[GaussianBlur]

First time here as well! I've been watching some of the events lately to try and see how they work—I've been wanting to get involved in stuff like this for a while and I definitely need to do more creature design.

I'm currently at work, so I'll post critiques when I get home, but I did want to post what I have... time and work permitting I'll be able to finish! The prompt's super cool.




Here I've got quick thumbs and then a compositional sketch for the final. I'm actually not that comfortable sticking to just digital painting, so I'm going off of that for a drawing now—currently working on making it more draconic as well.

Thanks guys!

Also sorry, that image uploader took me way too long to figure out, forgive all the edits :P

[Brynn_Metheney]

I am getting excited for this round!! You're all coming up with some awesome stuff!

[RhB]

really cool and unique ideas everyone

first time creature forge for me
don't want to miss this topic

[beaulamb]

Hello, wanted to join in some challenges for a while. got some free time so why not, just hope im not to late So heres some quick ideas..
Liking the work everyones putting into this!

[lancer_idenoure]

Zentrope: no worries


Brynn:.......deadline extension???

[rob_powell]

^^^I second this...a deadline extension would be GREAT!

[beaulamb]

some progress with one of the ideas..
feedback appreciated

[beaulamb]

Update.. again feedback appreciated

[rob_powell]

thanks for the feedback guys! now to return the favour...

beaulamb: looking cool so far. how about adding some flies buzzing around his tail light. and the little one is flicking his tongus like a frog at them.

RhB: try shifting the composition down a bit, add a little more space near the top of the canvas

GaussianBlur: nice start. quite rough still so no real comments initially, but try to play around with some elements such as the creature's head

Tsayar: like you said there are foreshortening issues, but the perspective looks off in some parts of the image as well.

amadarien: Very nice work so far. Initially, the dragon part doesn't really stand out to me as much, perhaps if you indicated somekind of reptilian tail in the background

lancer: I like this dragon that you've got here, the painting style reminds me very much of some of those wildlife and paleo art from my various books laying around. Shame it won't qualify, but is a nice piece for that growing portfolio

Earendel: nice start, I think this may become a bit more interesting with some more exaggerated perspective.

zanga_kid: some intersting thumbnails, at the moment the snake(6) is standing out to me, but simbly because it is partly rendered and not a sketch. When working with thumbnails, try to push each one to about the same level of refinement. So none really stands out over the rest so the designs can speak for themselves.

well been mcuking about with this one for a bit...trees really need some attention, barely touched the people...changed the horns cuz they were bugging me way too much....hopefully be able to finish this one...

[zanga_kid]

wow really amazing concepts!!

[beaulamb]

rob_powell -Thanks man, thats my plan to add some flies, just want to render everything out abit more first, thanks for the ideas

Your peice is looking awesome dude, but i do agree with you that those trees need some attention. Because the painting is all quite one colour at the moment, id find some referances for different trees and get some different colours in there looking forward to seeing more progress

[Rocu]

Think I am just about done with this. If I can think of any tweaks or anything I will pick away more at it!

Thanks for the feedback! Going to make some of my own (hopefully helpful).

@rob_powell - I like how yours is coming along! I enjoy the color palette and the design (much more dragonly than mine). Not sure if this is intentional but I find a lot of my attention drifts up to the tree, as opposed to the face. I think it's because it has more contrast. Maybe the red in the eyes could be brightened a bit, as it's definitely a great contrast point in itself.


@beaulamb - I am LOVING t he colors here. It is so rich and .. fairytaleish? Cartoony? Vibrant and I think that's really sweet. The creature design is coming along nicely as well.

@RhB - Not much to say yet, as it's only beginning. I think the design is cool. I like the snapping turtle design you've incorporated.

@ GuassianBlur - The colors and turtle-ly design is looking great. Good composition too. Can't wait to see more.

@Tsayar - It's a great start. It's cool that you're going to go for a painterly look. Do you plan on adding any detail or are you going to have it loose?


I think that's everyone! I am really loving the stuff so far. I can't wait to see more.

[cyl1981]

Hi everyone, first of all, inspiring start so far, keep up the great works. Unfortunately I will not take part in this challenge, but would like to share the design work flow I go by when designing with everyone here.

The topic is "The Swamp Dragon", here we can identify two main key point: The swamp and the dragon.

Before one move on to the drafting phase, ask yourself this question. If you were to show this design (without the bg)to someone who doesn't know the topic, will they be able to identify what you are trying to portray? - "the swamp dragon"

The design must be able to justify itself, even when the author is not there to explain it.

This brings us back to the essential question - what symbolizes the swamp? and how can I relate my dragon to swamp when looking at it?

Dragon can be identified as a giant reptilian creature, there are many fascinating reptiles that live around swamp areas. From the reptiles one gather from the swamps one can then base the design on those researches, as now one have a solid ground that audiences can relate to in their real life experiences.

We designers may create something from nothing, yet that something are often things that are part of humanity's daily experiences.

People might also point out, but wouldn't referring to something that already exist, make your design less creative? less imaginative? less original?

Perhaps, perhaps not, all the great designs through out the ages have surpass the test of time because they too were derived from human daily experiences. And yes, that notion is debatable. . . .

It a lots of theories, never the less, I hope this will help everyone in the process of developing their concepts, looking forward to see everyone's finals~

[beaulamb]

amadarien - Thanks man nice work on yours! really liking the colours and the creature. focal point works well to im really drawn to the face first then im able to explore the rest of the scene. loving the stone ruins too

[Andrew-Berends]

Hey guys throwing my hat into the ring a bit late but here we go.
great work all round guys