[Brynn_Metheney]

Welcome to the Creature Planets, the CG HUB challenge of exploring worlds beyond our own, and all the different species living within them.

Topic #13 :: July 15th 2010
Organism: Pygmy Esorifleu
Planet: Opriax

Deadline: Thursday, July 15th 2010 - 11:59p.m. [PST]

Planet Notes:
Opriax is a smallish planet with a radius of roughly about 8,000 km. The planet is 60% water with large continents spread across it surface. While the northern hemisphere has been slowly transforming into desert, the southern region remains lush, full of native forests and swamps.

Bio Overview:
This small, hyperactive organism lives in the hot forests of Sumulria; a continent located on the planet Opriax. The forest is primarily made up of vast colonies of Joahsi – large, smooth, plant-like bioforms that grow into each other creating a large tangle of branching limbs that spans for miles. This creature is perfectly adapted for life in this strange place.

Bio Notes:

Type: Arboreal Omnivorous Hunter/ Grazer
Habitat: Sumulrian Joahsi Forest – Southern Hemisphere.
Social: Solitary with occasional gatherings of 3-7 members.
Reproductive: Viviparous. Number of offspring: 3-6

Physiological Notes:
Size: Small – being about 2.5 kg – females are a little larger.
Symmetry: Symmetrical
Primary Sense:Sight
Secondary Sense:Olfactory
Skeletal: Endoskeleton
Epidermal: Orange/Brown hide with distinguishing dark markings, 6 jointed limbs, long tail.

Other Notes: This species is mostly nocturnal and can be somewhat aggressive toward other members of its species.

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[KoboldArt]

Awsome thread again! Count me in!

[kovah]

Woo, cute mammal topic \o/

[Darryl_Elliott]

@Kovah Great start!

Hope I can come up with something for this one.....

[kovah]

Made him a little less 'cartoon dog/fox/cat' and added brown and spots.

[NGibson]

Exploratory Sketch. Merged a squirrel, a sloth, and a jack rabbit.



And a composition/enviroment test.

[KoboldArt]

I had some brainstorming as well, and I think this lil' fella will be my Pygmy


Nice idea Nathan
Kovah, it still looks like some sort of cat, but I like the expression on its face

[Brynn_Metheney]

Looking great so far everyone!

@ kovah - Nice lighting! Nice progress too. I like the expression too, although, to make it look more focused you might close the mouth a bit. edit** I know its still in the beginning stages but try to work toward really showing how each of the limbs are connected to the body.

@ NGibson - Nice sketches! Nice movement in that lower image! edit** I think showing how each limb is connected to the body will help with defining the structure of your animal as well.

@ KoboldArt - I'm having trouble seeing the image.

I really want to get in on this topic. The level of work I've been seeing in these threads has got me all inspired!

Another thought - This organism is Viviparous but not all viviparous animals here on earth are mammals. Some reptiles and even fish participate in this behavior as well.

[Grumbleputty]

Hi everyone- I started playing around with this one on the train this morning (I think the poor woman sitting next to me was getting mildly alarmed).



(p.s.- I just realized, the description of the creature could be read two ways- either as a creature with 6 limbs that are jointed, or as a creature whose limbs have 6 joints. Brynn, do you have a preference for one over the other?)

Ok, so in order to get crits, I need to give crits- so here goes:

Kovah: Very nicely rendered so far! It feels like the second set of legs are a bit impractical. I think it's where they are positioned- they don't feel like they could reach forward very far without tangling up with the forelegs. You might want to add a little space between them, or perhaps make the second set of legs specialized in some way so they serve a different function. Love what you've done on the eyes especially!

Nathan: Really nice pose, very expressive and really appealing. My only suggestion is to try pushing the design a touch further out there, just as an experiment. Your creature looks like a totally plausible earth creature (ok, except for the 6-limbs part). If you have time, maybe try making it a bit more alien, and see if you can keep the expression and cuteness intact. Whether you take my suggestion or not, I'm really looking forward to seeing this one develop!

KoboldArt: I can't see yours either, but hypothetically it's very good!

[KoboldArt]

I've solved the problem. I hope it will stay in there now, and won't disapear.

[Brynn_Metheney]

@ KoboldArt - Ah there we go! I can see it now Thanks! Nice sketches. I like the upper set of arms a lot and how your creature seems to hang from them. I think her lower legs could be even smaller. I love the hand study although you could even make those fingers longer.

@ Grumbleputty - Excellent start! I think its good that you are pushing the anatomy a bit here and making something a little less familiar. I'd like to see more. As far as the jointed limb thing goes - its up to you how many joints there are in the limbs. I just want 6 limbs

EDIT**

I do agree with Grubmleputty about the organisms looking a little too familiar. One way we can avoid this is to reference animals from different classes we are familiar with here on earth. Even if you are wanting to create a mammalian-like organism try looking at things other than mammals too. Not all mammals are covered in fur either. Even in their own class, mammals can take on extremely different traits. Sometimes pulling from areas that are unrelated to what your creating can help make your organism a little less familiar.

[NGibson]

A couple of things I'm considering...continue with a pic that shows a group of them in various actions, or focus on a single one? Go with an extend-o-matic tounge?

[Brynn_Metheney]

Here is my sketch for now. Still working out their faces - don't really like the look of them yet. This will be a breeding male and female - more about them later.



@ NGibson - I liked the group you had before. The tongue could be cool

[coolguy]

it is only 2d? or i can do 3d with 2d?


(have amazing woks here)

[Brynn_Metheney]

Originally Posted by coolguy

it is only 2d?


(have amazing woks here)

It is only 2d. However, the 3D Creature Planets should be launching soon