Character Design: Light or Dark?

[DokiDokiTsuna]

I'm marinating an idea~

I'm probably gonna use both in some capacity, but as this idea is still fresh and unformed, whichever scheme I choose as its "face" could very well define the tone of the story.

Just FYI, I'm trying to do something new in the "dark magical girl" genre. Unfortunately, it's a really narrow genre (usually involving some sort of deception...), and for the first time in my life I think I'm out of ideas. Any suggestions would be appreciated~

• Dark
• Light

Vote now!Show results

[yozhikisblue]

To be honest, I might have voted for the darker design if it wasn't quite so dark. The main problem I see there is that all the finer details are lost. If they were outlined in a lighter colour or otherwise altered to stand out more, it seems like it would make more sense for a dark magical girl concept.

[DokiDokiTsuna]

Um, what fine details are you talking about, exactly? ^^;

[yozhikisblue]

Everything on the main body of the character. The separated skirt, structure of the dress, details on the boots and gauntlets- they are very clearly discernible on lighter variation, but not the darker one. In case I'm not expressing myself very clearly, I apologize- I'm using the word fine in the sense of "very small"- not "of superior quality" - gosh, English is such a strange language... x)

[DokiDokiTsuna]

Oh, that? I just didn't consider those "fine" details...like, on the gauntlets it's just one box shape; that's it. XD
I did consider outlining them, but I was afraid the whole thing would end up looking like some gaudy neon TRON ripoff, so I decided against it.
I hope this isn't a color setting issue...I can see all those lines just fine in both images; do I have my Contrast set too high or something?

[yozhikisblue]

Couldn't tell you- but if you're planning a webcomic, it seems as though a range of monitor colour and contrast settings are worth taking into consideration.

[lartianmartian1]

I'm just gonna chime in about your story idea, though if you are making a story in the dark magical girl subgenre, a girl in white might contrast nicely with the overall tone depending on where the character starts out. Like, she begins as an innocent but then winds up as a dark and twisted individual? Or was she dark and twisted all along?! That could play with the deception angle. Maybe instead of the magical girl character being deceived, she could be the deceiver for once? Or, other magical girls could've been in on the deception before her... Something to think about.

Also, going back to the design, the red contrasts better with the white, looking more blood-like, if that's the theme you're going for. This could symbolize her underlying violent nature (is that a sword I see?) and also that special time in a young girl's life where... yeahhhh things get messy . And aren't most magical girl stories thinly veiled coming-of-age tales as well? This could totally work! And I have no clue what your story is about, I'm just getting all of this from your character design, which I really like by the way!! This definitely looks more sci-fi/sci-fantasy too, so you could get into some real cosmic horror type stuff with that. Maybe she's the magical girl version of a space marine?!

In conclusion, I would read the HECK out of something with a character like this.

[grimnir]

I agree with @yozhikisblue, the light design has a lot more contrast and it's easier to make out. The dark one is almost just a silhouette unless you look closely.

If you're looking for ideas for how characters get into a horrible situation without being tricked:
- told the truth but emotionally manipulated
- gets into the danger because she knows the risks but is naive enough to think it's worth it
- is borderline suicidal and doesn't mind risking her life, which is why she was chosen in the first place
- actually has a lot of repressed anger issues and likes the brutally violent magical girl job she just got

[vworksart]

The dark design is a bit too dark. Maybe lighten it up a bit to more? As is, the details are really drowned out. I vote the white for now.

[Daknight]

Have to agreed with most that the dark loses a lot of the details making the white one stand out more. One example is in the helment, in the white version you can clearly see the 1...on the dark you can't at all.

[DokiDokiTsuna]

@lartianmartian1
Woah, lots of cool ideas there! I'll have to think on some of those...thanks for your help!
@grimnir
Interesting, the character angle...#3 is pretty nice; maybe I'll use it for another character.
@vworksart
@Daknight
OK, I'm starting to feel like I'm insane. Is it really THAT hard to see anything on the dark design?? I don't know if it's my graphics settings or just an artist's bias, but I feel like I can see the details just fine!
In a few hours, I'm gonna try to look at the picture with one of the school computers; maybe put myself in y'all's shoes, 'cause this is crazy.

[lartianmartian1]

It was hard for me until I literally changed my position on my seat. So, yeah, I can see the details in the dark suit now for sure, but keep in mind that I had to put in that extra bit of effort (and I'm as lazy as they come lol xDD). Also, you are not insane, all our computers and eyes are different. Concessions like color and contrast adjustments have to be made, but even the pros mess up, so don't feel bad. Just look at that new movie 'Solo.' The lighting was apparently waaaaay too dark or non-existant in many key scenes, and that got a theatrical release!! WTF?!?

Haha, and glad I could be of help! Your character inspired me, and that is a very good thing, so don't fret about running out of ideas or anything. You so got this!!!

[Daknight]

It all depends on the computer. I have two monitors that sadly are not the same. I tend to use my 'darker looking one' as my standard cause of the variety of peoples resolution in color and contrast. I tested in my other one and I could see the details better.

You have to take into account the variety in peoples setup and that is why dark color can be hard to see using other peoples color setting and monitor. Better to go a big lighter to compensate in that aspect.