Costume Design Forum VI - Horus

[winterhawk]

Since CDF V and the spinoff 'Name the Character' string went so well...

Another player of mine wants to play the Avatar of Horus. Fortunately, my gf is really into Egyptology, so I had a lot of resource material to draw from. As always, suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

[Hermit]

I went with #2, New Kingdom I think.
It's kind of embarrasing to be told "No shoes, no shirt, no service" when you're a god, and #3 looks vaguely jappanese to me.

[Agent Escafarc]

I went with #1 too but it could use some of the black details from #3.

[Lord Liaden]

These are very fine, winterhawk; your best posted work yet IMHO.

I favor #2; it resembles what most people tend to think of as an "Egyptian" look (including bare limbs), but with a bit of a modern supers esthetic - and just enough skin coverage to be socially acceptable.;)

As usual, I have suggestions.:rolleyes: The general white-and-gold color scheme works well for Horus due to his solar associations; same with the solar disc and uraei as a chest symbol. The color scheme is a bit monotonous, though, especially for the accessories. Since this is New Kingdom, I'd take my cue from the Tutankhamum artifacts. Most of the jewelry was multi-colored, so I'd suggest adding the tricolor collar from #3. You might also consider color insets in the disks on the armbands and boots. I also agree with two colors for the components of the solar disk on the abdomen as with #3, but I'd recommend yellow/gold in the center and another color for the rim of the disk and uraei. Black could make good contrast in strategic spots (like the upper part of #3's chestplate), but I think you should use it sparingly - it just doesn't look "solar" enough.

I'm looking forward to the next round. :)

[Bartman]

I like #1. I just screams power and indiference to the concerns of modern mortals. "The reborn one cares not for your nudity taboos."

#3 just seems wrong. It doesn't say Egyptian, or Sun God to me.

[Shadow Dancer]

I love the second one, it's definitely more of a "heroic" image. #1 would be appropriate for his lounging outift. But I think for actual excursions, #2 would be best. Though I do agree that adding some color to the bracers and the coller would definitely brighten things up a bit, and give good contrast, not so much of a washed out look.

But then again, that's just my humble opinion.

[The_Hero]

I voted for number 1 because how often do Male Supers display them "luscius man boobs!"

Just joking, number one is at least Different...

[death tribble]

I go with No 3. Just has a nice look

[Crimson Arrow]

I like #2 the best. However, he does need a bit more colour, perhaps as panels on his neckpiece, bracers and the like. I'd suggest turquoise blue (like the scarab on #3). It's very Egyptian and provides a nice contrast to all the gold.

[winterhawk]

OK, some really good suggestions. Went back to my source material to add some color. #3 does look to Japanese, which is a shame because it took a long time to do the Eyes of Horus down the arms and legs. I added an Eye of Horus to the 2nd batch because he needed one. Thanks for the suggestions and keep 'em coming.

[Bartman]

Looking good. I still prefer the 1st one. But I get the feeling I am going to be out voted by the anti-skin party. So I'll direct my preferences to #2. The red bracers on the elbows and knees seem out of place. I prefer the yellow ones on #1. The blue in the headdress, belt and collar really brighten up the guy. But I would leave the blue off of the breastplate just below the collar.

As always just my 2¢

[Lord Liaden]

Really making progress here. Number 2 of revision 2 is definitely a big improvement, and gets my vote. And the Eye of Horus on the belt buckle is a nice touch.

One minor thing does bother me, though; the way the darker and lighter yellows kind of wash into each other looks a little blurry. I get the impression that you want to simulate sunshine glaring off the gold, but IMO it would look better if you kept the colors within the lines of the drawing, placing darker or lighter yellow depending on which parts of the costume should be those colors.

As I said, though, that's a minor point. Your player should be pleased. :)

[Blue]

Never really thought about it before but generally speaking, unless the guy is some kind of freak (or wolverine) superheroes aren't very hairy guys, are they? I'm not suggesting he needs a hairy chest (that would be wrong). It's just an observation.

Is horus a brick type? If so, then I lean toward the more skin showin' one. If he's an EP, then I'm leaning toward the clothed one. Not sure why exactly, but it does factor into my decision.

How about an eye-of-horus tattoo on his arm or chest instead of on the costume?

[Supreme]

As always, I advocate the simpler costume -- "Old Kingdom" I believe. Of course #3 is totally awesome in design. What I would suggest though is to go with #1, put a sleeveless shirt on him and replace the scarab with a smaller version of the sun symbol that appears on the other two.

[Kevin Scrivner]

I, too, prefer the Old Kingdom look. It looks more like illustrations I've seen of authentic ancient garb. No. 3 is too much of a good thing.

[Enforcer84]

Revision NUmber 2

[death tribble]

For what it is worth on the revision, the one on the right.

[winterhawk]

Originally posted by Morningstar70
I hope he has some tighty whiteys under that kilt, Winterhawk, or anyone flying behind him is going to be in for a shock.

One of the things I have a problem with as well. Any suggestions?


Originally posted by Lord Liaden
One minor thing does bother me, though; the way the darker and lighter yellows kind of wash into each other looks a little blurry.

This happens when I shrink the pics down so they are small enough for posting. It looks fine @ 150 pixels per inch.

Here's Rev 2 with modifications based on suggestions. I moved the sundisc up (which I really like), but know I think he needs something on the lower half of the breastplate to replace it. Suggestions?

[Lord Liaden]

You're right, winterhawk, making the solar disk the central symbol on Horus's chest really adds to its impact, as well as being entirely appropriate. As for the rest, I much prefer the breastplate and hawk-headed epaulets of #2; they give Horus a more heroically powerful air. I'm not sure if I would prefer that with the smaller sun-disk of #1, though. Guess I'd have to see it.

As far as breaking up the uniformity of white over his abdomen, I think you could do that very effectively with the drapery lines of the wrap-around tunic on #1. That would match the kilt that both versions wear.

The Eye of Horus "tatoo" is a clever notion, but IMHO doesn't really work with the rest of the ensemble.

As for Horus's dangling unmentionables:rolleyes: , what's wrong with him wearing supers-style shorts under the kilt as a nod to modesty? That worked for Supergirl for years. We still don't know for sure whether Marvel's Hercules wears his kilt "regulation" or not, and nobody's complained about that. And Elektra is almost certainly not a big fan of undies (which may add to her fan appeal). ;)

[Bazza]

He can be Egyptian without his ureaus serpent coming out above from his skull cap. Also add an ankh somewhere. perhaps a staff signifying rulership over the heavens with an ankh on top.

2 cents for now. My favourite: all are superb.

[Mayday]

Show off that chest!

Not sure I like the slippers on #1, maybe go barefoot. Not sure I like the blue, but red is worse. Maybe a green?

I did like that gold piping on #3s gloves, put that on #1s gloves or boots or belt. I do like the spiffy shoulderpieces and blue/yellow thing on the new #2, but not the white part over his abs.

Hmmm. For the gloves, what if the outside edge of the sun disk is red and the disk itself is gold.

Might be fun if he has a hulking green guy behind him, his ushabti (for those lesser tasks beneath a deity). ;-)

[winterhawk]

OK, latest revision. Added a couple of ankhs. The bracers and greaves were supposed to be ankhs but I guess its not obvious enough. My player has described this guy as not so much an Avatar, but more of 'a guy with Egyptian magic powered armor', which is why I avoided the ureaus, crook and flail and other royal symbols. He's more of a soldier than a king.

[urbwar]

Originally posted by winterhawk
OK, latest revision. Added a couple of ankhs. The bracers and greaves were supposed to be ankhs but I guess its not obvious enough. My player has described this guy as not so much an Avatar, but more of 'a guy with Egyptian magic powered armor', which is why I avoided the ureaus, crook and flail and other royal symbols. He's more of a soldier than a king.

I prefer the first one over the second. Something about the 2 Ankhs on the chest just doesn't seem to work for me.

If he's supposed to have magic powered armor, why not give him more armor? Didn't Egyptians have basic armor in the bronze age? I thought they had breast plates similar to the Greeks, just not as heavily armored

[Lord Liaden]

I'd say that #1 of revision 3 has just about got it. The torso ankhs on #2 are overly busy IMO - the simple lines of the tunic folds of #1 are more effective at filling that white space without distracting from the other imagery of the costume.

BTW, I can see the ankh on Horus's left boot which faces the viewer directly, but the other ones turned partly away from us are less obvious. I don't think that's a flaw, just an explanation for why someone might have missed them. :)

[winterhawk]

Decided to go with a full breastplate, but agreed that that the ankhs didn't look quite right. So I did some more research and came up with this. Intoducing Atenmeseka...the Sunborn Warrior...or as he's now known Sunwarrior! Thanks for the input!

[Alex Raven]

Wow! It's been a blast watching the transformatio of the character as you integrated the comments of others. THe final version is very well done.

[Lord Liaden]

Sun rays with ankhs at the end - I've seen similar images in classic Egyptian iconography (as you doubtless have as well, winterhawk). Majorly cool! And bravo on researching the name "Atenmeseka". If you haven't done so yet, I'd consider submitting it to the "Super Names" thread.

If I was playing this character, I'd be over the moon when you showed him to me. :D

[urbwar]

Originally posted by winterhawk
Decided to go with a full breastplate, but agreed that that the ankhs didn't look quite right. So I did some more research and came up with this. Intoducing Atenmeseka...the Sunborn Warrior...or as he's now known Sunwarrior! Thanks for the input!

I like how that came out. I think the sunray like insignia on the chest works much better than the ankhs. Also dig the breastplate with it. Good job on this one Winterhawk.

[Bazza]

Winterhawk, well done, and congratulations. I like the ankhs radiating out like light rays, but it's just me, but I don't like the prominat red on the costume. Well done also on the name, sounds Egyptian.

[Amnesia]

Congrats WinterHawk on as superb piece of character design.

Very nicley done, hope he "plays" as well.