Chapel Windows Redux

[Saint_Jiub]

Decided to start from scratch on the chapel windows (again), as they were one of the best things about Oblivion, visually, and I want to get them right. So, here's the first two, started with Dibella and Kynareth again so they can be used for Stirk and Anvil while I develop the rest.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ydwv5wyr3h7if ... s.png?dl=0

Went for a slightly more abstract style more in line with illuminated manuscripts, per the suggestions I got in my art thread while working on the original concepts.

Thoughts?

[Infragris]

I liked the last set, but I absolutely love these two. The slightly more archaic style works very well, and the abstraction (especially in the face) makes them seem more impersonal, distant (which is a good thing). The new Kynareth has a lot more character, very true to her nature. I also love the subtle way you integrated the red diamond. The only thing I would change are the wavy backgrounds: a more purposeful pattern might make the image stronger, something like a pattern of flower petals or stylized feathers. And maybe you should de-emphasize the gray lines a little bit, make them part of the general lattice: they obscure too much detail right now.

[SamirA]

These are great. I really like this style. I also think it matches with the Stirk window designs better like this.

[Saint_Jiub]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dtr7a55ck8uw4 ... 2.png?dl=0

V2- I wasn't able to find patterns I liked for the background, so these are more plain. Dunno, I'll keep tinkering with it.

[Worsas]

The window frames could get improved aswell. The arc of your window here could be made considerable rounder in shape. The anvil- and stirk windows could get their window frames shifted into the inside of the building so the windows don't look that much appended to the wall but rather like an integral feature of the building.

That is both something I could do for the next update. It's not much work.

[Saint_Jiub]

Cool, I think that's a good idea. I dunno who modeled them for me originally but I agree that some improvements could be made.

So here's the first four for downloading: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xuj5fzq4k2c7y ... I.zip?dl=0

Which includes Kynareth, Dibella, Stendarr and Talos. So we should be good for Stirk, Anvil, Sutch, Chorrol, and Bruma, plus the chapels for Legion installations (Stendarr and Talos being the main patrons of the Imperial Legion)

Screen of the two new additions: https://www.dropbox.com/s/it1s55iylrpv1 ... 3.png?dl=0

[Tarius]

Ok, yea, the frame UV maps need help. Otherwise, very nice.

[Praedator]

Cool, I think that's a good idea. I dunno who modeled them for me originally but I agree that some improvements could be made.

So here's the first four for downloading: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xuj5fzq4k2c7y ... I.zip?dl=0

Which includes Kynareth, Dibella, Stendarr and Talos. So we should be good for Stirk, Anvil, Sutch, Chorrol, and Bruma, plus the chapels for Legion installations (Stendarr and Talos being the main patrons of the Imperial Legion)

Screen of the two new additions: https://www.dropbox.com/s/it1s55iylrpv1 ... 3.png?dl=0

Looking very good St Jiub

[Saint_Jiub]

Not sure if this is one we'll end up using, but since Varieties of Faith gives Reman equal billing with the Nine Divines, and we'll need a patron deity for Sancre Tor anyhow...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tu3vo25m80m6j ... 4.png?dl=0

[Worsas]

I think this breaks up the divines a bit and makes things more interesting and indiviual.

[Infragris]

A window like that could come in useful (perhaps one for Alessia too?) although I don't think we should treat Reman the same way as we do the Divines - he is considered a god to the Imperials and will need some places of worship, but they should be quite different from normal Divine representation. Also not sure why we need a patron deity for Sancre Tor - at least not in the way the Divines are associated with cities. Sancre Tor is a holy city to almost every faith of Cyrodiil - not just the Remanites.

EDIT: if we would hint at a tenth Divine, this should definitely be Shezarr.

[Infragris]

Oh wow, I just saw your drawings of the Divines on tumblr. Simply beautiful work. I especially love Julianos and his triangle, that's just amazing.

[Saint_Jiub]

Thanks Infragris, I really appreciate that (Here's the image he's talking about, if anyone's curious: http://33.media.tumblr.com/5539afd4261a ... 1_1280.png)

Update on the windows themselves, I decided to start over on the textures again and I think I'm finally happy with the look of it: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ey5888y1aq1sv ... 5.png?dl=0 (This is the final version, btw )

[Worsas]

Those all look quite brilliant. Good work.

[Saint_Jiub]

A little more work to do finishing up the exterior textures (basically just flipped and darkened) and getting them in-game, but here's the finished look for the Divines: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ukfxyttz9uyu ... l.png?dl=0

I'm rethinking the Reman one, stay tuned.

[Infragris]

These look very nice, but I feel like they might be a bit too desaturated and monochrome. Have you looked at the color combinations used in Oblivion's windows? You shouldn't feel tied down by them, but there are some interesting choices: the pure white in Kynareth's background, for example. With this kind of colored glass, we can afford to go bright. I'd love to see what they look like in-game!

Also, and I don't mean to increase your workload, but would it be possible to have variant windows in the same colors, but without the Divine figure? If we start using these to plaster entire walls of our chapels, the artwork will quickly seem copy-pasted and stale. Better to have a wall of windows with only one central figure, I think. And we'd be able to use these windows in more places.

[Saint_Jiub]

Ha, mark your calendar SamirA, somebody told me my textures were *too* desaturated this time. I blame you

As for in-game screens, ask and ye shall receive: https://www.dropbox.com/s/q23d4dl0s629d ... 0.png?dl=0

I probably won't tweak the palette too much, other than possibly adding some more contrast to the background tiles. And no worries, plain versions are in the works as well.

[Infragris]

I was worried that it would look odd with a light on it, but that is clearly not the case. Great work!

[Scamp]

Oh that looks magnificent indeed.

[SamirA]

Ha, mark your calendar SamirA, somebody told me my textures were *too* desaturated this time. I blame you

As for in-game screens, ask and ye shall receive: https://www.dropbox.com/s/q23d4dl0s629d ... 0.png?dl=0

I probably won't tweak the palette too much, other than possibly adding some more contrast to the background tiles. And no worries, plain versions are in the works as well.

Looks perfect. I blame myself for that as well