Mini Challenge #2 - Cute Monsters

[FredH]

http://www.gameartisans.org/forums/extras/mini/2.jpg

Theme:
Cute Monsters

Brief:
For the next week and a half, it's time to unlock those creative ideas and bring them here to life!! In our Second Concept Mini Challenge on GameArtisans.org, we are looking for some original, small, and sickenly Cute Monsters. From small insect-like bugs with big eyes, to furry little pink dinos, if it's small, if it's cute, if it's a monster... we like it! Backgrounds are optional. Coloring is optional. Finalizing is optional. A Clean Presentation is optional. This challenge is here for those desiring to practice their art and receive friendly advice from pros. So keep it easy, keep it quick, and keep it real. Good Luck!:thumb:

Please do not make a new thread for your entry. Keep all w.i.p shots in this specific thread.

The Specs:
- Draw a single or multiple stylized cute monsters.
- Coloring is optional. You may simply keep it in its original sketchy format.


Final Submission:
Once this challenge is complete, you will be given a link to where you can upload your single final 1000 x 1000 image


Prizes:
1st place:
- 1 book from Amazon.com (up to $30 value)
- 1 new forum and gallery award icon for mini challenges
- 1 point towards raising your overal game, elite, and/or master rating on gameartisans

2nd place:
- 1 book from Amazon.com (up to $20 value)
- 1 new forum and gallery award icon for mini challenges
- 1/2 point towards raising your overal game, elite, and/or master rating on gameartisans

3rd place:
- 1 new forum and gallery award icon for mini challenges


Public Voting:
All Winners are chosen through a public voting system. Only GA.org members may vote.


Deadline:
Monday September 3rd 11:59 p.m Eastern Time

[Marcus Dublin]

Sounds like fun, I may join the party if I come up with any ideas!:)

Marcus

[Dario]

heres the one of my thumbnails i chosed. gonna work it out as soon as i have time for. :)

http://www.dariocoelho.com/gallery/sketches/cutemonsta.jpg

[peter_john]

cool challenge... I was just doing some cute monsters the other day that turned into some web banners (these aren't entries, just some food for thought):
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1400/1216226227_bc763b4edc_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1401/1216226419_c2bd3ecaab_o.jpg

Time to make something fresh!

[Marcus Dublin]

I would love to see some more iteration on the little green guy.:)

Marcus

cool challenge... I was just doing some cute monsters the other day that turned into some web banners (these aren't entries, just some food for thought):
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1400/1216226227_bc763b4edc_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1401/1216226419_c2bd3ecaab_o.jpg

Time to make something fresh!

[kipiripi]

Cool start guys.This thread warming gradually.

[Antimagic]

I hope I can enter both this time around. At the very least, I will put more of an effort into an actual concept. Good luck guys. Let's get this concept section rolling!

[peter_john]

Marcus Dublin - I did three bats all together, the second one is in the other image. Maybe I'll do a group of cute bat beasts... or at least post them later on! Thanks :D

antimagic - I'd love to see you do a cute interpretation of your beholder avatar! Especially since it's tied to your namesake too... haha, don't feel limited to it. It can be a nice challenge to try and take something that's generally nasty and make it look appealing / cute. Just depositing my 2 cents.

[Antimagic]

Peter_john.... that's gold man, simply gold! I will do it. Thanks for the spark to get me started:D

Dario, really cool start there. Pink was the way to go on that one. But, I still feel it can be cuter. Maybe some more highlights in the eyes, or make the eyes bigger.. not sure. Either way, it's a great base. Hope you will finish him/her.

[Vikkie]

my morning doodles on the subject: don't know which one looks better, still sleepy :)

comments and crits will be hugged as usual.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8563/87798252nl0.jpg

[chaos81]

Alrite, this is my concept, at least the rough of it hehe

basically based on plants and flowers n a point of pokemon-ish.

[peter_john]

something more worth checking out since it pertains to the concept comp mascot: Chris Sanders was the man behind Lilo and Stich at Disney. Here's his website, full of chubby cute things: http://www.chrissandersart.com/www/index.php
http://www.chrissandersart.com/www/sketches.php

Vikkie - nice thumbs. Something that might help the cuteness of these is the head to body shape relationships and construction. Take a look at Preston Blair's methods on cartoon construction for cute characters and the other types: http://www.animationarchive.org/2006/05/media-preston-blairs-animation-first.html
http://www.animationarchive.org/2006/05/media-preston-blairs-animation-1st.html

chaos81 - these are a nice start too, I like the little flower bud in the upper left but it looks really similar to oddish/gloom. Maybe if you can make it unique enough from those pokemon it would be a good bet.

dario - cool approach, more realism with cuteness instead of cartoony cuteness. Keep it up!

[Antimagic]

I love this one, a cute kid with a chainsaw Lol http://www.chrissandersart.com/www/images/_sketches/15_sketch.gif

Very inspirational llink. Thanks Peter.

[Vikkie]

peter_john, These links...Pure awesomeness! Thank you :D

[Jill'san]

chaos81, the flower kid looks really good. He looks like something you would see in a final fantasy game. I am positive that with a little more effort on the top flower, you can really make this sketch into a very nice and elaborate character.

Vikkie, I like the baby/zombie/pig combo on the bottom of your sheet:) He looks adorable, yet is obviously a monster at the same time. Hope you will carry your sketches further.

[peter_john]

Vikkie - no problem! of the thumbs you have I do like the owly looking one and the one 4 mouth tentacled grub on the left. A cute monster owl might be interesting, since owls are usually so stern. Maybe a sassy/moody creature might work.

[peter_john]

antimagic - good pick! this one's one of my favorites: http://www.chrissandersart.com/www/images/_sketches/10_sketch.gif
I was talking about this image with a friend of mine the other day about how cool it is to see this demon doing what probably makes demons happy. Some weird and twisted hobby, for sure!

[Jill'san]

peter, I need one of those sticks for my girlfriend :lol: I also like the kid with the chainsaw. Cute but deadly.

[Vikkie]

came up with more sketches :)

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/1361/48467465if7.jpg

[Marcus Dublin]

Vikkie: I'm digging the top left design and the bottom design as well, the have a Tim Burton feel to them for sure. It would be great to see them more fleshed out.:)

Dario: It'll be great to see this design when it's worked on a bit more, Antimagic was right about making the eye's bigger a it'll add to the cuteness factor.:)

Marcus

[Chasarsis]

@chaos81: I think making the top flower a bit bigger would help add to the its already devasting cuteness :)

@vikkie: Oogie boogie is awesome! I also like the kid in the bottom right corner of your first sketch sheet.

Thought I'd try my hand at a more fully fleshed out concept for my 3d entry
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v416/temetry/milly2.jpg

I'll want to do her up in a cuter pose, but I should work on my 3d entry first
And I've found I really like painting cute things though ^^

[Rain]

I was going to say you should submit this concept in the concept section as well.. but I see you are already here:D

Vikkie, personally, I like the little monkey that is dressed up like a grandmother, and possesses an axe:p It would be funny to see him very small on a large paper and he would cast a huge shadow that makes him seem scarier than he really is. Could be interesting.

[Marcus Dublin]

Wow Chasarsis this concept just leaped off of my monitor, very colorful and lively, I love it!:thumb:

Marcus


@chaos81: I think making the top flower a bit bigger would help add to the its already devasting cuteness :)

@vikkie: Oogie boogie is awesome! I also like the kid in the bottom right corner of your first sketch sheet.

Thought I'd try my hand at a more fully fleshed out concept for my 3d entry
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v416/temetry/milly2.jpg

I'll want to do her up in a cuter pose, but I should work on my 3d entry first
And I've found I really like painting cute things though ^^

[Vikkie]

can't really decide which one to work on :( The one on the right look too much like Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants so I'll probably abondon it.

I think I'l go with the dancing one, not quite sure tho :confused:

all critiques and comments are going to be copied on origami paper and will be folded into a swan to be used in the Prison Break TV series. (a good thing)


http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/3907/compilationishjs2.jpg

[EricElwell]

ohhhh flowery purple nipples. Now that's got class!

[keo]

just playing around at this point. we'll see what happens...

[Chong]

Hi,

This is my first time joining competition and here is the Cute Monster design ;)
Any comments are welcome :D

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc128/pcchong/Chong_cuteMonsters_thumb.jpg

Cheers :)

[michu]

Hiya, my first post here! A friend of mine recommended this place to me. Thought I'd give it a go since I like cute creatures :)

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h86/hpudding/sketch/cutemonster_01.jpg

[Dario]

chong and michu, these are wonderful drawings! that bear with the bloodsplit on its fluffy fur made my day! :D

[Kerepres]

They're getting cuter n cuter!!

Chong : I like the mushroom with a butt! Hahah... And the dinosaur as well.
Michu : The bear catches my attention as well :D

[Marcus Dublin]

Vikkie: I like the first one as well, I guess the pose has more personality to it. I would also push the Tim Burton inspired feel in the final go round. The character reminds me of something from The nightmare before Christmas:).

Keo: Hehe, a little goblin bug rider, the beetle can really work for the whole thing if you pushed for more stylized features on in. It feels a bit odd to have a stylized cartoon character riding on top of a semi real bug. I'm looking forward to your next pass.

Chong: Welcome to Game Artisans and thanks for joining! I like the fact that these sketches are so simple yet imaginative, nice going. The soft pink background really adds a nice touch as well.:)

michu: I'm glad your friend recommended you to the boards, welcome. Are these two characters a combination or just two options? Honestly in a weird way they look like the belong together. The drawings themselves have a very bubbly feel to them, especially the lizard thingy and the bloody nosed teddy is too cool.:thumb:

[EricElwell]

haha! Awesome!

Chong: These are all very appealing to me! I love the style.. I'm not sure how, but looking at these brought me back to the book "Insanely Twisted Rabbits" by Michel Gagne .. I suppose this whole comp is down that alley. (I'd recommend looking that up, for anyone who is looking for some motivation/ideas.)

Michu: I am love'n the lil'guy with the fangs and claws! Very stylistic! I checked out your site hoping to find more characters like this. It'd totally rock to see more characters in this style!


Gonna post my concept from the 3d section, sorry for the double spam:
http://www.thetextureguy.com/screenies/monstcute3b.jpg

[sinz]

I love the expression on that one eric, there are some really nice concepts going on in here I wanna see more!!!

Here's one I've been playin around with nothin special though it might just stay a concept:

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/6584/cutemonstercsp7.jpg

Hope you all like I thought it was cute, lol!

[kipiripi]

Here is my one.
A Worm cant see anything.But Who dont wants to fly ...

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/fernament/blindwormbyKipiripi.jpg

[Chong]

Haha thank you for the comments guys;

Michu ~ i like your designs, they looks interesting to me especially the bear.

Dario ~ thanks :)

Kerepres ~ hehee, i like the first and second designs as well, thanks :approve:

Marcus ~ thank you and nice to b here! :D

EricElwell ~ hmm, thank you for the tips, i will look into it haha

Kipiripi ~ i like your concept especially the combination of color, it outstand the worm. :thumb:

[Chong]

hi all,

I'm back with my 1st color version for one of the cute monster.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc128/pcchong/Chong_cuteMonsters_clr.jpg

C & C are welcome. :D

[scorn-maniac]

Getting a lot of cool shit in here. Will give a run on those Pokemon!

Dario: Nice. I cant help thinking of the 2 thick lips it has. The pink colour suits it.

peter_john: Different types of bat monsters? Like some rock band or something? Looking forward to it

Vikkie: I dig the one on the right. Personally, I dont see the strong resemblence to Patrick. But the dancing monster is killer too.

keo: Dig the sketch man. Though the monster

chaos81: Going nicely for this. Show us a bouquet of monster!

Chasarsis: The colours strike me! Those pink cheeks sure brings out its cheekiness. Those red ears remind me of some court jester hat.

keo: Dig the sketch man. Though might need to inject some cuteness. Maybe a bigger head or eyes?

Chong: I like how the monster is going though I cant help grinning to see that monster mushroom mooning.

michu: Dang, that zombie bear kills!

EricElwell: Nice dragon baby going on here.

sinz: Nice going. Just a bit more cuteness. Maybe try some buck tooth instead of fangs?

kipiripi: Cool idea. I guess the worm wanna stay grounded? Those cracks on the ground makes me feel I dont wanna mess with that worm.


Aite, hope u guys dont mind my 2 cents worth. Looking forward for more. :D

[keo]

wow, this topic has a lot of people working hard and early! (I'll have to double-check the due date, might be sooner than I thought!)

edit yes, it's a lot sooner than I thought!! :)

here's some more stuff...

[Chasarsis]

@michu: That's adorable.
@Chong: He reminds me of piglet for some reason. Looks awesome :)
@kiripiri: I think he should have something more tying him to the "wanting to fly" concept. Maybe he can be looking towards the sky while wearing the goggles and helmet, or perhaps a plane is reflected in his goggles.
The way you've depicted him really has him tied to the ground, and is contrary to the message you want to send, me thinks :inocent:

@Eric Elwell: Looks awesome dude, keep it coming!

Concept update
Needed a pedestal for my creature to stand on in the 3d version :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v416/temetry/millyconcept1.jpg

[michu]

Hihi, thanks all for the feedback!

Marcus: These previous two were just some ideas. I think I am going with the direction of the bear one, and see if I can come up with something better...

EricElwell: Glad you like it! Well it's the first time I tried this style. Seems to be working quite well. I think I am going to play some more with it!

Chong:
Yours is looking really good! Such a sweet image :)

Here are two more that I did today:
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h86/hpudding/sketch/cutemonster02.jpg

[chaos81]

Did some development to my monster :) Not sure to give it big anime eyes or little black eyes...

[3dimentia]

Welp, here is my entry WIP. Its going to be a "Stinging Nettle Monster". I don't know what brought up the idea... I got the leafy character idea from frozan but took it in my own wierd way. I haven't done any of my own work in a LONG time. hope you like it. Obviously not done, gotta flesh out lots more :D

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c171/3dimentia/nettleMonster-2.jpg

[Davision3d]

Cant let this very cool challenge go by! :)
Here is my monster:
http://www.daxx-web.de/bilder/cute-monster.jpg


@ michu
I love your super cute monsters.

@ keo
Maybe to detailed to let it look cute but the fly is great.

@ Chasarsis
I really like your unique design.

[keo]

-davision: glad you liked the fly, here's another!

[3dimentia]

haha keo thats great :D
Hes fun!

[3dimentia]

Added more stuffs......

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c171/3dimentia/nettleMonster-5.jpg

I'm havin so much fun :D

[Vikkie]

well since everything is on a seperate layer, why not do this :D

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5043/boogievg1.gif

[Rain]

Vikkie, :p spooky, yet cute. I love her little bikini:p

3dimensia, It's shaping up really nicely. The leaves looks extremely well rendered.

Keo, That fly will be tough to beat. But, it might be cool to give him a funny logo on his t-shirt. Since the eyes aren't making him cute, perhaps a t-shirt design can.

davision, Nice start. Like with keo, perhaps you can have a cute t-shirt on yours. Something oversized always look cute on little guys:)

[FredH]

Hey guys, you can use the same link to upload your final image for cute monsters:)

http://www.gameartisans.org/contests/mini/concept.html

Good luck

Vikkie, she looks really good, but it would best if you didn't animate her for your final image. This could possibly mess up the loading system:D

[Vikkie]

FredH, I won't animate it, even if I wanted to I can't:) it's already 348 KB or something, that's way over the limit :)

[EricElwell]

3dimentia: looking good! originally the angle threw me off, since it's not really a creature that your brain understands, so it took me a bit to get a feel for the form/angle... very cool though! I love the style, it's lookin cute, and the rendering is coming along well. Keep rock'n!

[Chong]

Chasarsis ~ thanks. your monster is awesome.

Michu ~ thanks. your monster is really stylish and adorable :D

Chaos81 ~ I like your monster with little black eye, looks very lovely. :lol:

Vikkie ~ Cool! Feel like using it as msn emoticon. :D


Here is my latest wip, a color version for the mushroom monster and a layout thumb for final image :p

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc128/pcchong/Chong_cuteMonsters_mushroom.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc128/pcchong/Chong_cuteMonsters_thumb-1.jpg

Thanks.

[peter_john]

some 11th hour updates!
I didn't want to just go with those bat designs I already posted since I used them for something else. Some more sketches to lead me towards new things:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1063/1306173752_6f66a0cff1_o.jpg

A different bat design:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1405/1305290145_8713106986_o.jpg

Some more mushrooms and a lizardy thing (trying to develop one of the sketches from the first image up there ^):
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1420/1305289939_197f99a114_o.jpg

I'm probably going to do something with the long armed mushroom guy on above, maybe add a bat or a lizard if there's time. Hopes!

[Marcus Dublin]

Chong: Interesting color choice for the mushroom monster and the final layout should make for a terrific conclusion.:)

peter_john: "Some more sketches to lead me towards new things"

Marcus: Nothing wrong with that, inspiration and the iterative process is a weird thing sometimes. The bat in particular is freaking me out because I was messing around with some sketches and had a fairly similar drawing, hehe:lucky:. These are really cool sketches and I can't wait until you post your final illustration.

[peter_john]

Marcus Dublin - whoops, did I make a grammar error there? Or perhaps my logic was circuitous. Verbose! hehe :] given another chance I'd go with "I drew some more."

[Marcus Dublin]

Hehe:D, well I wasn't pointing out any grammatical errors just quoting your words to show how easy it is to be inspired and make creative shifts in direction. Rock on!:)

[Davision3d]

Very cool stuff peter, i think the sitting creature is the cutest :)

Your style is great Chong

[chaos81]

This is my entry :) Its call Rafsia, short for Rafflesiaceae or Rafflesia the corpse flower. During rest, it can retract itself and roll up its petals. When provoked, it will open up its petals and reveal the center which releases an odor so strong that no man can ever stand it! But they are generally gentle shy plants that prefer to live in forests and jungles.

[FredH]

Not much time left guys:) Everyone is doing a really good job so far. It's been great seeing the concepts everyone came up with in here.

[peter_john]

Just finished off the Spore Farmer here:
http://www.gameartisans.org/contests/mini/uploaded_minichallanges_images/2-concept-1105-1188883833-img.jpg
Good round folks!

[michu]

Chong: Like the soft colours you use. Looking forward to see the final image.

peter_john: I dig these small sketches! The spore farmer is a neat concept and nicely coloured!