Sketches are fantastic. Really nice exploration of character, keep them coming…:buttrock:
DWIII - 2D - IanMcQue - Shaman
IanMcQue
#27
I’ve been reading up on a lot of Celtic mythology/history of Britain in the Dark Ages trying to find some Shamanic references to give this character a bit more of a solid foundation. I came across a lot of stuff to do with ‘The Morrigan’, an almost vampiric battle spirit who could assume the form of a raven. Like most people i always assumed Morrigan was just a character from Super Puzzle Fighter, but her roots go back much farther than that, it appears…
Anyway, i thought this would be a great character for this challenge, so I started sketching -
Still playing about with the Shaman character, however. I’d be interested to hear if anybody has any preferences - old dude or sexy goth chick? Thanks for looking.
MDR
#28
These concepts are amazing, the way you draw is perfect. They are the best sketch’s i have seen on this forum in ages!!
airflow
#29
I remember reading The Hounds Of The Morrigan when I was a teenager.
I think she is one of three aspects of the goddess, like the 3 fates.
Anyway cool work sofar.
Id go for the goth, and make it a touch more elven/alien. Like she has some sort of connection with the faerie world. Have a look at some of Enayla’s work. 
IanMcQue
#30
MDR - thanks for that, much appreciated
Airflow - I’ll check out the stuff you namechecked, cheers. Going to work up some Morrigan thumbnails - she’s still a bit unformed at the moment.
In the meantime, here’s another sketch bringing together elements from the different iterations of the Shaman character so far. The vulture is a nod to the Morrigan ‘battle raven’ myth.
headengine
#31
Really loving it Ian, especially the bolder linework/colouring. The shaman chick is v.cool.
Thats not to say I don’t love the roughs - they’re also great - but the more finished stuff is really fresh, that bold illustrative line - and a really nice pallette.
I think its the proper integration of a lot of truly paganistic elements - the feathers, the birds, carved stones etc - thats bringing it together too!
mime1
#32
Insaine sketching man. The guy on the top of the mountain is my fav -hope you’ll pick this one for finishing :). Great work
Blaschke
#33
Thanks to show us such amazing concept.
My favorite is really the old man (on your first page).
Gyorkland
#37
I still cannot see your first 3 posts don’t know why but I’ve seen the rest and is just awesome, so many options and all worth to chose love your colors man, I’ll have to say that the last oner is my favourite but with the tatooes of your early sketch.
lacluna
#38
Hi. I know you already kinda committed to the young shaman but the bearded bald one was my favorite… give him a fighting chance please!
IanMcQue
#39
Whoah - thanks for the comments everybody! It really is appreciated.
Seems to be a split over what’s working best. Maybe I should just do interchangeable heads? Either way, I need to decide on a final design and start working up finished model sheets. Not long to go now…
Cheers.
TOLEDO
#41
It’s looking great!
About the choice, the sexy goth chick have a point, and the point is that I like chicks… but the shaman guy looks more solid to me, have more personality.
keep the good work 
IanMcQue
#42
I’m thinking I might leave the sexy goth chicks to people who do sexy goth chicks really well. This means you, Toledo. Great stuff in your portfolio, man.
So I’m going to focus on the Shaman character - couple of close-ups:
If he’s doing battle, i guess he might need armour, sort of a Pictish thing going on here:
IanMcQue
#43
I may have settled on the Shaman dude, but obviously I’m still procrastinating as to whether he should be big, bulky and hairy, or old, bald and scrawny. I do like the idea of the planet’s hopes resting on this wizened old geezer - knowledge and experience over youth and vitality and all that.
Enough of my yakkin’, here’s the update:
C&C always welcome.
wilzoon
#44
I personally prefer the “big, bulky, hairy” style like you did in the first one.It looks more intimidating that way! Anyway, Cool concept and sketches. Really like on how you did the outliner, and the chick is hoottt. Good luck, man.