SK's Skins - Update: Air Raid - 18/3/07

Spectral Knight · February 25, 2007, 01:44:19 AM

Well, it's been a while since I last posted here, and I sort of drifted away from skinning over the last couple of months, but here's two new originals, the Golden Age hero of the British Isles - Johnny Bull, and the hi-tech vigilante, FearSight.

Carravaggio · February 25, 2007, 06:34:12 AM

great stuff, love the design on Johnny Bull, and Fearsight is no slouch either.

great line work around the metal bits on FearSight, and nice colour choice for the metallic sections, very vibrant. i really like the design and its good to see some non C6 base use as well.
as much as i like johnny bull i reckon he'd go better on a more unique mesh, like renegade's golen age mr. terriffic or something, cos the mesh you're using is kinds default. absolutely top line work on him tho, especially around the boots, and great reds and blues on the boots.
the face looks like a default C6er tho (i could be wrong) and while i like the idea of the symbol, i don't think the fade is strong enough an idea to work. nic try tho.
my main grip on JB is the grey u have used for his legs, its too weak, or uneven. im not sure whet that groove is on top of his upper leg, it looks outta place. i reckon you should smooth it out and darken the legs. personally i think black would go well. finally his top looks like you have placed wrinkles on his shoulders to show its looser than traditional spandex (i think, well thats what it looks like to me...) and yeat his abs are very defined. maybe you could look at skins that depict shirt like tops and costumes to get a feel of how to tackle that golden age look.

Don't despair tho, i stand by my original comments, these two skins rock. keep up the good work and i hope we get to see more soon!

Spectral Knight · February 25, 2007, 10:48:27 AM

The mesh is a hexed version of the Vxmale_2, mainly because I love the Vx series, and the collar and belt with square buckle screamed out GA Bucky to me, which is somewhat of an influence on the design. Will have a look at Renegade's Mr Terrific mesh as reccommended though, if it's got the same sort of feel I might transfer it out.

Shame you didn't like the faded logo - that's my favourite part, mainly because it's not got the clean precise edges of a lot of comic logos, it's almost sprayed on signage - although I can understand why you might not like it. I do appreciate what you meant about the abdominable muscles though, it doesn't quite fit with the wrinkles - the extra leg details were an attempt to break away from the my usual base skins, by applying extra depth to the C6 costume base, although on second thoughts, it doesn't look quite right. Thanks for pointing that out! As a side note, the face is a modified C6 base, with added work on the cheeks and mouth/nose area (more shadows on the nose, and chin, less highlights), I was aiming for a grim, almost scrunched up face, not sure how well it came off though :unsure:

Thanks for the critique/compliments, t'is appreciated :)

UnkoMan · February 25, 2007, 07:46:32 PM

I could tell it wasn't a plain c6 base. One thing off though... the nose shadow ends up looking like a mustache. Bring that up and in a bit. And the mask could use some of those fancy seam lines around the edges. Also, I think you can do wrinkles up above and defined muscles below... It just takes a bit of work. And your red highlights are a bit white for my taste. Some people like it, but I end up making it more orange or pink or something, if I can't get it light enough.

As for FearSight... something doesn't sit right about his skin colour. I think you need a bit brighter highlights maybe. I love that costume though. Is the... Is the blue gonna have a bit of glow on it? Watch out, if you do, since glow tends to cause details to dissapear.

But good skins. You coming back? Hard? I hope so.

Carravaggio · February 25, 2007, 10:51:16 PM

Quote from: Spectral Knight on February 25, 2007, 10:48:27 AM

Shame you didn't like the faded logo - that's my favourite part, mainly because it's not got the clean precise edges of a lot of comic logos, it's almost sprayed on signage -

i thought so, in that case might i suggest using the smudge tool to fray the edges unevenly so it looks like its been painted on the shirt? as it is the fact that it is faded via computer is glaringly obvious. i like the idea, but the execution is like when you see 2D graphics in a 2D cartoon, it looks outta place. experiment with it a bit, its a good idea.

Spectral Knight · February 26, 2007, 01:10:06 AM

Well...it looks like I've got some work to do to get the wrinkles and definition on the muscle right. I think I'll leave it for these skins, and use them as a reference for what NOT to do next time...thanks for the tips though, guys. The mask on Johnny Bull is actually a seperate part of the mesh, which is why I didn't add the extra seam lines. On the next skin, I'll try and get this nailed, I really want a useful base varient of my own.

Am I coming back? Well, I'll still be posting work up as and when it's finished, FearSight was actually completed a few months back, but it seemed there was some trouble with the boards, so I left displaying till JB was finished.

Spectral Knight · March 03, 2007, 02:07:25 AM

This is an original varient of founding X-Men and X-Factor member Angel. I tried to go for a combination between the more practical and seam filled look of Kia Asiyama's design for Warren, and his classic blue and white design. I tried a new things on this skin, with a greater array of seam styles than normal, and I put a quite a bit of work into the face to give Angel the look of someone who's been through as much as he has.

The wings are just a recolour of the default skin provided with the mesh, by Paradox. Didn't have any contact details for them with the mesh, but if they're around, and object to this, I'll be happy to delete the wings files at release.

BatWing · March 03, 2007, 10:50:05 AM

awsome angel spectral knight :thumbup:

Lord Elcorion · March 03, 2007, 04:30:35 PM

actually, Paradox is no longer with us.. he passed away tragiclly last year..

Spectral Knight · March 04, 2007, 12:06:58 AM

:(

I think it would be best to not include the wings file then on release. Never knew them, so I wouldn't know what their take on such things would be, but I wouldn't want to disrepect them in any way.

Shame, the skins I saw from Paradox looked great.

Lord Elcorion · March 04, 2007, 03:20:27 PM

indeed. he was a very well respected and well liked member of the comunity, with a lot of friends amoung the older members. his passing was a loss felt by nearly every member on these boards, even those of us that didn't know him so well.

The Pwime · March 04, 2007, 03:36:18 PM

Quote from: Lord Elcorion on March 04, 2007, 03:20:27 PM
indeed. he was a very well respected and well liked member of the comunity, with a lot of friends amoung the older members. his passing was a loss felt by nearly every member on these boards, even those of us that didn't know him so well.

man, i thought that he just left the community or retired from skinning.

this saddens me to hear. :(

Spectral Knight · March 10, 2007, 07:13:46 AM

New original character - The Rune. The premise behind this character is that he was an obsessive archaeologist who was obsessed with mythical civilizations. Twenty years and increased isolation from the Establishment left him isolated and confused. In a fit of despair, he threw his shovel to the floor of a dig that has uncovered next to nothing, only for it to strike the sound of metal. Digging up an artifact, the archaeologist suddenly felt swarms of knowledge flood into his mind, memories of long gone civilizations and people.

That wasn't the only thing entering him though, he soon the felt reams of power flood from the artifact into his body as he cradled and examined it. It became apparent that it was some kind of rune, from a long dead language. Re-engergised with both knowledge and power, and somehow understanding the demands of the rune, he became a hero, taking his name from that which made him anew.

Revenant · March 10, 2007, 08:12:22 AM

The Rune has some great shading done on the face.. that is a VX_Vision mesh, right?

The Pwime · March 10, 2007, 08:21:20 AM

man that's awesome... :o

i did notice something though, and I don't think it was intentional: his right thumb is pink.

Spectral Knight · March 10, 2007, 08:50:19 AM

You're right - t'wasn't internetional - oops! Still, only a minor correction, that's now been changed - thanks for pointing it out.

UnkoMan · March 10, 2007, 03:03:12 PM

Neat. That's one unique look. And those little wrinkles are great. Same with the Angel skin.

These are great skins. I'm glad to see you using more than male basic. The VX meshes seem to really work well for you.

Man, the more I look at this Rune fella, the more I love him. He's totally rad.

Carravaggio · March 10, 2007, 03:33:19 PM

He makes pink, purple and rose fashionable!
But seriously this is another great skin from you, SK. I especially like:
the high contrast symbol, it really stands out
how you are adding wrinkles etc. to alter the original base
the white peaks on his flanks, thats a great design element
the mesh choice
the fact that you accidently left the thumb the wrong colour...i do that all the time!

Now rune sounds like a mysterious, ancient sort of character/name...in ancient time there was a bit of face painting tribal marking type things going on...Rune has a mask with these pink spidey/spawn eyes...so i think that it would look cool if you skinned actual eyes on over top of the pink shapes on his mask to make them look like markings...kindalike spawn has:

Now this is just a guy feeling, because TO ME, design wise his eyes look unfinished.
Nonetheless its a great skin, i hope to see more from you soon.

Lord Elcorion · March 10, 2007, 03:35:31 PM

most excellent skin! i could see this guy teaming up with my elcorion to put the hurt on mystic baddies all over the world.

The Enigma · March 11, 2007, 03:16:45 AM

For a guy with the knowledge of the ages, I can't help but feel the 'R' on the costume is a bit cheesy... Kinda like Galactus having that 'G' on his belt. Otherwise, it's a perfectly good skin.

Carravaggio · March 11, 2007, 03:37:41 AM

good point, maybe an actual rune of some sort would be the ticket. i'm sure a google image search on runes would yeild a large number of likely candidates.

Spectral Knight · March 11, 2007, 12:34:48 PM

Thanks for the compliments guys! :D

In regards to the great feedback, I've made some changes, as seen below. The R has been replaced by an inverted rune (flipped so that it matches the line of the costume more) - Led Zep fans might recognise it from the Led Zep IV cover. Quite interestingly, it's said to represent a person of confidence and competence, which fits the bearer of knowledge gimmick quite well, although I only picked it 'cause it looked nice! Also added eyes to the mask area.

Lord Elcorion · March 11, 2007, 02:10:34 PM

the eyes and rune really look good, makes an already awsome skin just about perfect. i can't really think of anything to improve on it now.

Carravaggio · March 11, 2007, 03:37:48 PM

now that is tidy. any chance of a hero file accompanying him upon release?

The Pwime · March 11, 2007, 04:13:33 PM

hehe, i knew that rune looked familiar.

the eyes also look better now with the...actual eyes. and I thought they even looked pretty good before...so this is great.

Revenant · March 13, 2007, 04:59:37 PM

I forgot to mention, I love the "fade" effect you did for Johnny Bull's logo. Whether you want to scuff it up to look like paint is up to you. To me, it looks like either an airbrush artist worked on it, or its some form of advanced print work. It's very distinctive.

Superhero costumes have always been mysterious and cool, leaving you wondering how they are made.

Spectral Knight · March 14, 2007, 02:06:33 AM

Thanks Rev! It's amazing what a simple feathered selection can do :)

Spectral Knight · March 18, 2007, 03:27:10 AM

Yet another new original (I'm enjoying doing my own costume designs much more now!) this was sort of inspired by the resurgence of Nova in Annihlation, so I wanted to do a space-based hero, but with a look that screamed practicality, which is why I've gone for the Motorcross-like leathers. So without further delay, meet Air Raid.

TAP43 · March 18, 2007, 05:02:47 AM

That's really nice, I like the way you did the motor cross look. Have you thought about using a full face helmet since he a space hero or would that be too motor cross. Anyway great looking skin and I think Rune looks cool. I see you really like the Vertex meshes, but looking at Rune but with the high boots and gloves and such. I thought it might work on a Beyonder mesh I know he has a high boots gloves cape mid collar mesh. I hope you don't take that wrong I just have been looking at all the meshes I have lately and that came to mind. I know that some meshes are easy to get used to using so don't mind me just keep up the great stuff.

Carravaggio · March 18, 2007, 05:07:59 AM

Damn dude, thats really really good.
i look forward to you posting new skins, i'm really enjoying your original characters.
Air raid: Cool name, great design, excellent wrinkle work, nice colours.
Overall a winner. i'll be getting this guy for sure.
I'd either skin the helm so it looks more metallic (by using a metallic texture) or make a nice smooth reflect layer to show the helmey is metallic. its the only flat/dull point of an otherwise outstanding skin.
keep'em coming