Art Archive Art Nouveau New Jedi Order illustrations~

I realize I posted this in the Literature forum, but since this IS the fan art forum, I'm sure you would all have very valuable comments, critiques, and suggestions.

I've been working on illustrating the 17-member Jedi Strike Team from "Star by Star." They are posted (more or less) in the order in which they were created. My primary references come from Dan Veesenmeyer's ?Who's Who in the New Jedi Order? illustrations from the ?SW Insider? #47. I'm trying to keep the characters in similar outfits and appearances as they were in the magazine (I personally think Tahiri's hair was fabulous), instead of using the bland flightsuits they all wore on the mission. Billowy Jedi robes go well with the Art Nouveau theme...and Episodes 2 & 3 showed the Jedi in some pretty cool costumes.

Here's the list!:
Krasov Hara
Bela Hara
Tesar Sebatyne
Alema Rar
Eryl
Jovan Drark
Tekli
Ulaha Kor
Tenel Ka
Zekk
Raynar Thul

These portrait-like drawings are heavily Art Nouveau themed - with Alphonse Mucha serving as my primary inspiration. Continuing along with Mucha's style, the figures will have "windows" behind them (examples can be seen here and here).

I'm not going to start with the windows until I've done the characters, but what would you guys suggest including behind them? I don't want to just do Art Nouveau designs...but also don't want it to be too busy. Do I want the circular "Rose Window" to be the same image for every character? Or should the image shown be unique to every Jedi...showing a scene from the book, their homeplanet, etc? What about the vertical windows that flank the characters?

Any comments and suggestions are welcome! No idea is a bad one!

Thanks for your help!

-Mazzic

***UPDATE***

I finally have better scans of the eleven Jedi I've drawn so far. I'll be coloring them, and uploading as I find time. Here's what I've got so far:
Jovan Drark
Eryl Besa
**** Hara[/link]
Raynar Thul
*** ***

 

YES!!! I soooo loved these when I found them in Lit, I'm so glad you chose to bring them here to share, Mazzic!! I'll jump on the "fabulous" bandwagon here, too: the drapery is exquisite in its detail and "weight"--I just love the way you've "pooled" the fabric around the feet and legs, and lifted it on the wind--it's gorgeous! The attention to detail in all the costuming is just amazing, from the faces to the weapons. Great, great stuff!

I rather agree with HanSolo29 that some sort of symbolic-type Rose-window would be nice, but not so busy as to detract from the figures--I think for the vertical panels on either side, something common to all of them would be appropriate, to tie them all together.

This always was such a fantastic project, one that I'm sure is taking up a lot of your time and creative energies--but the end results are sooooo worth it!! Are you going to be coloring these yourself, too? This is going to be just fabulous when everyone is completed (sheesh, what am I saying?! They're all fabulous now!!)--a proper homage to the valiant young Jedi Strike Team. I'm still impressed, and am very much looking forward to future additions/embellishments! Thanks again for moving these here for everyone to enjoy!

FF

 

You already know how much I love all of these (since you know, I've fangirled you about them for the longest time. MUAH~!).

I can't wait to see the rest!

 

Cool! I love the style!

 

Awwww! Love them! They are incredible! My fav are Alema, because of her cool pose and how her lekku whirl around her, and Tenel Ka. Her hair is great and has got much detail.

Beautiful pics, would love to see more.

 

Great Raynar

 

Wow, cool style you got.

 

I REALLY appreciate what you have done here with all the NJOs jedi. So delicate ...

Thank you thank you thank you

 

Costuming is definitely one of the hardest things to figure out when drawing EU characters. Looks like you're a pro, though. ^_~

Can we expect a Jacen drawing anytime soon?

 

Squee!! I always love it when I find new NJO art to look over! This is also extremely helpful for me, because I've always had difficulty imagining exactly what Ulaha Kor looked like. I love them all; you're so creative with the costumes! I especially like Tenel Ka's head-dress -- perfect for a Hapan princess!

I love the style!

Look forward to seeing more!

--Idrelle

 

Wow! That style of illustration is totally my sort of thing, very,very cool. Your detailing is amazing, and your work with the cloth-folds makes me completely envious. I started work on an Anakin design some time ago, using a stylised Tatooine as the background (looked more like a stained-glass design than your Art Nouveau designs, but similar in concept), and I agree with Han that a basic illustration of the character's homeworld is probably the way to go.

Your work is wonderful.

 

I went searching for this thread again today. I think I just noticed your portrait of Raynar. Gorgeous! I love the clean lines and incredible detail.

Z

 

Yeah, they rock!

 

Great title I know nothing of NJO, but I don't need to know the characters' life stories to know that these are superb. It's a very unusual style - very clean and remarkably detailed at the same time. Absolutely fantastic.

Can I try and colour some of them in?

 

Wow, those are really amazing. It just looks so official and professional. I really can't wait to see more.
I keep checking the topic for new stuff

 

Damn it, I really need to finish these, don't I? I think I'll work on one tonight....

 

Mazzic wrote: I think I'll work on one tonight....

**SQUEE!!**



Hi Mazzic--and we'll definitely be looking forward to seeing more of these!!



FF

 

They are fantastic!! You're right billowing Jedi robes are much nicer.
I really wish I could colour them in...

 

Wow You have talent on line-drawing and the fabric seems so natural!(You did those by hand?)

 

very neat drawings. I like your style. my two favorite are Zekk and Rayner.

 

Eeeeee! Mazz~! I was just thinking about these pictures the other day and wondering if you'd ever return and do the rest! ^_~

 

Dang it. I started Jaina...and thought I really liked the pose...and now I don't.

Before I started the NJO project, I did thumbnails of every character to figure their pose and relation to one another. Anakin will be the central figure, with Jaina and Jacen flanking him. On either side of Jaina and Jacen will be the Jedi that "sided" with the respective twin. My thoughts is that all lined up, there would be a story (which is why it's important for the windows behind them to tell a story of some sort). Jaina, Jacen, and Anakin all have to "go" together. And now I don't like Jaina.

Meh. Back to the drawing board!

-Mazz

 

I'm a big fan of the Art Nouveau style of drawing, always wished I could draw like that... Your work is GORGEOUS!!! Are you going to color it? Your lines are wonderful, the anatomy is very good... just all around a treat to the eyes!