The Journey Begins Challenge (2D) Entry: Nicolas Villeminot

[ElectroNico]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1144693935_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1144693935_large.jpg)

These are sketches that are closer to my initial vision. I want to depict a departure in a sad mood, three creatures are about to leave their home for a dangerous and epic journey, some others are here to support them. I particularly want to show this emotion through the eyes of the front creature, that's why i want the creatures to look very cute and harmless to contrast with the distress of their mission. The goal of their mission is portrayed by the mountain standing in the background.

[ElectroNico]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1144694368_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1144694368_large.jpg)

These are sketches for the design of the creatures ;) ... i imagine them with a red fur ;)

[walrus]

Given your earlier layouts and the title of your piece, I think #2 fits that description the best. #1 is okay, I am especially fond of #4 though it paints a very different character, and #3 looks evil and mean and I do not like him at all. Just me thoughts on these. Good luck with it! :)

-mike

[paperclip]

If you made the eyes a bit bigger and cuter on no. 4 and also gave him a smaller, cuter mouth, then...he'd be cuter. :)

[ElectroNico]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1144933860_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1144933860_large.jpg)

A more accurate sketch, but for now i'm not satisfied with it ... I think there's not enough deepness in the background. Perhaps i will also remove the trees to open the image a little bit. What also bother me is that the mountain is a bit hidden because of the trees .... I'll make other sketches to decide what i do. I'm still far away from the line art ;)

[ElectroNico]

Sorry it was the same post as the one above ;)

[ElectroNico]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1145135124_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1145135124_large.jpg)

This is not really a line art, but i won't do any, so i hope that's not a problem ;)

I changed some things, first i removed the creatures who were saying good bye, in order to make the front creature the only one to express sadness. Then i added a background with a lot more deepness, which was lacking in the previous sketch ... And yes i 've changed the front creature, i think this one express sadness a bit more ( though it might be changed again if necessary ;))

For the atmosphere of the pic i imagine a gloomy weather, with a bright sky and dark clouds.

So for now i'm directly painting in Photoshop over the sketch, a lot of things have to be drawn ( the trees's roots in the foreground for instance ... ). So a lot of work is awaiting for me ;)

[Nyrak]

Hi, Nico. I don't really have any crits yet. I love those little critters, and I think this composition - with the three in a triangle and the mtn as the focus/end of their journey? is really nice. I can't wait to see it in color. :)

[mford]

Nico, I like your main character alot, and I like beaing able to see the whole mountain now. The only critique I have is the tree on the left is a little distracting for me. I like the concept and I am sure final image willl rock.

[ElectroNico]

Nyrak> Well thanks !! :blush: ... it will take a long time before i start coloring i think ;)
mford> Thanks !! :blush: Yes i think it is better now to see the whole mountain. I agree with you about the tree ( for my part it is mostly the right branch that i find a little distracting, but i will try to make it a bit different ). On the other hand if i remove the whole tree, i think the image will lose a bit of its deepness ..And thanks for your optimistic opinion about the final image ! :blush:

[ElectroNico]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1146507610_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1146507610_large.jpg)

It's been a long time since my last post, but my image isn't very different from the previous one :( .... i hope i will be able to finish it in time !
I've added a few details on the foreground ( roots and vegetation ), the 2 creatures seen from the back and the clouds are more defined, and i've also added vultures in the sky to give the image a more pessimistic feeling.
I think i will begin coloring shortly even if every detail of the image is not yet fixed ;)

[grobouk]

you draw a very nice piece (design are cool), i want to see it in color

[ElectroNico]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1147716106_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1147716106_large.jpg)

A research for the colors, that was not the colors i had in mind but i think it's working. I will try to add more colors to avoid the image to be only bichromatic ;) ... The other difference with the "line art" is that the two front characters are now talking to each other and the one on the right has attached a rope around a tree to begin to go down.

[kevinhyshen]

cool concept, a different approach among the cheerful departures by others

[ElectroNico]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1147848070_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11360/11360_1147848070_large.jpg)

It's still the very beginning of the coloring, and 10 days left !! It will be quite difficult to finish in time ;)

[domclubb]

yep, not long now! good luck with this. You have a very strong base so i think you can do it. really nice colours. It draws the eye effectively to the backgound. Great emotion on the characters too. good luck

[ElectroNico]

domclubb> Thanks for the encouragement !! :) .... Yes theres's not much time left :( .... i will try to do my best, but there's so much work to do :(

[Tigrenka]

It's really sad cats. Nice Picture, Nicolas.

[walrus]

I really like the palette you're using. I hope that you will add some rim light or side lighting something to make the main character stand out a little more, but I know you're still early in the process. Good luck with it, it's looking nice!

-mike

[calisto-lynn]

beautifull work, i dig the colours you made a great balance!! i adore the creatures, nice going!!

[ElectroNico]

Tigrenka> Thanks ! :)
walrus> Thanks for the appreciation, coming from you it's a great honor :) Unfortunately it is obvious now that i won't finish it in time. But i will post it later in the 2d gallery ..... when i'll be satisfied with it .....
calisto> Thanks a lot ! :)

[Naisart]

Hi,
Man, too bad you wohn´t be able to finish in time. This is one of my favorite entries. I really like the characters and the warm VS cold color theme. Also, great depth.
You´ve really captured the sadness well. Looking forward to seeing this in the gallery.

[beelow]

I would say nay, try to make a run for submitting this dude! I like the characters a lot! If not see you in the next contest buddy!:thumbsup:

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