Best Way to do Character Portraits

Phaestus
Phaestus
edited August 2010 in Campaign Portal Building
I did a search and looked through the tag cloud, but didn't see anything about this. If I'm doing this wrong, I'm sorry. This is sort of my first post.

I was just wondering, what kind of things are okay to upload as character portraits? Obviously, no porn or anything, but I mean, like, what kind of pictures?

Our main Gamemaster likes having real people, so a lot of us will look for pictures of celebrities that sort of fit. Sometimes I shop them a little, change the eye color or hair color, small changes. Occasionally, after everyone's shown their picture, I'll draw some of them based on what I was shown, but it takes me a while to get a good drawing, so that's slow.

I guess my question here is, is it okay to upload the "actor" pictures as the character portrait rather than something drawn by me? Or is that looked down upon?
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Comments

  • JimTriche
    JimTriche
    Posts: 483
    I wouldn't worry too much about it, as far as I can tell, as long as you aren't putting a picture of a penis with a mohawk up, you're well within the boundaries of the Terms of Service.
  • arsheesh
    arsheesh
    Posts: 850
    First off, welcome to the Portal Kattastrophe! There's a great community here so if you have any other questions feel free to ask and I'm sure someone here will be able to lend some advice. Second, yeah what Jim said.

    Cheers,
    -Arsheesh
  • Phaestus
    Phaestus
    Posts: 7
    Well, there goes my mutant penis head character idea. :P

    Srsly now, thanks guys!
  • Duskreign
    Duskreign
    Posts: 1,085 edited August 2010
    What about a mohawk with a penis? Because HELLO ANTAGONIST!

    Oh, and welcome to the Obsidian Portal, where I say things like that!


    "Duskreign":http://www.obsidianportal.com/profile/Duskreign

    "Wyrmshadow Campaign Setting":http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/wyrmshadow
    "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic":http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic
    Post edited by Duskreign on
  • Curufea
    Curufea
    Posts: 161 edited August 2010
    Personally, I'm using images of the voice actors from the series the game is set in for the NPC characters who may turn up.
    Post edited by Curufea on
  • Duskreign
    Duskreign
    Posts: 1,085
    It would be awesome if you could embed a line of dialog from the series on each appropriate NPC.
  • Embirsiphone
    Embirsiphone
    Posts: 385
    I make pixel dolls... they're fairly simple to pull off.. the one of my character Mahria took about ten minutes or so.. though I never considered using actors and such.. hmm
  • Duskreign
    Duskreign
    Posts: 1,085
    BTW, if you need a specific character drawn, I'm willing to do so. Just shoot me a message and let me know.
  • gaaran
    gaaran
    Posts: 740
    He's actually pretty good, go check his page out :)
  • Embirsiphone
    Embirsiphone
    Posts: 385
    hmmm So Dusk.. how quickly can you draw then? cause yeah that was the wrong thing to say :D
  • Duskreign
    Duskreign
    Posts: 1,085
    Depends on what I'm drawing and how involved it is.
  • Embirsiphone
    Embirsiphone
    Posts: 385
    Just simple drawings of characters.. nothing to fancy.. Normally Eve will draw up characters for me.. all I would need is a sketch, since I can color them and stuff digitally.. but I'd really love a hand drawn picture of Cross.. and a few other characters.. ^_^
  • Duskreign
    Duskreign
    Posts: 1,085
    Describe Cross to me.
  • gaaran
    gaaran
    Posts: 740
    One vertical line, overlapped by a single, shorter horizontal line, slightly above the center :P
  • Duskreign
    Duskreign
    Posts: 1,085 edited August 2010
    "DONE!":http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/assets/20073/Cross.png

    That was easy. Umami, you coulda done that.
    Post edited by Duskreign on
  • Embirsiphone
    Embirsiphone
    Posts: 385
    Cross is sort of complicated.. her clothes don't have to be much more than a simple tunic, leggings and boots. She Wears three feathers in her hair and she has a scar on her cheek that is sort of shaped like a plus sign.... There are clusters of scales located above her left ear, packed together so tightly that hair doesn't grow there at all, she has some on her right cheek, the nape of her neck, her forearms. She has long hair as well. I have a pixel doll of her posted on the character site which I need to thank you for the rating :D That's awesome of you ^_^ it's the scars, scales and skin paint armor that make her tricky..
  • gaaran
    gaaran
    Posts: 740
    I was right about the scar at least :P
  • Embirsiphone
    Embirsiphone
    Posts: 385
    >.< I dunno whether to hit you both or laugh at your shenanigins and I think I spelled that wrong..
  • Duskreign
    Duskreign
    Posts: 1,085
    What about weapons or other possessions/props/affectations. Facial expression? Posed aggressive, casual, playful, clumsy, etc.
  • Embirsiphone
    Embirsiphone
    Posts: 385
    She usually just looks slightly bored, she has a bit of arrogance about her.. The only thing that she really cares about in her possesion is Bastion her large green viper.. I suppose you could draw her relaxed in a chair, with bastion looking bored.. and if she's not looking bored she's scheming like crazy
  • Duskreign
    Duskreign
    Posts: 1,085 edited August 2010
    "Let me know if this is good.":http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/assets/20076/Cross.jpg
    Post edited by Duskreign on
  • Poutine_Paladin
    Poutine_Paladin
    Posts: 285
    Dusk, you seriously just do that for people's characters? Cuz I'd love to stop stealing (clears throat) images for characters.
  • Duskreign
    Duskreign
    Posts: 1,085
    You have something in mind?
  • Poutine_Paladin
    Poutine_Paladin
    Posts: 285
    Well, it's just that I've been "borrowing" pics, and can never quite find the right one that suits. If you work the digital pen quickly and easily, maybe you can help?
  • Duskreign
    Duskreign
    Posts: 1,085
    I certainly don't mind drawing a character for you. I have to tell you, though, that I use outside images as well. I simply have far too many NPCs in Wyrmshadow, and nowhere near the time I would need to draw them all.
  • Poutine_Paladin
    Poutine_Paladin
    Posts: 285
    Using outside images, I think, is fine, I just don't like using "stock footage" for characters, but using poses/concepts from other artists, I think is great. I just don't have the time or energy required to do the artwork myself. Though I should find the time If I'm taking this seriously, I guess.
  • Duskreign
    Duskreign
    Posts: 1,085
    I hear you.
  • FrankSirmarco
    FrankSirmarco
    Posts: 250
    Dusk, your female fantasy characters have big breasts, too? So it's not just me?

    Just once, I'd like to see a flat-chested female character kick butt. It seems like it would be easier to swing a broadsword...
  • RaseCidraen
    RaseCidraen
    Posts: 890
    Dusk, I am absolutely envious of your talents! You can write AND do Art? Jiminy Jeepers!
  • Embirsiphone
    Embirsiphone
    Posts: 385
    *sqeauls happily* Omg, thank you! She's so pretty! It's perfect! I can't wait to color this! *Hugs Dusk tightly*

    I'm envious too.. I can't draw at all.. unless you count stick figures.. then I'm the best artist ever...
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