This will be my WIP thread for the Mixamo fantasy character contest. Of course since I posted in the focused critique, I’ll be wanting some critique.
I’ve decided for the “knight” class. Probably I’ll make my own weapons too. I’ll be going for a “realistic fantasy” style (ala TES series) not “silly fantasy” (exposed naked bellies & similar “nonsense” :))
Now, my workflow will probably be a bit unconventional. I have a rough idea of how I want to make it in my mind, but I’m mostly make stuff up as I go, so I’ll be modeling this piece by piece of equipment. The “proper” way would be using sketches and having a drawn reference in advance, but my drawing skills are futile
A preview of body armor looks I’ve been playing with. This are just rough sketches (basically instead of writing on paper, I used sculpting) of the armor outline. I don’t particularly like any of this, but I’ll be going toward the design on the right.
A new update on this project. I was a bit ill, a bit doing other things, that’s why no updates for some time…
Arms are mostly done now. I took the most unrealism liberty for the couter - it’s probably not a efficient design from the defense pov, but I like it. I don’t want a full plate armor - I want some chainmail to hang loose, that’s why I didn’t connect the vambrace & couter together.
The materials are still makeshift. The chain-mail body is there just to give context.
I can feel your frustration. Then again, you’re really makin’ this hard on us to critique. And this is “Focused Critique”, so we cant just tell you how awesome your work is.
OK. So I’ll give it a try: On a general note, I’d like to see some wear and tear, some sculpted dents etc., maybe a hint of rust or dirt here and there. But maybe you already planned that for when the overall modelling is done.
As far as the helmet is concearned, I’m not sure how he’s supposed to move his head in this, but then again, what do I know about medival armor?
Still I think you might wanna add some holes or slits to the visor, just so that the guy doesn’t suffocate in there. Oh and you may wanna take a look at this thread: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2138
@Kologe, thanks for the reply. What I’m looking for is critique like yours, not generic comments of appreciation, so maybe it’s better to have an empty thread than full of one-liners…
I’m also not really sure how these full helmets worked in reality, as I never wore one, but I’ve gathered lots of photo reference and they all seem quite limited in movement and visual field. Maybe I ought to remove that strap that connects with the gorget, to give the impression of more freedom…
For example:
Wear & tear (and details) are coming when I’ll start with textures. The materials are makeshift for now.
My first question is would this be ceremonial or functional armor? The helmet looks ceremonial, the rest looks like it could be either. The full helmet doesn’t give much mobility to the head. Generally in battle a chain coif would be used by most of the troops both for the mobility of the head and the fact that they were less expensive. Full helms used in battle do have extra air holes around the mouth. The feathers support the ceremonial function, they would also impede the visor being raised.
Now, I suppose these were used for battle too (like that, without extra holes?). I’m not exactly sure how (much) they moved the head, but I modeled the helmet as per reference: a frontal piece that covers under chin & neck and a movable visor + head cover. I’ve already made some corrections to the neck area & straps position:
The armor will be more ceremonial. I plan to add some golden details bolted on & engraved ornaments. The rank of the wearer is captain, so he should be able to afford a more expensive armor than common soldiers.
The design seems fine to me. You might only wanna add a,- i guess it’s called “rondel” (don’t quote me) - to the elbows. That round disc as seen here, basically:
-or something else to serve the same puropse of protecting the crook of the arm, maybe shaped rather like that analougous part on the outer side of the knees (if that makes any sense, sorry for not being familiar with medival armor terminology).
Apart from that I personally might add some sort of emblem (hope this expression is appropriate here) but maybe that would be overkill and especially in case you’d still give him a shield, that might be the more appropriate place for such.
I’ve redesigned some of the helmet (note breathing holes :)) and the gorget completely. Now it should give the impression of more freedom for head movement (at least it seems to me :)) The sword is actually a one-handed longsword, I put back there just for fun.
This looks really fantastic. I feel intimidated xD A suggestion, there’s a small bit of a design under the breathing holes, were it me, I would make that design gold.
The detailing on the armor is breathtaking. Thoroughly impressive, to say the least. =D
My only complaint, if I can find one, is that the cross guard on the sword, though modelled extremely well, has some issues with the metal texture. It seems almost as if it’s stretched, or that the lines are a bit too uniform. I’m not entirely sure how to explain myself.
Looks completely real!
