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Xarcahn — Unearthed

#bladeknight #desert #fanart #fantasy #kirby #metaknight #nintendo #photoshoppainting #swordknight #workedfortoolongonthis
Published: 2016-08-03 16:27:09 +0000 UTC; Views: 22141; Favourites: 787; Downloads: 75
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[edit]: Now available as prints in many different formats (currently including wall art prints, iPhone/Samsung Galaxy phone cases and greeting cards) at Redbubble.com:

---->>>>  www.redbubble.com/people/xarca… <<<<----  




[For people unfamiliar with the characters: these are Meta Knight, Sword Knight and Blade Knight from the Kirby games series. Go play those games! They are the manliest ever! I swear.  ]

Phew.

I really pushed my limits with this one. After many hours that I dare not count or even think about, lots of re-arranging and perspective-changing, re-formatting, resizing––this image probably is the record holder when it comes to amount of working hours put down as well as file size (239 MB) and amount of layers (69 of them, not counting hidden or merged ones (at some point there was a whopping 100+ of them)). Then again, I began this picture about 4 1/2 year ago and my ambition was far greater than my skill at the time. Having stubbornly worked on it on and off since then, it's not until now that I've had the experience and skill enough to be able to make it look like the way I had planned. That's what one gets after biting more than one can chew, I guess!  

Oh well.

As for the story of this piece; well, it all began that day 4 1/2 year ago when I was looking at some fan art of these characters, when all of a sudden––there was this spontaneous image appearing in my head where these three were standing in a dusty, rocky desert area. Blade Knight was standing to the right and beckoning towards the others to come and look at something, while Sword Knight simply stood at the left looking towards him and Meta Knight was somewhere in the background walking towards the intended point of interest. The whole image was supposed to have this 3D-render quality to it, as if being a screenshot taken in-game. 

That being said, this is not a scene that occurs in any of the Kirby-games but rather an idea I've had for these characters in a possible future game. The story would be something along the lines that, while Kirby busied himself going out in space to chase an enemy of significant importance, Meta Knight and his comrades set out on a quest to find some lost relics of power. Bonus points for whoever can figure out what that medallion in the foreground is supposed to be!  

It probably has some flaws still; but then again, the composition and perspective of this one was tricky as heck, and it was kind of difficult to make the foreground melt in towards the background and just make the whole thing look right… But I've decided to call it done now. Some critique and feedback would be most welcome, though, so if you see anything that could be done better, please tell me about it!

 ---

Technique: Digitally painted from scratch (except shrub and cliffs in background which is partially made from a self-taken photo with a gaussian blur filter applied)
Tools: Photoshop CS4 and Wacom tablet
Original resolution: 5302x2902 pixels
Time taken: don't ask!  

Critique and feedback would be much appreciated!

Meta Knight, Sword Knight and Blade Knight are characters © HAL Laboratory, Inc./Nintendo

 

[Also: type "invincibility candy" in your comment if you read through this whole mass of text!   ]

Related content
Comments: 346

Snivyfan2003 [2020-08-14 01:59:24 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Chivi-chivik [2016-08-03 20:53:48 +0000 UTC]

Overall

Vision

Originality

Technique

Impact


(English is not my first language)
I'm afraid I can't make a 100% objective critique because when something is too good...

VISION: The first thing I thought of when looking at this pic and what made me fav this and click on "Critique requested" was "HOLY SHIT". Everything in this looks perfect! Well, you can see the sketchiness and 2D on the foreground rocks but that's just small compared to the rest!

ORIGINALITY: You don't see many pics about specific story plots with Meta Knight and his comrades (that or I haven't been paying attention lately). The situation is kinda common as a plot point (it's an often unavoidable trope) but this isn't common in-fandom; that's great! e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s… " width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="391" title=" (Smile)"/>

TECHNIQUE OMG where do I start...
Knowing that this was digital painting only without use of 3D software/functions/tools blows my mind (Photoshop CC is the first with real 3D tools, and I've used CS4 before). The use of blur in this pic is spot-on, flawless: it really draws the attention on the newfound treasure and the Knight group. Illumination is also perfect: it really looks like you used high-tier 3D illumination tools and renders to recreate it, but you didn't. And the textures... OMG the textures. Sharpe Knight's texture on his armour is my favourite here. It's real metal what you made there.
I could go on and on about how every detail is astonishingly amazing.

IMPACT: If you really need me to tell you what was the impact this caused upon me after reading all of that...

This is one of the most perfect pics I've ever seen. No wonder why it took SO long, and believe me, the wait paid off so well you'd be a millionaire, because it looks like real game art. I really recommend selling this as a print.
I really wish I could do such things in 3D, but I can't ('cause reasons). Anyway, I'm so going to your gallery to check the rest of your art and wish it's all amazing so I can watch you! e.deviantart.net/emoticons/b/b… " width="15" height="15" alt="" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="366" title=" (Big Grin)"/>
I love how this is part of the Kirby fandom.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-03 22:43:30 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so very, very much!! I'm so grateful that you took the time and wrote this critique! And don't worry! Your English is pretty fab! Then again, I'm not a native English speaker either...

I'm really out of words as to how I should reply to all of this... I just want to say that I'm overly pleased that it seems my plan to make this look like a screenshot from a AAA-studio 3D-rendered Kirby game / movie has succeeded...

And yes, it's quite a common trope, I agree on that! But then again, how many times have we seen it in the Kirby universe? That universe is really full of potential...

I would really like to sell this as print some time, but sadly I think copyright laws would put a stop to those plans  

Those were long hours I put down, frustrating hours, hours I at some point was certain I would go crazy, BUT...
...reading things like those you have written and seeing how many already seem to appreciate this picture of mine, makes all those infernal hours much worth it. By thousands.

I'm only happy to be able add to the already fantastic world of Kirby, and want to end with saying that I truly, truly appreciate your feedback. I'm truly heart-warmed!

You're the best, remember that! I'm sure you will be able to do this (and better) sometime in the future! Just never, ever give up hope!  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-04 11:56:21 +0000 UTC]

I noticed when reading your DA ID. Looks like we're both European

Heck, it's not easy to make that in 3D (trust me, I studied that), and it's even harder to make it in 3D. Feel proud, man

Kirby is simple... but AMAZING!!

Don't worry! Do you know how many artists worldwide make Nintendo fanart to sell? Even Miyamoto himself owns some fan-made tees! Nintendo doesn't really care, so that's why many people go and sell stuff, even in conventions. I recommend sites like Redbubble or Society 6. (Even I tried selling stuff myself)

The best pics tend to be the slowest ones to make

I'll never give up! 'Cause I need my dreams to come true!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-13 03:49:14 +0000 UTC]

((late reply, but oh well))

Well then! Hail, fellow European!  (even though we seem to live on quite the opposite ends of the continent, haha!)

3D is indeed difficult! I've studied some as well but procrastinated my studies a lot, unfortunately.  I always fall back on Photoshop, it seems (after all, why should I bother creating stuff with 3D when I could make 2D objects look 3D instead, duh?! ) However I would really like to get back to learning 3D-software sometime soon! But, yeah, I suppose I should allow myself to feel proud a little.  

Exactly! It's the simple, yet whimsical attitude around Kirby that makes him and his universe so awesome, right?!  

I've seen lots of fan art being sold here and there, so I suspected there was some kind of exception made on Nintendo's part. Haha, I didn't know that!   Nintendo probably sees it as extra marketing, and that by all rights they should! Ok, cool! I've only fleetingly heard of those sites before, but now I'm definitely checking them out! Thanks a lot for the tip, buddy!

I'm sloooow in everything I do, so maybe that's a good thing, then?  

This is really stupid, but I wrote my last comment before actually looking through your gallery… (Dumbass is my first name  ) And I can say that you definitely draw cool stuff and have this knack for making 2D things look 3D, already! Never giving up is still a good thing to do, though! Your dreams are probably within an arm's reach, I'm sure!!  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-13 12:17:25 +0000 UTC]

Well, who cares? Europe isn't that big anyway

You're doing good for the moment, don't force yourself to go back to 3D graphics

Hell yeah!!

You're welcome I mean, we need the moneys and since Nintendo is fine with it, there's no problem!! (Heck, otherwise selling digital pics (=commissions) would be also illegal )

If the result is flawless, then yes And your results are flawless, so yes

Lately I'm practising stylish 2D and colouring more than 3D, to be honest (I do need to model some 3D stuff again, or I'll get rusty)
Yeah, I honestly need to kick my own lazy ass and get back to work

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-15 06:02:45 +0000 UTC]

True that. Europe is a weird little piece of land that can fit a surprising amount of tiny little countries!

Ah well, it feels good to be reassured about that!   I'll not force myself, but sometime eventually I'll get back to 3D!

*insert Kirby's victory-dance music*

Exactly! We artists shouldn't sell ourselves short! And you're right about that too, of course! I've never thought about it, really; thought maybe the laws were a bit more strict when it came to physical products (like prints and the like...)

Well, that's settled then! I'll keep to my good ol' slow ways!  
 I think switching between different media now and then is only healthy from an artistic viewpoint... But alright, let's do a little test to see how rusty you are:

Please explain what an n-gon is!  

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Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-15 20:20:27 +0000 UTC]

Yeah I mean, in USA alone you can put some Euro-countries!

Nice!

If I wasn't sleepy and tired as heck I'd go search the jingle on youtube

It can seem like that, but in the end you can even set a store on a convention full of fanart and nobody will complain

A N-gon is a compound object!!
Kidding! A N-gon is a prism made of X horizontal sides (or "N" sides). You must set the number to get a certain type of n-gon. I hope I defined it well, I'm not good at technical English

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Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-17 01:48:25 +0000 UTC]

Exactly. Funny how the North American continent has like three countries, while Europe has what? 42 or something? XD

Yeah

Here you are! Listen 'til your ears bleed!

Haha, well that's great, at least for us fan artists! XD

Huh, my very primitive understanding was that an n-gon basically is a face with more than four vertices... XD You're way more awesome on this than me, gurl! Very well explained; you passed the test, I think!   Now then, I better leave you to your studies!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-17 12:00:36 +0000 UTC]

This is what happens when you let Europe invade places. North America and Africa is what happens

Seriously? You looked for it?

Yeah! I mean, not everybody benefits from selling original art

If we're talking about planar, 2D graphics then yes (it's basically a poligon), but I remembered what I had in 3DS Max
You don't need to leave me, I finished them this year

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-18 03:47:20 +0000 UTC]

Those poor victims of colonization... t-t-t

Oh yes. And the whole evolution of Kirby's victory themes, at that! You may call me 'God'.

Yeah, one figures fan art is the way to success...

Oh good, so I'm not completely lost then!  
Whaaat you did? Congratulations are in order then?  

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Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-18 11:52:55 +0000 UTC]

And there were added problems when the US started invading as well, and starting wars just because. Like, more than 95% of USA's history was spent in wars.

I'll just call you "not lazy"

It's the fast way, but you can't benefit for the rest of your life with it. Someday one must go make their own art.

Nope! You'll see when you go back to 3D graphics
Yup!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-19 21:24:43 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, gotta pity them  
(this comes from a person whose country hasn't been to war for centuries...)  

You have no idea just how lazy I can be sometimes, though...

Exactly! Good thing I plan on doing some original art as well, then!

Yeah, eventually...

Wee, let's celebrate!        

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-19 21:51:15 +0000 UTC]

I don't, it's their problem
(Lucky. Mine's been out of war since... 1939 I guess?)

Then I'll call you "semi lazy"

Nice!!

Ceeeeeelebrate goood times, COME ON!!        

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-20 01:26:43 +0000 UTC]

True that!  
(like all European countries, except Sweden (mine lol) and Switzerland... oh and then there's poor Yugoslavia of course )

Perhaps "selectively lazy"
Yeeah I'll keep fightin'! One day I'll become epic 3d-master just like youuuu~   

*insert Kirby dance again*  or
do the, do the Mario~       

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-20 12:25:12 +0000 UTC]

(Nope, I'm counting Spain only. There are the countries that fought in WW2 'till 1945, for example [Spain did help the bad guys, but it didn't get in since it was busy itself with its end of Civil War and the dictatorship it caused]. History is not my forte... I actually hate it But well, it's good to know there are countries this pacifist )

Everybody is selectively lazy at some point in their lives
I'm not a 3D master, I still have a lot to learn

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-24 03:45:27 +0000 UTC]

(Ah well, I was counting from the year when most countries entered the war (1938-39) [and oh yes, that whole mess with the civil war in Spain is easily overlooked in history books  ]. You seem to have paid enough attention in history class, at least!  I like history and find it very interesting at times! And yeah, some of us are pacifist alright---even if some would prefer to use the word "cowardly" instead...   )

True. But I've just taken my master degree in the field of applied Selective Laziness   

At least compared to some of us you are 3D master! I'll look up to you in my endeavour towards 3D-mastery!  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-24 08:49:24 +0000 UTC]

More or less, honestly. The problem is that they always force us to know every nitty bitty detail That's where I draw the line
It's better to be cowardly than to lose everything to a stupid war.

Then there's no way we can solve that

Maybe? I'm no Pixar employee Well, thanks!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-24 09:23:37 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, all those little tidbits of fact you had to force into your head in school was always a pain, but that really applied to all subjects in school, I think...  
Exactly! Wish more people both in past and present days would realise that! *ahem*

Nope-noppety-nope. Me be expert in the field now.  

Absolutely! You better set your goals high... And no prob!  

Aww, thanks for the llama btw! I haven't figured them out yet, but I'll see if I can somehow give you one back...  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-24 09:29:29 +0000 UTC]

Honestly, yes
I'd prefer that the concept of war never ever existed

Okay okay

Working at Pixar isn't my goal, really

It's easy: Profile > Give > Give a Llama

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-24 09:43:51 +0000 UTC]

Ikr? Glad I'm out of it!  
Same here. There are those unfortunate things in the world which are inevitable (natural disasters, epidemics etc.) and then there are those things which are just plain unnecessary...  

Going for top career next!  

But maybe Disney? Or Nintendo perhaps?  

Yeah, I figured it out! I think you just had your 953rd (yikes, that's many!  ) ninja llama (oh you have ninja llamas? Darn, I'm jealous!  )

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-24 11:02:00 +0000 UTC]

Same.
True that!

It's not needed, you'll probably suffer from it

Nope. My goal has nothing to do with 3D, actually.

Yeah! It's 7 years of work! (well that's not true, when I entered in DA there were no llamas)

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-24 11:17:40 +0000 UTC]

Yep. World's already full of dangers as it is; like there's always the (rather minimal) chance you die from a meteorite crashing down on your head, for example...   

You're right---it will probably burn me out... maybe I should switch to an artist career instead?

Then you go for artist career as well?

Ah so you're a veteran, then! And you were here before the age of llamas! Wow!  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-24 11:54:29 +0000 UTC]

It's easier to die in your bathroom

If you gotta go artistic, look for an useful carrer

Yeah! I wanna make comics and videogames!

Yup

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-24 12:05:57 +0000 UTC]

Ugh. Now that would make for an awkward death  

Yeah digital art is at least a big field...  

Awesome! Then go for it!!  

I'm speaking with a legend...  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-24 12:08:55 +0000 UTC]

Tell that to the thousands of people who did

True, and it's better when you can use it to get a job

Thanks! I'm trying

Nah, I'm just an unknown idiot who spends too much time in this hellsite

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-24 12:18:56 +0000 UTC]

Well it's too late to tell them now anyways? Because, I mean, they're... dead?   

Yeah, I'm glad I discovered photoshop ten years ago...

That's great!  

We're two on that one... You've just happened to be here... longer I guess?  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-24 13:14:29 +0000 UTC]

What there is to tell? Everybody knows you can die in there It's mostly bad luck and carelessness

Same (but in my case it was 7-8 years ago)

Yes

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-24 13:31:06 +0000 UTC]

Yeah... I just hope the "death by toilet"-cases are very rare...  

Ah cool!   I still remember the wow-moment when I discovered the dodge- and burn tools! Ah, good times.  

: It eats our souls and becomes part of our DNA...

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-24 14:53:30 +0000 UTC]

By toilet? One thing is bathroom death (which is VERY common), but... toilet?

Lmao me too! And now I only use them sometimes

Nah, it tries to eat our money

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-25 03:17:13 +0000 UTC]

Yeah I dunno... Perhaps you slip on the floor and fall head-first into the toilet and crack your head on the porcelain and drown or something...? Or maybe you die from a very bad stomach   Now both of those would be really awkward deaths     Haha, but I don't know, I'm just talking rubbish!

Oh I use those tools often... almost to the point I think my pictures are entirely made from dodge- and burn tool over-abuse...  

Yeah that too. Evil, evil   

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-25 13:08:54 +0000 UTC]

That's the same as in a bathroom You slip, fall and crack your head.

Then you're a total master, because if you can use them to make such amazing pics...

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-27 10:01:00 +0000 UTC]

Hm yea. I guess.  

Nah, one just have to learn to tweak with the shadow/midtone/highlight settings accordingly!  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-27 10:02:11 +0000 UTC]



If only people knew this instead of shitting on Dodge and Burn

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to Chivi-chivik [2016-08-27 10:10:20 +0000 UTC]

Indeed. Those poor darlings deserve much more love

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Chivi-chivik In reply to Xarcahn [2016-08-27 10:14:58 +0000 UTC]

Yeah

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Arrol-S [2018-04-27 00:41:57 +0000 UTC]

Your airbrushing makes this looks soo three dimensional!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

EneaNeon In reply to Arrol-S [2018-10-20 00:07:26 +0000 UTC]

This looks so good I feel like I can touch it with my hand

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Red-the-Radiant [2017-10-26 21:13:11 +0000 UTC]

that is badass

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MetaKnightIsSexy [2017-10-24 11:08:55 +0000 UTC]

I JUST LOVE SWORD AND BLADE THEY ARE JUST THE FREAKING BEST AND THE GREATEST EVEN MAYBE BETTER THAN META KNIGHT 😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

MetaKnightIsSexy [2017-10-23 19:17:21 +0000 UTC]

So Sword and Blade are you guys really brothers 😊😊😊

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MetaKnightIsSexy [2017-10-23 14:04:24 +0000 UTC]

It's just so sexy especially Sword and Blade 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😙😙😙😙😙😙😚😚😚😚😚😍😘😘😘😘😘😗😗😗

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to MetaKnightIsSexy [2017-10-23 15:40:37 +0000 UTC]

Haha, seems you like this image, alright!
And especially Sword and Blade? Wow, what happened?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

MetaKnightIsSexy In reply to Xarcahn [2017-10-23 16:45:52 +0000 UTC]

😂😂😂

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

MetaKnightIsSexy [2017-10-16 19:57:57 +0000 UTC]

WOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH 😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to MetaKnightIsSexy [2017-10-18 19:52:56 +0000 UTC]

I take it I made Meta Knight sexy-looking enough?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

MetaKnightIsSexy In reply to Xarcahn [2017-10-18 20:25:53 +0000 UTC]

U read my mind 😎😎😎

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to MetaKnightIsSexy [2017-10-18 20:29:52 +0000 UTC]

...

...I must be a psychic!  

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

MetaKnightIsSexy In reply to Xarcahn [2017-10-18 21:29:08 +0000 UTC]

😂😂😂

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Xarcahn In reply to MetaKnightIsSexy [2017-10-18 22:08:49 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 1


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