The Journey Begins Challenge (2D) Entry: Karissa Muggli

[kmuggli]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11527/11527_1146440964_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11527/11527_1146440964_large.jpg)

When I first heard about this challenge, a picture imediately popped into my head.
A big part of this challenge is to portray the emotions of starting out on a big journey. I wanted to convey two very different emotions, so I decided to center the image on two young people, one brash & excited, the other more subdued & mature - almost knowing of the change to come.
I decided on a young man & a young woman. Their garb reflects their attitudes & personalities -
The boy dons a basic tunic & pack, no cloak, no heavy clothing. He's so busy with the notion of being a hero, and going on adventures, that he fails to plan for possible hardships.
The girl wears a dress more suitable to travelling, with a heavy cloak fastened around her neck. She has planned for the hardships, and knows that 'adventures' change people.
In the background is a far away castle - sinister clouds gather around it, threatening to drown out the light sunlight at any moment. To the right is the edge of a forest (or will be), and to the left is a flowering tree - I'd like to think of it as a Blackthorne tree for symbolical reasonings.
The sun is on the horizon - is it rising? Or setting?

[kmuggli]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11527/11527_1146441529_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11527/11527_1146441529_large.jpg)

I don't really have line-art when I'm finished with a piece, so I'll post my first color concept here instead.
I like these colors...but I hate them.
First off - it's too colorful. Too bright & cheery. I want this to be a more serious piece. I want it to convey more complex emotions.
I like the youngsters, but I'm going to play with the colors a bit.

After taking a break from this picture, I've decided that the 'forest' is hokey - and I will be changing it sometime when I get the chance.

[kmuggli]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11527/11527_1146442683_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/12/11527/11527_1146442683_large.jpg)

Here I've taken out some of the 'hokey' trees to make room for new ones (more weeding/editing will be done later).
I've also added more blossoms & details to the Blackthorne tree, and have started adding grass details.
I've also done some work on the girl & the boy.

As for the colors, I've decided to partially de-saturate the background once I get closer to being done. That gives it a bit more of the feeling I was looking for.

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