I like the configuration of the tail. It is curious that this species is covered by hair in some places and feathers in other places. On earth both structures evolved from scales, but seperately; mammals have hair and optionally scales, birds have feathers and scales but no creatures have hair, feathers and scales. This species presumably has an intriguing evolutionary history to end up with this particular anatomy.
Well, technically the Kiravai don't have fur - they have very tiny, very fine "proto-feather" scales for the most part (although you need a magnifying glass to see them usually), retaining feathers almost purely for the decorative/social aspect of it (in a similar way to how humans are mostly "hairless"). I just gave Ivy fuzz because I thought it'd be cute. ;) And as it's sorta "halfway" between what she is normally, and what she COULD be.
I wasn't sure if her body had small feathers, fur or was naked; likewise there are no /visible/ scales on the feet, but they could be too small to see. But the stuff on her head definitely looks like human-type hair; it would be difficult for feathers to be simultaneously small enough not to be visible in the drawing, and a couple of feet long. Curiously in some of your Kiravai drawings they seem to have feathers on their heads, and in others they seem to have humanlike hair; I assumed either some were 'unofficial' versions not from the main setting or there were different subspecies.
*nods* The former, mostly ("unofficial versions") - only the Leriivai (a "sister species" of a sort) have fur. ;) The genetic standard is for "manes" of loose feathers (a bit like you see on a cockerel - I took a few cues from one of my colleagues' calendars, which is full of fancy breeds of chicken ;) ), but some go in for "Cosmetic Genetic Therapy" to "restyle" their feathers to something more crest-like. The only ones with ACTUAL hair are Synthetic - Azure and Iios (and Ivy, when she's looking all messed up like this ;) )
Just saw this on DA myself...I dunno what to say besides I envy your skill with "creature" design (there's no term for "sentient alien design", is there?) and marker. Sorry if you said it before, but what kind of marker do you use? From some of my other friends in the UK I got the impression that Prismacolours were unavailable there, which in my opinion, is a good thing, because I hate the things and would get high off the fumes. ;)
I need to learn anatomy better. *nods and oogles at her hands*
And yeah, Prismacolours are a bit like hens' teeth - they don't sell them in shops over here, so I imported a set (which cost almost as much in import duties as it did the pens themselves >:( ) but I far prefer my Trias (those itty bitty nibs! *glee* Joy for the detail freaks) or Copics (OMG TEH BRUSHAGE). They're just so much more expensive. :( My plan when I move house is to get a few more Copics, as I only have a few.
It looks like you haven't detailed the neck or face yet. But what you've
It's Ivy. With a beak. I really don't know what to say. Doubt that's either good or bad, but just is. I do like the tailfeathers, though. That, and the braids seem to have a different level of realism to them compared to the rest of the art.
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(no subject)
Date: 14 Oct 2006 02:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 14 Oct 2006 04:13 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 14 Oct 2006 04:37 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 14 Oct 2006 05:00 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 14 Oct 2006 04:56 pm (UTC)I need to learn anatomy better. *nods and oogles at her hands*
(no subject)
Date: 14 Oct 2006 07:37 pm (UTC)And yeah, Prismacolours are a bit like hens' teeth - they don't sell them in shops over here, so I imported a set (which cost almost as much in import duties as it did the pens themselves >:( ) but I far prefer my Trias (those itty bitty nibs! *glee* Joy for the detail freaks) or Copics (OMG TEH BRUSHAGE). They're just so much more expensive. :( My plan when I move house is to get a few more Copics, as I only have a few.
Hands will be the death of me. *flails on floor*
(no subject)
Date: 14 Oct 2006 08:34 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 15 Oct 2006 07:55 am (UTC)It's Ivy. With a beak. I really don't know what to say. Doubt that's either good or bad, but just is. I do like the tailfeathers, though. That, and the braids seem to have a different level of realism to them compared to the rest of the art.
(no subject)
Date: 15 Oct 2006 02:53 pm (UTC)...? ...need input.
(no subject)
Date: 16 Oct 2006 03:28 am (UTC)I believe I meant "but what is colored looks quite good".