Help me write an artist's brief for Lion El' Jonson

[Saphrael]

As some of you may have gathered from my posts, I'm an avid Dark Angels fan. I've also gotten a lot out of these boards and the HH community, so I'd like to give something back. Having no discernible talents of my own, I thought I'd commission an artist to create a striking piece of DA art.

 

My first--and thus far only--thought would be David Sondered who did this excellent Curze piece. Seems to me David did a great job of capturing the essence of the primarch, something I haven't really seen done for the Lord of the First. Though if I'm missing a cool piece of art that's out there, please show me.

 

The problem is, I have no idea how to write a brief for an artist. I can link to some physical descriptions of the Lion throughout HH work, but that'd be about it.

 

So, HH community, help me write the brief! I'm thinking the piece could show the Knight Lord of Caliban at the end of his duel with Curze in Prince of Crows, where he salutes a fallen and long hated foe. I see this as one of the most defining and representative moments of the character in the HH series to date and think it would be a great moment to visualise. Another highly representative moment was when he was brooding on his throne on the Invincible Reason and talking to a Watcher in the Dark. I can't remember which novel this was from, but it's a pretty good example of the Lion at his best (though perhaps not as dynamic as I'd like).

 

Give me what you've got B&C: how would you describe the primarch's personality, physicality, appearance etc. to an artist. What details would you like to see included? Do you have any other cool, interesting ideas to share? I'm open to anything, but obviously reserve the right to have final approval on the brief.

[b1soul]

The Lion is bloodied but forcing himself to stand straight and proud despite his wounds 

 

His eyes are cold and merciless...almost remote and contemplative in this brief moment of calm after the storm. He salutes Curze not because he Curze was an honourable foe...but because he was a powerful foe who fought long and hard before falling...and he was once a brother. 

 

Blood is running down the Lion's face, there are streaks of it in his blonde hair. His armour is rent in several places and there's a gash on his cheek.    

[Greyall]

B1soul got the gist of it, I think, the main thing is to describe your character's mood. The only things I'd add would be something about the armour/wargear you want to see the Lion wearing/wielding and a general tone for the pieces' colours (dark, light, etc)

 

Also, angles, at least those you don't want.

 

Try to paint your own mental picture and describe it as well as you can. And don't detail things too much, try and leave something to be surprised with. ;)

[helterskelter]

also dont forget to make him look mildly forgetful,

any man that forgets to mention that he has half the 1st company of night lords on his vessel in orbit to his two brothers that could do with knowing said info, is a blithering idiot in my opinion

:p

more seriously, knightly. i'd think he'd have some ornate armour pieces, something spiral related as per descent of angels (?)

[Greyall]

ADB described him in a black and red-iron trimmed armour.

 

I'd say that's one of the things to leave to the artist's designs, unless there's something you absolutely want/don't want to see.

[depthcharge12]

ADB described him in a black and red-iron trimmed armour.

 

I'd say that's one of the things to leave to the artist's designs, unless there's something you absolutely want/don't want to see.

I think he said black with red gold to be frank.

 

Maybe display him extremely taut like he's about to pounce (he's the Lion after all :P)

[Komrk]

B1 pretty much covered it. On that Curze though... it's awesome but the face reminds me too much of Grima Wormtongue and now I can never forget it.

[Yogi]

If it were me..
 
The setting is a battlefield with a warp touched sky. The Lion is in combat. His sword having just cut down a filthy Night Lord, the cowards' arterial spray frozen in time as he falls backward dying. In typical 40k style the ground is covered in mangled corpses, Night Lords and Dark Angels. The focus is the Lions face, his noble features, determined cold fury radiating from his dark eyes. A scowl on his face. His armour is whatever HH says it is, it has minimal damage. Dark angels to both side also in battle, firing bolters and things marines do.
 
You can call it "Night Lords get rekt".
 
Or
 

The lion is smug, examining his fist, behind him, in the background a drunk braggart by the name of Lemon Fuss is knocked out cold on the stone floor. His pathetic sons are gnashing their teeth and howling at the ceiling while the rest of the dark angels laugh at them. Heh.

 
But seriously I dunno.

 

[HaSY]

My idea of Lion is more of Arthas from Warcraft with blond hair

Cant wait for your commission artwork though!

[tdemayo]

I think the key has to be his face.  Somehow, it must convey that the Lion's public face is noble, inspiring, and heroic, but that beneath that there is a closed space, within which he keeps secrets and hides a cold, suspicious core. 

[TheForgottenAngel]

Hopefully ADB comes in and lends his insights. Everyone's idea of The Lion is different but thats what makes it fun! I love seeing the different interpretations. I'd say go for the knightly theme, baroque armor depicting battles with the Calibanite lion, grim determination and a radiating aura of leadership/tactical genius.

 

Can't wait to see the progress

[Marshal Rohr]

Have him be on a throne in full regalia. Combat scenes lack gravitas. No one ever looks at a picture of a dude swinging a sword and ponders what's going on in his noggin.

[DarKnight]

Have him be on a throne in full regalia. Combat scenes lack gravitas. No one ever looks at a picture of a dude swinging a sword and ponders what's going on in his noggin.

I agree with this.