Gryphon prompt: Lets share our inspiration and WIPs

[Reb Erlik]

The concept is that both characters are each missing a wing. The other gryphons are abandoning the injured one. The moth girl is a re-occurring character from last month's HTFYA, but I need to get her on model.

Question: What should I do with the background? Just keep it simple and moody? Or try to add more story?

Some possible stories:
-This gryphon is different from the others; it has peacock feathers and the others are jealous so they rip its wing off.
-This gryphon is simply being abandoned because it can't migrate.
-This gryphon has 2 wings but it's injured in some other way. (Hunter arrows? sword?)
-Story needs to have an emotional metaphor, not just explain the injury.

For creature design, I like the idea of peacock feathers looking similar to moth girl's wings. The swan proportions are also appealing. However I want the creature design to most resemble a canada goose to evoke migration/abandonment.
I haven't done the back legs yet, because I don't like how they ruin the silhouette, so thinking more of a serpent body that ends in a mermaid tail instead, so a little more loose interpretation of a gryphon.

[Haley Browning]

I don't think I will get this in by March 1st as I kept restarting and trying new concepts. But I'd still like to post when it is done and get feedback if possible.

[Joshua Chennault]

Getting into the lineart. Going to be cutting it close, but I think I can get it done before the deadline. Fingers crossed.

[H. Moon]

Hi! I'm new here, wish I saw this before I posted my result for the prompt! but I would love to hear any thoughts on it. I've never drawn a griffin or even a lion before this! Very challenging, also this is done traditionally with ink and watercolor.

[Joshua Chennault]

Managed to get through the rendering. Still have a couple hours. Figured I would let it marinate for an hour or two and come back one last time before uploading to the final thread.

[Sarah VanDam]

@Joshua-Chennault Your style give me really fun Gravity Falls vibes

[Joshua Chennault]

@Sarah-VanDam Yeah, I loved Gravity Falls. Animated shows are a big inspiration for me. The stuff Disney, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and Netflix have produced over the past 10-15 years are really great.

[Fey Realme]

@Haley-Browning totally still post it to the prompt thread when you finish! I’ve never seen them leave anyone out bc they submitted late!

[H. Moon]

@reberlik what about a defective wing that it was born with? You could add a very impactful emotional metaphor that goes with it, maybe make the lack of a wing positive in the end.

[Reb Erlik]

Which version do you guys like better? I intended it as a goose originally because of the migration/abandonment metaphor. But peacock feathers have a slight visual similarity to moth wing pattern.
Still feeling like there's not enough story here... I'll keep working on it post-HTFYA.

[J. Morgan Looney]

@reberlik the second one feels more cohesive to me because the color visually connects the characters.

[Reb Erlik]

@J-Morgan-Looney Thanks J! That's reasurring to hear that I submitted the more color harmonious option. You've got a great eye... it actually wasn't something I was thinking about. I was just focused on the "eye" shaped wings of peacock and moths, feeling this was a missed opportunity.

[Reb Erlik]

@H-Moon Thanks H! Your concept idea is very creative! I'm generally more drawn towards art that communicates negative emotions like loss, loneliness etc through metaphor, but i can see how an uplifting message would be more popular with a wider audience