Friday 16 January 2009

First impressions, fanart, etc

So I'm playing Tomb Raider Underworld as slowly as possible, so I can make a short game last. From looking at the promotional renders I was kind of apprehensive of what they'd done with the character, but I've liked everything Crystal Dynamics has done with Lara so far and it turns out I wasn't disappointed. The ps3 model is more natural-looking facially than ps2 versions, they've definitely gone for realism in that respect. It was hard to get used to. She no longer has an impossible body shape, and actually looks powerful in form and movements. In the first part of the game you get to wear an amazing wetsuit, its a conventional suit from the waist up but has no legs to it, like a swimsuit. She looks so cool swimming around wearing it with the equipment belt over the top, I was so impressed considering all the previous dodgy fashion mistakes of the earlier games, where the only considerations were to show either as much skin as possible or cling to it as much as possible, and it made for some pretty terrible designs that looked more like a tacky cosplay of Lara rather than what a Countess would wear [even though the official bio was different at the time].

In TR: Legend one of the most fun parts of the game were the unlockables. Concept Art and alternate outfits were the most interesting for me along with the Director's Commentary in Anniversary. Legend had a bunch of colour variations and novel things like an Amanda skin and gothic Lara. Highly entertaining, and the choice was probably more appealing to females because they were mostly quite demure, with the exception of *that* dress which was great fun to run around in. One thing I'm kind of disappointed about in Underworld is that a lot of these are gone, there's less than half as many unlockables and no alternative outfits, woe. The in-game ones are slightly plain in a bad way. I love simple design but its hard to pull off, and I was looking forward to seeing some optional extravagant things. It just strikes me as a wasted opportunity to design interesting clothing! Even though its Underworld and the tone is different from Legend, I think a lot of people miss it. However, lucky 360 owners get to download and prance around in a Marie Saint Pierre jacket! Why doesn't Playstation store get this kind of thing? So much woe.

Here's something I drew today. This kind of body shape...Is really hard! So excuse my anatomy. Must practise.

There is a swimsuit already in the game, but its basically a recoloured wetsuit with the sleeves cut off. I thought it'd be kind of cool to have a 1930's style bathing suit, I've always liked the simple elegance of that period and it keeps coming back. In the level, Lara wears no shoes which is pretty amusing considering you have to climb sharp, pointy rocks and kick vases for treasure. But I thought it looked cool in the game. The belt is still there because I think its more challenging to integrate it with other clothing, and also the game's physics/animations wouldn't allow it to be removed, as far as I can imagine...I've always wanted to get into modding TR, but have so far only dabbled with 2d. Well, I want to do some more of these, it was great fun.

13 comments:

DollyDalton said...

Sweet, I love how you do your faces and love the swimsuit. looks fab :D is this photoshop ya? do you use any other programs? im trying to get used to corel painter!

Blair said...

Thank you thank you! Yep, photoshop, but I use a downloaded brush pack instead of defaults so you don't get those little circle marks. I occasionally use OpenCanvas, its alright for quick sketches and paint chat. Ooh I've always wanted to try painter...How are you liking it?

DollyDalton said...

im finding it very difficult to get used to... as the brush doesnt seem to act as id wish as a paintbrush :S. I just need to fiddle with it a little more! I have OC 1.0, yet the networking wont work with peeps living with the Uni's connection. Love the way OC interprets the pen pressure tho!

Blair said...

Aww. It's supposed to be more like painting naturally, isn't it? I'm sure you'll get the hang of it soon though, be sure to post some stuff! :]
Aw man, seriously? I haven't tried it at uni yet..That sucks. Yeah I liked that, its a really small program too!

Chenz said...

I love the drawing Blair! The face is really good, and I like the way she's standing.

Blair said...

Thank you~! ♥

jengou said...

Ah, I love the pic!! I mostly can't believe you draw so well, it makes me squeal ^^ The confidence in the pose is lovely, and I love how you blend the colours.

Tom Li said...

lol wtf is "that" dress?

Blair said...

@Jen- Thank you very much dear <3

@Thomas- Oh, I guess the reference is lost if you haven't played it...But there's a little black dress you get to wear in the game in the Japan level. So cool.

Michael Powell said...

uhoh, here comes mr nitpick again :)

i love it, but - i don't buy into how the swimsuit is sitting on her body - its as if she's naked but painted to look as if she has a swim suit on. for example, her boobs are just rolling over her rib cage - surely a swimsuit would flatten them and the material would form a smooth transition from boob to midriff...

anyway, my point for nitpicking as always is: the difference between a good artist and a GREAT artist is observation.

you now have an official excuse to look at swimwear pics, oh yes...

Blair said...

Oh, I agree! I think it was because I was just spending so much time getting the anatomy and pose down and the shape of the suit I overlooked those important things, and perhaps feeling too precious about the body, really wasn't sure how boobs look at that angle, will research more thoroughly next time!

Tom Li said...

Powell looks pretty good in a swimsuit, ask him to model for you ROFLLMAO!! he'll show you what "a smooth transition from boob to midriff", should look like LOLOPS!

Chenz said...

Oh my god at Toma Li's 2nd comment.