Lord Roberts Staff Sketch

Did these sketches for Lord Roberts' staff super quickly!  Everyone has been really busy lately and I didn't want our blog to lose too much momentum.

Floating Islands Guest Post!

Talented artist and good buddy of mine Vince Aparo has been gracious enough to throw some islands our way!

Happy Valentine's Day

Unfortunately this post has nothing to do with the Vis-Dev Blog.  Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!  And no, I didn't draw the kimono.  It's a photo, can't you tell? Heheh..."Cheat whenever you can" is the new black!

Talon Greyfeather Model Sheet

I wanted to do a nice, tight model sheet of my Talon Greyfeather design, and it was a good excuse to buy a tasty new set of Micron pens!

Next I'd like to refine my Lord Roberts design (and take Will's idea to do a prop design of his staff) and then hit some environments...We gotta see the world all of our badass characters are going to inhabit!

Floating City

I am not certain which city this is supposed to be.  Really it was an excuse to work on perspective (atmospheric and geometric), Tonal contrast, and texture versus form.  While brainstorming it, the thought of floating castles came up.  Seems to me, moats would be less intimidating to sieges in a world with flying ships and creatures.  Floating structures could be defended more easily.  Decidedly middle-eastern in tone.  Maybe I am drawing from Sinbad?
Dan:  Like those portraits.  Great modeling and anatomy.  Funny how shadows can change features.  There is some picture on the web showing the Lincoln memorial in different lighting.  Is the hood's hole mirroring his symbol?
Sam:  Robert is looking good.  Like the idea of his cape changing his silhouette.  Staves can be very iconic (thinking of Skeletor's).  Perhaps a chance to do props?

Young Lord Roberts

Yeah right...hehe!  Did these at the cafe today.  The first one was the line art, and the next obviously was the paint over.  Perhaps it has nothing to do with the blog, but I dubbed him as Young Lord Roberts so that I have an excuse to post 'em ;) 

Lord Roberts Full Costume

Here's a quick sketch of Pirate Lord Roberts' full costume.  I stuck with the "black garb, red trim" design and ended up with something that I like.  I think maybe he could use a little design work below the waist (tabard or no tabard, better knee pads and boots, etc) but overall I like it.  I imagine that the little Batman-like cape spikes are constantly flickering upward, kind of like flames or tentacles.  I wanted him to look imposing but also dignified, like a badass warrior king....Or, you know, an evil pirate lord.

Hightower: toward a finished line drawing

Sebastian and Island Sketches

Playing with island shapes.  Maybe a small archipelago of islands could be roped together?

Sebastian sketches...I thought maybe to make the Elf culture look refined and civilized but not typical medieval-human-steampunk I would try to give them some Asian/samurai influences?  Needs more work but I may keep exploring in this direction.

Oof, nothing compared to what Will and Dan have put up since we met up to draw last week, but I didn't want to get shut out!!

Talon

Here is an initial rendition of Talon.  I scanned a sketch in and used photoshop to model it a bit and add color.  My immediate thoughts on a bird-man idea were the weapons.  I can imagine them using nets in the air, to tangle one another and make them fall from the sky, as well on ground bound enemies to make them vulnerable to fly by spearings.  Also I like you Cog men sils Dan.  The rounder forms remind me of old kettles and furnaces, which is just inline for the idea of a clock work giant.  The negative space is great too.

Pirate Queen

I was imagining hard as nails roller-derby girls for this version of Dakota.  I wanted to make her stocky and tough looking as far as body type and posture.  I still can't leave comments so I will say here;  Dan I really like the most recent series you have don for Talon.  It shows a great range of personality and design.  I think the middle one has a great sense of nobility and should be explored more.
Thanks for the paper textures, by the way.  They are a lot of fun.