bot with head (self portrait)

[Shaf33k]

Well I guess I am a "fan" of the robot genre. Can I maybe suggest going with a different style of robot? Something like Go Nagai's Mazinger or Getter Robot series, that could be cool. Check this link for some great toy pics that hopefully inspire you and are great for reference. http://www.toyboxdx.com/set-photo.html
Also, though masks are tedious, you could use masks to create some sharper edges but keep that loose feel and get more of that angular industrial look. Just a suggestion. BTW I really enjoy your choice of palette, very good mix of coola and warms.
Ciao!

[puddlefish]

Nice style and fantastic technique as usual, sleepless. I kinda like the way this robot doesn't fall into the typical Japanese mecha design trap. While I am a fan of that stuff done well (Zone of the Enders), it does get a little tedious. I like the industrial effect given from the textures.

As regards crits or advice, when I started drawing mecha designs, the things that interested me (and ended up producing the most interesting results) were genuine attempts at functionality. By this I mean thinking about how the robot could concievably work, and making it believable.

For example, how do its joints work? how does it walk? where does it hold fuel? is it sufficiently armoured? is its weaponry practical (remember things like recoil and ammo storage for this - most of the weapons used in mecha designs would blow themselves off their supports with the recoil)? is it manned? How does it see? Does it have a reasonable range and arch of weapon fire (the humanoid form is actually very impractical when it comes to this, as it faces only one way at a time, and its joints are limited - no such limitations should be enforced on a robotic design)?

Anyhoo, that's how I think of it. I try to think of what the machine will be used for and then try to design it as if I was going to build it (as opposed to draw it). Questions about style and aesthetics only enter the equation after the functionality is dealt with.

Hope this helps

[Sleepless]

Shafeek-Thanks for the link. You're right about the masks and hard edges plus the specularity of light that I'm missing. I would like my future ones to be painterly and textural but more crisp. I know this one sucks air but I gotta try again.

Puddlefish---Where have you been??? Thanks for the thoughts and method (research the idea Tim). I have a huge respect for artists that do this type of work well, you can't just dash off a drawing and expect it to look like it works as a machine....not like doing a quick figure sketch.

Thanks. This is the sort of challenge that keeps me awake.

[bibi5000]

Sleepless, I love your colours. Actually, I using your images as a palette sometimes. :D

Hope, that doesn't bother you

[puddlefish]

I've been really busy Sleepless, drawing lots of mecha designs (what are the chances?) and mechanical plans. Great fun, I'll post some when I'm able (hush hush at the moment).

[Sleepless]

bibi5000 - No problem, suggestion though..try and think about why certain colors work together.
I often look at old masters works for pallette choices.

Puddlefish- I was thinking about your whale image you were doing for a challenge sometime ago. It was a good one. Can't wait to see you new designs.

[say-g]

reminds me of quake, great image, love your style :bounce:

[Sleepless]

Couldn't stop myself from trying to make it better. Cut some paths for harder edges.....it's overworked (and sparkley!)but, a good learning experience. oh well. Thanks for the tips guys.

http://www.leeillo.com/cgart/Botwithhead2.jpg

[wildsheepchase]

Wow! I really like what you did to the second one to brighten it up. The first one was really dark on my monitor. I can't really think of any crits at the moment. I'd love to see it in a setting of some sort:D
Keep up the good work:wavey:

[Gamoron]

hey sleepless. lookin good! Overworked? not at all! But I do like the first version better. Maybe make a concession between the 2?

[Raul-Reznek]

Hehey!!!
Kick ass!!!

Yes siree!! Nice! I believe that the form of the foot reduces much of the effect of the char. but it's as good :D

[Pedro]

Wow! The second image is IT. :D

"Note: remind me never to start without a pencil drawing first."

Er, why is that? Did you run into problems? I thought everyone began with a pencil drawing.

BTW do you have an art background or do you just naturally kick ass? :)

[typeA]

i kinda like it its different than the trditional anime stye mecs,maybe a bit over woked but what the hell we all get bord i tend to over cross hatch when im board ..so wtf every sketch teaches you something regardless if we consider it sucesfull or not

[Sleepless]

wow, Almost didn't post this because their are some crazy good talents here, and when it comes to mechanical stuff I'm at the shallow end of the pool.

say-g- Quake? Must check it out. I know very little about it, I'm not much of a gamer, seems like there's so little time in a day as it is. But thank you.

wildsheepchase - I always wonder how art looks in other monitors (our 2 look the same) I hope I'm calibrated OK...

Gamoron- 1st version is more typical of me so far. Next one will be in between, I hope. Appreciate your comments, hows the stormtrooper guy going?

Raul-Reznek- you're refering to the lame pigs cloven foot. LOL.

Pedro - I have better results on complicated stuff with a loose sketch scanned to use as a guide. This one, I just started drawing in PS with a very textured brush, erasing where needed.- Yeh, got me one of them fancy degrees (too long ago).

typeA - every word you said is true. I feel the same way.

Life is good.














:) :) :)

[slice56]

very very nice work. I love your colors!

[insect666]

Looks absolutely great! :D

However I like the firdst one better - it's a bit darker and has that "dark postapocalyptic" feel.
Good thing it doesn't look like the japanese style mechs... They're getting boring. :annoyed:

Well done sleepless! :thumbsup:

[Are you gonna' darken it a bit?.. ;)]

[facial]

post more,
Well done. :bounce: :bounce:

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