Steampunk Myths and Legends Entry: Matt Jones

#1

Matt Jones is entered in the “Steampunk Myths and Legends” update: View Challenge Page

Latest Update: Work In Progress: horse model design

#2

Hi all! I thought I’d start by introducing my idea with few words before getting down to work. I don’t want to go into too much detail at this stage as I want to leave room for artistic interpretations and also hopefully allow for everyone who is inspired to have creative input.

The myth I have chosen to Steampunk is that of the headless horseman; I’ve gone for this as there are so many stories and myths relating to the character, and I feel that I can develop a really interesting piece that has many subtle meanings and connotations.

Thanks for reading and come back soon, I will try to look through as many other threads as I can and look forward to seeing some great work!

:bounce:

#3

This is my first concept, showing composition and all of the intricate detailed structure of the horse and rider. The specifics of the character designs are likely to change, but this is the direction I want to go in. C&C always welcome! Thanks for looking

#4

Great idea mate…can’t wait to see it come to life…or undeath?!

#5

Ha, yeah wierd one that! thanks :stuck_out_tongue:

#6

great idea… nice concept so far! the horses remind me bit of Galaxy Rangers Anime… well done!

#7

I think its a great myth to do. I haven’t decided what i am going to do yet and that was one on the list. I am interested to see where you take it. Will you have the horsemen just be the focal point of the image? Meaning is it only going to be him as if he was chasing the viewer? Or will you go the route of showing the Horsemen and Ichabod in a portion of the chase? If so which part and would you do a overt viewing or possible candid? Candid strikes me as interesting because the myth is not told by Ichabod so someone must have seen it happen… Or will you explore a portion of the story of Sleepy Hollow that is not normal illustrated? Perhaps a portion of with Brom after he marries Katrina and movies to Philadelphia perhaps he has visions of Ichabod coming back at him/them?

Anyway, I think you picked a good myth because there is a lot of reference material you can look at to help develop your take on the story. Best of luck!

Eli

#8

great idea. I like how people are not stuck on certain styles with this. I am sure you are just concepting but dont get lost in the ‘just a pose stage’ be sure to tell a story with your image

#9

RayBender - Thanks for stopping by, yeah the horse does look a bit like that. Although hopefully I’ll be able to make him far more intricate in design - like a pocket watch/steam train combo almost
TacitusD - Wow you have done your homework :wise: I think you should go for it too, would be good to see another take. Mainly as I am leaning more to the Irish myth of the Dullahan, of which there are many stories, all different but along the same theme. Check out [color=deepskyblue]this linkfor some areas that will feed into my work. I particularly like the idea that the rider uses his head as a light to illuminate the path and I may use that as the main light source… But we’ll see. As for the story element, I want a town in the background and although the scene will be at night you will see some lights on in the houses to show it up. Thanks for the comments, very interesting and I’ll look forward to seeing what you decide upon for your own. [/color]
kraal - You make a good point. For sure the image I have in my head is all about pose, but the story element is beginning to come through. I think once I add the town in the background and get the gloomy lighting set up then it will all look a bit more interesting in terms of telling a story. Thanks :thumbsup:

#10

Hi M477,
I like your concept. Very good the idea of the steam on the horses neck (Where his hair would be).
Keep it on. i will have an eye on this.
Good luck

#11

“TacitusD - Wow you have done your homework :wise: I think you should go for it too, would be good to see another take. Mainly as I am leaning more to the Irish myth of the Dullahan, of which there are many stories…”

Don’t give me to much credit. I just know a little bits of lots of things. I also loved that story as a kid. I like the idea of using the head as the main illumination element. You could really play the steam up using that. The town in the background could do that too. You may want to look at some of Claude Monte work. Specifically, his work in london; The Thames at Westminster, Houses of Parliament, and Waterloo bridge. The atmosphere the creates in those is wonderful. It is something that i am going to strive to do myself. As for what i am going to do. I have actually combined three ideas into one scene. Which should work because they all tied together. Purgetory, cerberus, and the gates to Hades/Hell. I am hopeing to get some rough sketches up this before the weekend.

#12

Great idea of a steampunk headless horseman, cant’ wait to see you develop it more :slight_smile:

#13

I wasn’t happy with the previous head, it was a bit of a parody. So I’ve decided to explore the idea of having the head as a light source as in the Dullahan myths. Hopefully it will be less comical too! :slight_smile: C&C always welcome

#14

Ataulfo - Yeah that steamy hair should look pretty cool if I get it right! Cheers
TacitusD - Monet has done some pretty cool London paintings, that is the kind of thing I might go for especially as the background will be painted in 2d… Here’s hoping I paint it as well as the mighty Monet :stuck_out_tongue: Your idea sounds epic, looking forward to seeing those concepts - keep me up to date! :wip:
Ivy00 - Hey thanks for stopping by!

#15

Great story to visualize, I love your new head, it is very unique :slight_smile: What color of light will you go for?

#16

Cool concept i like it!! I imagine it in the dark into a creepy forest

#17

Good question, I’m not sure yet. There is the classic red light depicting evil, and that could work well against the blue light of the town in the distance… But I’d like to be a little more original than red eyes for the bad guy, that’s why I was concepting yellow/orange which could work well.

#18

Just an update on the head design. Keeps the thread alive :slight_smile:

#19

Hey nice sketches so far. The glowing head idea is a good one that could look really cool. Good luck, bring it on.

cheers.

#20

I can see your point, yellow/orange is more uncommon, and could definatly look cool too :slight_smile: Though I could picture it with an eerie green glow as well…

I cannot wait to see more updates and creative strokes from you :slight_smile: