[The Atomic Punk]

Character Contest 73: Virgo

Some of my favorite designs are from this Zodiac challenge. Virgo, the Virgin, is the second largest constellation. The sun passes through Virgo around mid-September, announcing the harvest season.

The Sumerians associated Virgo with their goddess Innana: Queen of Heaven. Rather than being a virgin or innocent, the sky deity represents love. She is aggressive and demanding. Woe to the man who spurns her charm.

Innana, Queen of Heaven

Close-up

[The Atomic Punk]

Amazing stuff. Great use of the Mayan (Aztec?) relief as a tattoo on Quiahuiz.

[The Atomic Punk]

Character Contest 72: The Power COSMIC!

My experience with acid reflux reminded me of other times that I have been in intense pain. How the sensation was, indeed, other worldly. I broke my left forearm in a motorcycle accident when I was 13 years-old. As my dad rushed me to the hospital, I was “white-blind.” That’s when you pretty much go into shock and you see nothing but white. Not blurs, not traces, just glowing white. You’ll know when it’s coming. The pain in your body shoots to your kidneys and they go into overdrive.

As I was coming down from the pain and drugs, the white gave way. My brain and vision swirling back into reality. Remembering that experience, I imagined travelling through hyper-space.

Wormhole

[The Atomic Punk]

Wishing

[The Atomic Punk]

Please consider “pinning” the challenges so they stay on top of the Forums. That way, they don’t get lost in the flurry of new posts. I wish Jeff would consider allowing for Hammerknight or Kaldath to moderate Challenges on the main blog. Albeit, there is a huge uptick in the Forum activity!

My larger point being is that the blog offered the “one-stop” shop with the links on one continuous page. In the forums, you have to scroll page after page. I’m so used to using “Download Master” to swipe the pictures for me. This handy little widget is available in the Chrome Web Store.

Definitely like the Poll Daddy method of choosing a winner. It takes pressure off the moderator. Also, please enforce the “Creator-Character” naming convention. Might want to number the challenges so they’re easier to find (Challenge 1 – Subject, Challenge 2 – Subject, etc).

Apologies if I sound demanding, just putting out ideas to make the new format familiar in hopes of a smooth transition.

[The Atomic Punk]

Character Contest 72: The Power COSMIC!

The challenge was to create something related to outer space. Not feeling very inspired at the time, I patched together a couple of designs. Acid reflux contributed to my malaise. First time that I ever experienced it, I thought that I was having a heart attack. Went so far as to call my boss in the middle of the night to take me to the emergency room.

Anyway, incredibly painful but mostly under control. This is not a self-portrait. Just a guy who is also feeling the excruciating burn, like he had just swallowed the sun!

Solar Flare

[The Atomic Punk]

Willkommen! Can’t wait to see more.

[The Atomic Punk]

Acting!

[The Atomic Punk]

My biggest challenge with backgrounds is how to fill negative space without overwhelming the main character or action. Sometimes a standard background such as the alley in Cityscapes is too bland. Yet when I try to spruce it up with color splashes, highlights, shading, or a creative neon sign, it distracts.

Another is layering for a three-dimensional effect. I have zero depth perception. In an attempt to make something seem far away, I often skew the proportions. With tendencies to over-compensate by adding in useless items trying to create a relative scale.

[The Atomic Punk]

“Bedtime” is definitely creepy! “Operator” is cool with a good story. I can’t help compare the two and “Bedtime” gets my vote.

[The Atomic Punk]

I see. Any relation to the 12 Days of Christmas? My family, for the most part, is atheist / agnostic but we still observe Christmas. My brother married a Catholic and her kids are being raised so. I suppose that I will be learning their traditions soon.

I’ll try to participate, but I am moving soon with no idea where I am going to stay. Lots of packing and apartment hunting.

[The Atomic Punk]

Never heard of Advent before. Not quite sure if I will participate in a “gift exchange,” but I am all for seasonal / holiday themed challenges.

[The Atomic Punk]

I think one of the difficult transitions will be the lack of a one-stop shop for the Character Design Challenges. On the blog, you just click on the link. In the Forums, everyone is running his or her own CC. Granted, some really amazing and powerful stuff.

Don’t let the blog changes crush your enthusiasm, people! I’m more than happy to send character ideas and re-design requests your way.

[The Atomic Punk]

Rock

[The Atomic Punk]

“Insert Freud reference here.”

Seriously, I like it. The painted bones are very effective. The patchwork costume and overall vibe works. And I will say it, she seems rather young and white to be a loa. Leaving the nose flesh surrounded by the skull design. That’s what puts it together. She has potential from being a gimmick to a serious character. I picture her walking into a place to Ween’s “Voodoo Lady” and letting everyone know who’s boss.

[Author]

Posts