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Artwork (Digital) / Portraits
Species Wolf
Gender Male
Size 1675 x 1675
File Size 1.82 MB
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Here is the head, at full resolution. Painting this for a PDF at print resolution may be partially why this is so slow, but I don't have instincts to paint very loose. While I admire the impressionists, I prefer the academics like William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, and John Singer Sargent. (and later, copmmercial Illustrators like J.C. Leyendacker, and Maxfield Parish), and so I tend to work fairly tight. I am probably going to try a few Humans as practice later, but we shall see. Information is the same as the last piece. R U G G E L S / 2 0 1 8
Category Artwork (Digital) / Portraits
Species Wolf
Gender Male
Size 1675 x 1675px
File Size 1.82 MB
still gotta love the armor, i can the influence of nearly 1500 years of armor in this one. Excellent looking as allways.
But the Signatur on his cuirasses collar makes me wonder, is that that the signum of the Armourer who made the armor, or is there a deeper meaning behind the A O R with the tree in the center?
But the Signatur on his cuirasses collar makes me wonder, is that that the signum of the Armourer who made the armor, or is there a deeper meaning behind the A O R with the tree in the center?
The Lettering on the gorget stands for "Arminius Rex" The lupine King in the Asheru Stories. The main Influence for his armor is Byzantine, but yes there are pieces and techniques from all over, But the use of Bronze was to make it feel like it'ws just on the border of the late classical period, but before the dark ages. This was a period of time without surcoats, and Magnus is the King's man, for the expedition east. I also needed a straight up Lupine Fighter for the RPG book and Magnus fit the bill.
To be honest, what really catches my eyes is his belt, as trivial as may sound, but it reminds me of a image from one of books about medieval/ Renaissance weapons and armor, where english knights of the early 15th century are shown, wearing similar ornamented belts.
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Also, is he wearing any form of padding under his armor? Like a roman-style Subarmalia or another kind of gambeson?
?
Also, is he wearing any form of padding under his armor? Like a roman-style Subarmalia or another kind of gambeson?
The belt is actually Roman styled, but the styles come and go. Apparently each link, one could store a coin in, and some of my characters will have either a double wrapped set of links or two belts to show off their wealth. (and it's not like you can cut and steal a metal belt). More secure than a belt pouch, or purse.
as for padding, yes. it's not heavy padding, because he has fur, but it's there mostly to distribute impacts, and keep his fur from catching on the mail. the garment is a duck weight canvas jacket with long sleeves. but with a V collar, so not to promote overheating. I think there was a tiny series of sketches showing Magnus suiting up, stage by stage to explain how the armor worked.
as for padding, yes. it's not heavy padding, because he has fur, but it's there mostly to distribute impacts, and keep his fur from catching on the mail. the garment is a duck weight canvas jacket with long sleeves. but with a V collar, so not to promote overheating. I think there was a tiny series of sketches showing Magnus suiting up, stage by stage to explain how the armor worked.
The cool lighting on the armor is with red undershirt and the blue sash beneath the sword belt is fantastic!!
This is just gorgeous! I love the detail work on the armor and fur.
I hope you draw some lupine cataphracti or clibanarii some day.
I hope you draw some lupine cataphracti or clibanarii some day.
I have to paint some Lupine Legionnaires for the book (with a human officer). The problem with lupine Cataphracts, is that horses and mules don't like them, and the Lupines prefer walking to riding (unless its in carts). Saddles and tails, especially impact rated saddles would be painful for long periods of time. (Note the use of Roman Chairs by civilized lupines, and tripod camp chairs in the field). Besides, a Horse would make a fine meal for an extended family of Lupines. Imperial Mules, though. Their tempers flare around Lupines and the only safe way a Lupine can bring one down is through archery or artillery. XD.
he better be wearing a good gambison underneath or he will be hurting with the armor joints catching his fur...
Quoted from an above answer
as for padding, yes. it's not heavy padding, because he has fur, but it's there mostly to distribute impacts, and keep his fur from catching on the mail. the garment is a duck weight canvas jacket with long sleeves. but with a V collar, so not to promote overheating. I think there was a tiny series of sketches showing Magnus suiting up, stage by stage to explain how the armor worked.
as for padding, yes. it's not heavy padding, because he has fur, but it's there mostly to distribute impacts, and keep his fur from catching on the mail. the garment is a duck weight canvas jacket with long sleeves. but with a V collar, so not to promote overheating. I think there was a tiny series of sketches showing Magnus suiting up, stage by stage to explain how the armor worked.
Magnus' expression is, of course, the whole story here for him. The eyes and ears make his attitude and emotions clear.
Everybody has talked up the armor (and frankly, I don't know as much about it as I'd like), but what gets through to me is some of the mechanics of the picture. The wall at Magnus' left and rear looks solid enough and three-dimensional, if with a slight snowflake pattern I find oddly appealing. The back wall, however, is the masterstroke. I didn't really notice it in the large scale, but it neither did it vanish into the gloom nor loom large in my visual cortex... But here, here I can see it for what it is, and what it is is a quick and dirty texture that looks like a hand-laid, carefully cut and dressed stone wall.
You mentioned the Impressionists -- well, the hazy background wall is all of that. In the large image my mind says 'stone' but here it says, 'huh, stage dressing'. And that's what working smarter is all about.
Everybody has talked up the armor (and frankly, I don't know as much about it as I'd like), but what gets through to me is some of the mechanics of the picture. The wall at Magnus' left and rear looks solid enough and three-dimensional, if with a slight snowflake pattern I find oddly appealing. The back wall, however, is the masterstroke. I didn't really notice it in the large scale, but it neither did it vanish into the gloom nor loom large in my visual cortex... But here, here I can see it for what it is, and what it is is a quick and dirty texture that looks like a hand-laid, carefully cut and dressed stone wall.
You mentioned the Impressionists -- well, the hazy background wall is all of that. In the large image my mind says 'stone' but here it says, 'huh, stage dressing'. And that's what working smarter is all about.
Can we get a similar image of Asheru? But suddenly she has long, beautiful, flaxen head hair and thick ish eyelashes, and a feminine disposition?
*Osmosises back into the comments section*
*Osmosises back into the comments section*
Um probably not. That would not be Asheru, now, would it?
*watches you melt back into the walls* "Impressive trick there."
*watches you melt back into the walls* "Impressive trick there."
Haha thank you!
Uh, well, perhaps it's "Asheru's long lost sister with that weird gene that gives her long hair"?
You know, the one who paints her toenails and knows some sweet pop and lock moves?
Uh, well, perhaps it's "Asheru's long lost sister with that weird gene that gives her long hair"?
You know, the one who paints her toenails and knows some sweet pop and lock moves?
I've actually had a problem with "Head hair" on characters, and it separates for me, the difference between "People with animal heads", and "another species". "head hair and plantigrade legs are markers of "human replacement" characters, where the animal features are a trait, or personality marker. Asheru and co, are different from us, so that;''s how I keep them different, digitigrade legs and just standard pelts. I could push them even further, similar to what 
wolf-nymph does, but at that point they would have a different appeal, but the intent is to keep them a distinctly separate species, and that idea, and/ or conflict is what generates stories. They are not human, but they are people, just different.
wolf-nymph does, but at that point they would have a different appeal, but the intent is to keep them a distinctly separate species, and that idea, and/ or conflict is what generates stories. They are not human, but they are people, just different.
Ah that makes a lot of sense, thank you for that!
For me I have seen the spectrum... Anthros with eyes so big there's absolutely no room for a brain (But they are cute to look at) to anthros that are so feral, their lifeless, animal eyes betray nothing more than an instinct to survive that borders on constant violence, with no ability for empathy or love whatsoever. (For me, that takes all the fun out of furry, then they are just awful people with tons and tons of body hair, twice unappealing)
My Naakaanee people originally did not have head- hair. They were much like Asheru's people. But as I began to write more and more about them, I found it better for my stories to have them more relatable. At one point someone pointed out they were just "novelty", animal-headed people put in a story because they were different.
As my stories are love stories, and my anthro wolf people do live with humans, eventually I had to ask myself... What really separates them from us? Why is their society so ordered, caring, and their people so kind compared to us, as humans? So in my time spent with real wolves, and especially understanding dogs and their purpose alongside us, I modeled Naakaanee culture to reflect a selfless, devoted, kind, caring, loving society. Much like my dogs see and treat me like I was the most amazing thing they had ever seen (Every. Single. Day.) and would die for me not because I am worthy of it, but simply because I feed them and show them affection.
The Naakaanee people although technologically more primitive than modern day mankind, have societies much more evolved than our own. Villages DO raise and care for the young, marriages are careful, delicate things that take 3 years of celibate courtship before any decision is made, (And thus compatibility is determined to the point where divorce is nearly unheard of) the sick and disabled are cared for, and love is a priority. If there is a burden with a family, then they all share it. Because they understand that being shitty like humans can be, stealing deprives, anger damages, cruelty alienates. Basically they are everything humanity should be. They are an advanced extension of the wolf pack, working together in all things including love.
It is my hope through my novels to show people that a better way is possible, or, at least, to hope for something better, out there.
For me I have seen the spectrum... Anthros with eyes so big there's absolutely no room for a brain (But they are cute to look at) to anthros that are so feral, their lifeless, animal eyes betray nothing more than an instinct to survive that borders on constant violence, with no ability for empathy or love whatsoever. (For me, that takes all the fun out of furry, then they are just awful people with tons and tons of body hair, twice unappealing)
My Naakaanee people originally did not have head- hair. They were much like Asheru's people. But as I began to write more and more about them, I found it better for my stories to have them more relatable. At one point someone pointed out they were just "novelty", animal-headed people put in a story because they were different.
As my stories are love stories, and my anthro wolf people do live with humans, eventually I had to ask myself... What really separates them from us? Why is their society so ordered, caring, and their people so kind compared to us, as humans? So in my time spent with real wolves, and especially understanding dogs and their purpose alongside us, I modeled Naakaanee culture to reflect a selfless, devoted, kind, caring, loving society. Much like my dogs see and treat me like I was the most amazing thing they had ever seen (Every. Single. Day.) and would die for me not because I am worthy of it, but simply because I feed them and show them affection.
The Naakaanee people although technologically more primitive than modern day mankind, have societies much more evolved than our own. Villages DO raise and care for the young, marriages are careful, delicate things that take 3 years of celibate courtship before any decision is made, (And thus compatibility is determined to the point where divorce is nearly unheard of) the sick and disabled are cared for, and love is a priority. If there is a burden with a family, then they all share it. Because they understand that being shitty like humans can be, stealing deprives, anger damages, cruelty alienates. Basically they are everything humanity should be. They are an advanced extension of the wolf pack, working together in all things including love.
It is my hope through my novels to show people that a better way is possible, or, at least, to hope for something better, out there.
You even got the little scratches and dings in the armor. Marvelous work!
Magnus is a vet. His equipment is clean, but not new. He's not Blaine, he has one Squire/ Apprentice, Philo, to fisx and repair stuff.
The lighting here looks really great, plus.. that chainmail. Had to be annoying to paint. XD Maybe not but for me personally repetitive parts of a piece like a pattern can be a drag. But the end result is really pleasing. :)
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