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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 3:41pm
Post #1 of 40
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Another go at a rendering of GDT's Smaug
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Since a lot of people seem to get worked up about GDT's description of his Smaug and I had an image in my mind that looked very different from what others seemed to (fearfully) imagine, I thought I'd give it a shot and draw my mind's image of GDT's Smaug myself ...
Soooo ... before we all get ready to shoot it down again (you wannabe Bards, you ;)), a few reminders: I knocked this out in, like, 10 minutes. I don't get paid for this, I am not a professional in this kinda thing whatsoever. It certainly does no justice to the combined efforts of the most talented people of the world working on this concept over months and months and months as GDT, Weta and numerous designers brought in only for this did. BUT it may serve as a proposition as to how to understand GDT's descriptions: a four limbed dragon, the wings attached instead of the hind legs. The front legs are shorter than the wings (of course). It looks vaguely like an axe if you look at it from above.
Thank you.
Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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Attachments:
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smaug3.jpg
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smaug4 001.jpg
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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 3:43pm
Post #2 of 40
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Oh yeah, I forgot to mention...
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the detail of his head is meant to provide an idea of what "bone structures hiding the eyes" might look like. Again, I'm sure their bone structures were creepier, more amazing etc. etc. but you get the idea
Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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Kangi Ska
Half-elven
Feb 3 2011, 3:48pm
Post #3 of 40
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Please look at the Axe in my footer
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Other than putting the beastie on a bit of a diet I feel it approaches the relevant description of Smaug.
Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
Life is an adventure, not a contest.
At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.
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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 3:51pm
Post #4 of 40
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Well the way I understand the axe metaphor ...
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the head is where you would grab the axe, not next to the "wings" where it seems to be on your axe (unless I get you axe the wrong way, haha)
Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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macfalk
Valinor
Feb 3 2011, 3:59pm
Post #5 of 40
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I think that axe look a lot more like the Batman symbol than Smaug... and there are no legs 
The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.
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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 4:03pm
Post #6 of 40
(1908 views)
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BTW I tried to post the images IN the post instead of as attachments but
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somehow I didn't manage. :/
If someone knows how to change that, I'd be grateful. It's stupid that you have to click on the attachments to view the doodles. But please do click on the attachments. :)
Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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Kangi Ska
Half-elven
Feb 3 2011, 4:07pm
Post #7 of 40
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Through the use of Raven Magic I have metamorphosed into a great white Trumpeter Swan that has the general layout you describe.
Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
Life is an adventure, not a contest.
At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.
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Kangi Ska
Half-elven
Feb 3 2011, 4:09pm
Post #8 of 40
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I have never found the trick to posting images in the body of the message either.//
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Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
Life is an adventure, not a contest.
At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.
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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 4:13pm
Post #9 of 40
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The swan - without the hind legs and instead legs closer to the head?! And more like a snake overall ...
Here are some quotes to compare to my drawings:
"Smaug’s front legs looked disproportionately small, like those of a T. rex. This would allow the dragon to assume a different aspect in closeup: the camera could capture “hand” gestures and facial expressions in one tight frame, avoiding the quivery distractions of wings and tail."
(Read more http://www.newyorker.com/...lewski#ixzz1CuexBprs)
--> So, the front legs are close to the head and instead of the hind legs, he has wings:
“Dragon design can be broken into essentially two species,” he explained at one point. Most had wings attached to the forelimbs. “The only other variation is the anatomically incorrect variation of the six-appendage creature”—four legs, like a horse, with two additional winged arms. “But there’s no large creature on earth that has six appendages!” He had become frustrated while sketching dragons that followed these schemes.
(Read more http://www.newyorker.com/...lewski#ixzz1CufJKvFC)
Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 4:26pm
Post #10 of 40
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That's odd ... it surely is possible ... somehow ...//
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Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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Kangi Ska
Half-elven
Feb 3 2011, 4:33pm
Post #11 of 40
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It certainly is not what was depicted in the front page image.
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I posted the axe to show the profile of the wing/blades I think GdT had in mind. I knew the layout of the beast was reversed. It would be shaped like a Klingon Raptor/ Bird of Prey.(but slimmer of body).
Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
Life is an adventure, not a contest.
At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.
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Faenoriel
Tol Eressea
Feb 3 2011, 4:33pm
Post #12 of 40
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I really like the axe image, but only when the head is between the wings and the body and the tail forms the long part. Other way it looks a bit strange and somehow unpractical. Yes swans manages it, bit only with neck, not the whole body.
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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 4:35pm
Post #13 of 40
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I am very sad when I see people's reaction to a concept that I find interesting to say the least - and I feel that most just cannot picture what it would have looked like. So, have you looked at my doodle? Is that similar to your understanding of the descriptions?
Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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Kangi Ska
Half-elven
Feb 3 2011, 4:48pm
Post #14 of 40
(1864 views)
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I did look at your doodle aand it is interesting
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I think the wings will have to fold smoothly to to the body to become a part of the verm-form. Smaug should be a sleek animal capable of slithering through the tunnels under the mountain (I envision him more like a Chinese Dragon in body)
Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
Life is an adventure, not a contest.
At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.
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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 4:55pm
Post #15 of 40
(1840 views)
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and the wings are meant to fold smoothly on the body ... maybe like bat's wings? My drawing abilities may however not be suffiecient to convey this. 
I am not sure I understand what you mean by "like a Chinese dragon", though. Maybe you have a link to an image of such a dragon?
The only Chinese dragons I know are very long, have funny faces and ridiculously many legs but no wings ... :D
Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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Oiotári
Tol Eressea
Feb 3 2011, 4:55pm
Post #16 of 40
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agreed about the wings folding smoothly to the body
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The doodle is quite nice, much better than the one on the front page
my main problem is that the wings seem really abrupt and bony
..The land of long-forgotten name:
......no man may ever anchor near;
..No steering star his hope may aim,
......for nether Night its marches drear,
..And waters wide no sail may tame,
......with shores encircled dark and sheer.
..O! Haven where my heart would be!
......the waves beat upon thy bar
..For ever echo endlessly,
......when longing leads thy thought afar
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Growlithe the Grey
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 4:57pm
Post #17 of 40
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Here's what I "saw" in the description
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This is the first thing that came to mind when I read it:
(head on the bottom)
Or this (flip the wings):
(This post was edited by Growlithe the Grey on Feb 3 2011, 5:02pm)
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Legalize_Athelas
Lorien
Feb 3 2011, 4:58pm
Post #18 of 40
(1864 views)
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I don't have the power to change your first post (copy and paste is about all I can do), but for future reference you can check out Magpie's guide to image posting.
Got Necroquestions? I'll give you Necromanswers.
I don't know about you, but the name "Farmer Maggot" would deter me away from his produce faster than those guard dogs of his. Farmer Maggot, seriously? I'd much rather thieve from the likes of a Farmer Tastytaters or Farmer Sweetcorn. How about old Farmer McDonald? I'm lovin' it.
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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 5:01pm
Post #19 of 40
(1839 views)
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The wings are bony in my doodle for no reason in particular -
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I was just doodling away and I was just trying to get the basic anatomy across - all the details are just to avoid that goofy cartoon look. With the wings I was thinking of bats or flying reptiles (you know ... Jurassic Park, ahem). Thanks for commenting!
Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 5:03pm
Post #20 of 40
(1822 views)
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who would have thought it could be that complicated in times where the most complex photosharing people like me are able to do is post an image on Facebook
Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 5:05pm
Post #21 of 40
(1843 views)
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That's what I was kind of going for with my "top shot" doodle, too. I didn't get the wings to look as nice as yours, though. Sweet.
Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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BlueMan
Rivendell
Feb 3 2011, 5:11pm
Post #22 of 40
(1790 views)
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is it not possible to edit a post if you have posted it more than a few minutes before?
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Cause I read through the image posting guide and I could post them correctly now - only I cannot edit my earlier posts any more, it seems.
Raptos a diis homines dici ...
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macfalk
Valinor
Feb 3 2011, 5:16pm
Post #23 of 40
(1818 views)
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The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.
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Kangi Ska
Half-elven
Feb 3 2011, 5:22pm
Post #25 of 40
(1800 views)
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Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
Life is an adventure, not a contest.
At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.
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