Post #2 – Swordfish
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This week in graphics for my team’s game Selfish I decided to provide additional art for one of the enemies. Joel my team’s game designer had designed an enemy that would charge forward and follow the player. I sat down and brainstormed some ideas of various types of fishes that could fulfill this role. Without a doubt I thought of the swordfish, famous for its long sharp like beak for a mouth, the fish would portray perfectly the actions that Joel had designed. I began searching the web for pictures of swordfishes that I could use as reference and after studying its anatomy I set out drawing the fish. It didn’t take long to get started and soon enough I had a hand drawn swordfish concept art. One of the greater difficulties I had with drawing the swordfish was adding a look of menace. The swordfish was supposed to be an enemy, the fish needed to convey a clear message to the player that it was an enemy and should be avoided or killed at all costs. After some tinkering with the eyes and adding in some sharp angles I had what looked like a fish that was out to kill you.
Satisfied with my drawing it was time to digitize it. To do that I had to redraw it in Photoshop using the concept I had on paper as reference. Following my drawing as closely as possible I had recreated the swordfish, but on the computer. It didn’t turn out exactly the way I had planned and to be honest I enjoyed my hand drawn swordfish over the one in Photoshop, but it would have to do for now. Next it was time to pick two basic colors that would sit well with the fish. I decided to skimp out and pick a random dark color as a placeholder as I could always come back and change it later. Unfortunately my group didn’t enjoy the idea of having a swordfish in the game as much as I did and decided not to use my asset. It was a sad day for me, but their criticism made sense as the fish didn’t fit in the original cartoon style we had opted for in the beginning. I had to learn to let go and throw him in the rubbish bin. Rest in peace swordfish.  |
