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ElieBongrand — Victrix - original post-apocalyptic character
#borderlands #fallout #femalewarrior #heroine #madmax #mercenary #originalcharacter #postapocalyptic #sciencefiction #survival #wanderer
Published: 2017-01-23 18:16:23 +0000 UTC; Views: 1257; Favourites: 62; Downloads: 9
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Description
Hi,
It’s been almost 2 weeks since I uploaded my last drawing here on DA. I wanted to introduce you to one of my original characters and I needed to give my best before I did. I don’t mean that I usually don’t give my best, I always do. However, this time I wanted to add as many details as I could, especially on the textures. In my opinion, textures bring a lot to a character; it makes their costume believable, viable. It also gives them personality. This is why, aside from skin, I added leather, metal, cloth, denim, etc.; and I wanted them to be instantly recognizable. I must say I’m quite happy with how it turned out.
Now, let’s talk about the character. I have drawn her a few times; and every time I try to make her more unique. Her name’s Victrix. I found it sounded cool and it wouldn’t link her to any current country. The meaning fits her as well. Plus, Latin names happen to be often used when the military’s involved, in science-fiction.
She’s in her mid-thirties. To me, it represents an age where physical strength and mental strength balance the best. I once read that the Spartans –another classic Sci-Fi name– considered the perfect age to be 35. I unfortunately cannot find the article anymore. They did end their training and become full citizens at the age of 30 though, which gives us an idea of their perception. I’m digressing.
She’s the badass type. The mercenary type. She’d certainly be a Mandalorian if she belonged to another universe. I haven’t come up with an actual background story yet. Things develop slowly in my mind. She lives in a post-apocalyptic world. Sorta like Mad Max, Fallout or Borderlands without magic. Although it wouldn’t necessarily be explicitly said, we’d feel the survival part of the people’s life. Kinda like what we see in western movies. See these gigantic landscapes that Sergio Leone loved to shoot? The ones people felt crushed by? This is what I’m talking about. There’ll be room for huge rocky and sandy locations.
She has blue hair, as you’ll see in the color version. Again, I believe it goes well with a science-fiction story. She’s fully equipped with guns and ammo. She does wear clothes that offer some protection but aren’t as restrictive as an armor. Of course, there’s a story behind this metallic hand but it’s for another time.
Hope you like it
If you feel like it, let me know what you think of her!
Update: now with a background, before it gets some colors.
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Comments: 16
I look forward to knowing how the metal hand came to be, and what it can do!
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I didn't think there'd be an origin story about the hand when I first drew her 
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Definitely! Deeply thought out characters actually give feeling to the drawings of them as well- what may be an inaminate object that was grafted on adds to and enhances a character's personality
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I like how you shade her hair and how you drew her outfit along with the background looks well together. Good job!
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Thanks for the nice feedback
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Post-apocalyptic settings are often very interesting to write stories about. ^^
She's a cool looking character. Great job on the details of her outfit. It's true that the
clothing of the characters helps bring allot out of a character, even down to their choice
weapons. That's a very interesting concept you mentioned about her age being ideal. ^^
Mad Max was one of my favorite action movies since the original three and the latest one.
It's like a futuristic type of western setting, quite ideal when it comes to survival and strength of
character. I can totally see her as a Mandalorian in another universe too. XD Mercenaries in action
stories are very cool, in that they answer to no one and they abide by their own rules or way of living.
It inspires a sense of freedom and also rebellion against oppressive ideals and systems, and allows
a greater scope of possibilities of where their adventure will take them. I've always enjoyed that concept
of where the hero does a good deed and moves on to another unknown adventure. Hardly a place to
call their own, and simply moving forward to do what they do best. Ideally, protagonist of the mercenary
occupations end up in places where they are needed the most. It's such a cool concept. Overall great character
design. 
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Thanks for the detailed comment!
I agree with everything you wrote. We seem to have similar tastes regarding fiction.
Nowadays, many characters --especially the female ones-- are very young. A main female character in her early twenties is an archetype we see all the time. Now I'm totally fine with it when it happens in a horror movie or a comedy. But in any kind of action movies --and other media-- I've always felt it's a bit off. I understand the appeal of having young characters, but to me it's just a trade-off against consistency. And I'd rather have the latter.
Yes, I also like when the main characters live in an environment that exists on its own. It shouldn't feel like it was designed especially for the hero's stories. I've been watching The 100 lately. Cool post-apocalyptic/survival show; I've had fun watching it. But we're precisely explained every single thing that happens and all things are overly connected to each other so there's logic in it, so the world they live in makes sense. Turned out nobody can believe it. Magic is magic as long as there's mystery. Consistency is welcome but it must exist without further explanation. And that's the sort of things we see in a story where the hero only interacts with their environment, rather than acts like it was created just for them.
Thanks again for your feedback
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Your very welcome.
I feel ya. 30 year old female heroine does seem more appropriate.
It's like the height of their prime, where they're young but mature
and experienced enough to handle more situations, as opposed to
a younger version. I guess it's more aesthetically fitting. ^^ I never
actually thought about that before until now. But it really is an interesting
thing to consider.
I also like how the environment exist on it's own too. It presents the kind of challenge that
will cause the main characters to adapt to the environment and situations as it comes.
I once read this book called, "Hero of a thousand faces" by Joseph Cambell. It's a really great
book that shares much about the archtypal hero and their epic journeys. Kind of like a general
guideline or blueprint on writing epic stories. It is also the very concept that has helped inspired George
Luca's Star Wars stories. ^^
Your very welcome. Always happy to support a fellow artist. I'm also happy to be part of the "Everything-OC"
group. That's how I came across your work actually. As soon as I joined the group I figured I introduce myself
around by sharing feedbacks and mingling. I love talking about art especially common interest.
"I will paint the gallery of Valhallah! What a lovely day!!" XD
I'm just being silly. XD
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I'm also happy to be part of the "Everything-OC"
group. That's how I came across your work actually. As soon as I joined the group I figured I introduce myself
around by sharing feedbacks and mingling.
This is a nice idea. I'm going to give feedback as well
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Awesome! That's how I first joined the group too.
And I came across... oh wait...I think that's...oh yeah I
I forgot I actually wrote that. Silly me. XD
Thanks. ^^
Yeah, it's always great to make fellow members feel welcomed
in the group. These are places where we should feel comfortable
around one another, where we can freely share our hopes and dreams
and spur each other on to be at our best.
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Thank you
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Thank you
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