Stolid Pug
Needing to break out of some monotonous CSS work, I ventured back to illustration with a scorching hot new model: Pugbutt.
I am rather unimpressed with it, he lacks emotion. Maybe I’m my own worst critic - but this illustration is far from finished. It definately does not have the polish that my previous Yoshi illustrations carried.
Click to enlarge
Is it the eyes? The shading? The lack of shading? Highlights? Shape? Back to the drawing board…
This entry was posted on Friday, March 24th, 2006 at 10:49 am and is filed under Illustration. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
March 24th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
I think its the eyes.
March 24th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
I concur. But a solution escapes me. I may play with different eyeball shapes. Maybe its because they are perfectly circular.
March 26th, 2006 at 6:34 am
Three things. The lines and creases on a pugs face move like some invisble finger is “smearing” their expessions on for them, you need to show those lines.
A pugs eyes are almost on the side of their head in a portrait presentation, like a chihuaua/preying mantis cross.
Lastly - their eyes are dark, marble like. The eyes talk to you through the eyebrows. Ever seen a puzzled pug?
I hope this helps stir a new perspective. Ta!
August 15th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
I does lack alittle shading. Though that i really find it lacking, is the “desperate squashed Face” look that pugs tend have. If it doesn’t look like it ran into a wall at full tilt boogy then it will always look off.
But it’s looking good so far.
Yes i know it’s all easier said then done.
Oh, it’s not that the eye’s look too round, though they are round. It still lack that whole protruding effect. Give the edge of the eye alittle shading so they don’t look too flat.
March 21st, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I assume you’re going to animate him, as you did Yoshi in the header.
That said, I think you nailed the eyes. It’s the eyebrows (first), the mouth (second) and the nose (he’s a “pug” after all) last.
I would give his eyes movement through the eyebrows - “worried” and “more worried.” [Or deeper concentration on what he’s looking at.]
I would give him more exaggerated folds from cheek to jowl, and I would keep his face in almost constant motion: His eyebrows “worry” from left to right (which might enhance “Marty Feldman eyes”/”Hump, what hump?”) and then a couple of nose licks. Then that intense stare (as you have captured so beautifully already) becomes “framed.”
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:08 pm
mmm…shape of head is right on. I agree that the eyes eyes are enlarged–but hey you may be going for that it is your style and Yoshi seems to have that. (makes me think of Mario bros)
I would focus on bringing out the highlights to create more depth in his face.Because he has such a dark complexion it is easy for it become flat. Lovin’ his name. Take care,
~Leelou
~~you can always try the squinty eye trick on him and see if you lose his face completely..–shows you need more highlights.. cheers!