Misunderstood Orc... WIP

[twf152]

Here is an Orc concept that I’ve been working on for a story that I’ve been writing in my spare time. I find making concept art helps me get through writers block, and to help keep the creative juices flowing. I did this particular concept because I really wanted a concrete visual when writing about the Orc race.

To get an Idea of what I was going for I’ll give you a little background…

I’m taking a semi evolutionary POV for the creatures in my story; and combining classical mythology, and popular fantasy. So here, the Orcs are related to elves, the same way that chimps are related to gorillas. The difference being, that while elves survive by being extremely adaptable; (taking inspiration from the mythological nymphs. In that you have nymphs mimicking every type of environment, wood, mountain, sea, etc.) Orcs survive by being immune to their environment, causing them to be stubborn both physically and mentally.

In my story the Orcs are the antagonists, as they often are. But unlike some fantasy tales, the Orcs aren’t evil. Instead they are outcast by society because of their appearance; and by the gods because of their stubbornness and unwillingness to submit.

Keeping this in mind I tried to make a visage, that while intimidating, did not look evil. I didn’t get to the clothes yet.

Let me know what you think.

Also… I was playing around with the fog feature trying to spice things up. Let me know if it helped/ hurt, or if it is even noticeable.

Attachments

[xenoforge]

Hm. Looks a bit too human and “noble” there. Has some traits of Wolverine as well. At least try to make him a bit more animalistic.

[twf152]

I actually wanted them to look as human as possible. That way the audience can more easily sympathize with them.

When I said they were outcast because of their appearance I meant more in the way that Black people had been considered less than human, because of the color of their skin, not so much because they are ugly, or more animal like.

I am saving the more inhuman appearance for the Ogres and Trolls.

[twf152]

Well, I moved on to the armor for the orc. I started out by masking off and extracting various shapes for the seperate pieces. Then, I sculpted each piece, trying out diffarent things untill I got a look that I liked. I then moved into maya to make a fairly highpoly model based on the concept sculpt.

My next step is to add nicks and texture to the armor, as well as scars/ bumps to the visible skin. Then, I will color the whole thing in greater detail.

I’m thinking of giving him some weapons too. Maybe a saber and some kind of pistol.

Attachments

[twf152]

A while back, xenoforge had commented that my Orc looked a little to human. I replied that this was my intention; because I wanted them to be more relatable, and because they were supposed to be the most human of the antagonist races.

After that I thought I would take a little time and do a sculpt of one of the other races… the Ogre.

Ogres being further separated from elves, somewhere between the Orc, and the troll. Ogres share the same evolutionary adaptation as trolls. That being that when they enter sunlight their body undergoes a kind of photosynthesis. When this happens, their skin secretes a sap like substance that after a few seconds, petrifies and turns to stone. While in this state the ogre’s speed will be greatly reduced, but they will gain the benefit of accelerated health regeneration and near invulnerability. The amount of petrifaction depends on the amount of direct sunlight.

Ogres are larger, and stronger than Orcs; but much smaller, and weaker than trolls. Contrary to trolls, ogres are as smart as Orcs and humans. And, while ogres will always maintain some mobility when in sunlight, on a very bright day a troll can be rendered completely immobile.
<O:p

Sorry if I get a tad long winded, I like to give character descriptions.
<O:p

Here is my sculpt of the ogre. It is just the head for now, but I would really like to know what everyone thinks; specifically of the texture and if everyone likes the difference/ similarity between the Orc and Ogre.
<O:p

Also I would Like to know if anyone else agrees that the Orc is too human, and any suggestions on what to try. I’m not promising I’ll change it, but I still appreciate the criticism/ advice.

Attachments

[_Light]

This is some good stuff.

I like the style of the first one, sort of reminds me of metal gear solid art style, even thou the subject is totally different, maybe I’m crazy

I’m doing a similar character, im actually making a freak of sort, that has a rare disorder and he feels seperated from humanity, even thou he is human.

[system]

I really like what you’re doing there.

About the Orc being too human, I think he’s human enough to show what you’re trying to show.
I’m curious about how you’re going to do the Ogre body.

[baller]

DON’T FEEL LIKE sculpting the hands, eh? i feel ya bro. takes too dang long

[system]

Sorry - but the first one just looks like a guy with big pointy ears & a batnose - the second one is starting to get somewhere in terms of detail but I still wouldn’t read it as an orc or troll.

From the anatomy of the first sculpt I’d say you’ve got the talent to make a great sculpt - you just need a bit more time concentrated in the imaginearing department - I’d certainly like to see a new take on orcs - they where after all twisted & tortured elves so there is nothing to say that they can’t look more human than say the Games Workshop Orcs & Goblins.

Also I feel from your backstory you may have a misconception of scale for these guys - you have them from shortest to tallest - Orc, Ogre then Troll - I feel this to be innacurate as in legends & myths Ogres tend to be more akin to Giants than Orcs & Trolls so for scale I would have it as Orc, Troll then Ogre.

Hope this helps in some way - looking forward to see where you land with this.

[twf152]

@Light: MGS!? Buh!? You’re totally nuts. JK. I just can’t see it. I don’t really think it look like any of Yoji Shinkawa’s work, (the main concept artist for MGS) in concept or in execution, but if you think it looks like that then cool. Thanks for the compliment nonetheless. I’d be interested in seeing your character I’ll keep an eye out for it on the site.

@Mestav: Thanks man. I’ll be finishing the ogre body fairly soon. I’ll be posting the troll too, and probably before the ogre, since it’s going to be more of a departure from human anatomy. And, I’ve been wanting to delve back into creatures for a while now.
<O:p

@baller: yeah, hands suck. Or I suck at hands. Either way, I think they take too much time with all of the intertwining forms, for being such a small part of the character.

<O:p
@mantisman: Ouch!.. My Balls!! But seriously, there really is no definitive source that says what any of these creatures look like, or how big they are. I’ve seen trolls range from being bigger than a house to being shorter than a man. The same with ogres.

And keep in mind that in my tale, none of these creatures are evil or were transformed by darkness; they are just animals like humans. Also, at some point in the story, the audience is going to have to feel bad for one particular orc who is killed by the main character, even after having shown compassion for the main character and his friends. I just don’t think the audience will be there unless the orc looks pretty darn human.

[_Light]

LOL your right, I think I was crazy when I posted that.

I think something to do with the expression and muscles made me think like that, but yes rethinking it is nothing like it haha.

[system]

@twf152

‘there really is no definitive source that says what any of these creatures look like, or how big they are.’
I’ve got to disagree with you on that point - these creatures are spawned of fairy tales & legends & so there is great literature on how these creatures look :-

It is said Orc is from Old English orcneas, which appears in the epic poem Beowulf.

Most commonly Orc is from the many works of Tolkien.

The Trolls of Nordic legend are the ones with tusks and range in size but as a creature that can dwell under a bridge in a pre-mediaeval world & feed on goats I can’t imagine it being that large.

Ogre comes from a translation of ‘man eating giant’ in the Arabian Nights - though has been confused with ‘Ogur’ meaning Hungarian - as in blood thirsty huns.

As you can see there is much reference to these creatures already in art & literature it’s up to you of course if you choose to follow any source as guide or re-imagine these creatures - but if they are fully re-imagined why call them orcs etc - why not create something new.

‘Also, at some point in the story, the audience is going to have to feel bad for one particular orc who is killed by the main character, even after having shown compassion for the main character and his friends. I just don’t think the audience will be there unless the orc looks pretty darn human.’

On this point I don’t think you’re giving much credit to your audience here - empathy is so much more dependant on expression & character than looks - for example the Predator, or Nemissis [2000AD] - these are totaly alien - ok they’re bipeds but there the similarity with humans ends except for their character traits & range of emotions expressed in facial features & with Nemissis it’s pretty much all down to his eyes & brow.

I think you may be missing my point some what though - there are areas of your sculpt that show clear talent - I’m just encouraging you to come up with something less generic & more imaginative.

Hope your balls are ok & keep at it

[AR-MAN]

Nice work man

[twf152]

So, Okay… more than one person has maintained that my Orc looks too human. So I thought I’d do something about it. I really liked the overall proportions of the previous face so I kept them and changed it just by adding texture and some inhuman facial details. Let me know what you think. I am bound, and determined to rastle this har issue to the ground.:mad:

Attachments

[system]

Damn ! I really like the Troll so far.
I’m glad you’re not going for the brainless muscular giant cliche .