FA+
Shop
Do my character designs suck?
7 years ago
General
COMMISSION STATUS:
COMMISSIONS ARE CLOSED, SORRY!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So as you all might have seen, I've been trying to redesign my main sona, Chrome. But after studying a lot of popular characters in the artist community, I only JUST NOW I've come to a revelation that the reason why my design may not have stuck in the first place, and that may be because I have broken an unspoken rule of how OCs are created-
Too many colors present on the character's body.
I noticed almost every character I've come across has a MAXIMUM of 3 different fur colors, including stripes and other stuff (maybe up to 4 if there are small markings present on the body as well).
I mean, just for comparison's sake, here's the current design for Chrome - http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10449277/
and here's his design from when I first joined the site - http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7712418/
You can see the contrast, right? Not only does he have 4 different colors for his fur and the scales on his limbs, but also two different stripe colors and a separate color for paw pads.
I didn't intend to create a needlessly complicated character, though. I got the idea around 2013 to make him a furry-scalie hybrid to make him stand out and not be "just another fox". (If you're wondering, I came up with fox-gecko because since I practically live in a desert state I thought it would be cool to combine my original sona with something that dwells in the desert or other dry climates)
Granted, this was way before I entered art college and got PROPERLY introduced to character design, but I'm still flabbergasted that it took me THIS LONG to realize where I might have went wrong by going over the aforementioned "max fur color limit"... and that I completely neglected the fact that SIMPLICITY is always better!
I dunno, what do you guys think? Are there exceptions to the rule? Am I overthinking it?
Because in the meantime, I'm still thinking of a way to revamp Chrome's design so it's not as all over the place as it currently is.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CURRENT WORKLOAD:
- Page 2 of comic trade with
Crystal-for-Ever
- Sketching out other pics on the side
COMMISSIONS ARE CLOSED, SORRY!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So as you all might have seen, I've been trying to redesign my main sona, Chrome. But after studying a lot of popular characters in the artist community, I only JUST NOW I've come to a revelation that the reason why my design may not have stuck in the first place, and that may be because I have broken an unspoken rule of how OCs are created-
Too many colors present on the character's body.
I noticed almost every character I've come across has a MAXIMUM of 3 different fur colors, including stripes and other stuff (maybe up to 4 if there are small markings present on the body as well).
I mean, just for comparison's sake, here's the current design for Chrome - http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10449277/
and here's his design from when I first joined the site - http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7712418/
You can see the contrast, right? Not only does he have 4 different colors for his fur and the scales on his limbs, but also two different stripe colors and a separate color for paw pads.
I didn't intend to create a needlessly complicated character, though. I got the idea around 2013 to make him a furry-scalie hybrid to make him stand out and not be "just another fox". (If you're wondering, I came up with fox-gecko because since I practically live in a desert state I thought it would be cool to combine my original sona with something that dwells in the desert or other dry climates)
Granted, this was way before I entered art college and got PROPERLY introduced to character design, but I'm still flabbergasted that it took me THIS LONG to realize where I might have went wrong by going over the aforementioned "max fur color limit"... and that I completely neglected the fact that SIMPLICITY is always better!
I dunno, what do you guys think? Are there exceptions to the rule? Am I overthinking it?
Because in the meantime, I'm still thinking of a way to revamp Chrome's design so it's not as all over the place as it currently is.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CURRENT WORKLOAD:
- Page 2 of comic trade with
Crystal-for-Ever- Sketching out other pics on the side
Hybrid is fine, just give the character balance.
Thanks for your answer, though! I guess when I came up with the redesign back in 2013 I was a bit overly excited that I came up with a new and cool idea that it would sell the character alone. Plus I wanted to make sure I captured aspects of both animals (fox and gecko) in the overall design, and I guess that's where I probably went overboard? I think I definitely will simplify him now, probably at least by getting rid of a lot of the stripes and limiting them to his tail and back (and a few on his arms) because looking at geckos, they aren't PLASTERED with crazy stripes from head to toe... more head to tail, lol. XD
But again, thanks for taking the time to give your two cents in a very articulate manner~ Much appreciated! :D
But yeah, I had the same mindset of "ooh, I don't know how many other people have thought of making this hybrid" when I made Chrome's new design in 2013. XD From there I was really excited to come up with a new look for him instead of keeping him as a generic fox. XD
Glad you like him, tho. I hope if I do go forward with redesigning him, it will be something that keeps his overall look in tact without adding anything too distracting. :o
That said, I've been 'complimented' several times on the simplicity of my character design. That said, I know a few artists who enjoy the really 'involved' characters. ...Let's put it this way:
1> would it bother you to draw the current version of your 'sona? Repeatedly?
2> Have you every heard a gripe back from someone you commissioned or did a trade with, or have you had one (either) declined - due to complexity... or possibly for no stated reason? (if we're being a bit paranoid here)
If either of those is "Yes", you might consider toning it down a little.
To answer the original Headlining, Journal Title question: No, your designs don't suck.
IMO.
The answer to both of those questions you listed is "no" for the most part. I will say that there was a bit of surprise from two or so people when I revealed my new design and that they "missed my old character". However, as of recent, I have one or two artists state that my character looked cute. But I still felt like something was "missing" and that his design wasn't really sticking with people. Now, I'm NOT saying I want to be popular and receive a shitload of fan-art, though! But I do wanna make sure that at least the characters I do design aren't overlooked at all. Because as somebody who actually went to school to study art and animation I feel like I SHOULD have a grasp on this stuff! XD
Also yeah, I dunno if I should change the title to this journal... bit of an overreaction there on my part. XD
But thanks for your opinion! I do appreciate it!
So, if I'm ok to, I have a personal example:
My main oc, Mynx, has several colours to her, yet I have been complimented on how well her design works and isn't too crazy harsh on the eyes. The reason, I think, is because her main palette works well and none of the colours contrast too harshly, despite her being quite bright.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/27060351/
Simple designs are the same - if you have one or two colours that clash too harshly (lets say a bright brown with a dark grey), even that simple design can look off. But, if hthe brown was desaturated a little bit, or the grey given a slight cream or brown tint, the colours would suddenly seem like they are meant to be. Even colours that do work together can be a bit off just cause of the saturation or contrast between them. One thing that has saved my eyes iis having any "black" tones to actually be a grey tinted with the colour it is partnered with, especially if it is on a lighter base. Though with simpler designs I find that a single colour that pops from the others is the freaking best x) black and cyan isva favourite example x) simple base fur colours and then bright markings or flesh? It is so so pretty~!
I hope this made some sense, I'm still horizontal in bed writing this so I might have made a mess x') I wanted to put my 2 cents in though, so I hope it helps a little <3 tl;dr: even several colours can give stunning results if the colours harmonise and contrast well, so maybe its less aboit the number of colours, but the actual shades/tones used ^^ (though ofc over complicating a design will always look icky, its just about finding a good balance ^^)
So no, I dont think your designs suck at all - though if you're personally unhappy, reducing some colours you have that you feel is too much will no doubt help a bit, but maybe also play with the values a bit too <3
Thanks for your two cents though! You definitely made sense and worded everything very eloquently, so don't worry! XD I appreciate you still taking the time to give feedback! <3
I'll be honest tho: I personally don't really like hybrids, buuut I'll add that you did a good job merging the species you chose for the character (I think).
Keep it up, you're far from messing things up!