think you are doing well, but overall it's lacking some consistency. For example, the plate on his back is heavily reflecting the blue of the cloak (which is fine) but if the back in low light is that reflective, I need to see that consistently over the piece. Part of the scabbard should be reflected on his thigh. Another example is that his right pauldron is not very reflective at all and almost has the same texture as the purple cloth.
The dark edge around the border is a personal pet peeve of mine, but I think you've pulled it off more tastefully than most do. The exception being the sword. If you want to draw attention to the sword do that through contrast by making it more reflective or doing something texturally to draw attention to it. I think the black border around it is too much.
The more I look at your work, the more I'm drawn to the back area with the blue reflection. I think that's an area you should try to emulate in the rest. It looks like a lot of time was spent there and it comes across as much more polished.
Overall I think you have a pretty good design started and am excited to see what it looks like when you're all complete. I'm not sure if you can do it on this site, but if you can tag me in that post I'd love to see it!
Sean
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