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thomastapir — Tiger Lily Orchidrone
Published: 2010-09-21 04:28:50 +0000 UTC; Views: 6296; Favourites: 103; Downloads: 140
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Well...I'm not too happy with the drawing on this one (you can usually tell how satisfied I am with the drawing by the size at which I post it). But, as I often say, I guess it's sufficient for purposes of communicating the basic concept. And isn't that what illustration is all about?(crickets)
Anyway, this is supposed to be a little vegetable-based biodroid along the lines of A and B under ([link] ). The modules on the back are Hune-style electrogravitic FTL impellers. I was fantasizing as I was drawing it that the Tiger Lily might be the first small model encountered (by humans) to possess supraluminal capabilities, which would certainly up the ante a bit in a potential interstellar conflict.
My main problem with this guy, design-wise, is that he looks more insect- than plant-like. Obvious sytlistic parallels to the bad guys from Macross II, as well. I kind of like the idea of kids in the future buying model kits of these enemy biobots and painting them up.
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Comments: 56
Go for it, I'd love to see what you come up with!
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that face whent horibly wrong at the end. here ill fix it.
)=] <--- turn your head untill the arrow points up.
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Man, I don't need to know anything about the physiology of this creation to know that I like it. As with most of your drawings, it's sometimes impossible to believe they don't exist. Maybe you're tapping in to an M-theory world somehow. But however you do it, it's extraordinary. And whether or not you'd agree, I think it's some of your best pencil work. Hey, hope your trip was/is a good one, man.
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Thanks, Jeff! Really glad you like it...That sense of plausibility or fidelity is obviously something I strive for, so I'm always pumped when it comes across successfully for others. I've developed an interest recently in "chimerical vegetation" as well as chimerical animal life, so you may see more "botanozoans" like this in the future.
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Too insect-like? I definitely see a flower when I look at him. Of course, there are insects that look almost exactly like flowers, so you can't really blame yourself for the overlap.
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That's a damn good point! One of these days I'll have to do an "Orchid Mantis Biodrone" ([link] )
I think the initial studies on this concept were more at that end of the spectrum anyway ([link] ).
Thanks, Daniel!
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Can you tell I'm catching up on my backlog of deviations?
Once again, very cool stuff, Mr. Tapir! This is a wonderfully alien and abstract entity. I must disagree with you about it being more insect-like than plant-like, though. My first impression of it is of a plant, and my second impression is of a tropical fish. Insect comes in third.
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Ooo, tropical fish, good call! Man, that hadn't even occured to me. And I'm glad it reads as predominantly plant-like to you! Hey, weren't we talking about Tony DiTerlizzi a while back...? Total coincidence, I was looking at his little Spiderwick "Field Guide to Sprites" at the library today and was astonished to note the stylistic similarities between this guy and his various species of "orchid sprite." I did read that book a couple of years ago...I guess it had a bigger impact on me than I'd thought!
Thanks, Cory!
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very very cool, this is.
(not sure what a Muir organism is)
all I can think is "it's looking at me!"
(not only does it have three sets of eyes on the left, it also has one on the (appendage? abdomen?) above them)
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Let's see, there should be two eyes, one above the other, at middle left. The top optical apparatus is actually a biological laser!
Muir is ~whale's alternate Earth, colonized by an alien domain of fractal memetic organisms:
[link]
Thank you!
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I tell you this once again: I like your plant biodroids.
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I am not sure what I am looking at, but I am sure I wouldn't want near me.
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That's the kind of effect I was going for!
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forgot to add the fear emotion-face-thing
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I really like it. It's insect like, but first thing I saw was the orchid! Hmmm, maybe I'd add the antheres, dunno. Would look great if you'd color it.
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Ooo, antheres! Good call! I definitely need to do a color version one of these days, too.
Thanks, Tom!
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Great! Looking forward to see it, especially as I read a huge amount about orchids for my botany exam
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Botany?? You are just full of surprises!
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Hmmm, not so much as I'm studying biology...
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Can I just say that I love this? I absolutely love this.
DEATH FLOWERS
Well, now that I have that out of my system, I really like these guys. They look pretty flowery to me, but anything mobile will probably have somewhat of an animal feel, I don't really know how to completely get around that, but you've done pretty damn well so far.
I really like the thought of semi-biological molecular based technology, so yeah, this is pretty cool
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DeviantART is deviously deficient when it comes to Last Starfighter emoticons, especially given the awesomeness of a comment like "DEATH FLOWERS"! Oh man, that sent me off in all kinds of directions...Now I have to work in some parallel to the Aztec's "Flowery Wars"! Anyway, I'm so glad these read as plant-like to you, and I'm really pumped that you like them...I'm always elated when somebody as talented as yourself gets a charge out of one of my ideas or images!
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That was the best movie ever (well, maybe except for "The Cat from Outer Space").
I can't wait to see where this stuff is going
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The Cat From Outer Space--the ORIGINAL lolcat!
Thanks, I've got a few ideas percolating...Now I just need time to work on them!
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It does look quite insectlike, but it looks good. I'd know some kids who would definately customize their Orchidrone
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Hell, I know I would!
Thanks!
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Awwww! It's good, I like it allot, and the idea behind it. It isn't extremely "insect-like" and dose fit well with the others.
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Thanks bro, I'm glad to hear it doesn't strike you as too overwhelmingly insectile.
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Nope - NOT obvious parallels with Marduk spacecraft. The Marduk battlepods looked much less complete. Actually, most of them looked like there was a second chunk missing.
Orchids rule as a basis for mecha/creature design! This particular piece deserves to be upgraded and finished. Also, as far as looking more insectile than plantlike, remember the orchid mantis - the original "somewhere between plant and animal" animal.
You're onto something here. Press on!
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Ohhh, I've definitely got a "Mantis Orchid" in the works, never fear!
Thanks Newt, I'm really happy you like these, and also that you don't find them overly derivative of the Marduk mecha!
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I look forward to seeing your Mantis Orchid designs!
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And they most certainly look forward to seeing you.
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Excellent! Dude - you need to check out my latest journal entry. I found a new toy YOU NEED. NAO!
I'm interested to see how you employ it in your drawing...
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D'OH, EV-ER-Y-BOD-Y has been telling me about Sculptris! I know, I know, I need to get it...I don't know why I'm dragging my feet on it, except that as I was telling ~whale earlier, I think I'm intimidated by the learning curve on a new 3D program--even one that's supposedly super-intuitive and user-friendly. Gaaah, I've gotta bite the bullet and do it...It'll be good for me!
Blender is another one I've been hearing about, I guess I should try that too.
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Don't worry - I feel the same way.
Blender I'm not even bothering with. Why? Because there's so much to learn it cuts into my vegetating time. Three-dimensional programs DO have a steep learning curve, and we don't have the time or energy necessary to devote to every new gewgaw that floats down the pike.
Even the work (2 whole sessions!) I've done with Sculptris has been tiring: I found I got a tension headache from spending two hours with it. I did, however, get a basic dragon head out of it (do you think I should post it?). Bottom line is this: I'm using Sculptris to model parts that are difficult for me to render correctly at an angle. I'm also learning it to nourish my 3-D jones: sometimes I get the urge to build rather than draw, and Sculptris allows me to noodle and improvise in 3-D space.
Check out Sculptris at your own pace, and make sure you have fun!
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Badass!!
I get what you mean that it seems more insectile than floral, But I'm not so sure that's a very bad thing. Insects and flowers are so closely linked anyway...
The addition of color may or may not help in that situation, given the often fantastical floral colors of insects.
Maybe t simply needs more form details that are unmistakably floral/plant-like. It's a damn original idea, and worth developing further.
Definitely see potential for an inter-stellar droid/mecha here.
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Thanks, Rob! One of the possible solutions I have in mind for upping the "floral quotient" is to borrow more directly from unmistakably flower-like shapes in specific body elements like the "heads." But even then, so many insects so closely mimic plants, as you pointed out.... I'd also like to employ more of those vine-like "cables" and "hoses" I was playing with in the initial sketches--those strike me as quite vegetable-like. And of course playing also with the asymmetricality, which tends to create a disconnect from recognizable animal forms, if nothing else.
Thanks again, I'm happy you like it!
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As you pointed out, it looks more animal than plant which I think is mostly down to its little 'arms'. I can imagine this in colour and it would be visually very striking.
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Yeah, my buddy who was here while I was working on it also commented that the "abdomen" contributes to or reinforces the "insect" vibe. But how would it fly without one??
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I really like this concept drawing of your Orchidrone.
This design does work very well on a very extraterrestrial techno/organic level, IMHO...
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If it's any consolation, I could see it was a plant form the thumbnail alone ~
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Hah, that *DOES* help! Thanks.
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Wah! Even from the thumbnail, my brain started fist-pumping the air.
And I was all like, MY BRAAAIN HASS ARRRRMS
Anyway, REEALY great design on this, Tom, really successful. The dynamic shape of the body, the stripes, and the area that appears to be an ocular cluster all jab straight into the brain's pattern recognition center. You've GOT to model this!
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BRRRAAAAAIIIINNNN ARRRRRRRMMMMMMSSSS!!!!
[link]
(see #8)
Thanks so much, man! I'm really happy it resonates for you...When I looked at it the next morning after I had some distance from it, I thought, Whoa, this could almost be a Muir organism! Because of the ostentatious patterns and flamboyant stylization, I guess.
So I have to ask, what part *does* appear to be an "ocular cluster" to you? Because it could be read a couple of different ways, and I'm anxious to see if my interpretation matches others'.
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Yeah, there are 2 areas that could do it ... I was referring to the lower, core set though. While the upper one is distinct, it also has the feel of an organic cannon.
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