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Description
The Forward

Okay, so first I made some base shield designs to get a good idea of how to make them in the first place and keep all the proportions right for the size I had in mind. As most of you know I kinda go with those old-school gameboy graphics, which have their charm. Well, recently- and as most of you probably noticed already -I was on a bit of a Zelda kick lately and still am with a project I have in the works behind scenes right now.

Anyway, after three days of testing out stuff, getting shapes, practicing color combinations, looking up references, coming up with ideas and even taking a few requests, I've managed to cup up with this pic you see here. So without any further delay, lets get right into it with my long description...

The Work

Big Boss' Shield - So anyone that's played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (OoT from this point on) knows the leader of the Gorons- Darunia -as Big Boss (or Big Brother- to Link, anyway). The design of his shield stems from the Goron Shield (described a little further down) only because he's the leader, his is decorated to resemble a dragon- pretty much a reference to Volvagia, whom his ancestors defeated. I took the time to try and get that general idea across and even tried to get the right eye colors for the part.

[link]

Bombchu Shield - This was actually a request for when I ran outta ideas at one point and I must say, I'm pretty glad I get it a shot. Looking at it now, I may resemble Batman a little bit, but I think anyone that's played the game could recognize the little guy for who he is right away. The most time spent on this one was getting the nose and whiskers right...they're still not quite, but I really couldn't think of anything else to do.

[link]

Dodongo Shield - So at another request, I made a Dodongo skull shield. This went through quite a few different phases before I got it to look right, unfortunately, I have no pic examples of those first ones- suffice to say...what the hell was I thinking? o_O Anyway, now it at least looks the part enough to guess what it is. Alternatively- but on on this submission -I have a version of it with the eyes lit up for when the shield is supposed to swallow a bomb when you block against one being hucked at you.

[link]

Great Fairy Shield - This was big test with mixed colors to produce the desired effect of moss, vines and flower blossms on wood and bark to make something the resembled a shield in shape while almost looking a like it had been grown that way. The colors are foresty on top of having some of the colors asscociated with with the Great Fairy herself from OoT. No, it doesn't shriek or laugh hysterically like in the game, it's a little gentler than that.

[link]

Spirit Stone Shield (Forest Buckler) - This is, as most of you can probably figure out, a shield styled to resemble the Kokiri Emerald. Rest assured, it isn't the real one or someone would have a fit about you using it as a shield. This one came quite easy- surprisingly -and was the second of the spirit stone shields I made.

[link]

Gerudo Shield - I don't believe the Gerudo really use shields, but there's a chance that they have one as a standard for their king and they needed to be represented with everyone else here, in my opinion. There's also a chance that this is just something they stole and claimed as their own, so who knows *shrugs* I tried to make an interesting design and keep some colors that didn't look too bad for the desert.

(No reference)

Gohma Shield - I had to, I just had to make this one. Gohma is an iconic piece of the series, one of the only bosses to actually transend the different games and has a new incarnation each time. But no matter what shape Gohma takes, she's always best recognized by one constant, her single, giant eye- the only weakness she often has. For that reason, the chioce in how I made her shield was pretty obvious, since the rest of her is constantly changing.

[link]

Spirit Stone Shield (Moutain Kite) - Based on the design of the Goron Ruby, this shield was the last of the spirit stone set and honestly the one that gave me the most trouble. It took a while to finally get it all to look right- I wanted an almost volcanic rock kind of feel with the cracks in the shield and I wanted the ruby to look very roughly cut, not like a jeweler had really gotten to it.

[link]

Goron Shield - This is the standard Goron shield, supposedly made from volcanic rock, reptilian scales from Dodongo and Lizafos alike and quite resistant to fire- though large and very heavy. Originally this was very plan and though my coloring style is still very flat, I managed to mess with some of the outlines between shield "depth" layers and fill in some of the empty space and make it more stylish.

(No Reference)

Gossip Stone Shield - The first version of this looked to much like the Sheikah symbol and I had gone with the color scheme and design presented in Twilight Princess (TP from now on). Instead I went back to OoT and used the Gossip Stone Mask as a reference for colors and used the stones for the actual body shape. The end result...I like it. I think that if you block with it, attacks bounce off it like it's made of rubber and you probably always know what time it is when you carry it

[link]

[link]

Heart Container Shield - So I got the idea to make this one and while I was making it, I wanted to keep in mind that it was- in fact -supposed to be a defensive item, so while keeping the general idea, I make it out to be a bit sturdier and more reinforced with the coloring and some of the design. I think I managed to convey that idea very well with this one.

[link]

Hylian Shield - Probably the only reason to begin Zelda shields is just so you can finally get to this iconic symbol in the series. With the limited space I had at my disposal I did my best to keep the design as true to the OoT version as I could. This was- of course -the first shield I made in this whole set and I must say, I think that at the normal zoom it would very much pass off for the part nicely.

[link]

Deku Shield - This is actually the second version of this shield I made and I must say it looks much more like the original from OoT, you can pretty much guess what it is right off the bat from looking at it. I did what I could with the colors to give it a bark-like texture and even lightend it on the edges where it's supposed to be a bit sand down.

[link]

Majora Shield - Based on Majora's Mask- from the Zelda game of the same name -I actually had a great deal of fun making this one. Though the image of the mask is something that kinda gives me chills today, I find that it's very well made and quite colorful. Speaking of which, the colors were the biggest endevor in making this one. At the normal distance, I think it very much resembles the mask itself.

[link]

Mirror Shield - Yes, I did take a bit of creative liberty with this one, but in the initial pixel form, it was just too plain to be satisfied with, so I changed up the shape a little bit and fancied it up with some gold fixtures. I hope you'll all forgive me for that I did my best to get the etching on the inside of the shield to look right, but again, I had limited space.

[link]

Mobin Shield - I made this thing just outta the blue and I reminded me on the Moblin with the color shceme and tough, but very simple design. I'm actually quite proud of how detailed this came out looking with just a few color tweaks here and there.

[link]

Navi Shield - Yep, it's everyone's favorite- annoying -fairy, Navi...or at least a shield in her likeness. I bet when you block with it and it gets hit it shouts "HEY!" This was a little fun to work on, I liked playing with the lighting effects.

[link]

Poe Shield - This one I'm pretty proud of. This Shield was another request, but when it came to making a Poe shield I was at a loss for what to do. Looking at the picture reference I was using I had the latern pointed out to me and started fast on making a design that resembled it. But it wasn't enough to have the shape and some colors, I wanted it to look like a lantern. Thus began a steady proccess of messing with the varying shades of color to produce the desired effects. In the end, it looks fantastic!

[link]

Saria's Shield - Saria is a very important character to me, I loved her immensely in OoT and I've often loved versions of her. I see her as a guardian of the forest and sometimes to protect it, you have to fight and on those rare occassions, she would need some kind of potections. And so, I've given her a shield. Deisigning it, I tried to keep the earthy color scheme which matches her nicely and I have an almost nut shape to it, which helps to represent the Deku Tree the Kokiri worship.

(No reference)

Scrub Shield - This was the first attempt at the Deku Shield, but the design was too much my own to really be associated with it, so instead, because it resembled a nut, I did a recolor on the Forest emblem and made it the Scrub Shield, based on the Deku Scrubs.

[link]

Hylian Shadow - It's one of the three incarnations of the Hylian Shield that I have. This one is supposed to be the one used by Shadow Link whom you encounter as a mini-boss in the Water Temple and quite possibly it's a fight to rival the final battle in the whole game. Lots of dark colors and midnight blues and then the addition of the red Antiforce. I think it all comes together very well.

(No reference)

Sheikah Shield - Really, as a ninja type group, the Sheikah likely don't have great use for shields, but since most of the other groups are represented, I needed to make sure they were too. I used the Sheikah symbol naturally and I tried to get as much of Sheik's coloring into the shield as I could. I think it came out looking pretty cool in the end.

[link]

Zora Shield - This was something I just wanted to try out since the Goron's and Gerudo and Sheikah were all there. Even more over the Sheikah the Zora should be present, so I made them a shield. It's coloring and patterns are meant to convey the idea that it's made of shells and coral for the most part with some of the Zore flare to the design. The basic shape is supposed to be like a water drop, but I dunno how well that came across

(No reference)

Skulltula Shield - Anyone who's played the games can recognize the Skulltula and so I thought to go ahead and give them some spotlight, on top of that it was a test of creativity for coming up with a shield design to represent them. I think I did pretty well with this one in terms of shape and coloring- though admittedly, I went almost "Day of the Dead" with them rather than the traditional OoT incarntion

[link]

Stalfo Buckler - So I decided to make something for the Stalfos. They usually carry small, round shields so I kept to that idea and making it resemble a crowned Stalfo...for decoration.

[link]

Termina Shield - This is the version of the Hylian shield from Majora's Mask. There's something just oddly..."off" about this shield's design, like most things in that game (almost in a disturbing sort of way). Anyway, I thought it was a good chance to try out another Hylian deisgn and I think it turned out well, even if I couldn't include all the fancy bells and whistles with the limit space

[link]

Wallmaster Shield - The Wallmasters have been a frightening addition to the series, the disembodied hands you encounter in dungeons that carry you off to a horrible fate *shudders* Anyway, this was another request and the first form was...well...just awful, so you're looking at the newest shield in the set and probably the one that gave me the most trouble out of any of them- mostly because it doesn't resemble a shield at all

[link]

Spirit Stone Shield (Water Bangle) - Here's a shield to finish the spirit stone set. Here we have the Zora Sapphire, a wedding gift (no thank you) of sorts and the final means of unlocking the passage from Link's childhood into his adulthood. I really like how it came out, seems really fancy and the gems look rather impressive compared to some of my other work.

[link]

Closing...

So there you have it, three days of coming up with ideas, making designs and touching them up to my satisfaction in order to bring you a large sheet of pixel Shields. For now I'm gonna see if I can come up with more designs, maybe some originals...not likely, I'm on a pretty big Zelda project for something to do this summer, so 'til next time!

Description
The Forward

Okay, so first I made some base shield designs to get a good idea of how to make them in the first place and keep all the proportions right for the size I had in mind. As most of you know I kinda go with those old-school gameboy graphics, which have their charm. Well, recently- and as most of you probably noticed already -I was on a bit of a Zelda kick lately and still am with a project I have in the works behind scenes right now.

Anyway, after three days of testing out stuff, getting shapes, practicing color combinations, looking up references, coming up with ideas and even taking a few requests, I've managed to cup up with this pic you see here. So without any further delay, lets get right into it with my long description...

The Work

Big Boss' Shield - So anyone that's played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (OoT from this point on) knows the leader of the Gorons- Darunia -as Big Boss (or Big Brother- to Link, anyway). The design of his shield stems from the Goron Shield (described a little further down) only because he's the leader, his is decorated to resemble a dragon- pretty much a reference to Volvagia, whom his ancestors defeated. I took the time to try and get that general idea across and even tried to get the right eye colors for the part.

[link]

Bombchu Shield - This was actually a request for when I ran outta ideas at one point and I must say, I'm pretty glad I get it a shot. Looking at it now, I may resemble Batman a little bit, but I think anyone that's played the game could recognize the little guy for who he is right away. The most time spent on this one was getting the nose and whiskers right...they're still not quite, but I really couldn't think of anything else to do.

[link]

Dodongo Shield - So at another request, I made a Dodongo skull shield. This went through quite a few different phases before I got it to look right, unfortunately, I have no pic examples of those first ones- suffice to say...what the hell was I thinking? o_O Anyway, now it at least looks the part enough to guess what it is. Alternatively- but on on this submission -I have a version of it with the eyes lit up for when the shield is supposed to swallow a bomb when you block against one being hucked at you.

[link]

Great Fairy Shield - This was big test with mixed colors to produce the desired effect of moss, vines and flower blossms on wood and bark to make something the resembled a shield in shape while almost looking a like it had been grown that way. The colors are foresty on top of having some of the colors asscociated with with the Great Fairy herself from OoT. No, it doesn't shriek or laugh hysterically like in the game, it's a little gentler than that.

[link]

Spirit Stone Shield (Forest Buckler) - This is, as most of you can probably figure out, a shield styled to resemble the Kokiri Emerald. Rest assured, it isn't the real one or someone would have a fit about you using it as a shield. This one came quite easy- surprisingly -and was the second of the spirit stone shields I made.

[link]

Gerudo Shield - I don't believe the Gerudo really use shields, but there's a chance that they have one as a standard for their king and they needed to be represented with everyone else here, in my opinion. There's also a chance that this is just something they stole and claimed as their own, so who knows *shrugs* I tried to make an interesting design and keep some colors that didn't look too bad for the desert.

(No reference)

Gohma Shield - I had to, I just had to make this one. Gohma is an iconic piece of the series, one of the only bosses to actually transend the different games and has a new incarnation each time. But no matter what shape Gohma takes, she's always best recognized by one constant, her single, giant eye- the only weakness she often has. For that reason, the chioce in how I made her shield was pretty obvious, since the rest of her is constantly changing.

[link]

Spirit Stone Shield (Moutain Kite) - Based on the design of the Goron Ruby, this shield was the last of the spirit stone set and honestly the one that gave me the most trouble. It took a while to finally get it all to look right- I wanted an almost volcanic rock kind of feel with the cracks in the shield and I wanted the ruby to look very roughly cut, not like a jeweler had really gotten to it.

[link]

Goron Shield - This is the standard Goron shield, supposedly made from volcanic rock, reptilian scales from Dodongo and Lizafos alike and quite resistant to fire- though large and very heavy. Originally this was very plan and though my coloring style is still very flat, I managed to mess with some of the outlines between shield "depth" layers and fill in some of the empty space and make it more stylish.

(No Reference)

Gossip Stone Shield - The first version of this looked to much like the Sheikah symbol and I had gone with the color scheme and design presented in Twilight Princess (TP from now on). Instead I went back to OoT and used the Gossip Stone Mask as a reference for colors and used the stones for the actual body shape. The end result...I like it. I think that if you block with it, attacks bounce off it like it's made of rubber and you probably always know what time it is when you carry it

[link]

[link]

Heart Container Shield - So I got the idea to make this one and while I was making it, I wanted to keep in mind that it was- in fact -supposed to be a defensive item, so while keeping the general idea, I make it out to be a bit sturdier and more reinforced with the coloring and some of the design. I think I managed to convey that idea very well with this one.

[link]

Hylian Shield - Probably the only reason to begin Zelda shields is just so you can finally get to this iconic symbol in the series. With the limited space I had at my disposal I did my best to keep the design as true to the OoT version as I could. This was- of course -the first shield I made in this whole set and I must say, I think that at the normal zoom it would very much pass off for the part nicely.

[link]

Deku Shield - This is actually the second version of this shield I made and I must say it looks much more like the original from OoT, you can pretty much guess what it is right off the bat from looking at it. I did what I could with the colors to give it a bark-like texture and even lightend it on the edges where it's supposed to be a bit sand down.

[link]

Majora Shield - Based on Majora's Mask- from the Zelda game of the same name -I actually had a great deal of fun making this one. Though the image of the mask is something that kinda gives me chills today, I find that it's very well made and quite colorful. Speaking of which, the colors were the biggest endevor in making this one. At the normal distance, I think it very much resembles the mask itself.

[link]

Mirror Shield - Yes, I did take a bit of creative liberty with this one, but in the initial pixel form, it was just too plain to be satisfied with, so I changed up the shape a little bit and fancied it up with some gold fixtures. I hope you'll all forgive me for that I did my best to get the etching on the inside of the shield to look right, but again, I had limited space.

[link]

Mobin Shield - I made this thing just outta the blue and I reminded me on the Moblin with the color shceme and tough, but very simple design. I'm actually quite proud of how detailed this came out looking with just a few color tweaks here and there.

[link]

Navi Shield - Yep, it's everyone's favorite- annoying -fairy, Navi...or at least a shield in her likeness. I bet when you block with it and it gets hit it shouts "HEY!" This was a little fun to work on, I liked playing with the lighting effects.

[link]

Poe Shield - This one I'm pretty proud of. This Shield was another request, but when it came to making a Poe shield I was at a loss for what to do. Looking at the picture reference I was using I had the latern pointed out to me and started fast on making a design that resembled it. But it wasn't enough to have the shape and some colors, I wanted it to look like a lantern. Thus began a steady proccess of messing with the varying shades of color to produce the desired effects. In the end, it looks fantastic!

[link]

Saria's Shield - Saria is a very important character to me, I loved her immensely in OoT and I've often loved versions of her. I see her as a guardian of the forest and sometimes to protect it, you have to fight and on those rare occassions, she would need some kind of potections. And so, I've given her a shield. Deisigning it, I tried to keep the earthy color scheme which matches her nicely and I have an almost nut shape to it, which helps to represent the Deku Tree the Kokiri worship.

(No reference)

Scrub Shield - This was the first attempt at the Deku Shield, but the design was too much my own to really be associated with it, so instead, because it resembled a nut, I did a recolor on the Forest emblem and made it the Scrub Shield, based on the Deku Scrubs.

[link]

Hylian Shadow - It's one of the three incarnations of the Hylian Shield that I have. This one is supposed to be the one used by Shadow Link whom you encounter as a mini-boss in the Water Temple and quite possibly it's a fight to rival the final battle in the whole game. Lots of dark colors and midnight blues and then the addition of the red Antiforce. I think it all comes together very well.

(No reference)

Sheikah Shield - Really, as a ninja type group, the Sheikah likely don't have great use for shields, but since most of the other groups are represented, I needed to make sure they were too. I used the Sheikah symbol naturally and I tried to get as much of Sheik's coloring into the shield as I could. I think it came out looking pretty cool in the end.

[link]

Zora Shield - This was something I just wanted to try out since the Goron's and Gerudo and Sheikah were all there. Even more over the Sheikah the Zora should be present, so I made them a shield. It's coloring and patterns are meant to convey the idea that it's made of shells and coral for the most part with some of the Zore flare to the design. The basic shape is supposed to be like a water drop, but I dunno how well that came across

(No reference)

Skulltula Shield - Anyone who's played the games can recognize the Skulltula and so I thought to go ahead and give them some spotlight, on top of that it was a test of creativity for coming up with a shield design to represent them. I think I did pretty well with this one in terms of shape and coloring- though admittedly, I went almost "Day of the Dead" with them rather than the traditional OoT incarntion

[link]

Stalfo Buckler - So I decided to make something for the Stalfos. They usually carry small, round shields so I kept to that idea and making it resemble a crowned Stalfo...for decoration.

[link]

Termina Shield - This is the version of the Hylian shield from Majora's Mask. There's something just oddly..."off" about this shield's design, like most things in that game (almost in a disturbing sort of way). Anyway, I thought it was a good chance to try out another Hylian deisgn and I think it turned out well, even if I couldn't include all the fancy bells and whistles with the limit space

[link]

Wallmaster Shield - The Wallmasters have been a frightening addition to the series, the disembodied hands you encounter in dungeons that carry you off to a horrible fate *shudders* Anyway, this was another request and the first form was...well...just awful, so you're looking at the newest shield in the set and probably the one that gave me the most trouble out of any of them- mostly because it doesn't resemble a shield at all

[link]

Spirit Stone Shield (Water Bangle) - Here's a shield to finish the spirit stone set. Here we have the Zora Sapphire, a wedding gift (no thank you) of sorts and the final means of unlocking the passage from Link's childhood into his adulthood. I really like how it came out, seems really fancy and the gems look rather impressive compared to some of my other work.

[link]

Closing...

So there you have it, three days of coming up with ideas, making designs and touching them up to my satisfaction in order to bring you a large sheet of pixel Shields. For now I'm gonna see if I can come up with more designs, maybe some originals...not likely, I'm on a pretty big Zelda project for something to do this summer, so 'til next time!