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DoNotDelete — Orkesstra - Ceramicoral Armour
Published: 2010-04-18 23:31:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 9220; Favourites: 124; Downloads: 190
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Description
I had to work double shifts the past week so had trouble getting into the necessary "groove" to finish any artwork off, but I managed to get this one done I guess.I don't know if people will feel as if I've "cheated" with this submission because I used an existing model of Orkesstra from my earlier reference sheet as a base but... that's kinda the reason I made the reference sheet!
I like the way this armour came out for the most part, although it kinda bothers me that I have to cover up so much of her lovely iridescent skin with the ceramicoral armour plates.
The wee anchor attached to the front of her cloak acts as a counterweight against the trailing cloak weight.
I'm not sure what to do about her feet - whether to cover them up with some kind of footwear or leave them as they are.
Annotations took too long to do again.
Lol. Nipple caps.
Download for full size.
Original Character.
Do not claim this character or artwork as your own.
Do not copy, alter or reproduce this character or artwork in any way.
Orkesstra Korona is ™ and © David Nathan Dawkins.
Orkasaur race is ™ and © David Nathan Dawkins.
STRAY HELIX and all related characters are ™ and © David Nathan Dawkins.
Artwork © David Nathan Dawkins.
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Comments: 74
i like the design from a visual standpoint, but the armour leaves just too much gaps open (Joints? the entire torso??)
granted, an overly realistic armor probably wasn't your goal, and i'm probably not the first to point this out and i still really like the style of the form.
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This is an old drawing now and (though I currently don't have the work in my gallery to show it) I've generally moved on a lot in terms of how I consider applying armour to characters - though I (still) don't accept that armour is irrelevant if it doesn't cover the entirety of the body.
You can make all kinds of arguments for the amount of armour and coverage thereon - both from a realistic and stylistic standpoint.
Armour is heavy and restricts movement - it could be argued that a character would focus more on armouring key areas rather than their entire body - their fighting style likely influencing where the armour is most useful (i.e. on their shielding arm).
Full-body armour might seem like the best default option, but in a fight between a cumbersome, slow, restricted, full-armoured individual and a fast, lithe, flexible, semi-armoured individual, I would put my money on the latter being the victor.
So - arguably - full body armour isn't the best (or only) legitimate design solution.
Also, as a designer - especially working with non-human characters - there's always difficulty in making decisions in regard to how much of a non-human character's body you cover up; In applying too much clothing and armour to a non-human character you risk taking away from what makes them interesting. Everyone knows what a human being looks like underneath the armour so that kind of consideration applies less when creating 'realistic' armour for human characters.
Creating armour for non-human characters is something that I have had a lot of difficulty with in the past anyway - but as I have said - I've moved on a lot from this drawing and have become a much more competent character design.
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"Armour is heavy and restricts movement"
Not nearly as much as you think.
If you are interested in a historical perspective and have an hour, i recommend you watch this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqC_sq… (it's a presentation by a specialist on historical armour.)
Don't get me wrong, i too used to believe that, but it's actually a myth that full body armor was bulky.
If you don't care about the functionality though; well, i'm not trying to stop you or anything, and you are right about the artistic side of the thing (to an extent).
from your descriptions, it is obvious you put a lot of thought in this, and i'm a huge nerd on historical martial arts so i always like to point these "errors" out when i see them.
"armour is irrelevant if it doesn't cover the entirety of the body"
The thing is, in melee combat, an enemy isn't going to strike your torso or arms etc if you happen to wear armor in those areas. Also, fighting an armored opponent is fundamentally different from fighting "blank" ( = an enemy who isn't wearing body armour).
I would argue hovever that partial body armor is relevant for defense against a ranged enemy, although i don't have any information on whether historical plate armour was capable of deflecting arrows and/or crossbow bolts. (against powder weapons of course, even steel plate is irrelevant, which is why these types of armour largely dissapeared from the battlefields once firearms became popular).
"... in a fight between a cumbersome, slow, restricted, full-armoured individual and a fast, lithe, flexible, semi-armoured individual, I would put my money on the latter being the victor."
Depends mostly on the skill of the fighters, i would say. It's true that carrying a heavier load will tire you faster. however, mobility while armoured, and also endurance, largely comes down to training. (you have to factor in that renaissance era knights in full gear were carrying a considerably less weight with them than 21st century soldiers!)
In conclusion, it is true that full body armor won't always be the optimal solution; context is important and comes in many flavors: technological (which weapons are used?), environmental (to be honest: full steel plate armor in the desert = bad idea, as seen in the crusades), economical, even social...
Actually, i was hoping for a discussion 
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could i guess that there would be a point in time where she has to removethe cloak?
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Beautifull, she dont´needs to get naked to show how perfect is, i like the expressions of her face, that beutiful eyes, i wait more of this femme fatale
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I am still working on art of Orkesstra... I've just had a rough time with shifts over the past few months.
This has changed this week though - I should be able to settle into some sort of routine from now on.
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"Resistant to temperature changes - stays cool in hot environemtns, restraining heat in cold environments" Heh, that's how I think that Samus's Varia Suit protects her from intensive heat & cold in the Metroid franchise
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Yeah, but it's not an all-over body suit like Samus' Varia Suit.
And I don't think Orkesstra would be wise to venture near any lava pits any time soon.
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Like Norfair or Magmoor caverns.
Also, as for my Totodile partner Joseph, even though his Varia Plate only covers his chest, he's still protected from intensive heat & cold because of a thin, & barely visible energy coat
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Oh yeah i forgot keep her feet the way they are plz they look Good!,And is that protoss Zealot armour?
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I'm still figuring out what I'm going to do with her feet.
I'm not familiar with whatever a "Protoss" is actually.
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The protoss are from "Starcraft" powerful race nearing Extiction->Shame
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Gj But the "Ahem" Nipple caps Sound nuaghty but cool armour none the less
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Thanks.
I had to do something about those parts of her body because I tend to over-exaggerate the anatomy thereabouts.
Better to cover it up I guess, unless I'm aiming to draw something with a degree of *cough* titillation.
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Heh good thinking Gj though
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Orkesstra is simply breathtaking.
I'm only disappointed that her personality includes Aquaphobia which is a rather contradictory psychological obstacle to her unrealized natural talents of swimming and fighting underwater.
Perhaps you could include somewhere in the story a dramatic moment where Orkesstra must overcome her Aquaphobia or else someone very important might drown if they aren't saved by her?
Since she is the Female Lead, it is undoubtedly the only way she can grow stronger.
After all, Alexander the Great once said "Conquer your fear and you shall conquer death."
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I put the aquaphobia thing in there as a characterisation/plot device thing.
I think it makes her more memorable and interesting in an ironic way, and yeah she'll most likely have to face up to it at some point.
Thanks for saying she's "breathtaking", I've worked long and hard on her and I feel the same way.
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You're welcome.
If I may put in a suggestion for your next work on Stray Helix, it should be a sheet about Orkesstra's Facial Expressions.
Here's an Example of an Expression Sheet if you don't know what that is: [link]
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Yeah, I've been thinking about doing on of those.
I might give it a go at some point.
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Okay. That's good to hear.
Can't wait to see it.
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Grand work, David. The outfit seems perfect for traversing arid desert climates. Despite what a few others may speculate, allowing the armor to part in certain areas would keep the wearer's body much cooler while covered in the cloak. (Rather than trapping the blistering heat of the sun(s?) under a few sheets of, say, copper alloy or other materials.) Your aesthetic touches on the right-arm plates and cloak anchor really lend to Orkesstra's resolute personality, since all of the equipment you've featured thus far are exclusive to her bloodline. (The script on the forearm is interesting as well, is it as significant as the insignia? Or is it a means of identification, akin to a barcode of sorts?) I enjoy how the blue seems to be a continuing theme from the coralite of her weapon, aswell.
My only snag (since you've provided answers to other questions already) is a question of what situation the armor is intended for. As I mentioned earlier, it would be perfect for on-foot travel (she could use something to protect her feet, though*), but as far as warfare is concerned, it seems as though she would be inconveniently exposed in several vital areas of her body to the likes of bullets and explosives. While there is no true means of completely avoiding vulnerability without sacrificing the supposed purpose of the armor (weather protection), the only combat it would seem fitting for is close-ranged. Additionally, how would she protect her face and eyes from harsh conditions? A pair of goggles might do nicely for sand and other debris, but the intricate shapes of her horns may get in the way of anything else.
All-in-all, I'm still astounded by your creativity. Keep up the good work!
*I may try my hand at designing some shoes or other form of protection sometime. I'll let you know. Speaking of which, might I be able to contact you through Skype or another messenger service?
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You've read into Orkesstra's environmental predicament quite well.
There are some details I have yet to put together...
I need to design a respirator mask for her which will not only protect her eyes but also trap exhaled vapour.
I need to design a portable "atmospheric condenser" - which is something everybody on the planet in question has to have (you'll have to accept a vague answer for now).
I have designed some footwear previously, and you're right that she does need something to protect her feet really (it's something that has been nagging at the back of my mind), so I'll have to get back onto that.
On the subject of Orkesstra's armour protecting her from certain kinds of projectiles, you're right that she's more equipped for close combat situations. The majority of weapon types she has to counter in this initial phase of the STRAY HELIX? story are archaic in nature - swords, axes, hammers, etc. Bullets as an ammunition type are even rarer than coralite! So her armour is primarily for dealing with close-range blows from blunt or sharp instruments, and she also has The Blue Moon to use for parrying attacks away from her exposed areas.
That said, I don't think I would have given her a more thorough armour coverage if she was dealing with bullets, There are certain aesthetic qualities I'm aiming to achieve, so I'm only going to allow circumstances to dictate the design to a degree. Also, soldiers in modern warfare have to deal with bullets and explosives as a matter of course, but usually don't wear any form of armour, not even a bullet proof vest.
So I guess I'm treading a difficult line here between aesthetics and realism, like a lot of fantasy/science fiction designers.
I haven't used Skype in a while, I may well get back into the habit of using it though. I'll let you know what I decide to do.
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She's almost ready for adventure.
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Well, I don't think that. This still be a kind of model sheet/profile, so it's okay!
Besides, that's a really great armor designed! Also the specifics about Orkesstra's Family Crest is very detailed and described!
Great work like always!
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Wow, what an amazing armour! I really like your detailed way to draw.
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I like the design of the armor, specially the cloak and the coverings of her lower legs.
I think you should leave the feet uncovered, it would look a bit awkward if she would wear some sort of shoes. But if you would want to cover them, I'd recommend to cover the toes uniquely, you know like plated gauntlets.
I like how the color pattern fits to her body color. Only thing which throws me off is the blue body piece, it looks a bit unfitting, I would've colored it in beige too. BUT OK THIS IS YOUR CHARACTER just my 2 cents.
One thing I wonder, her weapon seems to be pretty big, I guess she straps it over her back. Wouldn't her cloak be a bit annoying when it would be hold back the entire time? Like, it wouldn't flow freely, but only the last bit which would knock against her tail the whole time.
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I have drawn up some glove-like footwear in an unsuccessful attempt I had a clothing Orkesstra quite a ways back. Even though I've moved on a lot from that earlier piece with this armour design I intend to finish and submit that piece too, so I may make a decision based on how that turns out.
The shoulder pad which is a different colour to the rest of the armour is intended to highlight the "Defiant Anchor" mark printed on it. I don't think it's unusual to use colour to highlight a significant mark like this - especially in military uniform.
Her weapon is pretty big, but I've measured it up against her body and it seems to fit her comfortably enough. She wears it on a slant so one of the curved parts of the blade actually hook back around under her tail - allowing it free and unrestricted movement.
You're right that it might interfere with the flowing-ness of the cloak, but the cloak is already split to allow for her tail so I'm not sure if it will turn out to be such a huge problem.
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Oh no no, I didn't mean the shoulderpad - The shoulderpad is allright. I mean her blue chest, I think it would've fitted more if it was beige aswell.
And for the cloak, I saw that it is splitted (otherwise it wouldn't make much sense, specially as her tail is pretty huge and doesn't go directly down), and now that I think a bit closer about it I'm not quite sure what I actually intended to say in the first place.
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No, I think you made some valid points, Orkesstra's weapons and gear haven't been easy to put together, so there are some niggling issues still in there.
I appreciate your comments and critiques and hope you continue to provide them!
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Well I'm good at imagining things in movement, so I couldn't help but notice.
And it makes me happy that I'm actually a help to you!
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I can't help but notice that your "extreme temperature" gear only covers HALF of the wearer's body. Doesn't that sorta, y'know, completely and entirely negate the entire point of it being suited for extreme temperatures?
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Maybe *extreme* isn't the ideal word to describe what kind of environment the armour is intended to be used in.
It's not *extreme temperatures* as in the kind of things Samus' Varia Suit has to deal with (i.e. frozen glaciers and lava lakes).
It's more *extreme temperatures* as in "Boy am I glad I'm wearing ceramic armour rather than armour made from steel because steel conducts and retains heat and oh man that would be uncomfortable."
I haven't really divulged enough information about the story Orkesstra plays a part in for you to know where I'm coming from when I say something like *extreme temperatures* - but I assure you that it makes sense within the context of the coming story.
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Loved her armor design
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Lol, your character design sheet is starting to look like the one for my character. Well, not really. I'm just going for a "computer data" look, too.
Nice to finally see Kess again. And don't worry about "cheating", especially if you don't have any time. I'm doing it as well since mine's is taking about a month.
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Yeah, I intended those *elevation* pictures to be used for trying out different clothing/armour designs anyway - so it's not like I'm really cheating.
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