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That other thread about splash art history got me wondering

Totalis··15 votes·4,844 views

The VAST majority of these were HUGE improvements. Seriously, Riot's art team, omega good job http://i.imgur.com/YHw1yW5.gif. I know some people don't really care about the splashes, but to me, they make the game come so much more alive when a character gets a modern revitalization in their design. It just makes me wonder how they can redo so many splashes into something amazing, but at the same time ruined ahri's, janna's, fiora's, and katarina's splashes.

Check out Shyvana's AMAZING transformation old: http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z66n3UYfPE4/hqdefault.jpg new: http://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/img/champion/splash/Shyvana_0.jpg

and then janna's: http://www.game-art-hq.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Janna-LoL-Classic-Skin-Splash-Art-2.jpg http://cdn.staticneo.com/w/leagueoflegends/2/2f/JannaIcon.png

to: http://static.lolskill.net/img/skins/1215/janna_0.jpg http://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/5.4.1/img/champion/Janna.png

It went from "oh, that looks nice" to "OMG WHAT IS THAT KILL IT WITH FIR-"

Katarina easily got the worst of it from looking downright sexy: http://i.imgur.com/hG0lVuy.jpg, http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/37300000/Classic-Katarina-katarina-37356267-75-75.png

to this abomination: http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20150219221522/leagueoflegends/images/9/97/Katarina_OriginalSkin.jpg

it looks like something went horribly wrong in a plastic surgery operation: https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS-VZXYwB5DaURUTJDxwV-LznUBaH3MluQwdBcwkWvFug5rHFsM9w

Like how were these let threw when they are clearly NOT up to the standard of the other splashes, at least in term's of their faces, which are the single MOST important part of a splash? The biggest defining trait of any person, real or imaginary, is their face, and to butcher it is just so sad to see.

55 Comments

Ionian8 votes

http://i.imgur.com/gtzzgpr.jpg

Nice, elegant, simple, extremely appealing.

http://5pots.com/img/upload/ahri.jpg

Evil? Possessed? Uncaring? Doesn't fit her lore at all, what happened here?

Zyorhist3 votes

it does though...she is evil...and she knows it...she hates it

Keevalroy1 votes

Evil? Possessed? Uncaring?

Lost? Looks like she's about to sneeze? Wondering if getting facial surgery was a good idea after all?

Dunkrius2g4 votes

[{quoted}](name=If Ahri Was Real,realm=EUW,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=ky8gwaUA,comment-id=0004,timestamp=2015-12-02T20:02:53.831+0000)

http://i.imgur.com/gtzzgpr.jpg

Nice, elegant, simple, extremely appealing. Boobs.

http://5pots.com/img/upload/ahri.jpg

Evil? Possessed? Uncaring? Doesn't fit her lore at all, what happened here? No Boobs

FTFY

Ionian1 votes

touché

Elipo2 votes

She is suposed to be evil. She stole hundreds of human souls to become human. This new image fits her more

Ionian1 votes

Feeding on their desires brought her closer to her dream, but as she took more lives, a strange sense of regret began to well within her. She had reservations about actions which never troubled her as a fox. She realized that she could not overcome the pangs of her evolving morality. In search of a solution, Ahri found the Institute of War, home of the most gifted mages on Runeterra. They offered her a chance to attain her humanity without further harm through service in the League of Legends.

Elipo1 votes

That says that after stealling souls she became less evil to me. Besides her lore is outdated now, there is no league of legends or institute of wars in the lore anymore. So she is still a gumoho, gumiho steal humans souls, gumihos are evil.

Weiner the Pooh7 votes

Kats splash art is fine, and that's not even her actual icon. They fixed it. Sorry they gave her features that make her look different and not the rest of the female champs and an actual background

Totalis4 votes

[{quoted}](name=Da Dwagonswayer,realm=NA,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=ky8gwaUA,comment-id=0003,timestamp=2015-12-02T19:34:44.836+0000)

Kats splash art is fine, and that's not even her actual icon. They fixed it. Sorry they gave her features that make her look different and not the rest of the female champs and an actual background

yes, WHAT was I thinking? Because http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah67zKAmWAI/VOTrYUWyF9I/AAAAAAAAkMM/dUBhyA1fHeY/s1600/Katarina_Square_0.png and this: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpgeyQepJaY/VN0N9kA_V4I/AAAAAAAAj3Y/izJ-CtKz0jk/s1600/Katarina_Square_0.png

look TOTALLY different right?

Weiner the Pooh5 votes

Yes they look totally different, her face is shorter,in the bottom one she looks angrier, her eye shape is different the eye make up is drawn better, her brows are less furrowed and her iris's are darker, her face is a bit wider and less tall, the hair color is different and even her forehead is a different color.

They're completely different.

Mecha MaIphite4 votes

They may not be completely different, but there are some very clear variations. The one on the top has a better shaped face and has eyes positioned lower on the head, suggesting a more youthful appearance. The shape of the lips and nose were also edited to make them smoother, as well as the eyebrow, and even the scar. There is less "hollow space" beneath each eye, which took away from the skeletal kind of feeling. While it's nowhere near perfect, it's certainly an improvement.

Totalis4 votes

{quoted}

They may not be completely different, but there are some very clear variations. The one on the top has a better shaped face and has eyes positioned lower on the head, suggesting a more youthful appearance. The shape of the lips and nose were also edited to make them smoother, as well as the eyebrow, and even the scar. There is less "hollow space" beneath each eye, which took away from the skeletal kind of feeling. While it's nowhere near perfect, it's certainly an improvement.

The POINT is that the original is still far superior to the even the fixed up version of the new one

BottleCapster6 votes

Care to explain? Saying something is "Better" or "Far superior" are subjective terms, dependant on the viewer, what criteria they're using, and what they're comparing.

If i'm frank here, the old Katerina splash was boring. What is she even doing? There's lightning clouds behind her, and nothing else? Is she floating in the goddamn sky? There's no indication of anything she would be leaping from, no indication there's even something to land to, she's just kinda....there. Sure her pose is dynamic, but there's no context to make that mean anything.

The new one has more dynamic lighting, a far more stylized pose that makes her feel in action, as well as gives some insight as to how her Shunpo might look within the narrative world, and since we're getting only skant tid-bits on lore, what insights the splashes CAN give are fairly helpful.

In the new splash she has more varied features, her face is more defined, and though she doesn't have that same "babydoll" look that she had before, did that look really suit her character before? Katerina is a Cutthroat assassin, not a Maybelline model. This version of her feels like an assassin, she's determined, she's aggressive. Where is the old Kat looking? WHAT IS SHE DOING?

Nicosarea3 votes

{quoted}

Care to explain? Saying something is "Better" or "Far superior" are subjective terms, dependant on the viewer, what criteria they're using, and what they're comparing.

If i'm frank here, the old Katerina splash was boring. What is she even doing? There's lightning clouds behind her, and nothing else? Is she floating in the goddamn sky? There's no indication of anything she would be leaping from, no indication there's even something to land to, she's just kinda....there. Sure her pose is dynamic, but there's no context to make that mean anything.

The new one has more dynamic lighting, a far more stylized pose that makes her feel in action, as well as gives some insight as to how her Shunpo might look within the narrative world, and since we're getting only skant tid-bits on lore, what insights the splashes CAN give are fairly helpful.

In the new splash she has more varied features, her face is more defined, and though she doesn't have that same "babydoll" look that she had before, did that look really suit her character before? Katerina is a Cutthroat assassin, not a Maybelline model. This version of her feels like an assassin, she's determined, she's aggressive. Where is the old Kat looking? WHAT IS SHE DOING?

I totally agree with you, Katarina is definitely a cutthroat assassin! Thanks for providing the best constructive criticism I've seen about a splash art.

BottleCapster3 votes

Sensing just a tinge of sarcasm [slayer-jinx-unamused] To be more concise:

  • New splash has more dramatic lighting which carries the tone.
  • Pose is more dynamic and the piece keeps the eye moving, as opposed to the original where Kat is the only focus
  • Facial features are more detailed and defined, giving Kat more of a realistic interpretation.
  • Background isn't an afterthought, and creates a narrative for the character to excel in.
  • Bright reds contrast the dark tones of the rest of the piece, this contrast helps bring Katarina forward, while the blurring in the background creates a strong sense of movement, reinforcing the pose and the tone. -Katarina is definitely a Cutthroat Assassin
  • Kat also seems to have gotten a better blacksmith

The old splash isn't bad, but this one uses multiple aspects of art to better degrees. Its okay to like the old splash, its totally fine to like it better, But if you're going to compare the two, then explain what aspects you're judging them on.

Seriphym1 votes

Old Kat=nice pose that while it actually looks better doesn't convey the message that this is a sexy determined focused assassin.

New Kat= HOLY &#@#! MY UGLY CRACK WHORE MOM JUST BUSTED IN AND IS ABOUT TO STEAL MY STASH! (Cuz withdrawals really suck)

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20150219221522/leagueoflegends/images/9/97/Katarina_OriginalSkin.jpg

So I suppose the old generalization about red heads is correct. They are either hot as hell or look like spilt f$#k!

BottleCapster1 votes

While saying she looks like an ugly crack whore certainly is colorful language, it doesn't actually speak to the point of criticism. Explain WHAT makes her look like a crack whore, What about her looks ugly, and what ways could the artist have taken to reduce those effects. If you really feel that passionate that the splash is bad, explain what about it is wrong from a design and structural perspective. Again, its fine to like the old splash better, but if you're going to criticize a piece of art, do it in a way that goes into the heart of the issues present, not a superficial throwaway dismissing it as bad for bad sake.

Seriphym1 votes

Honestly?

Critics are the ones who made the decision that all art is only art if it fits their predefined criteria of words such as "composition" and "structure". If your only way to determine if something is a piece of art is based of such criteria then you sir are a critic.

A critic is a critic because they can not create or do themselves whatever it is they are critiquing.

I sir am an artist and as such I do not follow, nor do I have to follow, your definitions of what makes a picture good or bad.

Where art is concerned what is perceived as good to one person does not necessitate that it is perceived the same by all. Critics, and those who think they are an artist because they took some idiotic art appreciation, or art history in class, do not have the wherewithal to decide what is good or bad for themselves, therefore they have to use a predetermined set of criteria to base their judgements. That is the farthest from an artist as you can be.

So to me she looks like a crack whore, an apt description (or the opposite) for those of us who can understand art without assistance.

For those like you who cannot understand without assistance I cannot help you nor can any amount of classes.

BottleCapster1 votes

First off, don't assume I'm just a snob because i asked for why you felt a certain way. Secondly, being critical of a piece of art does not mean that it should be considered "good" or "bad", these are subjective terms and are by and large up to the viewers to determine. What i was asking wasn't for a long winded spiel on how critics are pompous asshats, but rather an explanation as to what elements of the piece give you the impression that she's a crack whore.

Critique is a tool that allows people to get a different opinion on their artwork, and hopefully give them useful feedback so they can convey their messages as strongly as they may want. Its a tool to help people get better, by giving them perspective on where they are, so they can figure out where they want to go, if they want to go anywhere else at all. It creates conversation, much like the one we're having though at this point I feel like things are going further and further into who can sound more above it all and pretentious.

The reason i ask why you feel the artwork looks like a crack whore isn't to affirm my beliefs that the new splash is good, but rather to gain insight into exactly what it is that makes so many people clamor to the contrary. I'm asking because i want to know, and I'm asking because I'm incredibly interested in the intricacies of Why we feel the way we do, as opposed to just throwing it away like an empty soda can.

Understanding more about why people feel the way they do, and how they process information is a fascinating topic, and can lead to more profound understandings of the self, and what it truly means to Like something. Understanding how a piece affects someone, and what draws them to or away from it, can be invaluable information to an artist, can help them assess what they want, and gives them a rough sketch of what they can do to improve upon their work. And by and large, i feel that most artists DO want to get better. The moment you think you can't improve is the moment you stop growing, it stifles creativity, exploration, and your progress as an artist.

Do you have to give a shit about what every critic thinks? Fuck no, sometimes people don't see the work in the same way you do, and that's fine, but if their criticism is at least more informative you can look into whether or not you want to give that opinion any meaning, and regardless of if you use it or not, you have another bit of information that you can choose to incorporate into your mindset, your work, or any other endeavor where you might be able to put that perspective into use. You don't have to, and there will be people whose feedback just isn't helpful or insightful. But just because they critique your work doesn't mean your work is bad, or even that they don't like it. You can totally be critical about things you like; It doesn't detract from your enjoyment of it, and in some ways can even deepen your appreciation for what it managed to pull off, even when you look at its weaker points.

Seriphym1 votes

As I sated above:

So to me she looks like a crack whore, an apt description (or the opposite) for those of us who can understand art without assistance.

For those like you who cannot understand without assistance I cannot help you nor can any amount of classes.

BottleCapster1 votes

gj quoting yourself sweetie

DemiluniS4 votes

The POINT is that art is subjective! I like the new katarina splash much more than the old one. Same goes for janna's splash and any other splash art they updated. If you dont appreciate it, it's you own problem. No need to cry about it on boards and try to force your opinion

Elipo1 votes

Thats just your opinion. Katarinas a murderer, with blodlust, not just a random sexy pretty girl. She needed to look like an assasin.

Totalis2 votes

{quoted}

Thats just your opinion. Katarinas a murderer, with blodlust, not just a random sexy pretty girl. She needed to look like an assasin.

http://apollo-na-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1413281900338/OriginalKatarina.jpg this doesn't look like an assassin AT ALL to you?

Elipo1 votes

No, it doesnt. Look at her cute expression she's like a princess trying to look badass with dark clothes, a poser, a cosplayer. You dont see any killer instinct in there

junglerboy164 votes

One looks like she's on crack/meth or some other nasty drugs, the other doesn't. I'd say that's a substantial enough difference in visual appeal that it's worth noting.

Seriphym1 votes

This ^ is an example of an artist at heart, he see's what he see's without the crutch of predefined criteria created by those who cannot see.

Count Zubat6 votes

While I can agree that most of the new splashes are just beautiful, some changes were mistakes. Like, why did they change Kayle's splash art. This one:

http://img1.leaguecraft.com/lol-splash-art/asset/wallpaper_760px_7592.jpg

was just perfect. But then it was changed to this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TA9OyOPfy1I/VDwpOe6TikI/AAAAAAAAbJ8/a5CY8Pd7f4o/s1600/Kayle_Splash_0.jpg

Why? In the old one, Kayle looked so majestic, with her sword pointing down to the ground, looking like it was ready to fall and deliver judgement to the mortals. But new one? It's just so out of place. I don't even know from which angle I should look at it. And what's up with her wings? They are formed like she is going to fall like some goddamn meteor. Why did they change such a fine splash art into this? Imo, this new one is just bad.

My Waifu Vanilla4 votes

The spherical shape is Kayle's ultimate not her wings if that is what you are referring to.

Count Zubat1 votes

Yeah, I just noticed, you're right. Still, for me, it seems out of place.

Elipo1 votes

To me the first looks like an angel, the new one looks like a fighter, like two sides of kayle, also the last one fits her better in my opinion, shes always talking about battle, and the fray

Yatsufuså5 votes

Yeah I mean at least in kat's old splash she had believable limbs and she isn't all contorted

Elipo1 votes

She was floating in the air before. Now she's commig for your life, makes sense that pose

Doctor Jarvis4 votes

I actually like all the second splashes more than the originals (although I do at least understand why people don't like the new Janna splash)

Melledoneus4 votes

I'm happy Shen's new splash makes him look like such a BEAST.

We went from this: http://www.kostenlose-mmorpgs.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Shen_Splash.jpg

To this: http://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/img/champion/splash/Shen_0.jpg

AND IT IS THE MOST AMAZING THING EVER!

Biffolo3 votes

I got downvoted in the updated splash thread for claiming that kat and ahri had better old ones.

Totalis2 votes

{quoted}

I got downvoted in the updated splash thread for claiming that kat and ahri had better old ones.

people are weird, don't let it get to you

Keevalroy2 votes

A lot of people just downvote anything "anti-Riot" in hopes of getting brownie points for defending them, even if the overall community reception of both of these particular splashes was extremely negative in both cases.

Blainezy2 votes

Upvoted just because of Shiro from No Game No Life!!

ElGranMamut982 votes

can u not post ur stupid anime shit thanks

VulcanIsHere3 votes

Well that escalated quickly

Dangerous Man2 votes

Kat's face looks like a mans face. :( But I do like the new Anivia https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRBNY-37Ykv7PN-8xVf1onEXyDueiv1mzv9ed-MLBWBeNFZMBe_LA Old ones kinda weird :( Very chicken-y

Catastrop2 votes

I honestly like the those splashes. They actually look like the character. Janna looks like the otherwordly being she is rather than, some chick with elf ears. Katarina actually looks well, like Katarina. She even got a background that suits her perfectly because you can see her doing what she's supposed to; assassinating. Not jumping from what looks like a lightnining storm for some reason.

Teslablade1 votes

you mean Rengar arina

CoTheSlow1 votes

When it comes to the Ahri on I liked it a lot more before the community got outraged and got it changed into what it is now, I mean I get that she didn't look terribly Korean like the myth she is based on but it was just more appealing as an art to me. She looked innocent but also like she could accidently suck your soul out at any time, now it just looks like the photo was taken when she wasn't ready.

As for the other two people like to make a lot of excuses but I usually find it is just because they think the champs look ugly (unnatractive). In terms of pure art the new ones are much better. Janna's clothes actually fit now which is a bonus though I still detest a woman that can summon tornadoes wears and outfit practically designed to get caught and sucked in to said tornado.

There are only really two splash arts I have an actual issue with in game and those belong to Caitlyn and Morgana the faces are fine but Caitlyn's pose and Morgana's skirt really annoy me. As far as Morgan is concerned if you walked behind her you would see serious buttcrack, I mean that skirt is riding so low when it should be sitting on her pelvic bones instead of going down far enough that her privates are on display. Caitlyn's problem is similar in the way her whole splash is almost like 'Hey look at her crotch which we barely covered!'. If it was angled a little higher then there would be no issue but the angle of the splash is just a direct crotch tease and has always rubbed me the wrong way. Art wise the splashes are both beautiful, just those few things that are creepy to me.

Keevalroy1 votes

When it comes to the Ahri on I liked it a lot more before the community got outraged and got it changed into what it is now,

And we were outraged about the new version too since hardly anything was done to improve it (the face is noticeably worse on the December version), and nothing further was changed because I guess they were behind schedule and had a deadline? I don't know the answer, but what I do know is that the only acceptable update would have been to revert it and leave it alone. Neither version of the update was going to be received even remotely well and Riot should have seen that coming a mile away.

The only good part about it was that if they had decided to give her blue eyes the forums would have been lit up in an even bigger blaze than it was last October.

SpecterVonBaren1 votes

I miss Veigar's old splash

http://static.mnium.org/images/contenu/actus/LOL/Veigar/lol_champion_vaigar_skin_base_hd.jpg

I understand that it needed an update but I miss how this one showed Veigar as being someone that is trying to be grand and evil but he's still small and somewhat ineffectual.

http://www.noobabble.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Veigar1.png

The new one just doesn't have anything interesting about it. While is certainly gets across how Veigar wants people to view him and shows that he can indeed be dangerous, it also doesn't really tell you anything about Veigar other than he's a dangerous wizard.

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