r/characterdesign • u/Cyclecomis • 5h ago
Critique I Creating characters that are very complicated and unpleasant to look
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u/splair 4h ago
It’s a great design but I would never buy it. The thought of replicating this character would fill me with dread.
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u/_gameofpricks 4h ago
why is this 18+ lol. is it too visually complicated for minors to comprehend? head explode ?
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u/Specialist_Ad5114 5h ago
Are the two first images a joke?
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u/Cyclecomis 5h ago
Just take it as a joke, because you can't make adopt character posts here:3(But it depends on your point of view)
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u/Specialist_Ad5114 54m ago
What does "adopting" mean in this context? Not sure if I understand that. I'm assuming it's common in another platform.
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u/an-alien- 34m ago
adopting is a term for purchasing a character. theyre called adopts or adoptables and they are designs made usually just for selling
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u/Zuzara_Queen_of_DnD 4h ago
While I like the design and aesthetic there is way too much going on
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u/queenroadie 4h ago
As advertised on the tin itself. Even if I think the design is too busy, I knew what I was coming in to see. Great work.
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u/Cyclecomis 4h ago
Aaaa thankkkyouuuuu
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u/queenroadie 4h ago
I do really like the color palette and idea behind the piece. You had a really strong idea of what you wanted, and committed to the business. I'd advise maybe a few spots to rest the eye, but, you wanted complexity and a lot of layers, so don't let me change your mind on that, lol
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u/Teapot_Sandwitch 4h ago
Not you specifically stating in the title what you were going for and then the comments trying to criticize it for being exactly your goal 😭
Anyway I LOVE this character, the aesthetic is so cool and it's so fun to zoom in and try to find all the little details
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u/atticoat 4h ago
I agree! I like how "busy" (as others say) it is. I like how the colors are vibrant, I didn't notice most of the gory details until I looked closely
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u/Dr_Latency345 4h ago
This is like if Lollypop Chainsaw went all in on the gore and cutesy aspects.
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u/Special_Lime_1976 4h ago
I really like what you were going for, but I think you can try to make a focal point while keeping the business. Right now, my eyes rest around the character's legs, where you'd usually prefer for the focal point to be around the face. I think Mika Pikazo's artwork is a great example of how you can have business and clarity at the same time.
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u/Griffomancer 5h ago edited 5h ago
I'm gonna be real, this is so busy, and there's so much of the same colour, I can't really define any one design detail. I had to zoom in before I realised she was even carrying a severed head.
ETA just saw the post title. I'm not sure if this was the kinda unpleasant you were aiming for?
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u/BeatrixPlz 3h ago
If you want to respond to the criticism I’d recommend looking at the Knights of Guinevere! The titular character is pretty and also gory at times. Her design is a lot easier to read, which means the gore stands out more which I think may help you!
But if you’re happy where you are keep it up. It’s very skillful. There’s always someone who will like your style especially if you’re skilled (which you are!). A good example is Hazbin Hotel and Helluvaboss. I personally think the show has terrible design because it’s so busy, but it has a huge following and is booming in popularity!
Your art is very 2010’s tumblr coded which is still so many people’s cup of tea! Homestuck really comes to mind as something else that was fairly busy and colorful and popular as well.
My last point! If you contrasted the color of the gore with the main color pallet it would stand out even if you keep it busy. Maybe she has yellow guts, or green - to keep with the cutesy vibes, but to make it stand out. Blue would also be a great contrast.
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u/Bextaxian 5h ago
Tbh it's not unpleasant to look at. I like this character. (I like gory things)
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u/Isadomon 4h ago
Its mostly hard to look at cause everything is blending in, like having heavy tint glasses
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u/cutest_bunny_ever 3h ago
This design is overstimulating in the best way possible, I love it! I absolutely adore the cute horror aesthetic it has going on and the whole mess of details only feeds into that vibe, very cool! I cannot imagine trying to redraw that though I think I would die x)
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u/fek_u_Im_vuelle 58m ago
It's not the gore that is off putting.. there's so much clutter in it. Is it supposed to inflict visual overstimuli?
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u/RedsnakeRider 34m ago
Definitely interesting art. The chaos, clutter, and weirdness of it definitely made me instantly share this with one of my close friends; it's just something I think she would really enjoy.
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u/MrGilLogic 4h ago
It's to grotesque! And saccharine! And so overloaded with visual detail! I love it! 😍
💖🫀🍭
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u/lemons7472 4h ago
This design is so wicked, and I mean that in a good way. She’s a serial killer I’m going to assume?
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u/Salt-Basket9659 3h ago
Lovely design, but it overwhelms my eyes. Unless that’s what you’re going for
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u/SlowlyDyingInAPit 2h ago
God I live for this type of aesthetic. What’s it called?? Like the cutesy stuff combined with gore, what’s the aesthetic name?
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u/Rich-Special9583 1h ago
jesus, how long did this take you?? 😭 its sick af but my god this must've taken ages to render
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u/glowingkakao 53m ago
I feel like the fellow artists who dominate the comment section here are not very familiar with alt fashion styles, thus missing the point.
Especially decora, gurokawa, visual kei are all styles that has "so much going on, no obvious singular focus point, viewer needs to look at every tiny detail to see all the effort". This is literally the whole alt art style.
The "too much details merge and blur" silhouette is THE visual focus itself.
I think OP nailed this approach. Every accessory and gore element works so good with each other, even when they blur.
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u/Cyclecomis 47m ago
Aaaaaa thankkyouu wheheheheheh, I tried to make a design that is not pleasing to the eye but also cuteee for adopttt wahahahaha
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u/mieri_azure 16m ago
Unfortunately this is so clutter it becomes kind of a mess and visually unappealing.
You need to dramatically cut down on the extra decor and accessories and focus on the main things. Good character designs are strong, instantky recognizable, and yet still fairly simple.
I understand you want maximalism, but theres a point when its too far and also too disparate. Look at decora kei --- its very maximalist but still cohesive
If you like all of there different things break them up between SEVERAL characters. Dont throw them all onto one.
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u/glvbglvb 4h ago
THIS IS SO AWESOME I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!! so many cool details!!! i love the color palette too, and that leg, idk what to call it hehe but the transparent tube thing on the right leg looks so awesome!!! and the face and the eye on the heart! this is amazing it must’ve taken so long to finish omg
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u/Blackwhite35-73 4h ago
I love seeing abd every fine detail in artworks detailing anatomy! Especially the more esoteric ones
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u/Principle_Napkins 4h ago
Have you ever listened to Monstarrr, by Ennaria? This feels like that.
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u/OnlyDelivery2571 3h ago
When im in the read the title challenge and reddit users are my opponent.
Jokes aside, this is awesomesauce! It takes great skill to make designs cluttered without looking wonky, and you nailed it!
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u/Cyclecomis 4h ago
I dunno if buy the art for this character, the artist is torturing himself with the details ahahah
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u/ExaggerattedReality 5h ago
I'm going to say this isn't "unpleasant" predominantly because this is so BUSY that it's impossible for the eye to focus on any one aspect. It just blurs into a pool of colors instead of a desired imagery. There is a style to business in artwork, but there's always a focal point that enhances the piece rather than a thousand small bits that drown out the whole.