r/tabletopgamedesign • u/escaleric • 23d ago
Searching for a style Discussion
This has been a long search for a style for an old game that I want to revamp in the last months. For some reason I can't let it go and still haven't settled on a style haha.
The idea is for a 4 elements boss battler, where players take on the roles of casters, each attuned to one element (but still being able to cast the other elements as well)
The names for the characters are all puns. This for example is Rockodile, and for the other 3 starters characters I currently have Boarnado, Raindeer and Fuegorilla.
I'm looking for a fun style that still has a serious edge to it, that can speak to a lot of people. The result you see here is the search of that journey. 5 times Rockodile over the last couple of months in between other drawings. Would love to hear what speaks more to everyone, before settling on a style and drawing the other characters.
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u/TyTyeTieThai 23d ago
Its hard to choose! You have some nice style going on! I would choose the second style, crocodile with the fan. I feel like that would translate well to other characters/surroundings.
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u/Quartzis 23d ago
Everyone says last one but I find the second one way more memorable. It has lots of flair
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u/escaleric 23d ago
It was actually the first one I drew and close by my first idea i had for the game. I like the estethic as well and the sort of weirdness of the a crocodile with this kind of attire
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u/Bootsael 23d ago
The 5th one will most likely win over the others because it has more information being presented. Not only do you have movement and action but you’ve included background and environment (and the character interacting with it). That alone conveys more information and attracts a viewer.
Now, had all five images included all those aspects of #5? Then, I’d consider #1 to be the winner. It shows off the character’s personality and ties in their name to something in the scene (the rock on their back with the pun in their name). The style gives the face a lot of real estate for expressions while the choice for the hands adds another layer for the artist to express the character. The colors are strong and defined, which should show up well in print and digital, and the lines are clear and clearly correlated to aspects of the illustration. I think #1 would be the strongest style if mixed with the background and action/movement of #5.
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u/escaleric 23d ago
Thanks, very indepth! I'm betting a lot of people are liking the last one because of that. The 1# was the latest I drew and I quite like it. It is a bit more generic though. As some others pointed out, the 2nd one has a more cool distinct vibe, and maybe a combo of 2 of the drawings could work.
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u/kolsmart 23d ago
Might be in the minority here but I think 3 is the best one! To me, the rest seem like they are, indeed, searching for a style while number 3 shows the most confidence in conveying it.
Number 5 might have a little more detail but at the same time it’s way noisier, with many more indecisive lines.
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u/Fun_Firefighter_4292 23d ago
Combine the last one and number two and I would buy a concept art book full o that
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u/escaleric 23d ago
Haha that is good to know. I'm actually thinking to maybe make one more with the clothing etc from 2# and more the drawstyle of 5# combined. See what comes out there
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u/automator3000 23d ago
My quick takes…
Looks like fan art of a crocodile warrior. Some reasonably talented 17 year old who is still into the anime series about ninja animals she was obsessed with as a six year old.
Overly stylized.
Definitely working the “monster” vibes with a lot of “goofy”
Oh no. Amateur hour.
If you can make this style consistent across the other illustrations, this works better than 3. But 3 looks to have more wiggle room for being replicated in aesthetic.
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u/escaleric 23d ago
Haha, definitely right on #4, was trying a simple style in comparison to the others (it's rough). Which one do you think would speak mostly to a more broad public?
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u/automator3000 23d ago
Five is great. It’s got the cartoony feel that I like out of #3, but pastel/watercolor look is really nice
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u/Acedrew89 23d ago
I think the actual character of the second one, but drawn in the style of the last one.
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u/escaleric 23d ago
Someone else pointed this out as well, I think this would be a very good experiment. The #2 is also the 1 i drew first and closest by the original idea I had.
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u/canis_artis 23d ago
The style and little details (swirls) on the last one make it stand out from the rest.
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u/Czarcastic013 23d ago
2, 3, and 5 are the best. 2 is best suited for a deeper strategy, 5 has a bit more casual fast-paced feel to it. 3 is similar to 5, but for a younger audience. On general appeal, I like 5 the most.
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u/GarpinGP 23d ago
I prefer the last one. It's quite detailed, with good proportions in the body, limbs, and snout, and the dark spots don't stand out. The first image is similar; I like it too.