Reptilian E.T.

[Nightfable]

Here's my reptilian bad guy. I was wondering if there's any way to make him more bad-ass looking? His arms are hidden under his cloak, should I pull the cloak back a bit? One of his eyes gleam from under the hood.

Thanks!  

[Anian]

Hmm, I have a suggestion, but it really depends on whether it'll suit this character's character. Anyway, you might wanna take a look at the pose Batman has in the comics, when he's trying to look menacing and places his cape in a similar manner.
Although the real character you might want to look at is Cloak (from Marvel's comic Cloak & Dagger), cause he has the same cape and hood outfit (even a medallion in the same place) and wears it the same way.

Hope that helps.

[Nightfable]

LOL!!

I didn't even realize he looked like a character from a comic book. Maybe I'll change the color for his outfit or something. Thanks for the suggestions! 

[Anian]

No problem, but you don't have to change anything, it's a regular cloak (you can't make it not look like a cloak), it looks cool the way it is and besides it's black not blue and your chracter is reptilian, not human. I just  remembered that it's similar so you might find some poses that'll look "bad-ass".

[GarageGothic]

I like your style. But I don't really get the feeling that the guy is reptilian (just that he has a sickly skin tone and a weird eye). Perhaps you could show a bit more of his face, or have a claw-like hand sticking out from the cloak or something.

[Nightfable]

Great idea, thanks! I will be definitely trying that.

[Oliwerko]

Or maybe a tail coming from the behind of the cloak to the side?
That wouldn't interrupt the cloak shape.

[Lad]

 In my opinion, the cape looks kinda flattish(if there is such a word), , the shapes of the body aren`t seen.(but maybe it is your intention or my crooked eyes that misguide me)
Although he looks awesome already.   

[cat]

He somehow reminds me of Kosh from Babylon 5. He also wears a cape like this to hide his body. I'd show a hand or arm to show that he is reptilian.

Btw, good to see you are back!

[Misj']

I was wondering if there's any way to make him more bad-ass looking?

Do you want him to be bad-ass in a heroic (warrior-like) way or in an evil way? - Because that would the main influence to my approach to the character(-design).

Based on the current design I would assume him to be designed more towards evil, but I really have to ask.

[Dualnames]

You're back?! (even for a while) Wow ghost was ..anyway..

About the character, I'd put some faint blood on the cloak right on the legs..

[Nightfable]

Yes, haha! I always come back, lol!

I have a little project I think might actually take this time -- but won't be posting about it until most of the work is done. Wish me luck! 

My reptilian guy will not appear often, I don't even know if I'll use him, but thanks for all your suggestions guys.

[Misj']

Here's my reptilian bad guy. I was wondering if there's any way to make him more bad-ass looking?

One thing that I think to be a great opportunity for in this design is accessorizing. Currently he's wearing his cloak...yeah, cloaks are cool. But let's face it: every man can use some personalized accessories to define his character.

I did a quick redesigned the character in my own style (because it helps me think; although I removed most of the reptile in him to make it easier for me), and during the design I kept leaning towards the cult-leader kind of guy...with a hint of Richard (from LFG). Because in my mind he was running some sort of sect, I decided that some sort of evil crown would be a nice accessory; so here's what it ended up like.



Of course your back-story for the character will be completely different from what I used during this quick redesign, but my point is: a simple accessory can really do wonders with a character. And I think that yours - because it has a really nice basis - would really benefit from a little such personalization. It really wouldn't have to be much.

Ps. I would also make the stance a little more dynamic. Compared to most of the work you've presented on this site, this one is a bit stiff.

[Anian]

No offence Misj' (I really like your drawing) but Fable's guy looks like some creepy king's advisor that is actually plotting to take over and hides that he's reptillian (a cross between Gary Oldman's character from Lost in space and Ommadon from Flight of dragons) while your character is, like you said, a cult leader, but a bit more comical (like a cult leader's henchman or something from Darkwing duck or similar) plus it looks like he's wearing a straight jacket under the cloak (can't see how it would be comfortable to hold hands like that).

I know you said, it's your style, just saying what vibes I'm getting from both drawings.

[Misj']

I know you said, it's your style, just saying what vibes I'm getting from both drawings.

I know what you mean; but when my pen hit the paper this was where it got me...it was basically to show how adding an accessory could give a character a bit more - well - character, so I didn't really bother recreating exactly the same character.

I am curious to find out whether your vibes are in agreement with Nightfable's intentions...because it will help her define the character (or consider it finished as is).

Ps. I do agree that it turned out more comical than indented.
Pps. When I originally saw her character, I also had an advisor in mind...someone who's pretending to be good but who turns out to be evil throughout the story. That's also why I asked whether he should be bad-ass in a heroic or in an evil way. Heroic would be fun, because it creates a more complex character (when he turns out to be the bad guy).

[Jared]

The cloak's so shapeless at this stage that we're really seeing a cloak rather than a character. For a start I think more of the face should be visible, to a point where we can make out some degree of expression, which would mean giving him a larger head, and maybe some texture to the cloak.

A common piece of design seen is to pad the shoulders underneath a cloak and have the cloak taper inwards, to emphasise the shoulder area of the wearer, suggesting a large muscle mass and making him an imposing figure.  I also like the idea of a tail that Oliwerko suggested - the way the tail looks (spikey, thick, dangerously twitching etc) could be a straightforward way to bring some menace to the character.

It's already a great looking sprite, though, as others have said.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

I think if you are looking for 'badass', you need to up the menace of the villain, make them look over the top.  I was doodling ideas and came up with a rather strange but menacing design that takes advantage of the cloak to hint at the shape of the villain underneath.  I also exposed his arms because without much of a visible face he is going to need something to express himself.  The hunch on his back could be part of a very long neck, a shell, or perhaps he's just horribly mutated and hides himself from the world beneath the cloak?  Whatever the reason, he certainly doesn't look like a dude I'd want to meet in a dark alley.






Hopefully this gives you some ideas on toughening up your character!

[Akatosh]

Ehh, I dunno. Personally, I still think the first version the most menacing of the three, but it sort of depends on what you want to go for. Physically threatening? Progz. Cold, scheming mastermind? Yours.

[Matti]

I totally agree with Akatosh. The sprite already IS "badass" looking. All I'd do is make the cloak darker, it looks like it's covered with dust. I'd use more pure black and darker grey tones.

ProgZ: Honestly, I don't consider your version very menacing, it looks more like a rather goofy sidekick of some super villain. But, admitted, I wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley either.  

Edit: Something like this:

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Goofy sidekick?  Please.  Go and tell that to him in a dark alley, by all means!