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In-Depth Ahri Splash Artistic Analysis

Strident·1/8/2015, 4:33:37 AM·25 votes·8,388 views

tl;dr - New New Ahri Splash Art (the one on PBE) is a modification of the Old New Ahri Splash Art that loses a large portion of the intended meaning and composition. I personally liked the Old New Ahri Splash Art.

Note: For the record, the splash art I will be refering to as "Old New Splash Art" is attached. The "New New Splash Art" is the splash art currently on the PBE.

Anyway, here's an artistic analysis of the splash art composition of the "Old New Splash Art":

  • Leaves around the edge of the screen increase portrait claustrophobia. It increases emphasis on Ahri and the background, assisting in the movement of the compostion as they draw into the focal point of the piece.
  • Blurred background and dulled texture/coloration of trees generate depth of field and emphasis on Ahri. The color of the leaves is an extremely dark red, relating to the season of Fall, commonly associated with the drawing towards death in Winter. This is why the remaining background is dark gray.
  • Body structure of Ahri faces towards viewer but moves towards forest, finalizing the movement into the composition. The viewer is given the sense that he is drawn towards Ahri, who is leading the viewer further into the forest. The viewer only cares about Ahri, not where he's going, which is effectively narratived by the subdued colors in which the background elements are drawn.
  • Texture of the clothing, tails, and hair are drawn softly in the original, bringing more attention to the focal point while respecting detail distortion at a distance.
  • Leaves on trees are obscured, drawing more attention to the bare trunk, illustrating that the viewer may be drawing towards death. The forest is not desolate; rather, the art is successful for making you think it is.
  • In the Old "New Splash Art", Ahri looks directly at the viewer. From any perspective on the piece at any distance, Ahri is evidently looking at the viewer, which puts additional emphasis on her eyes and lips. She is clearly smiling, enhancing the 'drawn to Ahri' aspect.
  • Eyes are painted a clear yellow and lips a soft pink. Rather than putting extreme emphasis on her quality as a seductress by overtly reddening and applying eyeliner to the eyes, the old version demonstrates a subtle feeling of mystique and curosity. The clarity of the eyes not only prevents color blending from detracting from the piece at a distance, but also suggests that Ahri sees more within the viewer than the viewer sees in her. It helps make the viewer want to follow Ahri, the most important goal of the art.
  • Focal point of piece is located between Orb and Face due to standout coloration of orb. The orb strongly helps create an atmosphere of mystique and Ahri's expression holds playfulness. The piece is very reminiscent of a game of 'tag' or 'follow the leader', while at the same time bringing emphasis to Ahri's beauty and charm, implying that the viewer is the one being played with.

As a whole, the splash art does not tell a 'story' in the regards of 'plot'. The piece is a focus on the character, beautifully composed with a clear theme and unfied elements to support it.

I personally feel that Ahri not looking at the camera is a complete mistake because it is a modifying the previous art to be more nostalgic without recognizing the meaning behind it.

Also, the New New Splash Art's chin is atrocious at a distance. It needs to be brightened.

The composition also has to be pretty when cropped, at a distance, and seen very briefly, because this is a video game and not a staring contest.

Tell me if you agree at all in the poll below, and pls bump/upvote if you like this post.

EDIT: Since someone asked, I added an attachment of the comparison image found on Surrender at 20.

We could argue on an on about whether you like the redder lips, the narrowed eyes, the heavier eyeliner, the slightly more texturized tails, or whatever, but I focus on the core elements: aspects that have a large impact on the meaning of the image rather than visual refinement, because we all have preferences as to whether her lips should be redder or not. Smiling and eye directionality are different cases though. Those elements directly affect the purpose of the piece.

Also, seriously, that chin. Just look at it.

Also, in case it wasn't clear, the red nails and tassel are also visually inconsistent with both the in-game model and the original splash art, the red nails because they aren't present at all and the tassel because it is actually located slightly to Ahri's left and not directly below her cleavage.

39 Comments

support5life1/8/2015, 5:35:59 AM10 votes

My problem with both is that I look at these pictures and I see an awesome fan art, not the splash art for Ahri. I'm rather confused as why we had to so desperately change the interpretation of the original piece - this girl, this picture, is not the same Ahri that the original splash art depicts.

Keevalroy1/8/2015, 5:34:25 AM8 votes

I agree with literally all of these, a lot of them I've never considered, but I'm still going to stick with my original suggestion and ask for a redo.

PuDDG26FP91/8/2015, 10:55:08 AM6 votes

I can't figure out what she's doing in the new splash and it just doesn't make sense to me.

She's moving into the forest, yes, I got that. But she's looking away, while holding her orb, why? That's what I can't understand. Is she high or something? Also her chin doesn't look natural, it's like she had a plastic surgery.

junglerboy161/8/2015, 2:16:42 PM5 votes

The new one looks like Ahri. Neither are perfect, but the "Old new splash art" didn't look Korean at all, and the whole point of Ahri is that she is THE Korean champ (Based on their folklore and their culture, as well as their physical appearance). Having skins that don't look korean is fine, but her base splash has to keep that look, otherwise she comes across as a NA chick in cosplay. I would say, the new splash should smile at least a little bit, and her chin is a touch dark, but other than that, it is far better than the old new one.

It Hertz When IP1/9/2015, 12:47:11 AM5 votes

Given that Riot murdered the game's lore, I don't know why anyone is surprised that new splash arts and champion bios are rather lackluster.

Tony Tomato1/8/2015, 5:29:34 AM4 votes

Yes. Yes. This person. Yes. Riot please read this, there's some good stuff in here.

Nagirah1/8/2015, 7:17:46 PM3 votes

Please, why do people have to keep bringing these splash complaints up? Meh...

Kumiho Sarang1/8/2015, 6:14:07 AM3 votes

•Eyes are painted a clear yellow and lips a soft pink. Rather than putting extreme emphasis on her quality as a seductress by overtly reddening and applying eyeliner to the eyes, the old version demonstrates a subtle feeling of mystique and curosity. The clarity of the eyes not only prevents color blending from detracting from the piece at a distance, but also suggests that Ahri sees more within the viewer than the viewer sees in her. It helps make the viewer want to follow Ahri, the most important goal of the art.

Sir, I absolutely agree with you. The eyes from October indeed brought curiosity. but now her eyes are far from that.

NekoNekoNyaan1/9/2015, 4:34:53 AM3 votes

The artist clearly needs to spend some time learning about modern Asian female facial aesthetics. Her face just looks plain ugly in the new new splash art.

Leti the Yeti1/8/2015, 11:03:15 AM3 votes

Cant give you a deep reason why, but I like the new one lol like the hair, like the ears, like the more prominent whisker marks, idk I guess I like the nails too

I think in the new Ahri splash, she is still looking at the viewer, just more subtle... either that or I have been staring at her face for abit too long Ahri soooorta is a seductress, you know.. gotta steal life essence and stuff for the glory of satan kinda like a hookersuccubus, not sure where the mystique or something is relevant ;/

Borbland1/8/2015, 9:40:34 PM3 votes

I prefer the old splash personally. But hey, it's a matter of opinion, i think some people prefer new splash.

Yliciel1/10/2015, 6:06:31 AM2 votes

Not sure why, but I personally like the new new splash better. I agree, the chin could use some work and the red nails aren't necessary, seeing that they aren't on the in-game model. The face is closer to the current splash, but it looks like she's trying to focus on you with a sad expression(a reference to her lore, maybe?), yet it still adds the beauty and charm Ahri has, as if the viewer is drawn to her. The leaves in the foreground also seem to play a part in the viewer's perspective. (Again, not sure why or how)

Also, pretty good analysis. Keep it up!

Hyrum Graff1/8/2015, 5:48:29 PM2 votes

I generally like the new new splash more than the old new splash, though I can't put my finger on exactly why. I like that the whiskers and tails are more prominent, and that her skin tone is a little darker/richer. However, I really liked that ahri's old new splash was looking at you, drawing you in. It was like Ahri had just charmed you. In the new one, she seems unsure of whether she should focus on you, or her orb.

Felvyne1/8/2015, 7:05:59 PM2 votes

Mmm... nice analysis.

In my opinion, the biggest issue are the lips (that smile that you mention, misterious, charming... it's lacking in the new new) and the eyebrows (in the new new, gives a sensation of being worried or concerned about something).

The Grunzarvian1/9/2015, 1:57:38 AM2 votes

Hey man, great analysis, brought up many things that I never even considered, but I have just one small request: Can you please put the new new splash art and the old new splash art side by side for comparison? I would really appreciate this, and I'm sure many people would as well. ^_^

NorthernDruid1/9/2015, 2:19:15 PM1 votes

I agree with the old facial pose being better. I like the harder textures on the clothes, though. And more importantly, the emphasis of her foxlike features. Bigger ears, actually noticable whisker marks, and even the nails, help drive home what she is which is one important part of the splash art because what it's there for is to explain who and what this champion is at a glance.

I also like the old hair better.

The tassel does wonders for giving more volume and motion to the image, adding to the sense of flow and grace she has.

My biggest problem with both pieces are the tails really, they're too obfuscated as being hers, she looks like she's leaping out of a mess of furry tentacles, not as if she's got a bunch of fox tails. Or maybe as if she's sitting in some furry tornado (the tassel helps rectify that impressions at least).

So tl;dr: old face, new textures and fox-traits, keep the tassel, do something about the tails.

DarthPancake1/8/2015, 3:35:42 PM1 votes

No. nonono. Ahri is not a "CUTE" chibi like fox girl,she is a seductive fox woman. This makes her look WAY too cute!