Character Designs -- Stormlight Archive

[shallan88 she/her]

I recently finished some character designs just in time for Words of Radiance. I posted them to the gallery and would really love to hear some feedback from you guys. 

Here is a link to my Behance portfolio for higher res images: https://www.behance.net/gallery/WoK-Character-Concepts/15065047

Edited March 7, 2014 by shallan88

[Natans he/him]

First thing be welcomed =)

 

Second WOW very nice work !!!

 

I really liked the way tou put the Slave brands in Kal =)

[shallan88 she/her]

Hi and thank you! I wanted the brands to appear somewhat natural. 

 

This may seem like a silly question, but are they close to how you imagine the characters? I'd love to know how you may perceive them differently. 

[Natans he/him]

Well now that you asked =)

Your Navani are spot on. I like your Mature Beauty style, it's exactly what i pictured =)

I liked your Kaladin interpretation very battered looking like someone put in a bad spot.

Your Shallan are different of people usually draw her. You put her with a auburn hair I picture her with a more ginger hair, and you put her a very serious face, it reminder me oh her impersonating "imposing brightlady" in WOR. =)

Adolin sure looks a spoilled rich boy you got that right.

And your Dalinar aren't a pretty face, put sure like someone of militar inclination. Usualy Dalinar are pictured with a more "favorable light" I mean you really had him ugly but imposing i liked that.

Any chance of you doing some of the Brigde 4 members or other character =)

In sum you are very talented =)

Edited March 8, 2014 by Natans

[Awesomeness Summoned he/him]

And your Dalinar aren't a pretty face, put sure like someone of militar inclination. Usualy Dalianr are pictured with a more "favorable light" I mean you really him ugly but imposing iliked that.

I think people usually draw him that way because of a natural inclination to draw attractive people. There are quite a few instances in WoR where people, Shallan in particular, think Dalinar has an unattractive but intimidating face so I think she got that pretty spot on.

[Argent he/him]

Kaladin and Dalinar work best for me.

Adolin is also pretty solid, but something about his hair puts me off. He's definitely got the pretty face going on, but I can't remember whether his hair is supposed to be soft and curly or kind of spiky. It's possible that I am influenced by other fanart here though.

Navani's hair is also what throws me off about her. It looks like she has a wild tress or something on her front left side, and this looks strange on her. But I think the "stately mature beauty" is there.

Shallan... after seeing the endpages drawing, I can't really imagine her otherwise. She is not going to work for me, ever... =\

[Aleksiel]

Adolin is gorgeous, but I think you should add some black hair to his. And Kaladin's hair must be black also. Other than that, good job!

[shallan88 she/her]

Thank you all very much for the input! 

 

Navani was the first character i worked on. I felt that I had a fairly solid grasp of her personality and features. The hair though...I can see where that doesn't quite live up to the descriptions or may seem random. I chose to have some of it loose because of her devil may care attitude. She's free to do whatever the hell she wants. I can understand how I didn't push it enough/made it look too sloppy. 

 

Kaladin felt right the whole time. He was a breeze to paint and came out exactly how I hoped. I'm glad he's been well received. 

 

Shallan's choices were a bit personal. As someone with auburn red hair and fairly freckle-free I wanted to portray her in a way that slightly deviated from the ginger stereotype. That being said, I agree with all your comments that she doesn't quite fit the character -- other renditions capture her better.

 

Adolin and Dalinar kinda fell in place just like Kaladin. I'll go back and add more black to Adolin's hair. In terms of the texture, I got the impression that it was effortlessly tousled and romantic. He embodies the strong, fresh youths of Greek mythology to me and some curl is necessary. Also, I'm happy you all find Dalinar successfully unattractive, he's my favorite. 

 

I've actually been playing with the idea of Bridge Four and a few others. Definitely Rock, Teft, and Sadeas...maybe Lopen. Is there anyone you'd really like to see done? 

[Argent he/him]

Fair enough, I can agree about Navani's hair. It doesn't work for me, but I can say that the reason is with my ideas, not the art. Obviously the situation is the same with Shallan.

As for your next drawings, I think Jasnah is an obvious choice. Maybe Szeth and Syl too. And Rock.

[Natans he/him]

Another drawing let me see.

If you begin with any of them and finish with everyone that would be nice =) (The more the better ;p)

Serious Bridge 4 have a harm place in my heart, all drawings of them are welcomed =)

Edited March 10, 2014 by Natans

[shallan88 she/her]

Hi -- I started some new sketches. 

 

On the left is Moash. I'm a bit stuck on his hair. Does anyone have any suggestions? 

 

Middle is Rock, feel pretty solid on this one. 

 

Right Sadeas. I wanted him to be overweight with a shadow of his former strength. 

 

I've been stalling on Jasnah, but will get to her tonight along with Teft and Elhokar. 

Opinions please, Thanks! 

[Argent he/him]

I don't remember the exactly description of Rock, but wasn't there something about his beard and hair mismatching in where they are shaved? For some reason I am left with the idea that if his mustache and chin are shaved, then the sides of his hair must also be. Or something weird like that...

[shallan88 she/her]

Do you mean that he'd be left with a mohawk-like hairstyle -- maybe from the temples down? Honestly though I don't really remember a description either way. Yours is an interesting take, I like it. 

Edited March 14, 2014 by shallan88

[Argent he/him]

Nope, I was wrong.

 

Despite all of his complaining, he hadn’t shaved his beard off completely. He had left long, red-blond sideburns, which curved down to his chin. The tip of the chin itself was shaved clean, as were his lips. On the tall, oval-faced man, the look was quite distinctive.

[Inkthinker]

Auburn red hair is correct, as described in the text.

[shallan88 she/her]

Hello All! I finished Jasnah, but I feel something is a bit off...maybe the size/shape of her mouth? Let me know what you think. I hope to see some of you at the signing Friday 

 

EDIT: Below is a different version. Preference? 

 

Edited March 20, 2014 by shallan88

[Argent he/him]

If there is something off about her mouth, I wouldn't have been able to see it without your comment. But this is a very good Jasnah!

Edited March 19, 2014 by Argent

[shallan88 she/her]

Thanks, Argent! I thought her mouth could be a bit wider, but I wasn't sure if others felt similarly. 

[Delightful]

Jasnah look amazing! Especially since she definitely looks like Navani's daughter!

 

Of your others, I  thought that Sadeas was Roshone. But they're both horrible lighteyes anyway, so..... . I pictured Sadeas as quite skinny, actually, which is probably why I was confused.

 

Oh, and Rock's beard is awesome.

[shallan88 she/her]

AHH I'm so excited! I was at the Philadelphia signing this evening and brought posters of my artwork. Brandon had me sign the one I gave him and told me he is interested in me doing cover art for his books! Tonight has been an amazing night  

 

Thanks for everyone who has posted and helped me with these characters -- the comments have been so helpful!! 

[Argent he/him]

BAM!

[Aleksiel]

I like the first version of Jasnah better, the second one has a too big mouth imo. Perhaps make her lips a bit thinner if you wish to change something in the first one? But I think it's her eyes are what don't really match, not her mouth, because they don't look like having an epicanthic fold and seem blue rather violet to me. I don't know, sorry. But I really like the first version anyway, it's great the way it is now. 

[Baine he/him]

I really like it as well, but doesn't Jasnah have long hair?

[shallan88 she/her]

Her hair is pulled back. There's a bun, you just can't see it

In terms of her eyes I pictured them as more of an icy blue-violet. I thought a true violet would be too warm for her and gave them to Navani.

Edited March 22, 2014 by shallan88

[Natans he/him]

I'm out of my self imposed "vacation" of the forum (I was spending unhealthy amounts of time here) just to say CONGRATULATIONS.

 

I sure hope that you get a chance to work with Team Brandon =)

 

PS: Your second Jasnah are a fine piece of art keep doing  Stromlight drawings you are very talented =)