The Great Facepunch Re-Illustration of AD&D's Monstrous Manual
138 replies, posted
Welcome, adventurer.
This is a collaborative project with the intention of re-illustrating AD&D's (Advanced Dungeons and Dragons) Monstrous Manual.
There are a few things to consider before contributing:
-Put dibs on one monster at a time. You can design as many as you want, but only one at a time. This ensures someone doesn't design all dragons, for example.
-All we really demand is seriousness. Read about the creature you are about to illustrate before you do it, think of social behaviors, diet, intelligence, etc. Reading this before you take on an existing monster should help: [URL]http://www.dotd.com/mm/MM00311.htm[/URL]
-The idea of this is exposing every artist and their different techniques and styles. Even on the original Monstrous Manual style isn't consistent (because it was also illustrated by various artists) but it is important to maintain a bond with reality. So think of realistic proportions, illumination, material definition, etc. No anime, no cartoony proportions, no MS paint.
-We're thinking of quality contributions, so put dibs on a creature, design it, post it here. If it's quality work, your contribution will be added in.
-If more than one person puts dib on a creature we'll debate on whose design does more justice to the creature.
-I'll keep a list of active contributors and the creatures they've designed.
-You can post WIP designs of your creature to get input on them.
-You will only be added to the Active Contributors list once you have presented work on the creature you have dibs on.
But most importantly...
[U][B]PM me with your FINISHED design so I can save it and add it to a future tumblr account with all our illustrations! [/B][/U]
[I](You should probably reveal your name if you think this is an opportunity to get your work exposed, if you think of diving into concept art, for example)[/I]
I'll try and think of more things to consider, but for now that's it.
You can find the Monstrous Manual online here:
[URL]http://www.dotd.com/mm/MM00000.htm[/URL]
Please post EXACTLY the name of the creature you're going to illustrate, cause it can be a pain in the ass to find it!
Here I'll keep a list of creatures that have dibs on them and have already been designed:
[quote]
[B]a[/B]
Aarakocra - TAKEN by Krinkels
[B]b
[/B]Beholder and Beholder-kin - DONE by MenteR (but you can pick this one too) [URL]http://menterart.tumblr.com/image/92157722685[/URL]
Bullywug - DONE by krten_2x 4b [URL]http://i.imgur.com/fhRRImEl.png[/URL]
Bulette - DONE by MenteR [URL]http://38.media.tumblr.com/2748c463d1403f2d7907efd65e700c08/tumblr_n8cuy5jEK21snm6fco1_1280.png[/URL]
[B]c[/B]
Carrion Crawler - DONE by Krinkels [url]http://i.imgur.com/qV68c8x.jpg[/url]
[B]d[/B]
Displacer Beast - DONE by MenteR [URL]http://38.media.tumblr.com/da4b33f4f55694bd227a4a9afaf8abdf/tumblr_n8wx1hNg8L1snm6fco4_1280.png[/URL]
[B]e[/B]
[B]f[/B]
[B]g[/B]
Ghoul - DONE by BeruangSarkis [URL]http://i.imgur.com/DJnquRt.png?1[/URL]
Grey Ooze - DONE by MakoSkyDub [URL]http://i.gyazo.com/c898a509ea8c76b2508fcb4cbaef741f.png[/URL]
Giant (Verbeeg) - DONE by dnqboy [URL]http://i.imgur.com/Xv7ZCKe.jpg[/URL]
Goblin - DONE by MenteR [URL]http://menterart.tumblr.com/post/91012017750/re-imagining-goblins-goblins-are-always-treated[/URL]
Gulgurthra (Otyugh) - DONE by Headcrab54 [URL]https://31.media.tumblr.com/1a3db7e49d88516d9435594660bf50c0/tumblr_n93jm1uk6K1qd5eico1_500.jpg[/URL]
[B]h
[/B]
Hook Horror - DONE by MenteR [URL="https://38.media.tumblr.com/ab5d9384449d04a8c362531237710720/tumblr_n8tqn3YUxn1snm6fco3_500.png"]http://31.media.tumblr.com/9cb75ff10b7f12a3b6b2fd122816047d/tumblr_n8wx1hNg8L1snm6fco5_500.png[/URL]
Hobgoblin - DONE by MenteR [URL]https://38.media.tumblr.com/f5667dbbab7ab74fae45fd8d452b2b0a/tumblr_nf3jr5GPdT1snm6fco1_1280.png[/URL]
[B]i[/B]
Illithid (Mind Flayer) - TAKEN by Vertov
Intellect Devourer - DONE by MenteR [URL]http://menterart.tumblr.com/post/92483223405/the-intellect-devourer-this-is-definitely-one-of[/URL]
[B]j[/B]
[B]k[/B]
Kenku - TAKEN by Ross_C
[B]l[/B]
Locathah - DONE by MenteR [URL]http://puu.sh/a4J0y/c85369a4bc.jpg[/URL]
[B]m[/B]
Myconid - TAKEN by krten_2x 4b
[B]n[/B]
Nightmare - DONE by Bobie [URL]http://i.imgur.com/Gz1LBLK.jpg[/URL]
[B]o[/B]
Orc - DONE by MenteR [URL]https://31.media.tumblr.com/dcdbe504e11f6b8c17eef8d5b6771dd7/tumblr_neu8uahdOl1snm6fco1_1280.png[/URL]
Orog - DONE by MenteR [URL]http://38.media.tumblr.com/03180aec15e36279e0aa7af6c13fcfd9/tumblr_n9c7fooaHG1snm6fco1_500.png[/URL]
[B]p[/B]
Plant, Dangerous--Choke Creeper - DONE by Mr. Scorpio [URL]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/44691607/creeper.png[/URL]
[B]q[/B]
[B]r[/B]
Rakshasa - DONE by MenteR [URL="https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/l/t1.0-9/10461983_667243603366655_1311186632995552850_n.jpg"]https://33.media.tumblr.com/6dc54043265b777fda8b84f2fb9831ab/tumblr_neu8uahdOl1snm6fco2_1280.png[/URL]
[B]s
[/B]Skeleton - DONE by Vertov [URL]http://s29.postimg.org/d3f0y0eqe/skeleton.jpg[/URL]
[B]t[/B]
Tarrasque - DONE by MenteR [URL]http://menterart.tumblr.com/image/91282942755[/URL]
Thri-Kreen - DONE by MenteR [URL]http://menterart.tumblr.com/post/92775463780/thri-kreen-variations[/URL]
Troglodyte - TAKEN by MenteR
[B]u[/B]
[B]v[/B]
[B]w[/B]
[B]x[/B]
[B]y[/B]
Yeti - DONE by Krinkels [URL]http://i.imgur.com/FVecPzp.jpg[/URL]
[B]z[/B]
[/quote]
Here is a list of active contributors:
[quote]
MenteR
Sprockethead
krten_2x 4b
Mr. Scorpio
Krinkels
Vertov
Bobie
dnqboy
MakoSkyDub
BeruangSarkis
Headcrab54
[/quote]
Wip of the kobold.
[IMG]http://i.gyazo.com/02395017db044b12d71ebf43e452911f.png[/IMG]
What a great idea! If this actually gets done you should get on the Fiend Folio, and then other stuff from the AD&D era, it's iconic artwork was always so silly.
Calling dibs on the Bullywug if that's cool with everyone.
Mind if I call Choke Creepers?
[QUOTE=krten_2x 4b;45319538]Calling dibs on the Bullywug if that's cool with everyone.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Mr. Scorpio;45319545]Mind if I call Choke Creepers?[/QUOTE]
added both of you to the list!
[editline]7th July 2014[/editline]
also dibs on the tarrasque!
Do I need colour, or is grayscale fine?
[QUOTE=Krinkels;45320596]Do I need colour, or is grayscale fine?[/QUOTE]
depends on how important color is for your creature. a fire elemental would be better depicted if done in color, for example.
[URL="http://i.imgur.com/ydRyUI9.png"]Bullywug WIP[/URL]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/ydRyUI9l.png[/IMG]
This is the version without the armour
that is pretty cool, i really dig the posture. i'd probably make the skin a lot slimier though!
[QUOTE=MenteR;45320731]depends on how important color is for your creature. a fire elemental would be better depicted if done in color, for example.[/QUOTE]
Great! Can I take Yeti?
[url]http://www.dotd.com/mm/MM00305.htm[/url]
[QUOTE=Krinkels;45321094]Great! Can I take Yeti?
[url]http://www.dotd.com/mm/MM00305.htm[/url][/QUOTE]
added to the list!
I think i nailed it.
[IMG]http://s13.postimg.org/oegv14tx3/Kobold.png[/IMG]
It seems off. They're only meant to have two horns and you're missing the non-prehensile rat-like tail.
[IMG]http://www.zayix.com/Media/races/kobold.jpeg[/IMG]
If we're also going off the AD&D 2nd Edition photo, then it should also have large pointy ears, bug-eyes, and a flat orchish face. Just throwing that out there
[editline]june8[/editline]
[URL="http://i.imgur.com/gx86yXD.png"]also small update before bed.[/URL]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/gx86yXDl.png[/IMG]
[QUOTE=krten_2x 4b;45322210]It seems off. They're only meant to have two horns and you're missing the non-prehensile rat-like tail.
[IMG]http://www.zayix.com/Media/races/kobold.jpeg[/IMG]
If we're also going off the AD&D 2nd Edition photo, then it should also have large pointy ears, bug-eyes, and a flat orchish face. Just throwing that out there[/QUOTE]
There are so many different takes on kobolds dude. I just didnt do the rat-man approach.
[QUOTE=Sprockethead;45322313]There are so many different takes on kobolds dude. I just didnt do the rat-man approach.[/QUOTE]
That's cool and all, and normally I wouldnt say anthing but the thread says AD&D.
It's MenteR's call at the end of the day though
My two cents on the Kobolds: I think it could use more contrast.
[thumb]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/44691607/creeper.png[/thumb]
Just sorta spit this out. I'm actually not entirely sure how to proceed, since I wasn't really paying attention to what I was doing.
Are you planning to put these into any sort of use? If so you should set a standard minimum resolution so you don't get too tiny pictures for the use :v:
I kinda really want to try but don't feel like my quality is it all worthy of going in here. I'll just lurk for now
Yeti WIP 1:
[t]http://i.imgur.com/tY9SPXm.jpg[/t]
[QUOTE=Sprockethead;45321791]I think i nailed it.
[IMG]http://s13.postimg.org/oegv14tx3/Kobold.png[/IMG][/QUOTE]
my two cents on the kobold: while i think the naked design is amazing, i think his armor could be a lot crappier. use more loose pieces of leather or stuff like that, maybe scrap armor parts. have a belt for the swords/pickaxes/etc. the helmet looks almost too modern for my taste.
fix these and you have an amazing design, in my opinion.
[QUOTE=Mr. Scorpio;45323347][thumb]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/44691607/creeper.png[/thumb]
Just sorta spit this out. I'm actually not entirely sure how to proceed, since I wasn't really paying attention to what I was doing.[/QUOTE]
this is looking great! holy shit i just noticed the sword stuck to it. this looks really really good.
[QUOTE=Krinkels;45325650]Yeti WIP 1:
[t]http://i.imgur.com/tY9SPXm.jpg[/t][/QUOTE]
awesome to see a traditional approach, cool stuff :)
[editline]8th July 2014[/editline]
[QUOTE=Rhenae;45324819]Are you planning to put these into any sort of use? If so you should set a standard minimum resolution so you don't get too tiny pictures for the use :v:
I kinda really want to try but don't feel like my quality is it all worthy of going in here. I'll just lurk for now[/QUOTE]
the main objective is simply getting our work exposed. it's a learning experience for everyone involved, you have to face design choices and this might be quite helpful specially for people who want to become concept artists at some point. i figured since people liked my goblins post on tumblr, i might make a tumblr exactly for our project so we do updates on a weekly basis. we could even do a website at some point with a progress meter, etc.
if this becomes highly notorious, perhaps it would be cool to release the actual monstrous manual with our illustrations. we would however require permission by Wizards (the company ofc, not actual wizards lol).
[editline]8th July 2014[/editline]
[QUOTE=krten_2x 4b;45322210]It seems off. They're only meant to have two horns and you're missing the non-prehensile rat-like tail.
[IMG]http://www.zayix.com/Media/races/kobold.jpeg[/IMG]
If we're also going off the AD&D 2nd Edition photo, then it should also have large pointy ears, bug-eyes, and a flat orchish face. Just throwing that out there
[/QUOTE]
i don't exactly think we should stick 100% with the original designs. it's an interesting take on the kobold... there are many takes on the kobold and tbh the one i most agree with is 3.5's (the reptilian looking one).
the description does match anyway. he's kind of reptilian-looking, with horns (his design's got more than two horns). again the only thing i disagree with is the armor choice. maybe he should be a little bit scaly? that would be pretty cool, but again that's up to sprockethead.
here's a wip on the tarrasque:
[img]http://puu.sh/a2pP3/7fdb02da67.jpg[/img]
[editline]8th July 2014[/editline]
i still have to figure out what spell is the wizard going to be casting.
i finished the tarrasque:
[url]http://menterart.tumblr.com/image/91282942755[/url]
figuring out which creature do to next now
[QUOTE=MenteR;45341182]i finished the tarrasque:
[url]http://menterart.tumblr.com/image/91282942755[/url]
figuring out which creature do to next now[/QUOTE]
Wolf-in-sheep's-clothing!
[IMG]http://s29.postimg.org/eqqp923ev/skeleton.jpg[/IMG]
Sup bro's; i've just started on my skeleton!
i'll try my hand at [URL="http://www.dotd.com/mm/MM00226.htm"]nightmare[/URL]
[QUOTE=Bobie;45341969]i'll try my hand at [URL="http://www.dotd.com/mm/MM00226.htm"]nightmare[/URL][/QUOTE]
awesome. added to the list.
Did a second yeti: bigger hands and feet, more simian face and posture, and truer to the description.
[t]http://i.imgur.com/So3Mj4Y.jpg[/t]
I think the first one I did was better technically and unless there are further suggestions I'll probably go with that.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/Gz1LBLK.jpg[/img]
finished my nightmare. more of an adaptation
[QUOTE=Bobie;45344038][img]http://i.imgur.com/Gz1LBLK.jpg[/img]
finished my nightmare. more of an adaptation[/QUOTE]
awesome. PM me the finished piece on full res if possible :)
[editline]10th July 2014[/editline]
[QUOTE=Krinkels;45343588]Did a second yeti: bigger hands and feet, more simian face and posture, and truer to the description.
[t]http://i.imgur.com/So3Mj4Y.jpg[/t]
I think the first one I did was better technically and unless there are further suggestions I'll probably go with that.[/QUOTE]
the head looks like it isn't centered, that's all i can really say about it.. other than that, the expression and pose look really good.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.