Grand Space Opera 3D Entry: Dominic Qwek

#1

Dominic Qwek has entered the Grand Space Opera 3D.

#2

Here’s my concept sketch in b/w. I have a couple of thumbnails done but this has been my favourite so far. Here’s a short sypnosis:

" As Darven edged closer to the ship, several thoughts ran through his mind. He thought of the time spent with his family back on Grania, the many friendships he had made through out his lifetime. He wondered if they were still alive back on Grania, whether the beam had struck them. It was so quiet and the only thing Darven could hear was the slight humming of the ship’s cannon. However, deep in his mind, he could hear the crumbling of majestic cities, he could hear the screams of his beloved people, he could hear their very last prayers.

The slow-moving yet deadly beam had taken the entire western hemisphere, eradicating everything in its path, and causing a shockwave travelling thousands of miles. Nothing could survive it. The Joint Nations Congress never preempted for such an assault, all along they had been able to fend off the enemy frigates. When the cannon arrived, it took down the entire Grania space assault corps. Darven and his co-pilot, Neshla managed to cloak their stealth shield in time before the assault had begun.

Darven only had a few minutes left before the beam would hit the eastern hemisphere. Millions would die, followed by those caught in the shockwave. Grandia’s last and only hope of survival laid in the hands of one man … "

#3

The first cocnept is being scrapped… cos I felt that it didn’t emote enough, and it was too action based. When I was designing this concept, I kept on wanting to tell the audience a story. And then I realised that what was more important was for the audience to emote along with the image and to feel it. In other words, more profoundity. The audience isn’t dumb , quoted from timothy albee i think if im not wrong. This is one of those known facts but things you don’t normally apply… anyhow, this is going to be my first full scale still image, so i want to be certain i am happy with it.

Some notes on this concept:
-there is 2 persons in the foreground, one’s dead and the other is hugging the dead guy(or girl, still deciding)

-the person that’s alive is NEVER looking at that ring thing, although it suggests that for now. He’ll most likely have his eyes closed.

  • that ring thing is a cannon charging up and is about to destroy the planet

  • the bg is gonna be a ruined cityscape with slight smoke and flames

  • I’m banking on facial expressions for this piece, they’ll be the most important aspect to achieve.

I’d also appreciate if you guys pick the composition you like and perhaps tell me why you chose that composition if you have the time. I have a few of them in mind, but it’ll be nice to hear what you guys think. Thanks in advance!

#4

Hey Dominic,
I think you should really stick to this idea. It’s very emotional and very catchy! I think you should keep the eyes/head of the living human towards the ring (looking at the ring), tears flowing down the cheek and holding the dead very tightlly. I kinda shows that he/she knows that it’s the end but don’t want to let go, no matter what! If u have the living human eyes closed and head down…it’s not as effective in my opinion. Good luck!

#5

i definitly vote for the second concept… i think it is very importent to emote through ur artwork i also agree with Miss Hippo… i think open eyes emote better then closed eyes but the setup u got there closed eyes and down heads wud also do the trick cause that expresses fear of loosing, xcepting fate and an ambient sadness… very well done… i’ll b waiting for ur updates… keep it up buddy :thumbsup:

#6

Hey Miss Hippo, I didn’t want the person to look straight at the ring because that would be too direct in storytelling imho, I’d rather have him look in an unimportant direction(sh*t i can’t find a bette word to describe that), so that it feels to the audience like he knows what is coming up, that the cannon is gonna strike. Open or close, I haven;t quite decided on that yet. But yeah 3doid, you do have a point about the eyes being open. I’ll have the person’s chin pressed snugly on the dead person’s head too.

I intended to give the expression that he is aware of what is going to happen, and that he is accepting that, hence the title, A Better Place :wink:

Now the issue is whether there is the need to emphasize on the characters, if so, I’ll have to take a closer shot like 7 and 4. 1, 5 and 6 is out for me. I also like the slanted horizon, and that might not work out with 2. the slanted horizon has a dynamic feel to it… and i can’t seem to get that from number 2

Thanks for the crits, i really appreciate them. This piece has certain value to me, as this wip progresses, you’ll know more.

#7

Hi Dom…I like your new concept.(Quess I am smart enough :wink: )…For your praticular piece I like the Bottom right compo,the extra wide option.It looks to have all the potential you need for a Grand Space opera…Your creation thoughts are good ones,this sounds promising.I will check up on you as time goes,All the best to you.Looks like you have a good grasp on the Space opera theme…:arteest:

#8

Hey Virtuoso, it’s great to see you here. Been long since the Game Cinematic Icon challenge days eh? Good to see you’re alive and kicking, and i’ll be expecting more from you :slight_smile:

I’ll take note of your choice, and thanks for giving me your opinions. There’s just something about the vertical composition that seems to be attracting me . I must decide soon.

Looking forward to more crits and opinions guys/girls. thanks!

#9

Thats funny Dom…The vertical look and feel are pulling me too.But from the compo’s you showed with your practicular thumbnails the extra wide one struck me the most…Well either case,I like the start.In the end you will make the right choice I am sure.I will be watching out for more always.All the best for now…And all the luck in picking the best compo,they can be the toughest parts…:beer:

PS:…The vertical one to the upper-right was a close second…:wink: :arteest:

#10

I’ve decided to go with the last composition. Here are some colour tests I’ve done, tell me what you think. It’s gonna be a father/son piece, there’s a lot of artwork out there with lovers so I figured I’ll stick to father-son relationship.

Tell me what you think. Cheers.

#11

Dom, nice sketch! But bear in mind that there should be something which gives (strong?)impression of the idea that those humans are a part of something really BIG. Since, this challenge is Space, epic related. May be that “ring thing” can be visualized with lots of details and give the feeling that it’s huge or leading to something huge or connected to huge thing.
Well, sorry for distraction. That was just my opinion. And most probably you know how to make you piece nice way.
Good luck!

#12

Andrey thanks for the crits. yeah the ring thing will be huge. its gonna be in space, not with in the planet’s atmosphere. Cheers.

#13

The last concept u decided to go along IS GREAT, in the idea od this Challenge and very mystirious at the same time…u got me hooked to this thread up the end :bounce:

Have fun friend … i am waiting to see how will visualize this in 3D.

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#14

Love the dramatic theme

#15

dimi- tks m8. I’ve been getting some opinions on composition number 2, but I might go with my decision in 7. anyway i can always move the elements ard in 3d to get a better feel. I’ll post a head soon :wink:

tsunami - tks dude. :slight_smile:

#16

Hi Dom…great to see the wide version as your current choice…As for color choice I would choose the bottom one with a nice intense orange flavor.Personal pick.I think this has a very vibrant and striking look…I’ll be watching for more updates all the time,I know this will be one of the higher end thread’s to follow,and I am pitching a tent here.See you for now…

#17

Wow man this is great! I love the whole concept! I’m also glad you went with the wide layout. I have to agree with you about doing an emotional piece. This competition seems perfect for it.

I’m definitely looking forward to your next steps! Keep it up!

Chad

#18

Well, he’s suppose to be dead… so i’m not quite sure if there is a facial expression for death.

#19

nice… but i dont like his lips … his upper lip looks like is glued to mouth or it is just me :slight_smile:

#20

wowow dom you are damn fast… so far so good … i already add in my entry… will do my best in my limited time in japan. gambate