The colective arts of Jonarus Drakus

jonarus_drakus · Post by **jonarus_drakus** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:35 pm

In the spirit of 'feel free to contibute' i though id re-post my ship concept here, its lacking detail (due to the lack of any real graphic art programs on my PC) but if nothing else is a good basis for size and shape.

[url=http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9452/redguarddemixebec02.jpg][img]http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9452/redguarddemixebec02.th.jpg[/img][/url]

Hopefully I'll be able to add some theories on the detailing soon. (if a better quality image is needed/wanted by anyone else, just give me a PM and i'll hook you up with the origional).

PS: I dont expect this is the only concept I'll put up either, i may just get back into drawing on a regular basis again after all these years thats to TR!
Oh, and could anyone give me any sample images of redguard carvings and writing (lettering, etc)?

Adanorcil · Post by **Adanorcil** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:53 pm

A little bit of constructive criticism:

You mention that you would like to add more detail. I don't think detail is your immediate concern. The drawing itself has ample detail (placement of masts, windows, hatches, name sign etc.).

A more serious issue, I believe, is the fact that to me, it seems more like an actual drawing of a ship then a concept. When making concept art, you could always ask yourself the question "What can I depict that people do not yet know or can at least assume about the object I am drawing?"

The above may seem like a trivial concern, but it extends to the overall process of concept art. At face value, if I wanted a concept of a ship like the one you drew, I could have googled the word "xebec". What you want to do when making concept art is to think outside the box and to draw things that do not exist yet or are at least not readily apparent. This is why the boats previously designed for the Redguards were made out of reed and had fan-like sails.

Finally, when drawing concept art, you may want to keep in mind that in order to come up with a striking concept, you should not always keep scientific/realistic/architectural restrictions in mind. For example, from your elaborate annotations on your sketch, I am going to assume you have an interest in nautical... stuff (in lack of a better term). However, it doesn't really matter too much that this or this boat has such or such rudder or that particular kind of sail.

Note: you will find a lot of boat-related Hammerfell stuff in [url=http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/old_forum/viewtopic.php?t=17966]this thread[/url].

jonarus_drakus · Post by **jonarus_drakus** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 10:42 pm

All very true (to varying degrees).

The reason for focusing on structural details and all but ignoring practical ones is beacause at the time of creating this i had no idea about the stylistic path being followed in terms of Hammerfell Ship design. The sails, while theoreticaly a Lateen rig could be made from anything (a segmented semi-lateen combining middle eastern and asian sail styles?). However, a solid wooden hull would be a MUST as it is intended as a warship, and one capable of ramming attacks at that. (though internal bulkeads and non load bearing walls could be of a woven style - indeed i can visualise the cabin spaces being filled with light-wieght bamboo furnishings)

You may have noticed also that i included colour coded areas for detailed decorations (specificaly on the stern, but they could be spread to other areas as well).

Finaly, on the count of it looking like 'just a drawing', that is only the case due to force of circumstance. All i really have in the way of graphics programs on my computer is MSpaint. So, while i can understand WHY you thought that, i created it with a specific intent in mind, not just 'for the heck of it'.

PS: Most of my knowledge of ships and ship designs come from Naval Literiture, most notably the Hornblower series by C.S.Forester

Sload · Post by **Sload** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 4:17 am

Really I think what Adanorcil means is that the structural details of the ship don't matter really in any way. The second you start talking about "lateen rigs" I'm completely lost, and so are most players. The ultimate model doesn't need to be able to even sail at all - it can be totally 100% illogical. What matters is that it looks totally unlike any ship you'll see anywhere except Hammerfell.

David House · Post by **David House** » Sun May 03, 2009 3:29 am

Hey Jonarus, mind if I draw this boat? look at my concept art thread to see what I can do.

jonarus_drakus · Post by **jonarus_drakus** » Sun May 03, 2009 12:11 pm

Have at it dude. The only reason i havn't done so myself is because i dont have access to a scanner, graphing paper, pencils of various grades... All things you seem to have available, just remember the cultural style of hammerfell and you should bo fine.

David House · Post by **David House** » Sun May 03, 2009 3:15 pm

oh I got a tablet

no scanner needed, (though I do have one.) and ill remmeber.

Xui'al · Post by **Xui'al** » Sun May 03, 2009 5:55 pm

Lovely work, Mr. Drakus. Unlike Sload, I love the technical details. As such, the ram just doesn't seem to work. Mediterranean oared vessels had their rams right on the water-line. The ram on your concept is just too high to be useful. All the same, I like your idea about a large, clear deck so that the ship can carry a large complement of marines. That is how the Redguards would prefer to fight at sea, I believe.

jonarus_drakus · Post by **jonarus_drakus** » Sun May 03, 2009 6:49 pm

"Ram" was probably not the best word to use as its intended not to sink the opponent but the 'latch on' to it, preventing escape and providing a path for boarding actions. The more i think about it however the more i think that it use would be almost entirely aestetic. Perhaps intead of sharp/pointy it should be round and bulbus, perhaps taking the form of an icon of religious signifigance to sailors?

Lets see what Dr. House (joke very much intended

) comes up with in his 'artistic' sketch. Then, maybe, with Admin aproval this could actually get passed on to the modeling stage... if only to see how it would 'work' in 3D...

Xui'al · Post by **Xui'al** » Sun May 03, 2009 6:55 pm

I've been planning on writing an imperial naval manual for some time now, but have only really done any serious work on it in this last week. Since you seem to be familiar with fighting ships, I'd love to hear any ideas that you might have.

jonarus_drakus · Post by **jonarus_drakus** » Sun May 03, 2009 7:14 pm

Most of my ship combat knowledge comes from the "Hornbower" Novel series by C.S.Forester. The easlier books (not as in writen order, but story order) - most notably "Hornblower and the Hotspur" focus more on combat from smaller vessels, specificaly the "Sloop", which would be the closest to obliv/hammerfell style in terms of size at least (not technology tho obviously).

One thing i do want to make a point on is that while the majority of combat power would be to a ships sides, it would not be the only way. Specificaly for the concept i created, a foward mounted and forward firing balista would be very apropriate in my mind (I noticed that Mr. Sikas ships have been transfered over to TR_Oot already, the balistas on the corvette are the sort of thing i mean - there is another mod by sika with 'loose' siege weapons, Castle Almgard i think...).

As for the side-to-side combat, i see my consept having as many as ten (full squad) marines with both bows for ranged combat and sabres/cutlesses & light shields for boarding. The actual naval officers (captain and lieutenants) and crew would be separate to the marines but would all be armed to various degrees and take part in boarding attacks as well.

I'll do some reserch on the subject and see if i can come up with some more detail ideas on tactics and the like and post them in a few days.

David House · Post by **David House** » Mon May 04, 2009 1:01 am

Hows this for a boat? (I know it isnt perfect.)

[url]http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l236/Iren_hawk/Shipconcept.png[/url]

PS: the other stuff was just doodles, take no mind.

Edit: sorry.

Thrignar Fraxix · Post by **Thrignar Fraxix** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:10 am

Sload wrote:The ultimate model doesn't need to be able to even sail at all - it can be totally 100% illogical. What matters is that it looks totally unlike any ship you'll see anywhere except Hammerfell.

This is why fine details don't matter, and to some degree actually detract from good concept art Xui. The ship you drew, House, is not in any way unique, and could very well exist in real life. Also, I believe I have already told you to use thumbnails from imageshack, or to just link your images.

jonarus_drakus · Post by **jonarus_drakus** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:31 am

Looks pretty good, the only thing i would take issue with is the rigging and sails. Do you know anything about the different types of rigging used on sailing vessels?

What you have here looks to be closest to what would be called a 'schooner rig' (especialy on the rear mast), when what i had in mind was more of a middle-easten 'Lateen rig' (Think of it a pair of exceptionaly large triangles set to one side of the masts).
There are some nice examples in the thread the Adanorcil linked to.

Oh, i should also mention that the design was also (origionaly at least) intended as a fast, short ranged, combat vessel, not a long-range trading one (the shallow draught resulting in minimal cargo space).

None of this is to say your work is bad, its very well done, just in need of a little refinement to bring it in line with the spirit of the concept

I do however, really like your concept for the anchor and sabre (tho the sabre does look very similar to the cutless from oblivion, not in a bad way tho, it like a hammerfell varient of it so i think it works).

David House · Post by **David House** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:55 pm

whatever it looks like crap anyways.

jonarus_drakus · Post by **jonarus_drakus** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:24 pm

Just a whole bunch of Goldmoor UC scetches. The images here are linked from imageschack and do not come with detailed notes (see the UC sticky thread here: for more details)

http://img139.imageshack.us/i/balconyconceptscetches.jpg/
http://img269.imageshack.us/i/uc1goldmoormanor.jpg/
http://img139.imageshack.us/i/uc2smltownhouse.jpg/
http://img197.imageshack.us/i/uc3goldmoortownhouse.jpg/

This last one wouldn't upload, so it is included as an attachment instead (its only like 25kb anyway)

Constantine · Post by **Constantine** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:48 am

how do i post my drawings im completely (im computer illiterate )

Katze · Post by **Katze** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:52 am

Upload them to an outside service like Imageshack or Photobucket and then link to them in a thread you create either here or in the showcase forum. There's usually an option to post a thumbnail if you want people to have a preview image before they click on the link.

I really don't know if attaching files is allowed for non-modders, but if it is, you can attach files to the end of posts, and if it's a picture file, it'll get shown at the bottom of the post.

Constantine · Post by **Constantine** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:55 am

Thank you

Constantine · Post by **Constantine** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:01 pm

Now I a on Photobucket but I don't now how to transfer my sample pic from there to the correct box/place can any one help?

jonarus_drakus · Post by **jonarus_drakus** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:56 am

As much as i dont want to sound rude, i dont like what is supposed to be a semi-private showroom for my artwork to be used to ask questions that have no place being asked here.

Please refrain from doing so!

JD

Thrignar Fraxix · Post by **Thrignar Fraxix** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:12 am

Don't be a dick.

The person is/was new, and hasn't been on for 4 days. They may in fact be gone altogether now. If you wanted that part cut out, I'd gladly do it. I would have done it anyway if you ever used this thread. That was, however, the first post since July. I counted this thread as dead and was content to let it sink back to the murky depths.

so yeah, don't be a dick