WIP: Feb 2024 HTFYA
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Hi all!
My concept for Feb 2024 is a star that has been trapped by an astronomer. I want to make a detailed illustration featuring a lot of cool astronomical instruments, but I realize the important thing is to focus on the "trapped" element, which is the star. These are a couple of the compositions I've worked on. I feel like I'm a little stuck and not able to think up more interesting angles.
Numbers 3 and 4 are much rougher as they were done earlier and I was having a hard time visualizing the space, but the general idea is to have the star in a jar on a shelf, and a separated observatory area with a telescope. I would also like to hint at the personality/motivation of the astronomer who trapped the star, but I'm having trouble showing that when the space is in the background.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
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@skeletortoise Cool piece! Awesome compositions #1 and #2. Question about the concept:
How will the viewer know it's a star and not a fairy? She has a pointy crown but it doesn't seem like enough. Maybe make a glow around the character in the shape of a star or return to the earlier pose with her arms outstretched. Or a jar label that says "star: specimen captured".As for the room/personality, ask:
Why does astronomer want to capture a star? To fulfill a wish? (Wish upon a star) For someone else's sake? (Make a wish foundation) For nefarious reasons?Is this person obsessive? Do they hunt stars for trophies? Or just study them for science?
Is this person messy or organized? Is their mind chaotic or calculated?If you go with the observatory layout, maybe a standing easel could display a diagram of a vivisected star,
or a corkboard with a map and locations circled, and strings connecting papers.Think about conspiracy theorists, pirates treasure hunting, detectives, etc for personality ideas
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@skeletortoise I like #2 better, but the scale of the room in #1 is much more interesting. If you lowered the camera to a slightly more upshot, you could have best of both worlds, show the hatch on the ceiling, etc.
You could put a sticker on the jar saying "alien lifeform #468" or something to illustrate a motive.
Really cool composition and idea!
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@reberlik @Tom-Harshberger Thanks to you both for the great suggestions! I am going to take these into consideration and hopefully get a sketch finished soon. Time is running out!
