Actually, I've already picked it out, the problem is... I'm not gonna use a black and white picture as my avatar, it doesn't feel right. It's about time for a change though, so I've been looking through the 'net to find something I like, and this is what I've come up with... just needs to be colored. If someone could color this I'd be much obliged--- I plan on using the image below (cropped out to a perfect square containing the face and whatever else can be contained in said square and resized to various sizes for various websites)

Though I can recolor things to my liking quite easily, I'm no good at coloring from scratch (IE, from grayscale)-- I've tried about half a dozen times to color this, but for some reason I just find it lacking every time. Maybe I'm just being too hard on myself, like I always tend to be for my own art (and my painted minis in 40k). I know there already is a colored version on deviantart, but it is... uncanny valley due to how the colorist shaded her neck, eyes, and face, making her look almost like a cyborg or something, and frankly I'd rather start fresh if I'm gonna recolor it.



So if anyone wants to take up the challenge, color it similar to what's in my avatar.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
For those wondering about why I'm asking someone else to do it...
(click for full image)
This is what I have thus far, still working out the various kinks in the hair and skin (where the fuzzy selector didn't catch a pixel or two), but meh... it just doesn't have the depth of color that a real colorist (IE, not me) would be able to give it. I don't even have photoshop, I'm using GIMP for this, so eh.

I think its fine, actually. Maybe pastel-y. I don't see that as a bad thing though.

You wantin' it to pop?

Micromegas wrote:You wantin' it to pop?

What?

Sorry, just don't know what you mean.

Melissia wrote:

Micromegas wrote:You wantin' it to pop?

What?

Sorry, just don't know what you mean.

It's hard to explain what popping means but you achieve it with clever use of vibrant colours or contrast, your current avatar achieves this whereas the pastel shaded one doesn't.

But-but, who will confidently smirk at me as my arguments are parsed and destroyed?

Use less masks and paint buckets. Your edges are pixelizing along the alpha masks edges that don't fill. Just use a multiply (or whatever the gimp equiv is called) overlay method and color directly on top of the piece. Use layers. Also don't use gimp. If it wasn't semesters end I would give a go at coloring it. As it is, i've got a few dozen heavy photo edits i've got to do to finish this damn app :( .



Have you tried just asking 4chan for the colored version? I'm fairly certain I've seen a fan colored version of that exact pic.

I'm gonna say wow and good luck.

I know, I've seen the fan colored version.

It is... uhm... wrong. Very uncanny valley and that's not what I want to achieve with my avatar.


Also... I'm not using masks or paint buckets. The only things I've used thus far are the fuzzy selection and colorize features of GIMP.


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corpsesarefun wrote:

Melissia wrote:

Micromegas wrote:You wantin' it to pop?

What?

Sorry, just don't know what you mean.

It's hard to explain what popping means but you achieve it with clever use of vibrant colours or contrast, your current avatar achieves this whereas the pastel shaded one doesn't.

Yeah, that is definitely what I want compared to my edits-- more vibrant colors and more contrast.

Also... I'm not using masks or paint buckets. The only things I've used thus far are the fuzzy selection and colorize features of GIMP.

Selections are alpha masks.

Well in your current avatar the thing that makes it pop is the gold of the neck armour, so perhaps you need to see a finished image before passing judgement on if a piece pops or not.

For reference, here is the fan-colored version.

It is...uhm... it's hard to describe-- it's just... wrong, and very subtly so. The neck has far too much detailing and looks like it has cables under her skin. Her eyes have far too much shading and look like they're bulging out. Her skin looks like her entire body is mildly burned or something, it's just too pink.

Aside from that it's okay, but... I really don't want to use this as a base for my avatar, as I don't think I can salvage it with recoloring.

Melissia wrote:For reference, here is the fan-colored version.

It is...uhm... it's hard to describe-- it's just... wrong, and very subtly so. The neck has far too much detailing and looks like it has cables under her skin. Her eyes have far too much shading and look like they're bulging out. Her skin looks like her entire body is mildly burned or something, it's just too pink.

Aside from that it's okay, but... I really don't want to use this as a base for my avatar, as I don't think I can salvage it with recoloring.

The skin tone has way too much blue in it, not pink.

If I finish recoloring it, I'm probably just gonna have her neck be a blackish greyish color, like a body suit worn under the power armor.

Sort of the same effect as seen in my current avatar.


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ShumaGorath wrote:

Also... I'm not using masks or paint buckets. The only things I've used thus far are the fuzzy selection and colorize features of GIMP.

Selections are alpha masks.

Well, what do you expect me to use?

I really don't know my way around editors very well, if I'm not editing pixel by pixel (which is FAR too much work)... my training (And enjoyment, as far as actually producing art goes) is more in drawings than in colors. Was never good at paintings, pastels, etc.

Print it out and get some colored pencils! Do it right!

Dreadwinter wrote:Print it out and get some colored pencils! Do it right!

Coloured pencils? Bah, real men used crayons.

Avatar 720 wrote:

Dreadwinter wrote:Print it out and get some colored pencils! Do it right!

Coloured pencils? Bah, real men used crayons.

I use the blood of my enemies.

Which smells like cinnamon.

Chowderhead wrote:

Avatar 720 wrote:

Dreadwinter wrote:Print it out and get some colored pencils! Do it right!

Coloured pencils? Bah, real men used crayons.

I use the blood of my enemies.

Which smells like cinnamon.

The scent you're thinking of probably isn't cinnamon but rather cassia. A related plant with a somewhat similar but far more powerful and less subtle flavor.This is because the vast majority of "cinnamon" sold in the USA is cassia rather than true cinnamon.

Melissia wrote:For reference, here is the fan-colored version.

It is...uhm... it's hard to describe-- it's just... wrong, and very subtly so. The neck has far too much detailing and looks like it has cables under her skin. Her eyes have far too much shading and look like they're bulging out. Her skin looks like her entire body is mildly burned or something, it's just too pink.

Aside from that it's okay, but... I really don't want to use this as a base for my avatar, as I don't think I can salvage it with recoloring.

wow that is creepy! (the fan coloured version)
and its such a beautiful original portrait
she looks like an old woman just about to succumb to Carbon Monoxide poisoning.... *shudders*
wish i could help with the avatar but im no good at pc colouring and dont have access to a scanner to do it by hand, i do agree with the others though, try printing it out and having a go yourself, at least that way you've had a go even if you dont like the results.

Your Avatar should be a Space Marine in a circle with a line through it. Y'know think Ghostbusters.

lol, no. If I wasn't gonna use Sisters or a female Guard (or other female or ambiguous soldier art such as DKoK) I'd use Orks.

They DO have a female Ork mini

No.

No, they do

There is no female Ork miniature.

*goes to her happy place, singing the katamari damachi song*

Oh Melissia forgot to mention in the last PM if you'd like you can post up the images I'm sending you of the current progress I'm making on the avatar.

Also I did actually try red lipstick, but it was too much

And as much as I hate to say it, there is a female Ork miniature, as disgusting as it is

KingCracker wrote:No, they do

No...No...really they don't...

Do not speak of such nonsense.

(and if you post it in my thread I'm gonna have to ask mods to delete the post for being off topic and in bad taste >.> )

I'll post it when you're done, Wolf

Melissia wrote:There is no female Ork miniature.

*goes to her happy place, singing the katamari damachi song*

FITZZ wrote:

KingCracker wrote:No, they do

No...No...really they don't...

These responses are exactly how I feel about this movie.....it does NOT exist..... this picture is actually a blank spot on your screen

Alright, here's my two cents from the limited Photoshop experience I have and my anatomical architecture class.

The current avatar you have looks more like a comic book or graphic novel kind of deal which looks fine with the current colors you have in it. The one you're looking at looks more like a real-life portrait kind of deal. Sure it's not 100% like a portrait, but it looks more real than your current avatar. I would suggest changing the color scheme you're using. Instead of the darker/grayish pink you have in your current avatar and looks similar to what you're using in the new one I would make it a bit more pink to match a flesh tone.

I could do that with colored pencils, but can't tell you how to do it on photoshop or whatever thing you have. When looking at the smaller version the hair looks like it has a green tint, I would probably try a darker brown for the hair color(guessing that you're trying to match the hair/skin/eye color of your current avatar).

Melissa, one thing worries me about your to-be avatar, and that is the lack of correlation with the most up-to-date fluff. In light of this I have decided to present a more accurate depiction for you.

I will forever associate your new avatar with the Psycho shower scene schreeching, courtesy of Disco Vader

DiscoVader wrote:Melissa, one thing worries me about your to-be avatar, and that is the lack of correlation with the most up-to-date fluff. In light of this I have decided to present a more accurate depiction for you.

Do you have the original artist's consent?

Fafnir wrote:Do you have the original artist's consent?

Auzzymo has given consent for this particular piece of art to be colored on his/her deviantart page.


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Emperors Faithful wrote:

DiscoVader wrote:Melissa, one thing worries me about your to-be avatar, and that is the lack of correlation with the most up-to-date fluff. In light of this I have decided to present a more accurate depiction for you.

[failed image post]

Someone here needs to find out how to properly link to an image

personally i will miss your current avatar... that smile is just special... in a very good way...


vik

Just flat colours at the moment, but what do you think?

Not bad, although I'd have to do some major recoloring of it to suit my avatar's color schemes. Despite its simplicity I still like it better than the fan recoloring I posted earlier (the one linked to, on deviantart).

Just tell me what colours you want - I can recolour it easily enough.

I can also add shading etc.

Vividly green eyes, dark/medium brown hair, dark blue armor with gold trim and detailing, medium blue cloth, preferably a black bodysuit up to the neck under the power armor.

Better?

Looks wicked!
only problem i see is that with the neck covered, something is now 'missing' with the face, theres a lack of depth to it which is a shame. are you going to try shading?
o and the hair needs to be darker IMO
just my £0.02
great work though Silver

Better, but it feels like it needs a bit more shading. Still better than what I produced though...

I can add more shading. Just using the inbuilt shaders as I can't be bothered to go get my graphic tablet and actually draw anything

Yeah, the shading just seems too soft somehow. Too... natural, I suppose?

?

The highlights in the hair are excellent now. The face needs a bit of work though now, and the armor still looks a bit too monotone.

Added some shading and definition to the face, and added a texture and gradient to the armour.

How is that now?

The face is better-- the shading gives a sense of depth to the nose, which really helps the face look better.

On the armor... well, there's too much lightness outlining the various details, and not enough shading to demonstrate the depth of the various parts of the armor, so it still looks flat, but now... more odd than before.

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Realised I had the shading set to inverted on the armour, whoops!

That's a little bit better, yeah.

Hrm. The gold could be a bit brighter though, perhaps a slight bit more orangeish. Some of the gold just looks too dark, especially around the collar area of the armor.

Melissia wrote:For reference, here is the fan-colored version.

It is...uhm... it's hard to describe-- it's just... wrong, and very subtly so. The neck has far too much detailing and looks like it has cables under her skin. Her eyes have far too much shading and look like they're bulging out. Her skin looks like her entire body is mildly burned or something, it's just too pink.

Aside from that it's okay, but... I really don't want to use this as a base for my avatar, as I don't think I can salvage it with recoloring.

Whoa!

You're right, she looks emancipated(or emaciated even )

Best of luck, the sketch looks quite cute actually and could turn out quite well.

@ma55ter_fett

emancipated? isnt that a good thing? i mean...unless you want to be subservient all your life

Bakerofish wrote:@ma55ter_fett

emancipated? isnt that a good thing? i mean...unless you want to be subservient all your life

Stupid auto correct.

"emaciated" is what I meant to say.

More orange gold.

That's a good gold, it just needs to be a bit brighter now around the neck area.

Dayum!

Remember, when I look at these things, I'm also looking at them zoomed out-- they have to look good even in a cropped out square (so the bottom part is often missing) and in 100x100 pixels, the most common avatar size.

You will keep the original though? Cause that's rocking my socks so far.

I've just had a crack at it, will any of these do you?





Not a bad way of wasting 45mins

#3 and #4 look pretty awesome.

Very nice

Bakeroffish: Wow, that's pretty amazing shading on that hair.

the_ferrett wrote:You will keep the original though? Cause that's rocking my socks so far.

It's staying in my photobucket and on my computer, yes.

Bakerofish wrote:

We have a winner, folks.

Melissia, crop it and post it.

Alas, I shall miss your old avatar. The new one looks good, though. Good job, Mr. baker of fish.

Thing is, it's kinda hard to crop out as it is. I want to keep some of her armor in the image, but to do that with an image that thin I'd have to cut out the top of her head.

I know, I'm so picky, heh.

thanks for the comments

@ melissia
ill see about making something more croppable

i only worked on that till my hand crapped out on me (i was using a mouse)

personally speaking though i still prefer your old avatar. the new one is too... nice

*flinches*

They're good representations of two sides of Melissia - There's the sly and mischievous side, and there's the more pure and innocent side.

melissia's nice side are like baby pigeons

you KNOW they exist...

Ribon Fox wrote:I've just had a crack at it, will any of these do you?



Not a bad way of wasting 45mins

Wow, those are really cool. Good job on them.

No fleur under the eye?

The drawing is a lovely pic though, one of the better ones I've seen out there.

Bakerofish wrote:
thanks for the comments

@ melissia
ill see about making something more croppable

i only worked on that till my hand crapped out on me (i was using a mouse)

personally speaking though i still prefer your old avatar. the new one is too... nice

*flinches*

that's part of the reason why I chose it. I'm kinda trying to be more polite on these forums, helps avoid me being banned and honestly just makes the place nicer to post in.

Still haven't decided on one, waiting for a few people to finish...

Wow Bakerofish!
those are some great pics

@reiko
thanks. this little project has me wishing i had a graphic tablet

painting with a mouse hurts

Bakerofish wrote:@reiko
thanks. this little project has me wishing i had a graphic tablet

painting with a mouse hurts

I have a graphics tablet, but I have to agree - using a mouse is a pain in the bum. However, try using a laptop touch pad like I did

SilverMK2 wrote:

Bakerofish wrote:@reiko
thanks. this little project has me wishing i had a graphic tablet

painting with a mouse hurts

I have a graphics tablet, but I have to agree - using a mouse is a pain in the bum. However, try using a laptop touch pad like I did

YW Bakerofish.

and i apologise Silver, your pics rock too!
i wouldnt even go near a mouse if i was trying to paint this good, let alone a laptop mouse pad!

@silver

you're a masochist man. carpal tunnel and blisters

Let me know if you still want some help, I could probably whip something up quick.

Wouldn't mind seeing even more people using my art as avatars on this site

Bakerofish wrote:@reiko
thanks. this little project has me wishing i had a graphic tablet

painting with a mouse hurts

Well you did a wonderful job... I think I might very well have to use yours! Though I'm still interested in anything anyone else has to give me.

Bakerofish wrote:

one thing i just noticed Bakerofish, is there any way of moving the highlight on her nose slightly to the right?
it just looks a little lopsided atm, sorry

[Edit]please ignore, it looks great

Also that really does the color scheme that I use for my sisters justice. That dark, shiny, navy blue and bright gold is really what I wish I could paint on my miniatures.

wow that looks awesome melissia!
and congrats on 8000 posts btw

Wait I hit 8001 posts? Well damn, I wasn't paying attention.

I like Bakerofish's, but I only have one nitpick. How about adding the little symbol to the right cheek like what was on the other avatar? You know, the Fleur De Lis that is commonly used by the sisters of battle? I thought it looked great on the old avatar.

That's up to him.

The small tattoo could tarnish what he did with the face though. So don't take my word for it.

Oddly enough, what I like most about it is what he did with the armor... the face is wonderful, but damn, does that armor look just... goddamned RIGHT for the color scheme in my head.

Nice job Bakerofish!

I like this avatar more then melissia old one, much more detail and colour.

An excellent job, Bakerofish.

Melissia, being more polite and civilized is a noble cause, but please, please, please, hold no punches when you deconstruct people's arguments. Reading a thread where you do that is a glory like no other.

micahaphone wrote:An excellent job, Bakerofish.

Melissia, being more polite and civilized is a noble cause, but please, please, please, hold no punches when you deconstruct people's arguments. Reading a thread where you do that is a glory like no other.

Suck up! Damn your brainwashing Melissia!

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

micahaphone wrote:An excellent job, Bakerofish.

Melissia, being more polite and civilized is a noble cause, but please, please, please, hold no punches when you deconstruct people's arguments. Reading a thread where you do that is a glory like no other.

Suck up! Damn your brainwashing Melissia!

Hey man, there's nothing better than watching a half thought out argument get torn apart and critiqued from every angle so it is obvious that they are incorrect, just to see what the person can come back with.

You can still be polite while doing this, of course.

micahaphone wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

micahaphone wrote:An excellent job, Bakerofish.

Melissia, being more polite and civilized is a noble cause, but please, please, please, hold no punches when you deconstruct people's arguments. Reading a thread where you do that is a glory like no other.

Suck up! Damn your brainwashing Melissia!

Hey man, there's nothing better than watching a half thought out argument get torn apart and critiqued from every angle so it is obvious that they are incorrect, just to see what the person can come back with.

You can still be polite while doing this, of course.

My Favorite comeback when she does that to me is "XXXX, this renders your arguement invalid" pictures. Good for a laugh, me thinks.

I still think its missing the fleur.

It took me a while to actually look at the face of the old Avatar, just assumed it was some non descript Human from a glance.

It wasn't until I actually noticed the fleur-de-lis that I realised it was a SoB.

micahaphone wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

micahaphone wrote:An excellent job, Bakerofish.

Melissia, being more polite and civilized is a noble cause, but please, please, please, hold no punches when you deconstruct people's arguments. Reading a thread where you do that is a glory like no other.

Suck up! Damn your brainwashing Melissia!

Hey man, there's nothing better than watching a half thought out argument get torn apart and critiqued from every angle so it is obvious that they are incorrect, just to see what the person can come back with.

You can still be polite while doing this, of course.

I usually just repeat my argument ad nauseum.

Nice job!

thanks for all the kind words folks

i've actually been working on the fleur since last night >_< the problem im having is that the fleur ends up looking tacked on no matter what i do. ill give it one more go when i get home

i still prefer the old avatar because of the smirk and fleur

if someone can sketch up something similar with the fleur incorporated I'd happily color that too

Who drew the original?

What program are you using Bakerofish, I'm sure Aurelia has one that allows her to do faded colours?

You'd want the intensity to be low anyways, to avoid that stuck on look, might be worth considering a more natural colur like a tan brown.

Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote:What program are you using Bakerofish, I'm sure Aurelia has one that allows her to do faded colours?

You'd want the intensity to be low anyways, to avoid that stuck on look, might be worth considering a more natural colur like a tan brown.

photoshop cs3

and who is aurelia?

i think the problem i have is that the fleur isnt part of the original design. I can fade it into the skin no problem...its making it look like part of the artwork that bugs me

P-P-P-P-P-P-P-P-PURGING FACE

@Bakerofish - My wife, she posts here on occasion, but she's not heavily into forums so, very occasional.

She's using Coral Draw .. something, I can't remember the edition.

I'll ask her if she has ideas, she might be willing to draw it on if I ask nicely. Depends I suppose if Melissia wants the fleur on it?


@Hawkward, find a shot from the futuristic character she did in the Alejandro video. She's said in interviews she gets inspired by stuff she's seen on the net, I'm convinced she saw a pic of a SoB for that costume she wears.

@hawkward

i think Cannerus would like that as an avatar

@morathi

drawing it in and fading it isnt what im struggling with like i said...its hard to explain. I guess my brain is just rebelling with the fact that it wasnt part of the original design. Ill post what I have when i get home

well this project certainly took a life of its own

@Bakerofish, maybe try 'wrapping' it so it molds to her face?
not sure that makes sense....sorry i mean, the new avatar has a much more detailed face, and as such, perspective plays more of a role, hence why the shading/highlights works so well.

Hawkward wrote:

P-P-P-P-P-P-P-P-PURGING FACE

Someone show this to Cannerus!

This is the costume I was refering to, someone with skills put a fleur on this one.

It didn't take much skill. I found one with a transparent background and pasted it on top with an opacity of 35%. Might not be want you are wanting. I am sure if I had a enough time, I might be able to bend Fleur a little so it looks better on the face.





EDIT: I went ahead and distorted the Fleur a little so it didn't look so flat.

Great looking picture.

It was a nice suprize to notice it.

Hawkward wrote:

P-P-P-P-P-P-P-P-PURGING FACE

Lol