Hi all,
No offense to Paizo, but I'm not 100% thrilled with either depiction of Laori Vaus. The first one in Escape has already been discussed as not being entirely accurate to how she would actually look (I think it was even mentioned as how she might have herself drawn).
So I waited to get my issue of Scarfall since I knew she would be reappearing, and I'm not excited about the headshot either. The symmetry of her face seems off just enough to be... wrong, and it feels like it is a case of the art not the subject.
Now, not every piece can be perfect, and it's not like it's particularly "bad," but Laori is going to be a major NPC in at least two (maybe more) parts of the path, and with all the great art I'll have to depict other NPCs, I'd like something to do her justice as well.
So, my question is whether anyone of artistic talent may have been inspired to do a more "accurate" depiction of Laori or if anyone was aware of a source that might be close to her look that I might use when I run this AP?
Thanks for your time and any assistance you might be able to offer!
Along the same lines I was wondering if anyone was going to try to recreate any of Salvator Scream's works... I'd love to have some handouts for those!! :)
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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No offense to Paizo, but I'm not 100% thrilled with either depiction of Laori Vaus. The first one in Escape has already been discussed as not being entirely accurate to how she would actually look (I think it was even mentioned as how she might have herself drawn).
I sort of agree.
While I don't necessarily dislike the art, I just think that it looks too cartoony for a serious character portrait. A character portrait shouldn't look like a cartoon and as all of the other portrait art looks relatively realistic, I can't understand why they went with this style.Just my 2cp, take it or leave it.
I can give it a shot, try to put my own spin on her.
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I'll second the request for some genuine Screams to use as player handouts, and also offer my support for James' attempt to make his own version.
I think the picky-ness about Laori is rather telling. People like her as a character. the strange dichotomy of her manner and alignment is...well, it makes Laori hard to forget. She's probably very hard to capture on canvas (or what-have-you).
Honestly, I really dont mind the two artworks she has, but I agree that they could have been better. The first's anime-style was oddly appropriate, given her Psycho chain-weilding Genki-Girl nature, and the second made her look a bit creepy and less cute. Given the fairly high quality of Pathfinder's Artwork (several of my players have comented on it), the readers have high standards, and not everything can be a masterpeice. It just so happens that two odd-ball-styled works happen to depict a popular NPC.
I can give it a shot, try to put my own spin on her.
Thanks! I certainly appreciate that.
It just so happens that two odd-ball-styled works happen to depict a popular NPC.
Exactly! I expect Laori to be one of those characters that is remembered long after the campaign is over.
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I know I'm practising some serious thread necromancy here, but I am just now running CotCT and, as such, am searching through the messageboards for posts relating to it.
I was very disappointed with the art for Laori. I've actually been printing out the NPC portraits for my players (we post them on the wall of the gaming room), and I had to tell them that I refused to provide a portrait for Laori. Starting from the beginning, I think the art for the rest of the NPCs has been stellar quality-wise but isn't really my favourite style. Even though I'm not a fan of the style, I can at least recognize the quality of it. The image of Laori was... well... subpar, let's say.
So I was happy to see this thread come up in my search! Did you ever find the time to craft something James? I'd love to see it if you did (and you're willing to share, of course).
I really couldn't stand either picture of Laori. I didn't even want to show that first picture to my players, but they insisted.
Paizo can be amazingly hit or miss with the art. They have some absolutely wonderful artists doing work for them, and some artists that really make you wonder why they're paying these people.
One big complaint at the local game store is the guy who does all the art that looks very Manga. No one can stand it. I really have no idea which artist this is, but I have to agree that he isn't so good.
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Paizo can be amazingly hit or miss with the art. They have some absolutely wonderful artists doing work for them, and some artists that really make you wonder why they're paying these people.
One big complaint at the local game store is the guy who does all the art that looks very Manga. No one can stand it. I really have no idea which artist this is, but I have to agree that he isn't so good.
The overall anxiety going around now about too few people mentioning they like something until it's too late requires me to post:
I really, really do like the artists in question(and all of Paizo's artists, honestly.) Plural since there are a few artists in Paizo's employ that have a bit or a lot of manga-esque style in their work.
Paizo can be amazingly hit or miss with the art. They have some absolutely wonderful artists doing work for them, and some artists that really make you wonder why they're paying these people.
One big complaint at the local game store is the guy who does all the art that looks very Manga. No one can stand it. I really have no idea which artist this is, but I have to agree that he isn't so good.The overall anxiety going around now about too few people mentioning they like something until it's too late requires me to post:
I really, really do like the artists in question(and all of Paizo's artists, honestly.) Plural since there are a few artists in Paizo's employ that have a bit or a lot of manga-esque style in their work.
I'll add my voice to this. So far I've liked all the art I've seen, regardless of the book or source. I like the variety, and while I might be startled by some of the images, they all work for me :)
I can't wait to see how my group reacts when they get to see Laori for the first time, but since we're only about to start Seven Days, it's going to be some time to come.
I think the picky-ness about Laori is rather telling. People like her as a character. the strange dichotomy of her manner and alignment is...well, it makes Laori hard to forget. She's probably very hard to capture on canvas (or what-have-you).
Honestly, I really dont mind the two artworks she has, but I agree that they could have been better. The first's anime-style was oddly appropriate, given her Psycho chain-weilding Genki-Girl nature, and the second made her look a bit creepy and less cute. Given the fairly high quality of Pathfinder's Artwork (several of my players have comented on it), the readers have high standards, and not everything can be a masterpeice. It just so happens that two odd-ball-styled works happen to depict a popular NPC.
I whole-heartedly agree with Jodah, there is definitely a certain excess amount of scrutiny due to the popularity of the character in question.
She's a psycho-energetic-ninja-esq cleric of Zon-Kuthon... studded armor(leather?) with a spiked chain.
1st picture: Short of being a tad more "Manga/Superhero/Cartoony" than a few would've liked, I think it's pretty spot for the character myself. I do agree it's quite a bit DIFFERENT than what we are accustomed to from Pathfinder.
2nd picture: Then you got your realistic-style of artwork... it's "Creepy". Seriously folks, she worships the god of torment and suffering, what did you expect?! Rainbows and butterflies on a warm summer day with a pitcher of sun-brewed ice tea for the neighborhood kids? Did I forget to mention life-long devotion to ZON-KUTHON?
I have nothing better to do, I'll make an attempt also.
EDIT: She could(maybe should) look similar THIS.
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EDIT: She could(maybe should) look similar THIS.
Heh. According to the art for the Zon-Kuthon article, that's pretty close to the norm for them!
(cripes taht ruined larynx gets to me everytime...)
EDIT: She could(maybe should) look similar THIS.Heh. According to the art for the Zon-Kuthon article, that's pretty close to the norm for them!
(cripes taht ruined larynx gets to me everytime...)
Is there a list anywhere of all the artists currently doing regular work for Paizo?
Is there a list anywhere of all the artists currently doing regular work for Paizo?
EDIT: She could(maybe should) look similar THIS.Heh. According to the art for the Zon-Kuthon article, that's pretty close to the norm for them!
(cripes taht ruined larynx gets to me everytime...)
I can say I really like Ben Wootten, Julie Dillon & Michael Jaecks. Nicholas Cloister is okay.
Really don't like Kevin Yan. Not sure about Darren Tan.
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Just goes to show how varied tastes are, really. I love all of those artists, and especially Kevin Yan.
Just goes to show how varied tastes are, really. I love all of those artists, and especially Kevin Yan.
I think it is.
I think it is.Just goes to show how varied tastes are, really. I love all of those artists, and especially Kevin Yan.
It is and I am pretty fond of his work as well.
as for Laori, the artwork provided for her is just..... extremely sub-standard, sorry to say
The Shadowdancer in PFCORE on pg.393 looks like a decent substitute for Laori art, IMO. No spiked chain, but the rest of the image fits quite nicely. Also HERE.
My attempt at a sketch of Laori...HERE. I hope to add full color or shading to it at some point in the near future.