40: Count Raum

[phiq]

Raum is a Great Earl of Hell, ruling thirty legions of demons. He is depicted as a crow which adopts human form at the request of the conjurer.

Raum steals treasures out of kings' houses, carrying them where he wishes, and destroys cities and dignities of men (he is said to have great dispraise for dignities). Raum can also tell things past, present and future, reconcile friends and foes, and invoke love.

Hello all. Pretty cool project this is. Here's my first concept piece. I have a pretty clear image of him in my head.

[phiq]

More.

[Jintro]

The first one has something of a moebius-demeanor to him. Second one, not so much. Maybe give him some distinguishing accessories (like his bird-hat). Or exaggerate the collar just a bit more.

Moar!

[phiq]

Hi Jintro, the second pic is his design as of now, minus the helm and cape, intentionally so. Not illustrative, just design.

The aim is to create the strongest design using the boldest elements, before dressing it with paraphernalia/accessories/etc.

[Jintro]

Fair enough

I like his clothing a lot. If you're going for the core design first, what kind of body language would he exhibit? Is he all exaggerated poses and bold moves, or more stately, like a reserved lord? Also, a lot of his personality might be connected to how he wields an eventual accessory.

[phiq]

Haha; apologies for appearing snappy

I think a big part of the character came through in the initial sketch. I am also keeping the actor (and his many roles) Charles Dance in mind. As you said, more of a "reserved" lord, stately. A bit of that comes through in his finely tailored garb. Some accessories I'm considering (incorporated in some way) are medals, coins, cheese (platters) and wine (glasses). Scrolls, sand timers, phials, snuff boxes, pipes, rings and handkerchiefs are also possibilities. Gentlemanly badassery.

[phiq]

Po-ta-to. Boil 'em, mash 'em stick 'em in a stew.

[phiq]

Helmet/cape bit.

[Rantz]

OK, now THAT is looking great... I'd love to see you push his facial features just *slightly* to echo the mask/headdress... emphasize the nose just a *bit*, recede the chin back *very* slightly... so that you could draw the "bottom" of the headdress, and his features would conform to the sweep of the lower neck and bill )if that makes sense)

[phiq]

Hey Rantz, I know precisely what you mean. In response...



I think it's important to consider that the helmet-face-design relationship will be emphasised or de-emphasised in the final picture, due to perspective and/or light. Though I think what you have brought attention to is very important. Obviously, I'll stop when things start getting cartoony; his nose is already quite large, lol. I like 3 at the moment. Further crits very welcome.

[phiq]

Some of Raum's captains. I dwelt a bit on that first one.

[phiq]

I said I would partake in this Demon Card project, so I will!

I'm going for something a little different now. I'm aiming to imply his character, rather than state it in some obvious sense. This has been inspired by some of Durer's portraits. Crits and suggestions welcome.

[darkreaver]

hm, an interesting departure from your earlier iterations. I'm going to have to ask...what is the character that you wish to depict? dignified? arrogant? it's not super clear to me.

for one who dispraises dignity, would he be super dignified (and hence dislikes others to be as dignified has himself), or humble?

[doomfulstace]

Really cool designs! I like the first one better, but the second has such an interesting twist that I wouldn't mind you exploring it.

omg I just figured out we stalk each others tumblr haha! doomful/secretsoftness is me

[phiq]

First, let me apologise: no pictorial update this time But soon...

@ darkreaver - Thanks for your comments, they're appreciated. There's a lot to sort out with this character, given the source material. But what I've noticed is that there are a lot of similarities among these demons. Many of them have the same attributes... generals of legions, destroyers of dignities, bird forms, etc. So what I aim to do is select a few of these attributes and base my version of Raum on those. I want this to be my Raum, not just an illustration of the Raum that exists already in text form. I plan to do this in an "organic" way, finding the character as I go along (for a change), which is the opposite of what I normally do. We'll see how it goes. Please drop by again, and don't hold back on the crits!

@ doomfulstace - Ah, secretsoftness, yes! I love your tumblr! Anyway, thanks for your comments and encouragement. I would like to include some of the original design into the final, yeah. However it turns out, I want the finished piece to be something different. Catch you next time!