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Published: 2006-09-27 14:06:33 +0000 UTC; Views: 53598; Favourites: 1752; Downloads: 1474
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[::: ALIEN vs HALO .redux :::]Hrm. You know, i said i'd never do this. Cos well, i hate it when people latch on to a popular thing and then do NOTHING BUT that until theyre insanely popular. But well, in deviantart's current climate of a screwed up front page, where absolute crap gets faved and becomes more popular than stuff that is actually good, then well, that morale issue is right out the window.
So ... i figured, its been 27 months. Yes ... 27 months, over 2 years, since i last did an my AVH pic. Ive had a rought time of it in the last 2 years ... i dont feel im quite progressing as steeply as i once did ... and i worry im not heading in the right direction. I wanted to (now that im back at uni, in a great place, with my mates, with a crap load of time on my hands) try and establish where i am with my art. And the best way i saw of doing that for me was to try and retackle a picture i had done in the past, and try and see if i was any more able of trying to capture the original vision.
Is it a better picture than the original? pft, i dunno. In some ways i prefer it, in some ways im more proud of it. In other ways i look at it and think, that considering its been 2 years since i did it, it really isnt that much better. The main differences for me are:
Took half the time. 3 hours as opposed to 6.
The detail makes a LOT more sense
The alien looks a lot more like how i originally wanted it to.
Its in colour omg
Its perhaps a little more adventurous.
But then on the downside, i think the original's composition is better. I sat down last night and tried to work out why i still prefer elements of the original. I think it boils down to this:
Craig Mullins does THE most awesome Halo2 pictures. But, the pictures he has done wouldnt make good covers for the game. Theyre specific to a particular moment, and covers of games shouldnt defy specific elements. They should be all round representations of a concept, a main theme. I think the original pic i did is more like a representation of the concept, and the newer one lacks that. Also, the older pic looks much better on CRT monitors with the right contrast, whereas the new ones isnt quite so dependant on that!
But anyway, its not really up to me to decide. The point of the picture was not to replace the original, but rather, for my own purpose, see where i'm at and where im going with my art.
All comments welcome and appreciated. The original is here:
[link]
[::: ALIEN vs HALO .redux © Martin Houlden 2006. Master Chief, Halo © Bungie 2001 - 2006, Alien © 20th Century Fox 1979 :::]
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Comments: 310
aremihc-lahtel In reply to ??? [2006-09-29 13:55:41 +0000 UTC]
Awsome work mate!
^_^
ummm ... Go Master Chief! turn that alien into molten slag ... that might be able to melt through your suit ..but who cares you got him anyway! hehe ^_^ veery nice work
From AL
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elvenblood In reply to ??? [2006-09-29 12:12:05 +0000 UTC]
Whoa.
>_> This would make a cool scene in a fan fic.
<_<
I need to write something...
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PoisonedHibiscus In reply to ??? [2006-09-29 03:48:34 +0000 UTC]
So freakin' awesome. I love the detail on the xenomorph - it kinda looks like it's trying to strangle the chief. D:
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Aeyoqen In reply to ??? [2006-09-29 02:45:53 +0000 UTC]
Both pictures are quite stunning - I can't really compare them. The style in which this particular one is done I guess appeals to me more, as does the color, but both are amazing.
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DRa90NBoi In reply to ??? [2006-09-28 22:54:41 +0000 UTC]
For the weaknesses this drawing has, I think the color made up for that.
I especially liked the first version because it showed more of the characters' bodies, and the overall shape is center around an oval or circle; whereas this one seems a bit locked off by the edges and more laid back pose-wise.
Both are awesome nonetheless, and you should definitely keep it up (^-^)!
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Roadless-I-Travel In reply to ??? [2006-09-28 22:48:51 +0000 UTC]
Or to put it another way, FUCKING AWESOME MAN!
I can totaly see progression.
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Roadless-I-Travel In reply to ??? [2006-09-28 22:47:04 +0000 UTC]
I truly enjoy both pictures, but as for comparing the 2 to eachother its kind of like apples and oranges to me, for instance the earlier concept is a pencil drawing, this digital, poses are different, and the overall sense of desperation that the first one has is replaced here with a sort of confidence or self assuredness that is , I feel lacking in the first drawing.
Maybie these changes are more of a reflection of the artist than the drawings?
Theres your moment of zen for the time being from this end.
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martinhoulden In reply to Roadless-I-Travel [2006-09-29 10:23:54 +0000 UTC]
thankyou and yeah, they are different but still ... im more interested on peoples personal taste as to which one is better rather than actually comparing them. Yeah maybe like comparing apples and oranges but ... i guess sometimes you prefer apples and sometimes youd like a nice orange!
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Roadless-I-Travel In reply to martinhoulden [2006-09-29 20:32:09 +0000 UTC]
I see what you mean, well, I do like this new one better as a matter of fact, and the reason is that it is a fresh perspective on the same concept, the style has progressed beyond the latter,it seems almost more free, and generally the whole attitude of the piece is, I think, more in keeping with Master chiefs persona.
So to keep it short, I like them both, but to answer your question I preffer this new version over the old for the reasons already put forth.
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martinhoulden In reply to R62 [2006-09-29 10:21:46 +0000 UTC]
that is true! let hope it doesnt blow. personally i dont agree with there being any more than one spartan but pft
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R62 In reply to martinhoulden [2006-09-29 20:33:52 +0000 UTC]
lol. I don't mind the spartan thing, I just hope they do it right. Like not too many of them, and not appearing too often. I want to mainly do troops vs troops, not hero vs troops.
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SamuraiX101 In reply to ??? [2006-09-28 13:13:10 +0000 UTC]
This piece here is amazing that you did. I don't like Halo or Alien that much, but I can appreciate this.
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ninebreaker [2006-09-28 05:32:12 +0000 UTC]
Dude, that in only 3 hours? Tell me how you do it man. I really really really really need to improve my speed and my dynamics.
You are king of awesome.
It is so because I dub thee.
GREAT friggin picture man. You ROCK.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
martinhoulden In reply to ninebreaker [2006-09-28 14:08:29 +0000 UTC]
rofl, thankyou my good man *bows* straight back atch'a etc
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TrenchLP In reply to ??? [2006-09-28 05:31:11 +0000 UTC]
Woo!! Get 'em Master Chief! Great looking pic dude, and don't worry about folks latching on to trends. Nice pic though!!
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timmay223 In reply to ??? [2006-09-28 01:42:06 +0000 UTC]
theres only one way to explain your skills..... soemtimes... late at nite. i imagine myself as sam ok dont be weird martin, only joking
if theres one thing i have learned its that your work pwns. if theres something i learned after that its that alien work of yours really pwns. and i think u know how i feel about halo.......
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martinhoulden In reply to timmay223 [2006-09-28 14:09:00 +0000 UTC]
IM ALREADY WEIRD TOO LATE
mmm halo. +thanks!
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Kamino185 In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 22:39:57 +0000 UTC]
Yeah I know what you mean about people latching on to certain things. Most people only watch my work or pay any attention for my Halo work. But Halo is amazing and this piece is much more than amazing...Truly awesome! Still might like the first one a little more. Not sure. Anyway, I'm loving it!
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martinhoulden In reply to Kamino185 [2006-09-28 14:07:06 +0000 UTC]
thanks! And im pretty much divided, i like both for different reasons
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m3trion In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 22:10:02 +0000 UTC]
simply amazing o.o and just in time for the halo RTS announcment
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
martinhoulden In reply to m3trion [2006-09-28 14:06:22 +0000 UTC]
yes talk about timing! and thanks!
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sinisterpyrofreak In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 21:11:42 +0000 UTC]
yeah i think i just fell in love with you cause the original of this one WAS definitly my favorite of your art so ........shit i talked in a circle!
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kranium In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 18:21:12 +0000 UTC]
great work! and craig mullins is indeed the man
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Steelpengu In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 18:16:45 +0000 UTC]
Ooh, now that's a wicked pic. I'm not a Halo fan, quite the opposite actually, but the Master Chief has this one in the bag.
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Katzekins In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 18:02:59 +0000 UTC]
Its, in simple words, beautiful
The attention to detail is amazing an the concept of their movement and placement is dyanamic.
The colors blend perfectly and they seem to be falling into a pit of fire it looks like, which is just plain awesome beyond words!
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Everwondered In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 17:12:38 +0000 UTC]
Progress?
...
ALOT!
This absolutely rocks man! It's better than the first in my opinion
Wont bother to say why... it just is
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martinhoulden In reply to Everwondered [2006-09-28 14:04:51 +0000 UTC]
lol, thankyou! *bows* all i really wanted from the pic was to see if i had improved, and how much ... i mean, if i'd spent as long on the new one as the old one, i guess itd be ... twice as much detail!
Thanks again!
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mollygrue [2006-09-27 16:37:22 +0000 UTC]
Hmmm...it's a lot different from the original. The angle, the colors, the technique used. I'm not sure that it's fair to compare them. I'll try though.
What I like about this one is that no matter how I look at it, flip it sideways, upside down, what have you, it still looks dynamic and makes sense. I love the sense of motion as illustrated by your "brush" strokes too.
With the other one, I think that what I always liked about it is that there was a sense of the figures falling away somewhere, even if the value was a bit too much the same throughout. With this new one, it looks like the image itself could roll to the side...
But really. That's just apples and oranges.
Either way, it's a good piece and a clear representation of the subject matter.
I have to second you on the front page. I hope that they're going to improve it soon. Though, I'm not sure that I could stand many more "improvements."
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martinhoulden In reply to mollygrue [2006-09-28 14:19:46 +0000 UTC]
haha. thanks! Saying about the picture working on any side ... about 75% of the pic was actually done with the alien on the left, and MC on the right. I just suddenly wondered if itd work at a different angle, and i flipped it so they were falling head first and i liked it!
So the thumbnail i did, and most of the painting process, was actually done sideways! And it was meant to stay sideways too. The upside down effect just had more drama and everyone in my flat agreed!
Thanks once more!
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Durandus In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 16:03:13 +0000 UTC]
This is very freakin' sweet!
Overall, I'm gonna have to say this one is better, it's just so much smoother, and there is definitely more energy in this.
Cover wise: I'd go with the older one if it was as smooth as this. Color does'nt really matter to me. I usually prefer B&W over color anyways.
Very nice work. Please keep this up! It's inspiring.
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martinhoulden In reply to Durandus [2006-09-28 14:16:44 +0000 UTC]
yeah, i like black and white also! but colour has its place too ... just gota get it right! I still have much learning to do
and thanks!
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Tifasjk In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 15:06:59 +0000 UTC]
aww looks great cutes, like you though I don't know which I prefer
I like the colour of this one and I think the orange background is great!, Alien hasn't got much of a reflection in master cheifs helmet though (the orange facial bit)
but i think the colours look fantastic and I like all th estrokes and things, they both really stand out on the background very well! *huggles*
awww great work cutes, nice to see you uploading!
(p.s cubbie broke ((( I found him on my floor a moment ago I don't want him back on my bag in case he falls off in college so he's staying on my shelf with lego duck! and the pram magically appeared on my work today next to the word crushed skulls xD)
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themeanypoet In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 14:55:02 +0000 UTC]
Dude, I totally understand you for the crap faves in the "popular" section of the dA page. Mm, I just like both pieces a lot. But this one is a lot more intense, "ALIEN IN YER FACE" stuff. Interesting mix... Alien and Halo character... mmm
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Abelardo In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 14:48:05 +0000 UTC]
YES! i saw the scrap first but now i can see it in all its glory, i agree that this one feels more halo and also has more of a fighting sequence spirit then its older brother. I feels as if the alien tackled the cheif off a ledge and they are in free fall as a covenant ship crash lands exploding into a jillion pieces in the backround
AVH would make a fun comic ha!
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martinhoulden In reply to Abelardo [2006-09-27 14:55:15 +0000 UTC]
you got it well, i just tried to make it open to interpretatoin! and i like yours
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FlackTheJack In reply to ??? [2006-09-27 14:34:21 +0000 UTC]
Silly Chief, Aliens are for Ripley to kill!
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martinhoulden In reply to FlackTheJack [2006-09-27 14:36:05 +0000 UTC]
maybe ... ripley got a ... spartan suit ...
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
Spike12 In reply to martinhoulden [2006-11-07 03:20:13 +0000 UTC]
That would be the best thing since fried rice. Srsly.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
FlackTheJack In reply to martinhoulden [2006-09-27 16:10:17 +0000 UTC]
Nah, she just needs her MGDTTAFT (Machine Gun Duck Tapped To A Flame Thrower).
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