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MichaelBeaudry β Beneath
Published: 2012-07-24 22:36:13 +0000 UTC; Views: 24244; Favourites: 447; Downloads: 0
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Description
This is the native habitat of the megamyriapod (at center) featured in a previous monochromatic work. This slow-moving, placid beast is about twenty feet tall and feeds primarily on the purple wave carpet organism that is spread across the floor of this scene- gathering it up with its anterior grasping appendages (at left). Other creatures lurk here, including the greenish motile floating feather duster gourds, the yellow/teal walking platter life-forms, and the purple pilantir balls. Growing around and above these smaller living things are the gargantuan lineated gold air-sponges - the megaflora that constitute the main physical features in this environment. All these creatures obtain energy from a combination of photosynthesis and physical consumption of soil nutrients or living tissue. Basically, the strict division of heterotroph/autotroph (plant/animal) that is exhibited by Earth-life simply does not apply here. Rather there is a gradient between those creatures who gain energy exclusively from light, and those who must consume others to survive. The majority of creatures here utilize both approaches.Related content
Comments: 23
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Far be it for me to criticize someone so much more skilled than myself, but I think it might make things look a little more life-like if the organisms, especially organisms of the same species to be spaced in small clusters, rather than even spread out, as is often the case with Earth life.
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this looks like ernst haeckel on dmt 
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i love the colorful yet otherworldly landscape where the aliens thrive and the rest of your colorful alien drawings and sketches, hoping to see more this year.
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That 20 feet tall beast lives in the FOREST FLOOR? How big those trees are?
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The golden air sponges fill about the same niche as do trees here on earth, but have a much lower density. They have a multitude of air sacs within them that keep them light and allow for enormous growth. The ones pictured here may be around 60-75 feet in height.
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Of all pictures in your gallery, this one must be the best one. Here, your skills in design and shading is really showing off; the scene looks so alive with the light rays, depth and texture. Just like AmnioticOef said, this non-human, abstract sense of beauty is what makes your gallery really fun to look at. It makes one want to explore more and if I would have a vacation in an imaginary land, it would be this place and the world of Codex Seraphinianus. Excellent piece of art!
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Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy my gallery! This was my first major piece that I did in Photoshop, and I actually don't even like it that much, but I'm counting on my future works to have major improvements. You wouldn't really want to go there, though, it's pretty dangerous lol.
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What is there to not like in this picture? While your art can always be improved, this thing is already a masterpiece! If I wanted to recommend others to look at your art, I would show them this picture to represent your talents and creativity. ItΒ΄s just that brilliant.
While I can see that some of the organisms looks poisonous with their bright colors and that the megamyriapod is huge, I donΒ΄t see what sorts of terrifying beasts could dwell in this botanical beauty.
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Im totaly amazed at the colors and the amount of detail im really loving youre project
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Thanks, glad you like it!
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Lovely color usage!This is like a place where I want to get my space vacation! XD
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Wow, there's so much about this that's utterly mind-blowing. I love how you incorporate botanical and abstract elements into your creatures to create an almost anti-human aesthetic--why should nature care what we find cute or appealing after all--yet you still throw us humans a bone with your extremely appealing/intimidating command of color, composition, and lighting. I particularly like the crinoid-like walkers and the floaters with the feathery propulsive flaps (here are a few articles on floaters if you're interested in the strictly real-world mechanics of them: [link] [link] ). The pink worm is pretty funky too.
My only criticism is strictly biological: with so many legs so close together, the megamyriapod looks like it's going to trip over itself. The design isn't intuitive to me, but then that's also one of the things I like about your organisms.
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Hey, thanks a lot for your compliments and interest! And yeah, I always find myself pushing towards biological abstraction in my designs. Guess I'm just really tired of Hollywood's anthropomorphic portrayal of extraterrestrials (like many of us are, I suppose).
Regarding the megamyriapod's mobility, I sort of imagined it would walk much like a millipede would ([link] ) - moving its legs in waves. This is definitely not a swiftly-moving creature. It relies mainly on its size and defensive structures to stay out of trouble. Overall, biomechanics is something that I have very little experience in designing, so any and all input I get on the matter is very welcome. Also, thanks for the floater links- I've been meaning to research the physics necessary for that mode of travel as well.
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I totally agree with your sentiment about hollywood aliens. Your creatures are a breath of fresh air.
The same website has a few articles on designing giant myriapod-like aliens: [link] , [link]
Cool video!
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Simply amazing. I can not wait to more of these.
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Wow! Fantastic job on everything, art, biology, alienness, all!
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