EB Unit Development Art

We have decided for a few different reasons to release some unit development art by Caratacos (one is so we can start using them in some signature banners :grin:). You have seen three of these so far, the Getai Lesser General, the Galaecian Skirmisher, and the Agema Orditon but not the others yet. Of the units he has depicted for us, only one has been created at this time, and we have revealed that one too - the Getai Lesser General by Xprime. We hope fans of the mod will enjoy Caratacos' work here; we sure have and every time he posts something new on the work thread everyone rushes there. :laugh4:

In addition to releasing some of these unit development pics, we would like to possibly motivate talented modellers and skinners to try their hand at some of the units if they like (though it would be best to let us know in advance so we can inform anyone if one of the team members has already started working on it). In this respect, some of us are hopeful that revealing these units might also lure some more talent into the mod to help finish our unit work - we still have a lot of great units to do, and we aren't going away anytime soon either (and unit guys aren't getting a lot done modding MTW2 at this moment either :dizzy2:). We still have a lot of units that remain to be created, even though it may seem like we have countless ones already. We especially have a number of regional units for multiple factions that we would like to get into the game as soon as we can. North Africans, steppe units, Illyrians, Arabians, you name it. We have a number of people in these areas on the team, but some work on other projects too and help the mod team in other ways as well. We have plenty of sample textures our artists can draw from on our other units, and we have lots of folks willing to offer advice, but this is not something we need first-time model or texture artists trying though. Finally, a big part of being on the team is being able to communicate with us directly and easily, and being willing to work with us on units as the historians and faction coordinators direct. There are no egos in this area on the team who have to have units their way when the historians disagree with their depictions; so being able to work with others is an absolute necessity. If you have skill in these areas and would like to help us finish the mod, please contact us. You'd be working with the best mod team in the Total War series (we've got awards to show for it! ), where you can further develop your talents and contribute to the best mod ever (based on team members' opinions, of course ).

So, enough with that and on to the show! We will update these every so often with his new work. We'll start with the Siluri Birnai, a regional for the Casse.

Agema Orditon
https://img177.imageshack.us/img177/...itongw2.th.jpg

Getai Lesser General
https://img258.imageshack.us/img258/...tai1be2.th.jpg

Galaecian Skirmisher
https://img178.imageshack.us/img178/...kirmgk6.th.jpg

Siluri Birnai
https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/...rnaiqr2.th.jpg

Spahdabe Pahlavanig
https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/...vniguf8.th.jpg

Indo-Greek Noble Hoplite
https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/...obilfv8.th.jpg

Royal Numidian Cavalry
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/...iancor3.th.jpg

Two-Handed Sword Champion
https://img251.imageshack.us/img251/...hampnc5.th.jpg

Pontic General
https://img120.imageshack.us/img120/...eralyb6.th.jpg

Hayasdan General
https://img176.imageshack.us/img176/...neraxj7.th.jpg

Saka Heavy Cataphract
https://img444.imageshack.us/img444/...atapka0.th.jpg

Roman Legionaire
https://img128.imageshack.us/img128/...airexs4.th.jpg

Spartiate
https://img112.imageshack.us/img112/...iatejt1.th.jpg

Arverni Arjos
https://img142.imageshack.us/img142/...rjosmj8.th.jpg

Caturige Gaedann (Alpine Celtic regional)
https://img127.imageshack.us/img127/...edanwd6.th.jpg

Celtiberian Heavy Infantry
https://img255.imageshack.us/img255/...eavytd0.th.jpg

Tabargane Eranshahr
https://img249.imageshack.us/img249/...ransbh9.th.jpg

Garamantine Spearman
https://img523.imageshack.us/img523/...tinecx1.th.jpg

Liby-Phoenician Elite Infantry
https://img225.imageshack.us/img225/...cianuw8.th.jpg

Sweboz Druhtinaz
https://img218.imageshack.us/img218/...tinakd1.th.jpg

NEW PUBLIC RELEASE!! (November 17, 2007)
Sabaean General
https://img505.imageshack.us/img505/...eralkc2.th.jpg

Released (so far) fan signature banners using Caratacos' artwork

https://img127.imageshack.us/img127/...2bsmallyg7.jpghttps://img127.imageshack.us/img127/...2bsmallta9.jpghttps://img49.imageshack.us/img49/43...2bsmallyi9.jpg
https://img109.imageshack.us/img109/...2bsmallcc6.jpghttps://img299.imageshack.us/img299/...b2smallat6.jpghttps://img64.imageshack.us/img64/23...2bsmalldk5.jpg
https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/...2bsmallzb5.jpghttps://img64.imageshack.us/img64/91...2bsmallai3.jpghttps://img145.imageshack.us/img145/...2bsmallsi1.jpg
https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/...2bsmallot0.jpghttps://img480.imageshack.us/img480/...2bsmallbb7.jpghttps://img102.imageshack.us/img102/...2bsmallga6.jpg
https://img102.imageshack.us/img102/...2bsmallpa3.jpghttps://img364.imageshack.us/img364/...2bsmalllw7.jpghttps://img407.imageshack.us/img407/...2bsmallad4.jpg

I could do some Artwork for unit cards and the imagery that is shown when the unit/building/message is selected. But not sure how to proceed.

This is some pretty amazing drawing/painting. Are you a pro Caratacos? You could make an EB graphic novel!

No i'm not a pro. I haven't been paid to do any artwork before, yet. But being a part of the EB team is payment enough (and they didn't even pay me to say that! :laugh4:).

And thanks for the encouragement, guys. Glad you like.

Jesus, these are unbelievable.

Wonderful job, Caratacos!

Hey guys, how about a new one from Cartacos? Just a little unit for the Pahlava:

https://img407.imageshack.us/img407/...hlavniguf8.jpg

Hasn't been made yet by modellers or skinners btw.

He looks like a Magyar. I know they are more late, but they used that type of armor.

That looks like it's either somewhat liberally depicted lamellar, that weird kind of scale the Assyrians used, or the sort of coat-of-plates stuff those Saka catas wear. Anyway, lookin' good. :rtwyes:

...didn't "spahbed" (or thereabouts) mean something like "general" or "warlord" or "prince"...?

that last one is stunning!

how do you draw these? seems like the colouring is done on a computer, using one of those pads maybe?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elthore

how do you draw these? seems like the colouring is done on a computer, using one of those pads maybe?

---

Wacom tablet for colouring, yup. I pencil the image though, then use a light- table and trace over the rough with a clutch pencil (0.7mm 2B). I scan the image into photoshop and up the contrast (+50%) so it darkens the lines and whitens the whites. Once I clean up the linework i add layers for the linework, colour fills and background. Once i've settled on main colours i start adding tone and highlight layers-- and doing things like recolouring the lines. I must say that my knowledge of photshop is rather basic (i never read the manual!-- i know it's in the box somewhere in my wardrobe, though!). Colouring the image is the longest step, by far-- unless i get stuck on a pose, the actual drawing process is relatively quick. But i'm new to horses so they are a little tough (the one for the getai lesser gen. should be shot if you ask me :laugh4:)

Outstanding works Caratacos. Can you use your magical power:winkg: to create some Nice Wallpapers for EB? For example one with the same "Spahdabe Pahlavanig" unit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Watchman

didn't "spahbed" (or thereabouts) mean something like "general" or "warlord" or "prince"...?

---

That's right man.Not prince but Yes ,It means general.In nowdays Parsi ,"Spahbad" is called to "Commander of a Corps" or the same "lieutenant general"

Regard

Thanks kambiz. But i'm very busy with other units and such for the team, so as much as i would like to whip up some magic and do some wallpapers i think they'd beat me with the "do your EB homework!" stick. Then theres real life as well. And real life homework. No rest for the pious, wicked or in-between, it seems :sweatdrop:.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eduorius

He looks like a Magyar. I know they are more late, but they used that type of armor.

---

Actually, since I instructed Nate on this one, it is based on the Orlat battle-plaque, depicting lamellar in the form of wide chaps/skirt connected to an ovenman's coat. The arms are armoured in a fashion that was known among Scythians, and the helmet is of the thimble shape, again inspired by Scythian designs. The horse armour is inspired by the classical Massagetae-Persian layout of chamfrôn and peytrel, in which the chamfrôn is of the more Parthian model, as opposed to being a mere noseplate, and the peytrel reconstructed after the possible use of bronze lamellar on Persian Hûvakâ horse armour. The tail is equally tied with ribbons and because this is a nobleman Nate also fitted him with ribbons on the feet. The protective collar is directly inspired by the Orlat plaque. The sword is suspended by a scabbard slide, it too being depicted from the plaque. The saddlecloth is modelled after the Derafsh-î Kâviyânî, emphasizing the three heraldic colours; saffron, red and purple.

The nobleman himself is modelled after Rustam of the Sûrên-Pahlavân (Surena of the Carrhae fame) which is seen by the fair complexion, long handlebar moustache, earrings and a generally Parthian hairstyle.

It is truly a fantastic work by Nate, and in my opinion his finest yet. But that is just the cataphract-crazed maniac within me speaking :2thumbsup:

Thanks for the explanation The Persian Cataphract. I learned a lot. Would like to see images of that plate.

Caractacos you should do a miniguide of how to draw so awesome and for me that Getai horse is wonderful. You got a fan here. :laugh4:

By the way. Just click the image an establish it as wallpaper and then adjust it. It looks awesome.

Thanks =)

Sweet

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eduorius

Caractacos you should do a miniguide of how to draw so awesome and for me that Getai horse is wonderful.

---

I did. It's my sig banner :laugh4:

You have an incredible talent for capturing the idea of movement. The realism of the muscle tension suggests that they are all ready to pounce. I really like the horse for the cata, it looks like its about to lunge over and bite the painter!

The rider looks a bit of a pansy though with his pretty bows on his feet and horse:laugh4:

Seriously, where did you learn to draw like that? I wish I could, but Im about average at inanimate objects and absolutely rubbish at people...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Caratacos

i'm very busy with other units and such for the team, so as much as i would like to whip up some magic and do some wallpapers i think they'd beat me with the "do your EB homework!" stick.

---

You're right mate.So you may want to consider it for your spare time :~)

Is it possible that the pictures can be used in Unit description art?

Looks perfect for it.

All 500 units? :inquisitive:

EB would need a larger art team for something like that. Event images, however, could be interesting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eduorius

He looks like a Magyar. I know they are more late, but they used that type of armor.

---

Actually and unfortunately they did not.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Teleklos Archelaou

Siluri Birnai
https://img413.imageshack.us/img413/...rnaiqr2.th.jpg

---

Ok this guy (face and minus tatoos...) looks just like my dad....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rilder

Ok this guy (face and minus tatoos...) looks just like my dad....

---

Well do you know what he does on the week ends...what he really does?

...models ?

he looks a lot like my dad, with the tattoos! but my dad only wears that much in the way of clothes if he's goin out to church or a nice restaurant...

"Do you want to know more ?"
- Robocop

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fondor_Yards

Well do you know what he does on the week ends...what he really does?

---

considering hes a truck driver I find that vary unlikely

At fear of generating an ensuing legal struggle my team of top price lawyers have instructed me to comminucate the following disclaimer:

No fathers were harmed, photgraphed or used as models in the making of these artworks. All likenesses to persons real or imagined are purely coincidental.

Time for another update. This one is an Indo-Greek Noble Hoplite. It has not been created yet - we still would like to ask for talented skinners and modellers who are interested in helping us create all these new and gorgeous units to contact us. You can see more of these in post #1 in this thread. Great work again Caratacos!

https://img522.imageshack.us/img522/...eknobilfv8.jpg

i know i've seen it before, but that is so sweet. where are the skinners and modellers? this thing is gorgeous!

Argh why must you people make the Baktrians even MORE tempting for me! Well TA kept his word about this thread, my faith has been restored!

This picture answers one thing about the Bactrians: why the are so powerful and conquer everything in the path. They are clearly dark jedi.



(I'm making reference to his eye color and grim face.)

All hail our new sith overlords

What's the sea horse thing on his shield? Were there coins found in Bactria with this figure on it? Or something else? I'm just curious.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cdbavg400

What's the sea horse thing on his shield? Were there coins found in Bactria with this figure on it? Or something else? I'm just curious.

---

It's called a hippocamp. Not the most well known greek monster and like most is depicted in various forms. I got my main inspiration from a vase (not bactrian) but was also given other reference pictures that were bactrian (i think). Keravnos would be able to tell you more, though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cdbavg400

What's the sea horse thing on his shield? Were there coins found in Bactria with this figure on it? Or something else? I'm just curious.

---

Hippocampus. Mix between horse and dolphin.

And by the sources I've read and what more knowledgeable EB members have told, the hippocampus apparently was a popular motiff among Indo-Greeks and been found in many sites in modern Pakistan and on maybe on coins too.

Wonderful new unit Caratacos, you really do have talent - you could get a job with that sort of high quality artwork.

Yeah. Why dont you ask for work at Osprey books?

Nah, he should get a job with the CA.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Omanes Alexandrapolites the Idiot

Nah, he should get a job with the CA.

---

So they can waste him making those lame images they have? Yea right

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cdbavg400

What's the sea horse thing on his shield? Were there coins found in Bactria with this figure on it? Or something else? I'm just curious.

---

In Baktria/Indo Greek kingdom (I Wish that there is a way an emergent faction to be made as per history) a great cultural amalgamation took place. In it, images/mythos of one culture joined that of another, and a new mix took place. Such as the following... Ichtyocentaur, which if the time comes for a IndoGreek kingdom to be its own faction, I will propose as its emblem.

https://i122.photobucket.com/albums/...yo-Centaur.jpg

This was a mix of a good old Centaur from mainland Greece, a place IndoGreeks left long ago in a land far far away with the Dragon/Long snake that the Steppe people had. It has also been theorized that it was chinese/Han influence. Just look at the painting on the Elephant "carpet".

https://i122.photobucket.com/albums/...os/Phalera.jpg

Other than that, indeed hippocampus was a popular theme, as were many more, like the bull, the hump ox of India, elephants, zeus, athena, heracles, dionysus which is the most probable rider of the following Ketos (head of a ram, front bust/legs of a horse, and hind twin tails of a dragon as in the above elephant pic. (I suppose this design in a stone pallette rigns a bell, ain't it?) :beam:

https://i122.photobucket.com/albums/...nePalette1.jpg

It's about time for some more unit development art. Here is the latest release, the Numidian Royal Cavalry:

https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/...midiancor3.jpg

Spirit of Rob already has created the unit too btw. :grin:

I think Tanit will really like this one.

Masinissa is so alive now with this drawing =)

I've been loving it for a while now :)

Its even my background for my desktop!

Where did the indo-greeks learn about dolphins?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gazius

Where did the indo-greeks learn about dolphins?

---

First of all, there was communication with the Mediterranean world they left behind, albeit very scarce and with problems... (check for periplous in wikipedia if you want to know more), and also we have accounts of mercs claiming to have served in India.

When IndoGreeks conquered the Indus delta they became re-acquainted with the "sea" their ancestors have been raving on and on about. Hellenes had always had a special relation to the sea, because they saw it not as an obstacle but as a means to an end, a "bus stop" if you will on the way to home. We still do! (Xenophon and his 10.000 crying "Thalatta!=sea) and all that.

As for the dolphin, it must have remained in popular mythos as the faithfull companion of ships in open sea. Once reconnected the sea, they would know what it was. If they didn't the greek merchants from Alexandria coming to India, would tell them, soon enough.

Where did they learn about gorgons, dragons, winged horses, etc.? :laugh4:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Teleklos Archelaou

Where did they learn about gorgons, dragons, winged horses, etc.? :laugh4:

---

... I have 3 things to say to theese ... unbiased/uncalled for accusations...

1
:ahh:
2
:hide:
3
:surrender:


Back to topic, this is a BLOODY FANTASTIC Numidian!

Bloody fantastic in agreement.....tis art!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Teleklos Archelaou

Where did they learn about gorgons, dragons, winged horses, etc.? :laugh4:

---

Didn't Dragons come form the Steppe peoples like the Saka, Sarmatians and Iranians?(Inc Persians)I seem to recall the Draco standards that the Romans adopted after they fought the Sarmatians and the Sassanids.:book:

Hmmm nice unit. Going to be a better version of the normal numidia, just with better armour/weapons thus can actually fight in meele, cool. A little more spice for my all african armies for Cathage.

Fantastic units - are we going to see more of this artwork ingame? Maybe as loading screen?

BTW, what happened to this one?

Edit: -Meh - nevermind -

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arkatreides

Fantastic units - are we going to see more of this artwork ingame? Maybe as loading screen?

BTW, what happened to this one?

XXXX

---

That artwork hasn`t been previewed yet by the team. A healthy advice? Edit that at once.

Dude... not cool.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by k_raso

That artwork hasn`t been previewed yet by the team. A healthy advice? Edit that at once.

Dude... not cool.

---

Ok, done that, but it's not like it wasn't in a publicly available place ...:inquisitive:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arkatreides

Ok, done that, but it's not like it wasn't in a publicly available place ...:inquisitive:

---

I know, it was just to avoid unnecesary troubles for you.

The team has had some problems before with this kind of issues (a guy completely spoiled the Epirus secret faction in the 0.72 release, a thing that repeated itself later on).

Thank you for your diligence.

Was that what I think it was? :grin: One of our guys saw it and didn't read the text right beneath it that said in all caps "don't use this yet!", but it was only visible for a few hours before he changed it.

Yeah, we have had leaks before, that was nothing compared to some of the early ones. Our Gallic FC put "FC of Aedui and Averni" in his sig line for a few hours once months before we were going to reveal it. In a map update I once left a little saba logo (that had never been merged down into its proper layer and I hadn't seen it) sitting on top of Maryab long before we revealed that one. Something happened with epeiros too, though I can't remember what.

I am sorry if I caused any inconvenience. I just found it and thought it was an oversight that it was not included in this post.


And btw TA, it is still there, so you might want to remove it if you want to keep it secret for the time being.

It's not your fault Ark. No worries. :grin: It was something different than I was thinking it was anyway, so we've leaked two new (but harmless) things accidently in the last two days. :laugh4:

The EB team is comprised of geniuses. Thanks for the excellent responses!

Could the artist behind these wonderful drawings, by any chance, write a small text explaining how he does them?

Something like:
I draw them in paper, scan them, then colour them in Photoshop.

I'm thinking about doing this kind of stuff too, for my website, if it's not too hard. Some advice from a pro like you would be not just apreciated, but also very helpful. I have to make a website, it's the project of this year in Informatic Applications, a discipline that I have in school (11th grade, I'm 16).

EDIT: Nevermind! I just remembered you have asnwered me this previously: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showt...=feel+inspired Seems like you got recruited trough that topic if I understand right : )

There is also a description of the creation process on the first page of this thread for anyone who is interested.

Excellent drawings Caratacos!

About the Galaecian Skirmisher... From which region does it come from?

Hi Radier,
I beleive they come from the city of Ankrya in Asia Minior.

Oh, he is a celt isn't he? Not a native... If my lame guess is correct, how come they are not called Galatians? Did they belong to another celtic group which also migrated?

Galaecia is the north west corner of Iberia. It's Galaecian, not Galatian. They were iberians with a ton of celtic influence.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fondor_Yards

Galaecia is the north west corner of Iberia. It's Galaecian, not Galatian. They were iberians with a ton of celtic influence.

---

Correct. The area is called Galicia or Galaecia still today.

As a sidenote, the Sweboz (or Suebi/Suevi) ended up creating a kingdom in Galaecia later on:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped.../Hispania3.JPG

Is the land of the famous "Gallegos"

Thanks for clearing things up!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Teleklos Archelaou

NEW PUBLIC RELEASE!! (Feb. 26, 2007)
Royal Numidian Cavalry
https://img296.imageshack.us/img296/...iancor3.th.jpg

---

wow! Im a big fan of the numidian cavalry! So will be this go to replace the old numidian cavalry (I read somewhere it was a placeholder, and to be sincere i never loved it very much) or it will be a new more advanced unit? If it is a more advanced unit as you can understand by its name, then will there be a new low-end numidian cavalry?

thanks for that unit art!

Quote:

---

If it is a more advanced unit as you can understand by its name, then will there be a new low-end numidian cavalry?

---

It's a more advanced unit, atm i do't know if the lower end unit will change..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bonny

It's a more advanced unit, atm i do't know if the lower end unit will change..

---

It is on the list to be updated yes

great news thanks!

If you've installed the hotfix, or visited the EB website gallery recently, you've seen the latest released unit Caratacos has drawn for us. Here it is for everyone else:

https://img251.imageshack.us/img251/...edchampnc5.jpg

I reckon he should redone the RTW portraits

Just wait till you see the next two he's done. Absolutely stunning stuff.

Bloody...

What faction is it for?

Casse. Oh, and he hasn't been started on (model/texture) yet though. The next one we will post has been started though, and the last one (numidian royal cav) has been finished by Spirit of Rob.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Teleklos Archelaou

Casse. Oh, and he hasn't been started on (model/texture) yet though. The next one we will post has been started though, and the last one (numidian royal cav) has been finished by Spirit of Rob.

---

Maybe we should post side-by-side screenshots of the numidian cav drawing and the end product. Would be really nice to show how concept is translated into the actual stuff.

Rob's latest drawing of the unit doesn't have it mounted though - if he could do a render of it mounted, I'd post them in a new thread in the public fora - side by side.