Searching for a Tailor: Crescent

Comments

• bobsy26 Posts: 213 Arc User

  December 2014 edited December 2014

  When I loaded the costume, the things I wanted to change the most were the exact things you're insisting shouldn't be changed. Which is hardly helpful of me, I realise. Ah well.
  
  These are the things I'm trying to wrap my brain around:

  • This is a pretty generic angel look to go for. Since angels aren't (probably) literally really real, doesn't that mean we can depart from the cliche of white robes and wings? What would an immortal, ultra-powerful and above-all inhuman race look like? Why would they content themselves looking the way we dress children for school nativity plays?
  • As for the wings, are they decorative or functional? If decorative, let's have fun with them, make them more stylised and less feathery. If functional, let's make them big enough to look like they'd have a chance of supporting her in flight.
  • You've given her a sort of Hot Topic-ish teenage rebel thing going on with those lip piercings and haircut, but otherwise she's dressed in the standard plain white colours of your stereotypical cartoon or nativity play angel. Does she have a rebellious spirit? If so, why does she still conform?
  • Her eyes have got completely lost and indistinct. They're small, hidden behind her fringe, the irises are pale and the lack of make-up makes them hard to pick out.

  
  Yeah, sorry. But I think when you're doing design work like this, it's healthy to be prepared to go Apocalypse Now on your sacred cows. If you limit yourself too much it can stifle creativity and leave lots of good
  
  So yeah, I've had a couple of goes, one where I've obeyed your guidelines, and three where I've gone and broke 'em. Starting with the one where I followed the rules:

  
  (Requires Pulp set (scarf), Urban defender set (boots))

  
  Essentially, the main thing you need for a look like this are layers of contrast. If the wings are white, the clothes need to be not-white, or vice versa. So her clothes here are generally darker, a deep grey t-shirt that goes on past the belt, even darker leggings and tan boots and waistcoat. I gave her a little hipster scarf as a throwback to the angelic convention of dressing in white, but that's it. Oh, and she's got a cute little plastic watch. Gotta be on time, Clarence!
  

  
  (Requires: Spartan Armour set (chest wear) Witch and Wizard set (belt)

  
  Now onto something a bit more fun. I love the idea of angels being creatures of light and passion, and so to not explore more of the spectrum of colours that make up light seems a waste. That's why I've made her hair, eyes and feathers a lovely mix of greens and blues to bring a bit more life to the old girl. Of course, a costume still needs layers of contrast, otherwise it becomes visually interesting. So her armour is dark brown leather, worn over a simple grey tunic/skirt. And shoes? She doesn't wear them here. If she had shoes, how could she experience the joy of ground beneath her feet?
  
  I also remodelled her eyes, making them glowing points of light blazing out, and using makeup to help frame them better. Now they're impossible to miss, a penetrating stare. A stare of angelic justice! The skin's been lightened to contrast her eyes better.
  
  (oh, I also did a few small alterations on her skeleton here, broadening her shoulders and un-chunkifying her arms. I used this body on the next two costumes as well)
  

  
  (Requires: Variety pack set (boots), Magical Girl set (left bracer) Nephilim Cross and Diamond shoulders unlock)

  
  More natural, earthy tones here. The wings (and hair - having them colour-match seems natural, even though hair and feathers aren't really alike) are now shades of brown and grey, which makes me think of owls and other large predator birds. Her skin's darker this time, and her eyes are stark white and expressionless.
  
  But the main thing about this costume is to expand on the use of chains, which I really like as a defining visual point for the character. Here she's back in white, but it's almost a prison jumpsuit, with baggy leggings and matching top. Over this, what looks like armour is in fact made of shackles and chains, dirtied and rusted like the chain on her arm (I did give her a smidge of joy though in the cute little bow on her other wrist). I don't know Crescent's backstory, but imagine that chains are a defining part, so here they are in all their ugly glory. Even her hair's been tied up. Man!
  

  
  (Requires: Holoforce set (shoulders, arm accessories, leg accessories, collar), Psionic Dragon set (chest wear))

  
  ...Honestly, I don't really like this one as much, but include it anyway as a concept sketch if nothing else. The thinking behind it is that angels aren't beholden to using simple mortal materials in making their armour, so why should it look like any earthly armour in the first place? I used glass-textured pieces, but something never really clicked right. Also, I wanted to have more gold in the costume, but limited that to her 'natural' parts - hair, feathers, skin, eyes. I suspect the problem with this outfit is the actual clothing she's wearing between the armour and her body, but I never quite got the balance right. Anyway, glass armour's still cool.
  
  ===
  
  Right. So yeah. Four costumes, only one of which was what you asked for. Still, I urge you to check the others out, because no harm ever came from having too many ideas. Right? Um. Right.
  
  Even if you're still attached to your original concept, there's no harm in experimenting to see if it can't be improved.

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• raighn Posts: 2,339 Arc User

  December 2014 edited December 2014

  The first one is pretty decent... I'd change the verst though personally...
  
  her backstory:

  The unfortunate victim of the increase in gang activity throughout Millennium City, Sari Brooke was granted a second chance by celestial intervention. Empowered by her new angelic abilities she has set forth, under the name Crescent, as a guardian and avenger for those who would be victims like her. Her presence on the streets strikes fear into those involved in her death. Wielding a scythe and chain as though she were the angel of death may also contribute to this fear.

  
  The chain is more of a reminder of how she died... as well as a mortal binding, since she's not a true angel. So her appearance is supposed to be a reflection of when she was alive, and "rebellious teenager" sums that up pretty well.
  

  ---

  
  As for the 3 others...
  
  The first alternative feels to "fallen angel" to me, and I really don't like the unnatural colors, plus as I said she's not a true angel, she was human and was granted a second chance.
  
  The next one... completely misses the character concept to me...
  
  and the last one... I'm just not sure... something about it just doesn't feel right...
  

  ---

  
  Would still like to see some more options though

  ^-^ cute, cuddly, @Pandabutt ^-^
  

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• Unknown

  December 2014 edited December 2014

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