In-Depth Ahri Splash Artistic Analysis

Strident·Jan 8, 2015·25 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

support5lifeJan 8, 201510 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.

StridentJan 8, 20155 votes

{quoted}

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.

I personally felt that the Old New Splash Art agreed with the interpretation of the original, and was significantly more composed and purposeful. The original's primary aspect was mystique and wonder due to the large dominance of the Orb and light, with a little playfulness in orientations of the arms. The attached splash art is much more successful in those regards. There was honestly little 'seduction/sexiness' depicted.

TonyTonyMordecaiJan 8, 20151 votes

This might just be me, but what was the original (the one on live) splash art supposed to depict? The lore is really the only thing we get for what Ahri is supposed to be, while her splash art depicts a girl who is fascinated by the orb that she carries around. Please explain, anyone?

StridentJan 8, 20152 votes

{quoted}

This might just be me, but what was the original (the one on live) splash art supposed to depict? The lore is really the only thing we get for what Ahri is supposed to be, while her splash art depicts a girl who is fascinated by the orb that she carries around. Please explain, anyone?

I don't think at all that Ahri is meant to be depicted as just a seductress here; it's Eve's job to be the black widow. The original splash art definitely was composed with the primary theme of mystique, when you note the heavy illumination depicted around the orb and across the horizon, as well as the way the arms and eyes are framed, and the large, lithe tails. There's evidently a sense of wonder in the exotic nature of such a depiction, in its very concept, rather than a singular idea of "succubus".

There's a impressionist feel to the background (the feeling of impressionism, not actual impressionism). The trees are blurred and look as if they are painted in one stroke, and the orb is free form, spilling gently into its surroundings. It evidences the idea of magic and the very mystery it is. In this depiction the focal point is still roughly between Ahri's eyes and the orb, but there's a much heavier focus on the orb this time because of how it writhes in the composition, and how Ahri herself is positioned around the orb, rather than the other way around.

As the Ahri herself, she's obviously portrayed to be sexy, yes. Her pose and tails clearly support the idea of the 'long and lithe' body described in the lore, a concept that is supposed to be appealing to men, and other aspects that have to do with breasts and etc. The reason I don't really focus on those is because only the idea of 'long and lithe' primarily fits into the composition of the piece, while the sexiness is secondary.

KeevalroyJan 8, 20158 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.

PuDDG26FP9Jan 8, 20156 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.

PuDDG26FP9Jan 8, 20151 votes

Have to reply since they would only allow me to upload one picture at a time :/ Regarding those problems I did this paintover a while back before christmas. Not saying it's better but I think it at least looks a bit more natural than the one on the PBE.

junglerboy16Jan 8, 20155 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 IPJan 9, 20155 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 TomatoJan 8, 20154 votes

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

Kumiho SarangJan 8, 20153 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.

TonyTonyMordecaiJan 8, 20151 votes

I liked the old new splash art, because Ahri did indeed look like a beautiful woman, with curious eyes, a small smile that were both alluring, and then reading the lore, would make everything clear as to why she looks that way in the first place. I guess the eyes just need to be looking at the "viewer" and to give her a smile that didn't make her seem sad or disinterested. It's kind of like what Ahri looked like in the "New Dawn" cinematic.

Demonsolder21Jan 8, 20152 votes

I think the splash art changed due to censorship.

Tony TomatoJan 8, 20152 votes

what did censorship have anything to do with it?

Demonsolder21Jan 8, 20151 votes

What do you mean have you seen the splash arts?

Tony TomatoJan 8, 20151 votes

yes. Graves's cigar got removed due to censorship. I don't see part of Ahri's splash art is in need of censorship.

Demonsolder21Jan 9, 20152 votes

Look at this one and look at the new one.

Tony TomatoJan 9, 20151 votes

That IS the new one. What's the matter with it. you need to be more clear.

Demonsolder21Jan 9, 20151 votes

idk sorry for ur wasting ur time hue but really though did you look at it and the one present in the OPs thread closely.

Demonsolder21Jan 9, 20151 votes

For example the one I present she has red nails the one in the OPs dosent.

StridentJan 9, 20151 votes

{quoted}

For example the one I present she has red nails the one in the OPs dosent.

I have already compiled a list of all visual differences between the old and updated version. However, things like nail changes are not integral to the artistic analysis. Also, original Ahri didn't have red nails, the tassel is incorrectly placed in the center of her cleavage instead of slightly to the side. This is also inconsistent with the in game model.

Demonsolder21Jan 9, 20151 votes

Nvm i'm just being stupid. Thanks for clearing it up.

Leti the YetiJan 8, 20153 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 ~~hooker~~succubus, not sure where the mystique or something is relevant ;/

StridentJan 8, 20152 votes

{quoted}

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 ~~hooker~~succubus, not sure where the mystique or something is relevant ;/

Comparing the two versions, the New New Version is definitely spacing out due to the angle her head is tilted. Her right eye (as in, 'her right') is still positioned to look at the viewer, but her left is clearly not.

I don't think at all that Ahri is meant to be depicted as just a seductress; it's Eve's job to be the black widow. The original splash art definitely was composed with the primary theme of mystique, when you note the heavy illumination depicted around the orb and across the horizon, as well as the way the arms and eyes are framed, and the large, lithe tails. There's evidently a sense of wonder in the exotic nature of such a depiction, in its very concept, rather than a singular idea of "succubus".

Unless you didn't agree with that depiction either, in which case, okay, I never really thought it was that simple based on the lore.

NagirahJan 8, 20153 votes

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

BorblandJan 8, 20153 votes

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

NekoNekoNyaanJan 9, 20153 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.

Hyrum GraffJan 8, 20152 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.

StridentJan 8, 20151 votes

[{quoted}](name=Hyrum Graff,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=ZeErzfri,comment-id=0009,timestamp=2015-01-08T17:48:29.593+0000)

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.

Those are changes that I would describe as visual refinement, as opposed to core visual elements. What I mean is that increasing detail on the tails and whiskers could have some effect on the purpose of the piece, but really, can be up to personal preference and overall does not change the purpose. The eyes on the other hand, are a core element of the art. Looking at the viewer directly is integral to the meaning of the composition.

In other words, it's unnecessary to consider both pieces as 'seperate, exclusive pieces', since you can also just make small modifications to either, as long as they are not core elements. I would consider smiling, eye directionality, and coloration clarity to be core elements, while I would say the chin is a matter of visual refinement, although the catch is that the jump in appeal is repulsive.

FelvyneJan 8, 20152 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 GrunzarvianJan 9, 20152 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. ^_^

StridentJan 9, 20151 votes

[{quoted}](name=The Grunzarvian,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=ZeErzfri,comment-id=000e,timestamp=2015-01-09T01:57:38.474+0000)

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. ^_^

May take a while, since I'm pretty busy. I only put the old one up because that was the only one I had down loaded at the time.

YlicielJan 10, 20152 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!

StridentJan 10, 20151 votes

{quoted}

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!

She isn't looking at the viewer at all. Your impression is probably due to the blur that the new eye coloration results in when the face is viewed at a distance (i.e. when you click on the comparison image in the post) that causes the black pupils to blend with the dark amber and eye whites. From my point of view, I don't really see how she looks sad at all and wouldn't make sense in this context, as per the reasons I mentioned in the original post.

I mentioned the effect of the leaves in my first point.

DarthPancakeJan 8, 20151 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!

TonyTonyMordecaiJan 8, 20153 votes

But isn't cute, in some degree, alluring to some?

NorthernDruidJan 9, 20151 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.