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Challenge #113: Barbarian Conqueror
This challenge is presented by Character Design Quarterly, the Official Partner of CDChallenge. Character Design Quarterly is a lively, creative magazine bringing inspiration, expert insights, and leading techniques to professional illustrators, artists, and art lovers worldwide. Subscriptions are available now!
OPEN SUBMISSION DAY AND DEADLINE
The submission period for the current challenge will commence on May 2nd, 2024, and will conclude on June 2nd, 2024 at 11:59 pm (GMT + 0:00), Dublin Time. Please keep in mind the additional +1 hour for Daylight Saving Time, observed in Europe from April to October. The Character Design References team will meticulously review all the artwork submitted for the challenge.
NOTE: The countdown meter above provides real-time information on the submission deadline. If you see a minus sign (-) preceding the number, it indicates that the deadline has passed, and the displayed time represents the duration since then.
“Know, oh nameless artist, that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis beneath the insatiable waves, and the years of the rise of the Sons of Aryas, there was an age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread upon the wide expanse of the world like blue mantles beneath the stars. In those days of yore, lost cities prowled by unspoken enigmas, their secrets veiled in the shroud of mystery. Decadent civilizations bowed beneath the yoke of tyrants, their thrones stained with the blood of the oppressed. Forgotten temples, cloaked in shadow, concealed their tombs, guarded by spectral sentinels sworn to eternal vigilance. Across the wild expanse, riders roamed, clad in armor wrought of steel, adorned with the finest silk and gleaming gold. They were the nomads of the wasteland, their steeds thundering across the barren plains like echoes of forgotten legends. Each carried with them the weight of ages past, their swords honed by hardship and battle, their eyes alight with the fire of unquenchable ambition. And unto this, a hero rose. Daring, vigorous, sword in hand. A reaver, a slayer, a barbarian conqueror with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandalled feet. A warrior destined to wear the crown of a great new kingdom upon a troubled brow. It falls upon me, the chronicler of his exploits, to unfurl the saga of his valor. And upon thee, the artist, to capture his figure in strokes of vivid hue. Together, we shall recount the days when the world trembled beneath the tread of the unconquered, weaving the tapestry of high adventure!...”
We invite all artists to unleash their creativity and design their unique vision of a vigorous Barbarian Conqueror!
Guidelines
Make sure to read ALL the main RULES of the CDChallenge.
Your character can be of any sex, race, and age.
Your character can be a hero, an anti-hero, or a villain.
You can base your design on a fictional or historical character/creature.
Focus on the design of only 1 main character (based on the theme).
Your character can be based on a real person or one from myth and folklore.
If your character has a sidekick, please make sure we can see who is the main character and who is his/her sidekick, otherwise, your artwork will be considered as a lineup of characters based on the same archetype, which is against the rules.
Avoid portraying multiple characters confronting each other in a (so to speak) fighting game-like fashion. As mentioned above, if it's unclear who is the main character of your design, your submission will not be approved. On the other hand, if your character (based on the theme) is clearly identifiable as the main character, it’s then okay if you portray it next to a sidekick (or even if it crashes one of his minions under its foot). Artists confused about this rule should stay away from these grey areas, and instead consider submitting a so-called 'Perfect Entry'. More detailed info can be found in the main RULES of the CDChallenge, which we highly recommend you read.
Again, despite the number of additional characters, the focus of your design must be a single character. If it's unclear who is the main character of your design, your submission will not be approved. Please also check the exceptions above.
Infants and children can be considered sidekicks only if your main character is an adult. If you are confused about this rule, please don't take any risk and include only 1 single character based on the theme in your work.
The theme offers many awesome ideas to explore. Your character can also be from an alternative time (a barbarian from the future, from the Victorian Age, from the ’60s, etc.) but BE VERY CAREFUL! Make sure your design shows enough elements that connect to the theme, or your artwork will not be accepted. We want the key elements of this theme to be clear and recognizable, and not twisted in a way that makes it unintelligible. The artwork must speak for itself.
Feel free to explore this fascinating archetype. Make sure to do your research extensively, so don't forget to look online for references, info, and visual aids. Start by checking out the Wikipedia page for it HERE and HERE to look up ideas and get more familiar with the theme.
Your character can drive/ride a vehicle or mount a creature
Your design can be created in any style and for many hypothetical purposes. For example, your artwork could be a character study created for an animated 2D, 3D, stop-motion, live-action movie, or a mobile app and a video game (these are ''model sheet entries'', which are by definition, what is considered proper character design in the animation, game and movie industry). Your artwork can also be the illustration of a character for the cover page of a novel, a pen-and-paper role-playing game, a tabletop game, an art book, a comic book, or a children's book (these are ''illustrative entries'', which are welcomed in the group even if they are not proper character design), and it can also be a design for a t-shirt, a brand or a sports team (these are ''mascot entries'' which are also acceptable as submissions in the group). Whatever the type of artwork you decide to submit to the group (model sheet entry, illustrative entry, or mascot entry), please make sure avoid to drawing or painting any complicated, distracting, and overly detailed background.
The official brief for the Theme of the Month (the short story written above), is provided for inspirational purposes only. It’s therefore not mandatory to follow it, and your character can be based on your idea, as long as it stays true to the title of the Theme of the Month.
3D submission can be posted ONLY as additional entries in the comments, please make sure you READ THE RULES before posting, as this might cost you the membership.
AI generators cannot be used in your work.
Anthropomorphic animal versions of your character are more than welcome.
Character EXAMPLES
✔ GOOD An old Barbarian warrior with his hawk sidekick ( 1 character + 1 sidekick).
✔ GOOD A young Barbarian riding a horse ( 1 character + vehicle/mount).
✔ GOOD A fearless Barbarian mom with her three children ( 1 character + 3 sidekicks).
✔ GOOD Giant battle-mecha Barbarian with two pilots on his shoulders ( 1 character + 2 sidekicks).
✔ GOOD A Barbarian playing a musical instrument
✔ GOOD Any kind of anthropomorphic animal version of the theme that is still recognizable.
✘ NOT GOOD Two Barbarians confronting each other ( no focus on 1 main character).
✘ NOT GOOD Two Barbarians dancing ( 2 characters based on the theme/no main character).
✘ NOT GOOD A Barbarian that doesn't look like one at all ( theme unrecognizable).
✘ NOT GOOD Two Barbarians getting married (2 characters based on the theme).
Character IDEAS (BArbarian Conqueror)
Thorgar the Ironfist (Ancient Norse Barbarian): Towering like a mountain and draped in fur pelts, Thorgar's tangled mane of hair and beard speaks of his savage heritage. His eyes, blue as ice, betray a fierce determination, while his massive hands grip his battle-axe, "Blood Fury," with an iron grip. With tales of raiding across the icy fjords and chanting ancient runes to summon storms, Thorgar embodies the primal spirit of the Viking berserker.
Xul the Desert Nomad (Ancient Mesopotamian Barbarian): Born beneath the scorching sun of the desert, Xul is a figure of mystery and intrigue. Clad in flowing robes and adorned with intricate jewelry, his dark eyes gleam with the wisdom of ages. A master of the curved scimitar and the art of desert survival, Xul roams the shifting sands, a nomadic prince leading his tribe with both cunning and courage.
Gromm the Highland Warrior (Medieval Scottish Barbarian): From the mist-shrouded moors of Scotland emerges Gromm, a fierce warrior clad in tartan kilts and wielding a claymore as tall as himself. His wild red hair and beard flow like flames in the wind, while his piercing green eyes burn with the fires of rebellion. A champion of his clan and a scourge to his enemies, Gromm fights for freedom and independence against the tyranny of foreign lords.
Rynn the Wasteland Raider (Post-Apocalyptic Barbarian): Born amidst the ashes of civilization's downfall, Rynn is a scavenger of the desolate wastes. Clad in makeshift armor fashioned from salvaged scrap metal and wielding a jury-rigged plasma rifle, she roams the irradiated plains in search of survival. Her eyes, hardened by hardship, scan the horizon for threats, while her voice carries the rasp of someone who has breathed the tainted air for too long. A survivor by necessity and a warrior by circumstance, Rynn navigates the ruins of the old world with cunning and grit.
Zara the Amazonian Huntress (Ancient Greek Barbarian): Born in the untamed wilderness of ancient Greece, Zara is a vision of strength and beauty. With her bronze spear, "Thunderbolt," in hand and her bow strung with the sinew of mythical beasts, she roams the forest in search of prey. Her flowing locks of golden hair and piercing gaze mask the heart of a warrior, fearless in the face of danger and unyielding in her pursuit of glory.
Hakim the Bedouin Raider (Ancient Arabian Barbarian): Wrapped in flowing robes and adorned with the trappings of the desert, Hakim is a shadow among the dunes. With his scimitar, "Sandstorm," at his side and his camel swift as the wind, he strikes with precision and speed, a phantom of the sands. His eyes, dark as the midnight sky, betray the secrets of the ancient deserts, while his voice carries the wisdom of generations past.
Lia the Celtic Druidess (Iron Age Celtic Barbarian): Born of the ancient forests of Britannia, Lia is a daughter of the earth and sky. Clad in woven garments adorned with mystical symbols and wielding a staff of oak, she channels the power of nature itself. Her eyes, green as the verdant woodlands, hold the wisdom of the ages, while her voice resonates with the whispers of the old gods. Protector of the land and guardian of ancient rites, Lia stands as a beacon of hope in a world besieged by darkness.
Rurik the Rus Warlord (Medieval Slavic Barbarian): Hailing from the frozen steppes of Eastern Europe, Rurik is a titan of the battlefield. Clad in fur-lined armor and wielding a mighty battle-axe, he leads his warriors with an iron fist and a fierce determination. His eyes, cold as the winter's frost, betray no hint of mercy, while his voice booms like thunder across the plains. A conqueror by birthright and a king by conquest, Rurik's name strikes fear into the hearts of his enemies.
Tala the Maasai Warrior (Ancient African Barbarian): Born beneath the African sun, Tala is a warrior of the savannah. Adorned with vibrant beads and draped in lion pelts, she wields a spear as tall as herself with deadly precision. Her eyes, dark as the endless plains, gleam with the fire of her ancestors, while her voice carries the rhythm of tribal chants. Protector of her people and guardian of ancient traditions, Tala embodies the spirit of her homeland.
Zothar the Atlantean Revenant (Post-Atlantis Barbarian): Awakened from a slumber beneath the waves, Zothar is a remnant of a forgotten age. Clad in ancient armor adorned with glyphs of forgotten power and wielding a trident forged from the heart of the sunken city, he rises from the depths to reclaim his lost kingdom. His eyes, haunted by memories of a time long past, pierce the veil of the present, while his voice echoes with the echoes of a civilization submerged. A revenant of Atlantis and a harbinger of its return, Zothar seeks to rebuild what was lost and reclaim his rightful place as king of the sunken realm.
Khan the Mongol Horseman (Medieval Mongolian Barbarian): Emerging from the steppes of Central Asia, Khan is a rider without equal. Mounted atop his steed and clad in armor of leather and silk, he wields a composite bow with deadly accuracy. His eyes, fierce as the eagle's gaze, scan the horizon for conquest, while his voice carries the thunder of hooves across the grasslands. A nomad by nature and a warrior by birth, Khan's name echoes across the ages as a symbol of power and prestige.
The Challenge Rewards are the official prizes of the Character Design Challenge! Each reward contains some of the best resources for illustrators and visual development artists available online today, educational books and video tutorials, and also two of the most interesting, original and well crafted graphic novels crowd-funded in the last years!
Character Design Quarterly
This challenge is presented and brought to you by Character Design Quarterly, the Official Partner of CDChallenge!
Character Design Quarterly (CDQ) is an exciting new print magazine for illustrators, artists, animators, and character art enthusiasts. Releasing four times a year, the magazine will offer inspirational and educational articles, tutorials, and interviews from top industry professionals specifically geared to helping artists hone their character design skills. This unique, engaging magazine will provide a regular stream of insider knowledge and illuminating advice from experienced professionals and freelancers to help artists of all skill levels improve their workflow and designs. New issues will be released at regular three-month intervals in September, December, March, and June. Subscriptions are available now!
IDEA Academy
Study with top professionals from the video game and animation industry, enroll in IDEA academy!
IDEA Academy is a teaching centre for digital and traditional arts aimed at turning students into professionals in the creativity and entertainment fields. Courses cover a wide variety of topics such as video games, 3D graphics, concept design, cinema set design, storyboarding, 2D animation, 3D animation and illustration. Teachers are renowned professionals with extensive experience in all the major international studios, entertainment companies and publishing houses such as: Disney, Pixar, Lucas Arts, Delcourt, Penguin, The New York Times (just to mention a few).