Critics needed *warning breast present*

[dragonflie]

This is kinda embarrassing

Anyway, I've been designing theses characters for a while.
Although I know that skull masks have been done since a long time ago, I just think they look cool
Theses aren't final of course, I'm still thinking of a better design for the horns, and for those pegs near the legs.
The head floating over the little kids is what they would look like without the mask, don't mind the weird thing next to it, I was trying to design a slave mask, and had in mind that it would be in metal, but the result wasn't very pretty ahah. So I'll be fixing it when I do a slave version of the characters.
If you're wondering, the pegs are to protect the bottom of their legs since they have no feet, so they are practically walking on their bones (ouch).

Overall, I just want to know what you guys think of them, and if there are ways to improve them.



Ah, I forgot to make the young female have the same outfit as the grown up

[Littlegett]

I think they are fun. My views on them are as follows. The adult female I think should have more curl to her horns, something more decorative in nature. Also, what do you think about adding a 'personal' touch to the masks. Something that gives more nature to the individual character. The only reason I would see the same blank masks for everyone would be if they were in uniform, such as a militant unit of sorts.

Second the adult males gloves, they appear very stiff and not very functional. However without knowing more about them I could not make a complete opinion. BUt how they look here they don't seem to fit.

Third, With their legs, I think they appear like satyr legs. Instead of having them walk on nearly bone, why not create a type of small hove? Similar to horses, goats, or even something a dense and elephants and such. For me, I think it would be more realistic to have something there that gives an idea of a foot. Here it looks like they were all cut off at the ankles. Also, I am not sure I myself care much for the pegs or leg shoes. For me I think they would just look silly.

I also think the kids look good. Though as I said a personal touch to the masks would be nice. But I think it works that their clothing is not exactly like the adults. It helps to keep them separate and let the viewer know they are younger.

Overall I would say I enjoy the designs and the style. I am curious to see a more polished version and I wonder what their story/s are going to be. I also enjoy the softer visage they hold under the masks. It gives me the feeling there is a reason behind the skull masks. Maybe for protection, make them appear harder than they really are.

Anyway, overall I would say you have a great start.

[dragonflie]

Littlegett@ Thanks for the comment!

I'll see what I can do for the horns and I'll take up your suggestion for the mask, they are quite blank
If you're wondering, I kinda made it so that when they are born, they are given theses masks right away to cover their faces. And I was thinking of making it that the mask is fused to their skull and grows with them (if it is to stay that way, I'll add cracks to the adult's skull to show growth). The little story I had in mind was that they were theses to cover their ugly appearance, they are half human, half something (maybe demon, but oh the cliche...).

As for the glove, ahah my fail attempt at making a glove was too obvious. I rarely draw anything very warrior like, so I didn't know what to make it look. Should have researched it a bit more . I'll try to find some reference to make then look more fitted with the characters

I actually started with a more satyr like design link, and then went to what they are like now. I have a strange fascination for those kinds of legs for unknown reasons. Anyway, I didn't really like how they looked with hooves, it just didn't appeal to me. I'll experiment around and see if I find something more interesting to replace them.

Thanks very much for the review

[Littlegett]

Hmm, so the skulls are organic in nature, meaning they grow with the critter. Making them a permanent attachment is interesting. Though, who deems them as being ugly? This in itself could be a storyline.

I like how the gloves stop midway on the hand with the rest of the characters. Maybe something like that as well. Yet, if for a warrior it will really depend on the type of weapons they use and/or shields. Certain types of weapons only allow for certain types of handware.

With your link to the satyr like design I think the legs were too pronounced. I like them here where they are more subtle but still evidently different. I am just thinking that the balance would be completely off and unless they only walked on completely hard ground they would have 'sinking' issues.

[dragonflie]

Perhaps humans? Still need to think of some story
The slave version aren't going to have the mask on, so their faces will be more visible. Wouldn't want the design to go to waste under a mask ;D

Hm, I hadn't though about them walking on unstable surface, it would indeed be a problem if they had those legs...

[nayias]

Oohhh, I just love these guys, really interesting stuff!

Just some additions to the great ideas already expressed: As far as the gloves go, it looks to me as if the bit the fingers extend out of would come down as they made a fist, so there'd be a joint there with the upper plate acting as an edge. Now, just for instance, what if you reversed the plates? The plate the fingers are connected to is the outer plate, and basically acts as a hammer while punching, and a shield sort of thing when not?

True, it's a bit cumbersome with the plate resting on the fingers, but maybe there could be a kind of hinge connecting it to the rest of the gauntlet?

The elbow pads are interesting as well, not sure what to tell you there,

As far as their feet go, I definitely agree that they need something other than stumpy!legs.. I don't know if they'll all have bovine masks, or if they'll be different animals/creatures, but if they'll all have them, I would suggest hooves of some type, but if they're all different, perhaps something more in line with those slender, clawed hands, possibly standing more on the balls of their feet, rather like Disney's Gargoyles? : D

[sato]

I love your style. It's very unique. I think the characters are simple and eye-catchy. And you got some really nice lines.
Love the legs, but do agree with what as said above concerning giving them some more stable feet.
I'll be looking forward to seeing more of these guys.

[dragonflie]

nayias@

I was thinking of doing something like that for the glove, but I wasn't sure how to make them fit in at the time. I suppose maybe something that would slide in and out and is attached to the fingers so that they move with them. Ah, now that I think of it, I could make them stack and unfold when making a fist

Balls of the feet? You mean the toe area?

sato@ thanks

[nayias]

Yep, rather like what a high heel shoe does, only as a natural balance of the foot and leg.. : D

[lenneth4]

nice style
love it
foot are cool

[mistresslegato]

I sorta dig their stump legs, it's pretty original! IRL they wouldn't be able to stand, but fantasy wise it gives them a certain cuteness. I love the wide hips and how chubby the kids are. The idea of making the masks on the older ones grow with them, get bigger horns, etc. is a great suggestion.

[madhatta]

I say you ditch the pegs and stick with the bone legs. Depending on how you're going to depict this characters, you could easily get away with that. You don't even need to have hooves... i say it looks fine as it is. If you feel that your audience is going to be really knit-picky about it, then change it. If not, eff it.

The one thing i do have to pick a bone at is the elbow plates, they're kinda strange to me just floating around but it would be nice to see some sort of strip attaching them to the arms.

also: having the young female's horns growing in the same direction as the adult one would probably be a good idea.

[dragonflie]

madhatta@ Ahah, I noticed myself that the elbow pads were floating the other day xD Didn't bother saying it though, was going to fix it.

Ya, I was going to make it so that they grow in the same direction, so that we can tell what gender they are when they are kids.

Thanks everyone for the comments!

[keda]

very kick ass character sketches!
i love them as they are!

[tyzue]

I wouldn't say that's embarassing at all. The biggest mistake people make when they create stylized characters is when they make the proportions look off. It's like the saying.. If you're going to break a rule, you've got to understand it first.
I often times see people draw a creative looking character but the body seems off. Even though it's stylized and it's supposed to be "cartoony"; there is still a certain level of proportion that goes with it.

I think you did a great job capturing a very interesting style of character and still maintaining a firm delivery of proportion. I love the outfit. It reminds me of a Twilight Princess feels. Aztec-ish but not.. I really like it

I'm curious to know how the masks stay on?