Pixel Joint Forum: Bison (fixed link)

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   No, not M. Bison...

Reference (large image)

I'm having some trouble with the fur, specifically. The hair of a bison is so short, I'm pretty clueless as to how I can achieve a believable texture. I tried dithering, but it seemed too noticeable on the relatively large areas. Maybe it would've worked with a better pallete. I'm not sure though.

Also, does Imgur not work on this site? I had trouble getting the image to properly show.

Edited by Tom Tom - 04 December 2011 at 5:58pm

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Tom Tom Seaman Joined: 29 November 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Topic: Bison (fixed link) Posted: 04 December 2011 at 5:36pm
	No, not M. Bison... Reference (large image) I'm having some trouble with the fur, specifically. The hair of a bison is so short, I'm pretty clueless as to how I can achieve a believable texture. I tried dithering, but it seemed too noticeable on the relatively large areas. Maybe it would've worked with a better pallete. I'm not sure though. Also, does Imgur not work on this site? I had trouble getting the image to properly show. Edited by Tom Tom - 04 December 2011 at 5:58pm
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Friend Commander Joined: 01 April 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 710	Posted: 04 December 2011 at 10:23pm
	the colors are too dark, overall lack of contrast. Could do with more interesting hues instead of just a ramp of a single brown hue. For example, you could use seem deep purples and more reddish browns together. I actually think your texturing looks pretty nice!
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Tom Tom Seaman Joined: 29 November 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 04 December 2011 at 11:36pm
	Thanks! How are these colors? I'm liking them much better. The first hair texture still looked a little messy to me, so I changed it a bit. It looks a little better, but I still don't immediately recognize it as hair. Also, can you tell me why these colors are more interesting? I recognize it, but I'm having trouble explaining it to myself. Edited by Tom Tom - 04 December 2011 at 11:42pm
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Lathien Midshipman Joined: 07 August 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 84	Posted: 05 December 2011 at 1:02am
	That's a nice fur texture you have now. But I'd like to point out that it shouldn't be the same all over. Bison fur gets a lot bushier near the haunches and neck and they have almost a hair-like look ontop of their head. So I'd suggest either having the pattern you have now to indicate the puffier fur and just flatten out the rest or keep this pattern for the flat areas and make an even furrier texture for the rest. Also, here's a reference in case I didn't explain what I meant properly.
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Tom Tom Seaman Joined: 29 November 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 05 December 2011 at 11:44am
	<- For comparison. Yup, looks more bisony to me. Although I've been staring at this image for a while. Are the changes too subtle?
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Friend Commander Joined: 01 April 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 710	Posted: 05 December 2011 at 2:31pm
	yes, too subtle. You could apply Lathiens critique more.
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Tom Tom Seaman Joined: 29 November 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 06 December 2011 at 6:18pm
	Ok, here's the newest one. The features are more noticeable, but the execution might be a little funky. Any suggestions?
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Lathien Midshipman Joined: 07 August 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 84	Posted: 07 December 2011 at 6:10am
	The left one is closer, but the layering of the chunks of fur is a little harsh. I've made two quick edits to show what I was getting at before. The left one keeps the fur you have now but adds more bushiness where it's needed (notice the more random look based on the direction of the body compared to your more organised look going in one direction in your latest wip) The right one has the fur you have now as the bushier parts and reduces the rest to skin. Either way is fine. I personally prefer the bushier look as it gives the bison more character. Also, if you do decide to go the reduced route, I'd still suggest making the fur a little more fluffy just to really accentuate the change. But, those are just my opinions. Hope I helped :) Edited by Lathien - 07 December 2011 at 6:10am
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Tom Tom Seaman Joined: 29 November 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 07 December 2011 at 3:15pm
	You sure did. I actually took all your advice and went for the middle ground. I think one thing that was particularly helpful was the more exaggerated outline of the bushy area, though I wasn't really a fan of using the darkest color to do so. I tried going all the way left at first, but found it too exaggerated no matter how I did it. So while I didn't make the most drastic changes, I'm pretty happy with where I am now. Thanks.
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Friend Commander Joined: 01 April 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 710	Posted: 07 December 2011 at 3:17pm
	definitely is looking quite good! I still think the head is too curly afro-y though. Maybe try to make it moe naturally straight and mane like, as in lathien's last edit?
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Tom Tom Seaman Joined: 29 November 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 07 December 2011 at 8:13pm
	Bison have afros. I did try to part the hair a bit. I think it's about good.
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Lathien Midshipman Joined: 07 August 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 84	Posted: 08 December 2011 at 12:36am
	That looks great! I'd say it's ready for the gallery. And you are correct on the afros but if you want to go for a completely realistic hairdo, you should continue the hair down the nose as shown in your ref. But great work, I love the textures and the color choices.
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WIP (Work In Progress)
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