Org Avatar Contest - Win a copy of Medieval 2

[Motep]

Even more for you to look at!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I just had to:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Wario]

Now i double my Avatars again.!

[Motep]

yup... i do not stand a chance at getting the version of medieval 2, I concede defeat.
(but still consider my avatars)

[Wario]

here are more...Cant post more than 50 bucklets in the post.

[Tamur]

Nice consistent style, Wario, that's very impressive you can spread that over so many avatars!

Do you set up a palette and work only within its range for each set?

[Motep]

Its like im talking to brick walls...or am not even here posting

[MSB]

For anybody who needs the real and classic avatar border:



Wario: What program do you use? What ever it is it's AMAZING!

[Motep]

So do you have to have that border for the avatar to count?

[MSB]

So do you have to have that border for the avatar to count?

I think so because Tamur said to me:

Avlvs, you do need to put the avatar border on your small images for your entries to make it into the pool that are judged.

[Wario]

Do you set up a palette and work only within its range for each set?

I have low poly heads with various forms and textures.And some generic wiev points from where i take base pic.So i change model,texture.Then edit with Wacom tablet in Photoshop.

[Tamur]

So do you have to have that border for the avatar to count?

Technically, no. There is nothing in the intro text that specifies that you must use exactly the same border as every other avatar in the Org's collection.

That said, the idea of the contest is to make avatars which will be added to the Org's collection, with Org mods as the judge of what fits. It would be wise to use the same border, or at least one that is quite similar in saturation and pattern.

[Motep]

with photoshop, how do you get that border onto a picture?

[Myrddraal]

Just select it, copy, and paste

[Wishazu]

Just create a start layer in photoshop that is 50x75 then copy/paste that border in. Create a new layer on top of that and put the image you want to use in there, then just scale it down untill it fits in the border :)

[Lusted]

My entry, even though i have the game, just thought it would be interesting to do one.

[Midnight]

Last one from me - uplighting!





Mid.

[Tamur]

Wow, that is *really* nice work Midnight! You've got such control of lighting, very inspring.

[Clearchus]

Wow, really nice, I especially like Wario's. Should definitely win.

[Midnight]

Tamur asked if I'd describe my work process, so here goes:

I only kept one file for each picture (given that each portrait is relatively simple - for more complex pictures I do save various stages), which I over-wrote at the end of each session, so I'm afraid I don't have any step-by-step pics to show.

As far as ideas go, I get inspiration from all over the place - books with good descriptions, films, TV, paintings and drawings, people in the street - there's no end of material to draw on, and, generally, any interesting expression, angle, gesture, set of features or lighting setup is worth noting.

Basically, though, it's a similar process to wraithdt's (I also use Photoshop and a graphics tablet): I start with a pencil sketch, which I scan (although the 2nd and 3rd pics were sketched in Photoshop). Either way, the sketch is on a separate layer is set to 'Multiply', so I can paint underneath without ruining the sketch (I used a canvas size of 1500 x 2250 pixels, so I could paint freely enough without having to worry about individual pixels, and also so it'd size down to 50x75 perfectly). By now I've a pretty good idea of what colours I'm going to use, and I've determined the light direction and intensity in the sketch. I then rough in the background, as it's always easier working the background first (with regards to figuring out exactly how the subject will be lit). I create a separate layer for the actual figure, simply so I can re-shape any edges and still keep a clear divide between background and portrait.

To begin the portrait, I spend a while blocking in the basic colours, not bothering with any detail until all the tones and colours feel about right. After that, it's just a matter of working a bit more detail into the picture until it feels 'done' (given that the avatar itself will only be 50 x 75). I'm also constantly checking what it looks at a smaller size, to make sure it minimises well.

Sorry if that was a bit long-winded, and I hope that, in the absence of pictures, the description is worth something!

Mid.

[Tamur]

Thanks Midnight, great to hear this. I never have quite caught on to how to use multiply usefully, but your process makes it perfectly obvious. Painter has a Lift-To-Screen function that does sort-of the same thing.

All these great entries finally got me motivated to get off my lazy *** and do something... can't win the contest, but it was fun to get out the Wacom again.

[Wario]

Tamur ask me to tell little bit more about my Avatar workflow.

So... look like i was the first one who starts create unit models for M2tw mods. Thats was te start for those avatars actualy.
This was created in 2006-02-25
https://img527.imageshack.us/img527/...semesh13lh.jpg
How i made it ?Ill take some first realised by CA screenshots and step by step reconstruct base body model with similar geometry and poly count.
After that il take a long road to create my units historicaly right,for days i search lots of medieval books and pictures from various sources.I notice that M2TW engine use many body parts to mix units mob (like 3 types of heads,4 body etc.) Thats why i create elastic palete of Various textures and unit body parts.For instance if i create viking unit i actualy create four of them and every of them have some uniqe details.
About avatars again...
I have many low poly heads from that process.
https://img206.imageshack.us/img206/...icheads5ji.jpg
When start create my avatars first i create in 3d software seven cameras in various angles(always keeping head in the center of wievport.).Then take one of the heads and apply intresting for me texture, what i made before.After that i take screenshots from every of seven cameras .Then in Photoshop create file where Vanilla avatar borders is in the top of layers ,what helps set right position and scale for my lowpoly head screenshots.
Second layer is somenting like darken borders ,thats give more eyecandy.And after that ,paint every portrait with Wacom tablet in the same Photoshop for more character deepness.
Hmm ...seems like its all.Hope i wrote it clear .

[Tamur]

Great explanation Wario, thank you! You had mentioned previously you were integrating your 3D work into these portraits, so it's very nice to see exactly how you're doing that. That definitely helps to have camera shots of the models to work from, the only way really to do that many without going crazy

[Tamur]

Just a reminder to everyone: the contest closes at 08.00 GMT on the 20th (Monday). There have been a few posters along the way who have mentioned wanting to do another one -- last-minute entries have just as much chance at winning as any other, so keep 'em coming!

[sapi]

Fantastic, Wario

+1 for the win (not that we're voting :D )

[vidde]

My last minute contribution.

[vidde]

Didn't seem to work, try again!

[vidde]

Sorry for filling up the forum with my images, This time I am sure I'll get it right.

[Tamur]

Wow Vidde, great character work there!

[IrishArmenian]

I like Motep's Berdiche Axemen screenshot. Your screenshots manage to hold the picture yet not distract from the subject. You walk the very fine line between underwhelming and overwhelming, and do it quite well.
Mid, great artwork. That is all I can say, everyone else said it.
Vidde, that is an epic! Lots of emotion, yet he still remains soldierlike.

[Motep]

I like Motep's Berdiche Axemen screenshot. Your screenshots manage to hold the picture yet not distract from the subject. You walk the very fine line between underwhelming and overwhelming, and do it quite well.

Thank you...I finally got a compliment. I would have original artwork...but I cant draw to save my life (except for nature backrounds...)