#heavyarmor

ART FIGHT 2023 - ATTACK #4 The Shadowborn for Kyleesbasement bonus:

If I’m going to hell,

Half flesh, half machine, all fury. This character was a wild one to work on, that spiked armor, brutal shield & eerie core made shading a challenge but totally worth it A high-detail character concept of an intimidating fantasy warrior. The figure is clad in thick, stylized armor and features significant cybernetic or steampunk augmentation, including a visible mechanical core in the chest and tubing on the back. Armed with a massive, spiked shield, this character embodies a fusion of ancient martial defense and advanced, terrifying technology.

Project Breakdown

Concept & Theme

My vision was to explore a warrior who has surpassed human limitations through mechanical augmentation, merging the medieval aesthetic of heavy plate armor with internal clockwork or cybernetic tech. The theme is brutal endurance and the price of power. The exposed chest core and scarred, bald head suggest that this transformation was painful and necessary, making the character a relentless, formidable sentinel.

Character Design

The Physique: The character has a massive, imposing build, defined by thick armor and exposed, reddened skin/muscle tissue around the chest.

Augmentation/Cybernetics:

Chest Core: The most prominent feature is the exposed, intricate mechanical core centered in the chest, replacing the heart and acting as the character's engine or power source.

Tubing: Thick, brass-colored tubing runs from the back of the neck, suggesting a life-support system or power conduit.

Right Arm: The right arm features visible mechanical parts encased in segmented armor, hinting at modified, superior strength.

Armor & Shield:

Armor: Heavy, oxidized metal plates cover the legs, shoulders, and left arm. The dark, aged brass/steel coloring emphasizes the character's long, brutal history of combat.

Shield: A massive, kite-shaped shield covered in wickedly sharp, stylized spikes, serving as a deadly offensive tool as much as a defense.

Art Process

Initial Concept: Focused on finding the right balance between the human form and the mechanical additions, ensuring the augmentation felt integrated and vital, not just decorative.

Rendering Style: Employed a highly detailed, semi-photorealistic digital painting style. This was crucial for conveying the texture of the aged, beaten metal, the roughness of the exposed skin, and the intricacy of the central mechanism.

Color Palette: The palette is dark and grounded, dominated by earthy browns, oxidized grays, and the deep, angry red of the exposed flesh. Subtle brass and copper tones highlight the mechanical parts.

Lighting & Atmosphere: The lighting is moody and low-key, with soft, ambient light sources creating a subtle glow on the metal surfaces and casting deep shadows. This atmosphere enhances the character's menacing presence, suggesting a dark, dungeon-like setting.

Tools Used

Software: Adobe Photoshop / Clip Studio Paint / Procreate.

Hardware: iPad Pro with Apple Pencil.

Brushes: Primarily high-detail texture brushes for the armor and skin, and soft blending brushes for the realistic lighting and rendering.

Highlights

The incredible detail and realistic rendering of the weathered metal and exposed body tissue.

The compelling fusion of medieval heavy armor with steampunk/cybernetic enhancement.

The formidable, menacing presence established by the character's gaze and the massive, spiked shield.