After researching the comic characters Carnage and Raven further I began sketching some ideas in Photoshop as to how to combine the two. I wanted to emphasise Raven's possession by her father, the demon Trygon, making a three-sided battle of will for control of one body. This seemed to suit the nature of a symbiote like Carnage, especially as she would thrive under the selfish plans of Trygon, so long as she was an asset.
I began by sketching on Photoshop with a limited pallet focussed around black and purple/blue-black, red and pale skin-tones. Her magic might be represented by her hovering in the air or light effects around her hands or eyes. I thought that Raven's iconic hood should be featured, along with at least some reference to Carnage's evil white eyes or sharp fangs. In the first image (top right) I added demonic horns, claws and wings formed by carnage- her liquid form gives a lot of possibilities for extending Raven's form and capabilities. Her human face and some clothing are the only bits uncovered by carnage, represented by a organic-liquid layer over her skin. In the second image (top, middle) I considered using Carnage's face under the hood, her wicked, fanged smile edged with black lipstick. The third image (bottom right) is very striking, the feral, 'stalking predator' pose emphasising the vicious facial features of carnage with an extremely elongated tongue and no visible bottom jaw. Most of Raven's outfit is visible but her magical nature is over-ridden by Carnage's animalistic ferocity.
I began by sketching on Photoshop with a limited pallet focussed around black and purple/blue-black, red and pale skin-tones. Her magic might be represented by her hovering in the air or light effects around her hands or eyes. I thought that Raven's iconic hood should be featured, along with at least some reference to Carnage's evil white eyes or sharp fangs. In the first image (top right) I added demonic horns, claws and wings formed by carnage- her liquid form gives a lot of possibilities for extending Raven's form and capabilities. Her human face and some clothing are the only bits uncovered by carnage, represented by a organic-liquid layer over her skin. In the second image (top, middle) I considered using Carnage's face under the hood, her wicked, fanged smile edged with black lipstick. The third image (bottom right) is very striking, the feral, 'stalking predator' pose emphasising the vicious facial features of carnage with an extremely elongated tongue and no visible bottom jaw. Most of Raven's outfit is visible but her magical nature is over-ridden by Carnage's animalistic ferocity.
I considered the idea of turning Raven's cape into raven wings, decorated with red and raven's outfit edged in red, (top right) the name 'BloodRaven' floating around my brainstorming with the research in sight and friends to bounce ideas off. A carnage-possessed raven (top middle) seemed a good companion/familiar and could be the conduit for carnage's influence, talking through it to Raven. I thought that -though the theme was strong- it didn't correlate enough to Carnage's style and imagery so considered using a more twisted face with her fanged smile, white eye markings and added Trygon's extra set of eyes. This third image (top right) was one of my weakest sketches, in my opinion, but the concepts in it could be used for the final piece.
The last concept image (bottom right) is effectively my (almost!) final concept. My attention was drawn by an image in my research of an Eastern anime version of Raven.
The last concept image (bottom right) is effectively my (almost!) final concept. My attention was drawn by an image in my research of an Eastern anime version of Raven.
Creating the Final Picture
Drawing in Photoshop with a graphics tablet is becoming one of my favourite mediums and seemed the best choice for my final depiction of 'Carnage Raven'. I began by outlining the character with a quick red and black sketch. I wanted her to dominate the page and- with her lower legs enveloped in the crimson mass of Carnage- her feet were cut off the page. I can always adjust the size later if I need more room, e.g. for the magical aura around her hand. In retrospect, the sketch would have been best done all black as I later used them as the basis for the lines that typify the comic book genre.
I neatened the sketch and blocked out the main colours in separate layers. This can really help with editing later and simply selecting all visible content on the layer makes shading inside the lines a lot quicker and easier! I decided that carnage should form a vicious bladed weapon on her right hand and considered that a more natural weapon that is a literal extension of her body would be vicious (visually and practically) and further enhance the dark, twisted theme. I could really imagine that the demon Trygon and the symbiotic Carnage turning Raven into the perfect host for their destructive wills!