Long discussion about portraits (BG vs BG2), as well as the choice for BG:EE portraits...
Greenpakto
Member Posts: 80
Honestly I am dissapointed in Dorn as well as Rasaad, in terms of the art they got. Ive always been a HUGE fan of the REALISTIC style of portaits for BG, and I only play with similar custom portraits myself. Dorn and Rasaad is quite the misfits compared to BG portraits (Neera actually stays true to BG). BG is NOT BG2, and Dorn and Rasaad is not a good choice of artstyle, IMO...
It couldnt have been that hard to find a proffesional artist to make baldurized portraits (keeping the art true to the first game)... Just take a look at these artists that work in their spare time (below), for their personal fun and learning process. They have managed to mimic BG artstyle quite well id say.
The top portrait is for obvious reasons, ten times better pick for Dorn (I realizy the model is a celeb, but this is how Dorn should have been painted as). Artist is AfroShero/MiLeah (can be found at deviantart as FTG386).
MiLeah btw, was a GOD with baldurized photos.
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Top portrait would have worked a lot better for Rasaad. Artist is "Lava DelVortel" (can be found at deviantart).
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Id say this person have managed to mimic BG style as well. Artist is Enkida. (can be found at deviantart).
Honestly HIRE these guys/gals for BG2:EE, and to rework Dorn and Rasaad. For any future portraits actually.
What do you other people say about this anyway? Am I alone in these thoughts?
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PS: Personally I prefer the artstyle of BG over BG2, simply because I like the more "realistic" touch in the first game, where its obvious real-life models have been used. In the BG portraits they also show their hands, hats and weapons more, making them more "different looking" from eachother. Having talked with a sparetime-artist, these portraits are harder to make, partly because the difficulty of bringing life to the armour/weapons. Its best if the model already has an "outfit/armour" on them when "turned" into a portrait, compared to BG2 the outfits can be painted by hand with more ease. I do admit that some of the girls are more attractive in the second game, but I still dont like the "painted" style of BG2 portraits (IMO feel somewhat cartoony at times).
As it is now I dont want Dorn (espacially) and Rasaad in my party, simply because I usually pick companions for their looks first and class second.
It couldnt have been that hard to find a proffesional artist to make baldurized portraits (keeping the art true to the first game)... Just take a look at these artists that work in their spare time (below), for their personal fun and learning process. They have managed to mimic BG artstyle quite well id say.
The top portrait is for obvious reasons, ten times better pick for Dorn (I realizy the model is a celeb, but this is how Dorn should have been painted as). Artist is AfroShero/MiLeah (can be found at deviantart as FTG386).
MiLeah btw, was a GOD with baldurized photos.
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Top portrait would have worked a lot better for Rasaad. Artist is "Lava DelVortel" (can be found at deviantart).
---
Id say this person have managed to mimic BG style as well. Artist is Enkida. (can be found at deviantart).
Honestly HIRE these guys/gals for BG2:EE, and to rework Dorn and Rasaad. For any future portraits actually.
What do you other people say about this anyway? Am I alone in these thoughts?
-------------
PS: Personally I prefer the artstyle of BG over BG2, simply because I like the more "realistic" touch in the first game, where its obvious real-life models have been used. In the BG portraits they also show their hands, hats and weapons more, making them more "different looking" from eachother. Having talked with a sparetime-artist, these portraits are harder to make, partly because the difficulty of bringing life to the armour/weapons. Its best if the model already has an "outfit/armour" on them when "turned" into a portrait, compared to BG2 the outfits can be painted by hand with more ease. I do admit that some of the girls are more attractive in the second game, but I still dont like the "painted" style of BG2 portraits (IMO feel somewhat cartoony at times).
As it is now I dont want Dorn (espacially) and Rasaad in my party, simply because I usually pick companions for their looks first and class second.
Post edited by Greenpakto on
2
Comments
You do realise that the majority (think one or two might be genuine) of the portraits you uploaded are photo manipulations in some form or another?
You also realise that the BG2 portraits were likely -not- easier to paint than the original BG portraits? I even have my suspicions that the original BG portraits were photo manipulations in some way or form (without proof however :P). The BG2 portraits were painted from the ground up as far as I can tell, likely using certain models and actors as a base. I am telling you this as an artist myself - Photo manipulated portraits (BG1) are -not- harder to paint than artwork painted from scratch (BG2, BG:EE).
And yes, he still makes that face.
You can never please everyone when it comes to art and design. That's just a reality. I applaud Overhaul for doing something unique and distinctive with their art style, personal taste aside.
There is no argument here, because these things can't be argued about rationally. There's tons of quality art out there to cater exactly to the tastes of every single player, and I think we can leave it at that.
Anyway, I am cricitsing the ART, not the artists themselves. Some artists cant do the type of art that BG presented, simply because its hard to mimic the orgiginal artists realistic style.
And OF COURSE its photo manipulation, EVERY portrait in the orginal game was from a "picture". The models were mostly from friends to the artists, and from the developers team. Photo manipulation IS also art, just as "any" other style is. You do realise that yes?
Some photo manipulations are easier than others. The BG style is HARD to mimic." EntropyXII ", try it and you will see.
Anyway, yes they cant cater to every ones taste. But because it was for BG1 I would have preferred original style for the new chars.
I take what I said above back. The BG1 portraits were professionally and expertly done, but that does not remove the fact they were photo manipulations which essentially do not hold a candle towards artwork painted from scratch.
Ah, I get what you are saying. I guess I can get rid of that sentence, since it indeed isNT constructive. Of course with all art, it depends on the indvidual, and what the person is specialised at.
But still. BG portraits are insanely hard to mimic. You are free to send me an example portrait, because if you have managed to mimic it, I would like to see it
You're welcome to have a look:
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/18003/exii-baldur-s-gate-portrait-artwork-update-1-new-portrait-female-blackguard/p3
I have them all set up in a downloadable portrait pack if you want:
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/19032/exii-baldur-s-gate-portrait-pack#latest
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