@BlueSorceress: That's actually quite good for "meager" Photoshop skills! If you're looking to improve, it depends on what you're aiming to do. A BG1 style would require raising the contrast heavily and adding shadows across the model's face. You would also raise the contrast a bit for a BG2 style, but also soften many of the details. The best advice I could give would simply be to experiment with Photoshop's tools and try different techniques to see if you like the result.
If you'd like someone else to take a crack at it (I recall another person mentioning liking the photo), simply upload the scan and I'm sure someone will try.
Whew! Took me a long time to get back to this...
@Isandir - Thank you. I appreciate the advice and the encouragement.
I only have access to Photoshop when my boss sends my work computer home with me over the weekend, and I don't know when the next time that will be is, so any further edits on my part will have to wait until then. I might try playing with the contrast in GIMP if it looks like it's going to be a long wait.
I've attached my scan to this post so that some other interested party can take a crack at this young lady in the interim.
I'm sorry if I offended you, but come on, did you look at him? Long flowing hair, soulful pose in front of a full moon (and what IS he doing with that scythe), brooding look. Front cover material for "Pansy Elves Monthly" right there.
On a side note there should be a law preventing people who don't know who Magus is to post on anything video game related.
Speaking as a girl who likes 'pansy', 'bishounen' looking elves, I wouldn't have guessed that was Magus if you hadn't posted it, honestly. He lost like, a ton of muscle tone in that fanart. Official art of him is quite ripped, not so much 'thin pretty boy brooding soulfully with his scythe in a weird position in the moonlight'.
Personally, I sort of prefer the 'thin pretty boy brooding soulfully with his scythe in a weird position in the moonlight', but Magus? Really?
lol took you some time :P But I have an excuse, I'm chaotic neutral!
On a side note there should be a law preventing people who don't know who Magus is to post on anything video game related.
Is chaotic neutral, speaks about enforcing laws. Critisize us for choice of BG Portraits, posts lousy version of Chrono Trigger's Magus. Not sure if serious
To be honest, I didn't know who Magus is and had to google it. I don't like this kind of art, nor do I like anything anime related. I searched deviant art for portraits of Magus and found none BG material. These 2 portraits looked a bit better than the others and could be cropped to 210x330, is all. At least I learned about Chrono Trigger, not my cup of tea.
Well, the second one looks ripped, at least. First one might still be a bit too pretty boy, but there is some muscle definition there, I think. Ah, whatever. I like them.
...Couldn't imagine using a recognizable face as a portrait for BG, though. I try to avoid overly famous celebrity portraits for that same reason.
Worry not Nano it takes more than such petty stuff to offend me lol
Twani, he didn't lose muscle, he just was redrawn without the 'over muscled dragonball look' that didn't make sense with his general personality and story anyway
Foggy that first one isn't good, he looks much too young and inexperienced. The second one is more like it, but the drawing style is boring and undetailed. Blurry face no thanks. Red pupil is ridiculous.
Edit; Oh by the way Twani, you maybe have seen the 'original' art, but you seem to forget that when you get Magus in the game... He's brooding soulfully with his scythe at the top of a cliff. Carry on comrade lolol
Enkida just posted a link in the Spellhold Studios forum today. Apparently Adobe has released Photoshop CS2 as freeware! Though I haven't used it in quite a while, I think CS2 has most of the tools I use in CS6 when making portraits, and you obviously can't beat the price. I would suggest that those of you who have expressed an interest in portrait making download a copy and get started. (Here's your chance, @Heindrich1988!)
Also, I've had a lot of requests coming in recently, including many through my website and PM, so I apologize if I don't get to some of them posted here. I do add pictures to my list, though, and will work on them eventually if no one else does. (I did note your requests as well, @jdemast and @tyrant009.)
Finally, I've been playing computer and video games since the 80s, and I had no idea of who Magus was. I guess that means I'm not a true gamer in addition to being unable to create portraits of characters who would survive in Baldur's Gate.
I also have no idea who Magus is. I maybe 'Asian', but I don't play many Asian games at all. I just ignore fanboys when they make statements like that.
It's like me saying "You haven't read fantasy literature until you've read 天龍八部, you haven't seen a badass hero until you've seen 喬峰!!!"
I also have no idea who Magus is. I maybe 'Asian', but I don't play many Asian games at all. I just ignore fanboys when they make statements like that.
You should verify what the definition of ignoring means lol
I don't really play Japanese RPGs but I can honestly say I love Chrono Trigger. The story is a bit mental but the gameplay, graphics and music are great. It was released at the zenith of Sprite-based tech, just before things turned to horrible, clunky early 3D.
It got released on the Nintendo DS a while back and if you own one it's definitely worth tracking down, though from the looks of things the iOS version is bugged to hell.
I find both sides of this almost debate silly. There's nothing wrong with Japanese (or Chinese, or Korean) anime, gaming, literature, art, and so on (and in truth, I'd say someone who hasn't read Romance of the Three Kingdoms is missing a great piece of classical literature, just like I'd say of someone who never read a play of Shakespeare). On the other hand, claiming people who don't know who a character in a Japanese video game that came out fifteen some years ago on a console four or so generations old shouldn't be posting on a site for a completely different genre of video games is ridiculous.
(For the record, Chrono Trigger was fun enough, but nothing truly groundbreaking, in my opinion. Sure, if you're bored and want a good RPG from the SNES days, grab the DS version, but despite what some fans will insist, you're not missing the greatest story ever told or anything. It's a pretty basic and predictable plot with pretty stereotypical characters.)
And none of this has anything to do with portraits, anyway, unless we're trying to decide if we should use Magnus as a portrait for BG. In which: he's not going to fit in very well. Not very well at *all*.
Well I'm not sure we can call it even that, it's more a case of something that escaped from the de'Arnise keep baiting a couple statements... though looking at it now it is starting to take up quite a bit of this thread page...
I find both sides of this almost debate silly. (blabla) On the other hand, claiming people who don't know who a character in a Japanese video game that came out fifteen some years ago on a console four or so generations old shouldn't be posting on a site for a completely different genre of video games is ridiculous. (blabla some more) In which: he's not going to fit in very well. Not very well at *all*.
Dude the ridiculous thing here is that you're taking all of this so seriously and think that my remark was completely serious and to be taken to the first degree, which was obviously not the case. So go on and say Magus wouldnt fit in very well at all. Looking at your perception level you wouldn't even fit as a commoner in the game's villages rofl
(and in truth, I'd say someone who hasn't read Romance of the Three Kingdoms is missing a great piece of classical literature, just like I'd say of someone who never read a play of Shakespeare).
@Twani A girl who's read 三国演义?! O_o You must be Chinese right??
I am ashamed to say that I've only watched the TV series, both the classic version from the 90s, and also the more recent one from a few years ago.
This wonderful thread is getting derailed... So to bring it back to art...
I love this collection of pictures of characters from Legend of the Condor Heroes. I'm pretty sure they are photo-manipulations, but sadly I haven't been able to find larger version.
Dude the ridiculous thing here is that you're taking all of this so seriously and think that my remark was completely serious and to be taken to the first degree, which was obviously not the case. So go on and say Magus wouldnt fit in very well at all. Looking at your perception level you wouldn't even fit as a commoner in the game's villages rofl
Somehow, I think I'd fit in better then you. I'd be a fantastic bard, honestly.
Well, I'd like to think I qualify as a woman, not a girl, most of the time (unless I'm mooning over dainty pretty boy elves, apparently). But no, I'm not Chinese, though I have some skill with speaking it and reading it (though I certainly wouldn't say like a native!). I wanted to learn something interesting back in middle school when language options were opened up, and I already had a pretty good grasp of Spanish because of where I grew up, so... Chinese it was! I have an okay grasp of Japanese as well, though I definitely need to improve it (and I freely admit part of the reason I studied Japanese was to understand Japanese dramas and anime when they first came out rather then waiting for someone to sub them, though I'm sure someone or other is going to find that pathetic of me). Now I'd like to learn Korean. So many movies and kdramas I want to see!
As for portraits, I'm sure everyone's seen them, but some of my favorite are the paintBG ones by Arta. Over at spellhold studios- http://www.shsforums.net/topic/55677-paintbg-introduction-and-samples/ . They'll replace every NPC in the game uniform-like, making for everyone looking similiar in an Icewind Dale like style. Will they fit in with what the game already provides? No, but as every NPC is done (including Hexxet, for those wondering) and there's a good selection of player portraits, it doesn't matter. I install it for some games, uninstall it for others. I find it gives BG a refreshingly different look.
@Astafas can you please make the head of the moonelf a little bit smaller? It's really good as it is though, I'm not saying otherwise just to be clear.
@Illustair, sure, I can do a special version for you (please don't repost it though, as I think the current size is actually correct). Armor or robe? :-)
My next one is another mod NPC being developed by Raven. (What's your handle here on the forum, Raven?) He's a chaotic neutral thief for BG1, and the character concept is refreshingly roguish. The model I used was the same one I used for Conchobhair (as another sketch of the character referred to him), but I added the longer hair and changed some of features a bit. I think he turned out well, and I may steal him to use as a blade for a new game...assuming I'll actually get further than the Friendly Arm Inn this time.
@vierrae: You've been developing your own style based on the portraits you've posted, and I for one like it. You blend the image really well while still preserving a lot of the detail. (Also, that link for the model is hilarious.)
Comments
@Isandir - Thank you. I appreciate the advice and the encouragement.
I only have access to Photoshop when my boss sends my work computer home with me over the weekend, and I don't know when the next time that will be is, so any further edits on my part will have to wait until then. I might try playing with the contrast in GIMP if it looks like it's going to be a long wait.
I've attached my scan to this post so that some other interested party can take a crack at this young lady in the interim.
-Blue
On a side note there should be a law preventing people who don't know who Magus is to post on anything video game related.
Personally, I sort of prefer the 'thin pretty boy brooding soulfully with his scythe in a weird position in the moonlight', but Magus? Really?
Critisize us for choice of BG Portraits, posts lousy version of Chrono Trigger's Magus.
Not sure if serious
To be honest, I didn't know who Magus is and had to google it. I don't like this kind of art, nor do I like anything anime related. I searched deviant art for portraits of Magus and found none BG material. These 2 portraits looked a bit better than the others and could be cropped to 210x330, is all. At least I learned about Chrono Trigger, not my cup of tea.
...Couldn't imagine using a recognizable face as a portrait for BG, though. I try to avoid overly famous celebrity portraits for that same reason.
Twani, he didn't lose muscle, he just was redrawn without the 'over muscled dragonball look' that didn't make sense with his general personality and story anyway
Foggy that first one isn't good, he looks much too young and inexperienced. The second one is more like it, but the drawing style is boring and undetailed. Blurry face no thanks. Red pupil is ridiculous.
Edit; Oh by the way Twani, you maybe have seen the 'original' art, but you seem to forget that when you get Magus in the game... He's brooding soulfully with his scythe at the top of a cliff. Carry on comrade lolol
Also, I've had a lot of requests coming in recently, including many through my website and PM, so I apologize if I don't get to some of them posted here. I do add pictures to my list, though, and will work on them eventually if no one else does. (I did note your requests as well, @jdemast and @tyrant009.)
Finally, I've been playing computer and video games since the 80s, and I had no idea of who Magus was. I guess that means I'm not a true gamer in addition to being unable to create portraits of characters who would survive in Baldur's Gate.
Thanks for the heads-up!
I also have no idea who Magus is. I maybe 'Asian', but I don't play many Asian games at all. I just ignore fanboys when they make statements like that.
It's like me saying "You haven't read fantasy literature until you've read 天龍八部, you haven't seen a badass hero until you've seen 喬峰!!!"
Oh man, leading ants to their graves always is such fun. *Takes a soulfull pose holding a scythe* rofl
It got released on the Nintendo DS a while back and if you own one it's definitely worth tracking down, though from the looks of things the iOS version is bugged to hell.
Hmm. I should probably post a portrait...
(For the record, Chrono Trigger was fun enough, but nothing truly groundbreaking, in my opinion. Sure, if you're bored and want a good RPG from the SNES days, grab the DS version, but despite what some fans will insist, you're not missing the greatest story ever told or anything. It's a pretty basic and predictable plot with pretty stereotypical characters.)
And none of this has anything to do with portraits, anyway, unless we're trying to decide if we should use Magnus as a portrait for BG. In which: he's not going to fit in very well. Not very well at *all*.
Okay back to topic, I'm making an illusionist mage, and this is going to be what he looks like to others.
Edit; Click to enlarge for the full brain melting effect.
More portraits!
A girl who's read 三国演义?! O_o You must be Chinese right??
I am ashamed to say that I've only watched the TV series, both the classic version from the 90s, and also the more recent one from a few years ago.
This wonderful thread is getting derailed... So to bring it back to art...
http://z3.invisionfree.com/HU_GE_GE/ar/t2738.htm
I love this collection of pictures of characters from Legend of the Condor Heroes. I'm pretty sure they are photo-manipulations, but sadly I haven't been able to find larger version.
@Heindrich1988
Well, I'd like to think I qualify as a woman, not a girl, most of the time (unless I'm mooning over dainty pretty boy elves, apparently). But no, I'm not Chinese, though I have some skill with speaking it and reading it (though I certainly wouldn't say like a native!). I wanted to learn something interesting back in middle school when language options were opened up, and I already had a pretty good grasp of Spanish because of where I grew up, so... Chinese it was! I have an okay grasp of Japanese as well, though I definitely need to improve it (and I freely admit part of the reason I studied Japanese was to understand Japanese dramas and anime when they first came out rather then waiting for someone to sub them, though I'm sure someone or other is going to find that pathetic of me). Now I'd like to learn Korean. So many movies and kdramas I want to see!
As for portraits, I'm sure everyone's seen them, but some of my favorite are the paintBG ones by Arta. Over at spellhold studios- http://www.shsforums.net/topic/55677-paintbg-introduction-and-samples/ . They'll replace every NPC in the game uniform-like, making for everyone looking similiar in an Icewind Dale like style. Will they fit in with what the game already provides? No, but as every NPC is done (including Hexxet, for those wondering) and there's a good selection of player portraits, it doesn't matter. I install it for some games, uninstall it for others. I find it gives BG a refreshingly different look.
@vierrae: You've been developing your own style based on the portraits you've posted, and I for one like it. You blend the image really well while still preserving a lot of the detail. (Also, that link for the model is hilarious.)