Icy Skeletal Archer Skin Request

So I'm back again, but this time I have a neat little request in mind...

I'm looking for a skin for the Skeletal Archer model.
Broad, eh? Well here comes the details I need.



I sound pickier than I really am.
I could have pestered people to do this via PM, but I felt throwing it out here would work better, seeing as this way everyone has a chance to look at it and see what's up.
Any help on this development would be awesome.
Notably, as I said I'm not picky, but I'm looking for serious attempts to make it look awesome, not a 2D recolor (Even I could do that). :D
Thanks in advance.

This seemed like an excellent opportunity to work on skinning, so I decided to make...

An attempt:


SkeletonArcher.blp

Not sure what others will think, but I wanted to practice. Also, that gemmie thing in the blp apparently isn't used by the skeleton archer model, so I didn't modify it. I also felt compelled to leave the teeth as they were, though, of what caused such a compulsion, I'm a not aware.

Here's a comparison of the two different textures:

That's actually not half bad Naak.
It requires a lot more shading and could use a lot more detail, but the basic structure isn't half bad at all.

Perhaps on the cracks and crevices in the ice you could make the lines more dark and defined, it seems a bit blurry (And you used a lot of smudge :D). I still say the most important parts that need be worked on are shading and definition.

Also, just a sidenote and me being nitpicky --
The arrows probably should not be changed much at all, they are afterall arrows, not part of the skeleton.

Thanks for doing this though, I honestly didn't think anyone would try.

yes. it is very rare that you can find such helpfulness :D and if i was any good at skinning i would repay the favor for my icon thing you made for me.

but i think this skin is looking good. and, now I might seem picky, but you didnt adjust the neclace thing like he said in his side note.

but it is looking good. is this being made for a map?

Obviously it is being made for a map. You do not request somthing for no good reason generally.

You know a custom model would allow for the ice to be transparent and more, well, icey.

That's true.
I hadn't even considered a custom model, but that might help.
I have no idea what I could ask for or would need, but that is a very valid point, Tim.
I'm thinking maybe remove and fix parts of the head, add a snowy particle to the chest like a frozen 'heart'...
Maybe tack on some snow to the bowstring, hrm...

And Brewy, the necklace doesn't get used on the model at all so changing it wouldnt really matter (I noticed that after I made the request and Naak pointed it out).
And yeah, if all comes out happily this would be used as a remake of an older hero from AotZ.
So yeah, of course it's for a map. :P

Well, I tried adding some cracks but they were pretty much impossible to see even in the portrait, so I'll give that another try if you want, also changing the arrow back isn't an issue; I can have another version up soon if I can get the cracks to work :(, if it doesn't matter just let me know. ( Blur actually :P; though it does seem to have a similar effect to smudge, I couldn't stand it being pixelated :/ )

The glossed fur looks great.
But the ice itself needs a lot more shading.
It's way too bright and in your face when put in game.

I think the cracks would also define the ice structure more.
Like very precise black lines blurred into the head to give it more... Rawr.
(Can't think of the word)

And yeah Naak, if you can work out the kinks I will use it. :P
The model really has a miserable structure, so it's not like you've got a heck of a lot you're able to impress with.

Hmm, I can prob do something about this, Ill give a whirl at this skin then, and heres an example of my ice capabilities, notice the wardens helmet and her weird shoulder things

You're going to try your hand at it too?
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate the surge of offers of help I'm getting.

The artsy side of mapmaking is the one aspect I am completely devoid of all skill in,
so I rely on helpful people such as yourselves to get me by. :D