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Custom PC & NPC Portraits

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  • VasculioVasculio Member Posts: 497
    ibvywt8on0uw.png

    Caelar Argent
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  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    As I like to have my portraits come in pairs, one in the Baldur's Gate I style and the other in the Baldur's Gate II style, I created a new one for Vihane. It was trickier than usual since it's actually based on the exact same photo (as I only had a single one of that model). It's incredibly odd using completely different techniques, colors, and tones after just having done the first one. Everything is being kept as separate layers again, so the elements can be easily tweaked, removed, or switched. Though he's an agent of the Knights of the Shield, I created an alternate already with the symbol of Bhaal for those who may want to use the portrait for their PC.

    Vihane Comparison
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    Separate New Portraits
    Recommendation: resize between 210x330 to 270x425, depending on preference, before placing in Portraits folder to maximize blending with originals

    With Knights of the Shield symbol
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    With Bhaal symbol
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    In-Game Screenshot
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  • skweekyweelskweekyweel Member Posts: 11
    That's absolutely gorgeous. Your portraits have always been my favourite. Thanks for sharing them with us @Isandir
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    That's absolutely gorgeous. Your portraits have always been my favourite. Thanks for sharing them with us @Isandir

    Thanks, @skweekyweel. If people can have their game enriched a little more by imagining a new character with my portraits, it makes it worthwhile.

    If you'd like to use the portrait and the BGI version but want something in particular, just let me know since they're all separate layers now. (Scars and stubble can be "turned off," eye color can be changed, and the weapon and symbol can be changed in the BGI and BGII versions respectively.)
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    edited August 12
    I had made this portrait before playing through the extended editions fully and didn't realize that Baeloth wasn't actually in Baldur's Gate II. It still works for anyone who wants to play a drow rogue or mage, though, and this remastered version blends in better with the default portraits. I perhaps adhered too closely to Mark Meer's expression and make-up with my first version, so I had to tone down this time. There is a second version without the hand for purists who prefer the classic format for the game.

    Also, I still hate trying to "Baldurize" teeth...

    Base Photo & Progression
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    Separate New Portraits
    Recommendation: resize between 210x330 to 270x425, depending on preference, before placing in Portraits folder to maximize blending with originals

    Default
    hzlsix042hks.bmp

    No Hand
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    Baeloth Comparison
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    In-Game Screenshot
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    Post edited by Isandir on
  • skweekyweelskweekyweel Member Posts: 11
    edited August 12
    Isandir wrote: »
    That's absolutely gorgeous. Your portraits have always been my favourite. Thanks for sharing them with us @Isandir

    Thanks, @skweekyweel. If people can have their game enriched a little more by imagining a new character with my portraits, it makes it worthwhile.

    If you'd like to use the portrait and the BGI version but want something in particular, just let me know since they're all separate layers now. (Scars and stubble can be "turned off," eye color can be changed, and the weapon and symbol can be changed in the BGI and BGII versions respectively.)

    Every time I play a new PC, I always find a new portrait (and try to use a unique voiceset too). Yours are my go-to! I'm always hoping you'll get a burst of inspiration and release a bunch of new ones, but I imagine it's a lot of work.

    I love the new Baeloth version. The change to the eyes makes a big difference. Have you ever redone Neera's portrait? I remember loving your other EE portraits (I only remember seeing Dorn, Garl and Hexxat, but I might be misremembering). You used to have a website, right? I can't find it anymore
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    It definitely takes longer than it used to, as in the past (especially when I first started making portraits), there wasn't much to it beyond modifying the contrast, painting just a bit, and trying to match pieces. That took a couple hours. Actually replicating the styles Sass developed for each game is much harder, and I still have a long way to go, so a single new portrait can extend into the double digits in terms of the commitment.

    If you have ideas for characters, by all means share them, though! I most often focus the EE NPCs and character I use, so there certainly isn't enough diversity. It's always easier when someone else describes what they want, and it can spark my creativity.

    You hit on one of the changes I've made recently: improving eyes. Rather than just try to paint over them, I often make the irises myself now. It's easier to mimic the originals that way. In fact, you made me notice something about the new Baeloth, so I already went back and edited the post again...

    As for the site, I let it lapse, as I didn't spend much time updating it regardless. I do still own the domain name, so I may bring back up again eventually.
  • Kensei_xXxKensei_xXx Member Posts: 270
    Would you consider changing one of your dwarven portraits to match Kagain in color and style? I often use the one with an axe but it doesn't fit to his ingame template.
    fy44g9ecb8di.png
  • skweekyweelskweekyweel Member Posts: 11
    I tried to send you a DM twice (the first extremely long, the second a bit less so) with all my ideas because it'd be a dream to have a portrait made by you. But there seems to be some sort of error, and I don't want to post here with my rambling ideas for characters :D
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    edited August 17
    Here's the updated version of the BGI-style Baeloth portrait. For some reason this one took me a significantly longer time, likely because the skin tone means he doesn't quite match no matter what you do. (That, I suppose, is one of the downsides of the first game's portraits.)

    Base Photo & Progression
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    Separate New Portrait
    Recommendation: resize between 210x330 to 270x425, depending on preference, before placing in Portraits folder to maximize blending with originals

    0oy0dpahlyxn.bmp

    Baeloth Comparison
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    @Kensei_xXx, that unfortunately is one of the portraits that I lost some of the old PSDs file for, so I only have a very early, primitive version and a much later one that doesn't have the warhammer as a separate layer. In any case my goal at this point is to make new portraits and replace the EE NPCs with portraits that don't quite match, so a remake of that to transform him into Kagain would unfortunately be low on my list.

    @skweekyweel, I'll try to send you a message to see if it allows you to reply. Alternatively, you can get in touch with me on DeviantArt as well. Though I can't guarantee I'll tackle all the ideas, if something sticks out to me I'll definitely give it a shot.
    Post edited by Isandir on
  • MirandelMirandel Member Posts: 536
    Do you think AI can make skin less"plastic"? As it is, it's too smooth and shiny.
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    Mirandel wrote: »
    Do you think AI can make skin less"plastic"? As it is, it's too smooth and shiny.

    Yes, it likely could, but my goal is to make my portraits blend in with the originals as much as possible, hence the overly "shiny" look for the Baldur's Gate I style. (Dynaheir's portrait just to the right of Baeloth in the comparison is a prime example of that.) A big part of it results from the "shadow glow" effect that Sass used, something I wrote about in this brief post.

    I have maintained the glow effects as separate layers in all of my recent BGI-style portraits, so I can remove it if there are particular images you want to use. They'll still have the characteristic heavy oil-painting feel in terms of the skin and contrast, though.
  • skweekyweelskweekyweel Member Posts: 11
    Isandir wrote: »
    @skweekyweel, I'll try to send you a message to see if it allows you to reply. Alternatively, you can get in touch with me on DeviantArt as well. Though I can't guarantee I'll tackle all the ideas, if something sticks out to me I'll definitely give it a shot.

    I sent you a message on DeviantArt (different username). No worries if none of the ideas strike your fancy!
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    edited August 17
    I'm working on a few minor tweaks to my Hexxat portrait, but one I never tackled is Clara. Even though she's only with you a fairly short time, her default portrait simply didn't match the Baldur's Gate II style whatsoever. On top of that, it makes her appear practically cheerful, which doesn't reflect the person you encounter in the Copper Coronet: confused and unstable. This version addresses both issues.

    Original Portrait vs. BGII-Style Version
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    Separate New Portrait
    Recommendation: resize between 210x330 to 270x425, depending on preference, before placing in Portraits folder to maximize blending with originals

    gd7rqtoivvt4.bmp

    Clara Comparison
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    Post edited by Isandir on
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    @skweekyweel, I received the message, and some of the ideas do sound interesting. It may be some time before I get to them, but I'll probably try tackling at least one or two.
  • TrouveurTrouveur Member Posts: 951
    edited August 17
    I'm pretty sure Hexxat didn't dominated Hexxat with bite since Hexxat became a vampire in Dragomir's Tomb and never succeed at escaping it before main char came with Clara.
    She seems to be able to dominate some thieves from far away and to lure them to Dragomir's Tomb in order to free her, but all died before succeeding, except Clara of course.
    Amazing portrait by the way. Much better fitting BG style and personality wise.
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    edited August 18
    Trouveur wrote: »
    I'm pretty sure Hexxat didn't dominated Hexxat with bite since Hexxat became a vampire in Dragomir's Tomb and never succeed at escaping it before main char came with Clara.
    She seems to be able to dominate some thieves from far away and to lure them to Dragomir's Tomb in order to free her, but all died before succeeding, except Clara of course.
    Amazing portrait by the way. Much better fitting BG style and personality wise.

    I saw your post just as I was about to post an updated version... :smile: A few minutes ago I was reading the Forgotten Realms wiki rather than the Baldur's Gate one, and it said the same thing you did regarding mental domination. The portrait has been updated to remove the marks.

    Edit:

    I also just finished a minor update to my version of Hexxat's portrait, which was intended to match the originals far better than the default image. The details of her face have been refined, particularly her eyes and nose, and the coloration was modified to blend in a bit better. It still sticks out given that few non-white NPCs were ever made but looks good in-game.

    Original Portrait vs. BGII-Style Version
    galrzob4v05r.bmp

    Separate New Portrait
    Recommendation: resize between 210x330 to 270x425, depending on preference, before placing in Portraits folder to maximize blending with originals

    cdc4ewqs8gjd.bmp

    Hexxat Comparison
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    Post edited by Isandir on
  • MirandelMirandel Member Posts: 536
    Isandir wrote: »
    Mirandel wrote: »
    Do you think AI can make skin less"plastic"? As it is, it's too smooth and shiny.

    Yes, it likely could, but my goal is to make my portraits blend in with the originals as much as possible, hence the overly "shiny" look for the Baldur's Gate I style. (Dynaheir's portrait just to the right of Baeloth in the comparison is a prime example of that.) A big part of it results from the "shadow glow" effect that Sass used, something I wrote about in this brief post.

    I have maintained the glow effects as separate layers in all of my recent BGI-style portraits, so I can remove it if there are particular images you want to use. They'll still have the characteristic heavy oil-painting feel in terms of the skin and contrast, though.

    But that's the point - AI portraits look nothing like the original (texture-wise). Originals are not plastic.

    Sorry, don't mind me, it's obviously personal preferences and a lot of people appreciate this look.
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    edited August 30
    @skweekyweel, the first character that was appealing in the list you sent was Inshula, particularly since there's a sore lack of women of color in respect to the original NPCs. Here's my take on her in the Baldur's Gate II style as you specified. I think I hopefully captured some of the key aspects that you described: "Focused, aloof hunter. Strong and statuesque, haughty...Bald, looks like she's judging you."

    I actually never made it past the first chapter of Neverwinter Nights 2, let alone the DLCs, so I didn't have anything to go on other than that and the game images! A couple other NPCs sound interesting, and I'll likely tackle them at some point as well.

    NW2 Storm of Zehir Depiction vs. BGII-Style Version
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    Separate New Portrait
    Recommendation: resize between 210x330 to 270x425, depending on preference, before placing in Portraits folder to maximize blending with originals

    icbke6wwtlm5.bmp

    Inshula Comparison
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    Post edited by Isandir on
  • AerakarAerakar Member Posts: 1,091
    Great photo @Isandir
  • TrouveurTrouveur Member Posts: 951
    Impressive ! It really seems like it was in vanilla BG2 !
  • skweekyweelskweekyweel Member Posts: 11
    Wow, that's absolutely amazing. I'm completely blown away. Thank you! I can't believe how accurately you managed to match the description. Honestly, the expansion she's from in particular barely gives you any characterisation outside of the soundsets, so you're not missing much from not playing. There's a lot of room for creative freedom and personal head canons.

    I can't wait to try it in game!
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    edited August 30
    Thanks, @Aerakar, @Trouveur, and @skweekyweel. I'm actually bothered by the empty space around her head (a greater amount than all of the originals), but it was either that or change the layout, which would make it stick out even more. The second one I tackled was Umoja since Valygar was the only male black NPC in the game.

    I again tried to stick to your description and the (rather pixelated) image from Storm of Zehir: "Cheerful, laidback Chultan druid with warm eyes, earthy garb, follower of Ubtao, maybe with some sort of nod to dinosaurs (teeth, bones, etc.) and mazes." Something must have been off with my settings when I started this one, as I couldn't get it to retain the proper color profile to save my life. If you use the portrait in-game and it seems desaturated, just increase the saturation in any basic editing program and resave it.

    NW2 Storm of Zehir Depiction vs. BGII-Style Version
    fi0hbjtzeylr.png

    Separate New Portrait
    Recommendation: resize between 210x330 to 270x425, depending on preference, before placing in Portraits folder to maximize blending with originals

    e4ex259rzl1j.bmp


    Umoja Comparison
    84h14v9js3rr.bmp
    Post edited by Isandir on
  • lroumenlroumen Member Posts: 2,559
    The white highlight in the face is a bit too much. Perhaps add a slight yellow tone to it?
    Also, the face itself is zoomed a bit too much comoared to the bg portraits.
    Other than that it fits right in. Nice job!
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    lroumen wrote: »
    The white highlight in the face is a bit too much. Perhaps add a slight yellow tone to it?
    Also, the face itself is zoomed a bit too much comoared to the bg portraits.
    Other than that it fits right in. Nice job!

    Yep - that did the trick. It feels like it blends together a bit better now. I think I had too much contrast originally and didn't paint over the right side of his face enough.

    In terms of the size of the head, it's the hair that's likely throwing you off, as few of the default portraits have a style like this. It actually fits the BGII formula for the male portraits almost exactly: eyes to chin occupying the middle third of the image. Cernd seems to be the odd exception to that, with a slightly shorter face. (Mike Sass also gave several of the characters rather questionable physical features in respect to neck sizes, shoulder placement, etc. in order to stick to the formula.)

    njjpegbyn6w9.png
  • lroumenlroumen Member Posts: 2,559
    You are right. I was comparing to Nalia and Aeries faces :smile:
  • skweekyweelskweekyweel Member Posts: 11
    Ohh that's amazing. Again, I'm absolutely blown away! It's nice to have a portrait with textured hair and the details of the necklace and bone are such nice touches. Thank you so much for tackling another of my suggestions!
  • VasculioVasculio Member Posts: 497
    Isandir wrote: »
    lroumen wrote: »
    The white highlight in the face is a bit too much. Perhaps add a slight yellow tone to it?
    Also, the face itself is zoomed a bit too much comoared to the bg portraits.
    Other than that it fits right in. Nice job!

    Yep - that did the trick. It feels like it blends together a bit better now. I think I had too much contrast originally and didn't paint over the right side of his face enough.

    In terms of the size of the head, it's the hair that's likely throwing you off, as few of the default portraits have a style like this. It actually fits the BGII formula for the male portraits almost exactly: eyes to chin occupying the middle third of the image. Cernd seems to be the odd exception to that, with a slightly shorter face. (Mike Sass also gave several of the characters rather questionable physical features in respect to neck sizes, shoulder placement, etc. in order to stick to the formula.)

    njjpegbyn6w9.png

    Sadly Mike Sass did not do Jaheira from Baldur's Gate 2 Shadows of Amn any justice. Those eyes are all over the place rbs17h9l1kl5.bmp
  • IsandirIsandir Member Posts: 479
    edited September 2
    It's the position of her head compared to her neck that really gets me, @Vasculio, especially when you look at the comparative length of the two sides. It's just unnatural!

    @skweekyweel, the next one I tackled was Chir Darkflame, as we don't have a single female gnome portrait in the original game. I made two versions: one that can be used for a gnome and another that correctly portrays her as svirfneblin. For the latter I kept to the canon description of gray-brown skin, gray eyes, and (for females), gray hair. That makes it stick out a bit given that no default portrait resembles it, but it still blends in fairly well in-game. I couldn't figure out what the tattoo was on her face since every image of her is so pixelated, so I instead turned it into Beshaba's symbol of antlers.

    I tried to stick to your description even more on this one given that the few pictures of her are very hard to see details: "Bright-eyed, effervescent deep gnome wizard with a deceptively sweet smile. She's obsessed with dissecting and understanding magical creatures, so maybe she could be holding some sort of macabre trinket. I imagine her in deep purple robes. She's supposed to be cute to be taken seriously, but she's seriously psychotic." I didn't include a trinket to stick with the BGII-style "rule" of no hands, but I may create a version that does later.

    NW2 Storm of Zehir Depiction vs. BGII-Style Versions
    vyd3rz4gwdd3.bmp

    Separate New Portraits
    Recommendation: resize between 210x330 to 270x425, depending on preference, before placing in Portraits folder to maximize blending with originals

    Svirfneblin
    1rmjf1krcfg1.bmp

    Gnome
    fl18vzgln563.bmp

    Comparisons
    Svirfneblin
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    Gnome
    9lf152xvq2ru.bmp
    Post edited by Isandir on
  • skweekyweelskweekyweel Member Posts: 11
    Ohh amazing work, as usual. I love the detail on her robes. The portrait really blends in well with the original portraits. There's a severe lack of portraits for halfling/gnome/dwarf women (in general, let alone with the unique charm of the BG style), which is such a shame.

    Would it be difficult to do a hatless version? Just in case someone would like to use portrait but isn't interested in using it for a mage. Honestly, the graphics of the game itself are barely any better, but I'd be happy to take some screenshots and send them to you if it would help with inspiration.
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