Python Dragon

Check out my YouTube video of a time lapse digital sketch of Python Dragon...

PYTHON DRAGON VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deU3AGtGoPM&feature=share

Enjoy

WOC

Fantasy Character Workshop #009

William O'Connor

Working as a fantasy illustrator for over twenty years I have created hundreds (maybe thousands) of fantasy characters. When I was a student I would draw the characters of all the players in my gaming group. later working for various games I would be commissioned to illustrate and design characters from stories. As an artist many of these commissions became derivative to the point of becoming boring (Dwarf Fighter with an Axe, Elf Ranger with a Bow, etc.) so I strove to change things up and make sure that I was always coming up with new combinations. I created my Random Character Generator. (attached below). This was based upon the appendixes that were listed in the back of the D&D Dungeon Master's Guide when I was a kid. I started using this generator routinely, and still employ it when creating characters and when teaching character design to students.

This series is intended to use my generator to create characters on a regular basis to share the process with you. I will try to be as faithful as possible to the attributes that are created, as the series is meant to challenge my skills, and make the characters as difficult as possible.

Enjoy
WOC


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Fantasy CharacterWorkshop #009 

Race: Human

Gender: Male

Class: Barbarian

Armor: Chainmail & Shield

Weapon: Spear & Longsword

Missile:  none

Motiff: Celtic

Equipment:

For this challenge I took a different approach than in the past.  I began with wanting to design a viking warrior with all the necessary kit of that iconic character.  Doing research for the historical accuracy of most of the weapons and armor, I decided to stray into the fantastical with the helmet giving this warrior impressive but fantastical horns.

Enjoy

WOC

Fantasy Character Workshop #007

William O'Connor

Working as a fantasy illustrator for over twenty years I have created hundreds (maybe thousands) of fantasy characters.  When I was a student I would draw the characters of all the players in my gaming group.  later working for various games I would be commissioned to illustrate and design characters from stories.  As an artist many of these commissions became derivative to the point of becoming boring (Dwarf Fighter with an Axe, Elf Ranger with a Bow, etc.)  so I strove to change things up and make sure that I was always coming up with new combinations.  I created my Random Character Generator. (attached below).  This was based upon the appendixes that were listed in the back of the D&D Dungeon Master's Guide when I was a kid.  I started using this generator routinely, and still employ it when creating characters and when teaching character design to students.

This series is intended to use my generator to create characters on a regular basis to share the process with you.  I will try to be as faithful as possible to the attributes that are created, as the series is meant to challenge my skills, and make the characters as difficult as possible.

Enjoy

WOC


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Fantasy CharacterWorkshop #007 

Race: Half-Elf

Gender: Male

Class: Barbarian

Armor: Platemail and Small Shield

Weapon: Pick

Missile:  Crossbow

Motiff: Wolf

Equipment: Hat, spurs, wand, journal

Another fun juxtaposition of elements I never would have come up with on my own.  The half elf is not a race that one commonly associates with barbarians, while plate mail and a pick is not the kit commonly used to arm this class either.  I was able to use the randomly generated motiff of the wolf as the unifying element both with the hide cape and small shield that would give the character a more tribal aesthetic, while the pick became more inspired by an American Indian war club rather than a European military pick.

Thanks.

WOC

Fantasy Character Workshop #006

William O'Connor

Working as a fantasy illustrator for over twenty years I have created hundreds (maybe thousands) of fantasy characters.  When I was a student I would draw the characters of all the players in my gaming group.  later working for various games I would be commissioned to illustrate and design characters from stories.  As an artist many of these commissions became derivative to the point of becoming boring (Dwarf Fighter with an Axe, Elf Ranger with a Bow, etc.)  so I strove to change things up and make sure that I was always coming up with new combinations.  I created my Random Character Generator. (attached below).  This was based upon the appendixes that were listed in the back of the D&D Dungeon Master's Guide when I was a kid.  I started using this generator routinely, and still employ it when creating characters and when teaching character design to students.

This series is intended to use my generator to create characters on a regular basis to share the process with you.  I will try to be as faithful as possible to the attributes that are created, as the series is meant to challenge my skills, and make the characters as difficult as possible.

Enjoy

WOC

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Fantasy Character Workshop #006 

Race: Dragonnoid

Gender: Female

Class: Paladin

Armor: Splintmail/ Large Shield

Weapon: Rapier(Fire)

Missile:  xxx

Motiff: Pegasus

Equipment: idol,

After a bit of a break for the holidays and to meet some important deadlines, I've returned to my Fantasy Character Workshop.  This one was unusual and exemplifies what I enjoy about these challenges.  A dragonoid female character wielding a large shield and a rapier.  Usually these hulking figures are depicted as brutish warriors using weapons such as clubs and battle axes, so the thin blade of a rapier as well as the more graceful design of a female paladin was a refreshing mash-up.
I drew from the "steed" list for a coat of arms motif on the shield.

Enjoy

WOC

   

Fantasy Character Workshop #004

William O'Connor

Working as a fantasy illustrator for over twenty years I have created hundreds (maybe thousands) of fantasy characters.  When I was a student I would draw the characters of all the players in my gaming group.  later working for various games I would be commissioned to illustrate and design characters from stories.  As an artist many of these commissions became derivative to the point of becoming boring (Dwarf Fighter with an Axe, Elf Ranger with a Bow, etc.)  so I strove to change things up and make sure that I was always coming up with new combinations.  I created my Random Character Generator. (attached below).  This was based upon the appendixes that were listed in the back of the D&D Dungeon Master's Guide when I was a kid.  I started using this generator routinely, and still employ it when creating characters and when teaching character design to students.

This series is intended to use my generator to create characters on a regular basis to share the process with you.  I will try to be as faithful as possible to the attributes that are created, as the series is meant to challenge my skills, and make the characters as difficult as possible.

Enjoy

WOC

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Fantasy Character Workshop #004 

"Gladiator of the Frost Dragon"

Race: Half-Elf

Gender: Male

Class: Gladiator

Armor: Chainmail

Weapon: Rapier(Frost)/Mace

Missile:  Blowgun

Motiff: Dragon

Equipment: Rope, Coffer, Award, Flute

This was a direct study of the generated character.  Sometimes you need to keep it simple and tell the story using the details you're given.  In this case, with a dragon motif and a frostbrand rapier I thought of a large frost dragon skull helmet, but then I realized, that would hide his racial identity.  So I went in the opposite direction and shaved him bald and painted a white dragon on his face.  much scarier.  Fighting two handed would make him quick so the chainmail became a gladiatorial tunic that would allow for free movement.  The award for his victories is attached to his shoulder.

Note: This sketch was a test for my brand new Wacom tablet.  Taking some time to get all the new buttons and preferences just the way I like them.  Usually, I turn off about half of the functions.

Enjoy

WOC

Fantasy Character Workshop #003

William O'Connor

Working as a fantasy illustrator for over twenty years I have created hundreds (maybe thousands) of fantasy characters.  When I was a student I would draw the characters of all the players in my gaming group.  later working for various games I would be commissioned to illustrate and design characters from stories.  As an artist many of these commissions became derivative to the point of becoming boring (Dwarf Fighter with an Axe, Elf Ranger with a Bow, etc.)  so I strove to change things up and make sure that I was always coming up with new combinations.  I created my Random Character Generator. (attached below).  This was based upon the appendixes that were listed in the back of the D&D Dungeon Master's Guide when I was a kid.  I started using this generator routinely, and still employ it when creating characters and when teaching character design to students.

This series is intended to use my generator to create characters on a regular basis to share the process with you.  I will try to be as faithful as possible to the attributes that are created, as the series is meant to challenge my skills, and make the characters as difficult as possible.

Enjoy

WOC

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Fantasy Character Workshop #003

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Class:Wizard

Armor:None

Weapon: Flail

Magic: Acid

Familiar: Owl

Missile:  Crossbow

Motiff: Lightning

Equipment: Rug, Spork, Bottle, Coffer

This character design was a fun challenge.  Initially focused on the flail and the owl, I finally realized that the off-hand addition of the rug, would make for an exciting addition for a wizard as an enchanted flying carpet.  Balancing on a flying carpet gave the figure a twisting, surfing effect, while the cape and the addition of a scarf added movement and speed to the design.  The lightning motif was incorporated into the carpet, the cape and the spell casting.

Enjoy

WOC

all text and images are ©William O'Connor Studios

Fantasy Character Workshop #002

William O'Connor

Working as a fantasy illustrator for over twenty years I have created hundreds (maybe thousands) of fantasy characters.  When I was a student I would draw the characters of all the players in my gaming group.  later working for various games I would be commissioned to illustrate and design characters from stories.  As an artist many of these commissions became derivative to the point of becoming boring (Dwarf Fighter with an Axe, Elf Ranger with a Bow, etc.)  so I strove to change things up and make sure that I was always coming up with new combinations.  I created my Random Character Generator. (attached below).  This was based upon the appendixes that were listed in the back of the D&D Dungeon Master's Guide when I was a kid.  I started using this generator routinely, and still employ it when creating characters and when teaching character design to students.

This series is intended to use my generator to create characters on a regular basis to share the process with you.  I will try to be as faithful as possible to the attributes that are created, as the series is meant to challenge my skills, and make the characters as difficult as possible.

Enjoy

WOC

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Fantasy Character Workshop #002

Race: Dragonoid

Class: Fighter

Gender: M

Armor: Scalemail

Handedness: Single Weapon/Shield

Weapons: mace/shield

Missile: crossbow

Equipment: bracelet, sewing kit, food, paintbrush

Motiff: feathers

A fun challenge to do a dragon-man!  I like these guys because I love dragons, and I helped design the Dragonborn race in D&D 4th edition.  Usually depicted as brutish characters I kept with this steryotype making his costume seem cobbled together out of pieces and bits.  The scale armor helps  enhance the dragon aesthetic, but that was sheer luck of the generator.  I made the shield have a sharp, spiked silhouette that also should help enforce the dragon-esque look.  The details of the small sewing kit with scissors and the paintbrush on his belt are just fun- maybe he's an artist!, while the feather motif lent to a tribal necklace of feathers and bird skull.  All in all, an useful character that can bash skulls and mend socks.

Enjoy.

WOC