Hey guys!
I posted this on the lol subreddit last night but thought I might share it here too.
My name is Josh and I am a junior concept artist striving to be able to work at Riot. Here is a concept I did for Syndra. I hope you guys like it and if you have any other ideas that maybe you would like to see let me know.
Here are my deviantart and artstation as well.
Artstation
Deviantart
Kaipop18 voteslooks really cool, and syndra needs a new skin after that terrible card one. would be amazing if the orbs were skulls!
ModAcademy Kayn4 votesQoD Syndra is a great model, is just was a poorly decided skin for it's price tier.
Fasmodey4 votesQoD Syndra is a great model, is just was a poorly decided skin for it's price tier.
Model is bad too imo, everything is so shit about this skin. If I want to play on purple skill effects, I will do it with classic. Its model is so far better.
Mister Sunglow5 votesAgreed... Why is a red queen using purple spells... nonsense...!!!
Gunslinger7443 votesAsian overlords won't allow skulls. Something about bones showing being a bad omen or something weird. Karthus and Skeleton King (Wraith King) in DotA2 got changed for the same reason.
Solari Fortune8 votesI'm a simple man, I see skin for my main... I upvote
Jofeyy1 votesAgreed
Transgressor2 votesAyy bruh, want constructive feedback, critisism, or are you just contempt with the fact that I don't like it?
Zaele2 votesI'll take any criticism that you would like to give.
Transgressor3 votesHere it goes then.
Design wise:
Production wise:
Personal notes: I like what you're doing here. And you're good at it. I also like how well you've translated your idea into the possible gameplay on the right. Are those hand drawn figures on stock terrain images? Apriciate the fact that this looks like Riot's work but from years ago. Now they've raised the bar for themselves unfortunately, so one has to crank up their game up to 11 but that's kinda irrelevant. It feels just like a champion concept from Riot, but it needs that extra mile of work to be on par. Tips for a dude like me, how do you deal with proportions on the body? I'm the kind of person that will screw up the body ridiculously, but could make you armor to pop your eyes out. But it's pointless being good at step 3 when you've not even mastered the basics, which are actually needed in the first place.
PS. Wanna share your brushes :3
Zaele2 votesHey thanks for the reply! You gave me a lot to think about, I'm not sure I agree with everything you wrote, but it's good info none the less.
As far as the in game views I took two screenshots. One of just the terrain and one with Syndra in it so I could get her in-game proportions. I then cut out Syndra and just painted over her.
For your own work, proportions are just something you have to draw a lot of. Draw tons of figures, male and female but, on top of trying to "copy" the form you see, try to make connections about the measurements and placements of muscles/bones/appendages. That goes for anything you try to draw not just anatomy. Try to always think about what you are doing rather than mindlessly copying something and then calling it a study, because you won't actually get anything out of it (I have learned this the hard way).
As for brushes, I honestly just used the hard round brush (with and without transfer turned on) and then the soft round brush. Pretty boring I know but they get the job done. I'm actually on the lookout for texture brushes at the moment cause I am sorely lacking them.
Transgressor1 votesHa, my only custom brush is one I made that looks like a pencil had diarrhea, and a chain one which is pretty hard to screw up anyways. Dang bro, great work for just the stock brushes, makes me imagine what you could do with custom ones. Thanks for the great tips as well, from a developing proffecional to a hobbyist, I really appriciate it.
On hindsight, I feel the need to clarify: "I didn't like it" doesn't mean it's bad, quite the contrary, I've seen some shitty uninspired concepts for Syndra and even some plagiarized stuff(Frozen concepts). This was in no way shitty, it's just it didn't strike me as interesting enough to consider possibly purchasing. Don't worry, I don't like most of the fan concepts to beggin with, nobody's trying to really be creative, they're too busy being edgy and uninspired(see Goth Vi for example).
But given you are open to feedback/opinios, I though giving you my 2 cents was a good a good idea nonetheless :P Good luck on your future endeavours mate, and who knows, perhaps one day I'll play something you've designed.
PS. I'd like to see an "Umbra Blade Katarina" skin concept plox :D
Zaele1 votesYeah no problem I appreciate the feedback.
Maybe I'll work on Umbra Blade Kat this week. :P
Fasmodey3 votesHere it goes then.
Design wise:
- I don't think it's unique/inspired enough. But that's more down to personal preference.
- It doesn't really feel that much Syndra, it gives a Kerrigan vibe, or a Blade Queen Lissandra. The latter is more because of color hierarchy.
- What's Syndra about it? I don't see "omnipotent badass chick with boundless psyonick powers". I mean, she lifted the place she used to live, and now uses it as her permanent flying fortress. How badass is that, appart from the fact that she's omnipotent :P
- It feels more like a necromancer, a Diablo character of some sorts. That's not bad, but it doesn't fit Syndra that much. Again, that's more down to personal preference.
- Why would I buy it? Atlantean doesn't fit her theme either, a waterbending smurf with a huge rack, doesn't really cut the 975RP. Let's aim high, because your theme has potential; why would I buy this skin for 1350RP(minimum)? May I suggest you take into consideration "why would I want to buy that" in conjunction with your artistic and creative vision. Entice yourself into buying it by putting more creativity into it, thus making more people interested in it.
- It needs just a bit more work to follow Riot's readability guidelines. The only way one could do that is by studying alot of the skins and current models.
Production wise:
- I think your concept detail needs more work. Compared to other Riot concept arts, for example Vi, they put as much work into them as in the official splash arts. I do get it though, there's a difference between illustration and concept art. Just look at ZeroNis's DeviantArt page though, I don't even think they care much about "concept" anymore. They just draw pretty pictures as guidelines for even prettier pictures, haha.
- The balls need more flavor to them. They look too much Shadow Isle-esque, and not enough Underworld-esque. Also, the spooky faces you chose as VFX, won't be visible during gameplay. What if you make the balls themselves spooky spirit/skull thingies with energy emminating from them instead. Also remember, not all cultures feel comfortable about cetain things. The Chinese for example, get rustled from exposed bones in beebeeoh gamz.
- She's head heavy. Yes, her head-piece is of great importance on Syndra's visual cues, but it never felt like it's going to snap her neck from the weight any time. I think her long aetherly hair kinda balanced it out sometimes. Perhaps you should re-iterate on this? I don't know, I'm no profesional illustrator.
- She needs a bit of spiciness. I'm not the guy who seens something pretty and throws money at it. Give it spice, make it spicy, think of it as something that's really fucking cool to play in-game, like Blade Queen Lissandra, the Battlecast skins, Creator Viktor, Aether Wing Kayle, and many more. They all have something fucking brilliant about them. Be it Viktor's white beam lazor and holograms, Kayle's wings that look like they're ripped out of Darksiders(amazing games, give them a shot) and her audio effects, the different "engine" themes of Battlecast, Steel Legion Garen's augmented powerarmor that still feels kinda primitive(unlike Full Metal Ironma-I mean Jayce).
Personal notes: I like what you're doing here. And you're good at it. I also like how well you've translated your idea into the possible gameplay on the right. Are those hand drawn figures on stock terrain images? Apriciate the fact that this looks like Riot's work but from years ago. Now they've raised the bar for themselves unfortunately, so one has to crank up their game up to 11 but that's kinda irrelevant. It feels just like a champion concept from Riot, but it needs that extra mile of work to be on par. Tips for a dude like me, how do you deal with proportions on the body? I'm the kind of person that will screw up the body ridiculously, but could make you armor to pop your eyes out. But it's pointless being good at step 3 when you've not even mastered the basics, which are actually needed in the first place.
PS. Wanna share your brushes :3
Skins are not suppose to be fit on their champion's lore. They're totally seperated from lore. Skins are there for to have options. I don't think Darius is a basketball player, or Tahm Kench is a chef, or Soraka is a Grim Reaper (who actually helps to others for healing and save them).
Odyssey851 votesSkins are not suppose to be fit on their champion's lore. They're totally seperated from lore. Skins are there for to have options. I don't think Darius is a basketball player, or Tahm Kench is a chef, or Soraka is a Grim Reaper (who actually helps to others for healing and save them).
Yeah, that's what skins are for, to make the champ have a fun and different look to them, regardless of their lore around them. But some do actually fit about them, such as 
being a dunk lord, hence dunkmaster darius, or master chef tahm kench, which fit's with 
's theme of being always hungry. So I guess it depends on what would look good on a champion, but I do like the concept and I hope it has undead green particles for all the abilities
ProExpertKing2 votesPool Party anything
ModAcademy Kayn4 votesDunkmaster Darius is Darius going through a mid life crisis. Just let it pass.
Transgressor1 votesAppart from the fact that Dunkmaster Darius is still a hulking dunk machine, he's still big cumbersome and muscular, he still smashes people's faces in with a big mace like weapon and not a broomstick perse, he's still cocky and threatening.
Yeah bro, nothing like Darius at all.
Tahm Kench is a devouring demon. Yeah bro, a devouring demon being a parody of a glutonous chef is nothing like Tahm Kench.
You're correct, skins are nothing like the champions. Ayy lmao.
Fasmodey1 votesAppart from the fact that Dunkmaster Darius is still a hulking dunk machine, he's still big cumbersome and muscular, he still smashes people's faces in with a big mace like weapon and not a broomstick perse, he's still cocky and threatening.
Yeah bro, nothing like Darius at all.
Tahm Kench is a devouring demon. Yeah bro, a devouring demon being a parody of a glutonous chef is nothing like Tahm Kench.
You're correct, skins are nothing like the champions. Ayy lmao.
In your argument, Syndra is extremely power hungry human being. Can't she go for underworld's power in a parallel universe?
Mine examples probably sucked a lot but, however you couldn't say anything for Grim Reaper Soraka. Sad. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if you say '' it's connected, it's just her theme's opposite bla bla bla ''. Skins are not lore related, confirmed by Riot.
Transgressor1 votesNo, not an extremely power hungry human being, I never said such a thing thank you very much.
In my point of view, Syndra is an (once suppressed, now set free) omnipotent psycher. Simple as that.
She could easily seek otherworldy realms for power. It's just that when you reach the point of power not being a limit, you don't really give a damn about branding your specialty. You can evaporate people with the power of your thoughts, trivial things like a mark of power are pointless by this point. A necromancer on the other hand, a psycher who is bound by death, would have the need to clasify their power level. Since they are bound by their dark arts, and death, they have to mark their capabilities for their oponents to be aware they have achieved power that rivals death. Also, death is taboo for most societies as well as feared/misanderstood, so having a mark that states you have powers revolving what most consider "otherwordly" is an easy way to impose fear and make common folk respect your power(again, out of terror).
I didn't talk about Soraka because I thought 2 examples were enough, but since you want it, you'll get it honey: Grim Reaper Soraka, keeps many of the characteristics that have to do with death as well as her basic aesthetics. Albeit a healer, she keeps her tool of the trade, her staff now turned a cythe shaped like a crecent moon, which fits her "starcall" thematic as well, since you know moon/night/stars that kinda stuff. It also looks similar to her stock staff, again, keeping the thematic real. Devil in many religions, especially Christianity, is symbolized by a goat. Most of Soraka's characteristis reseble a goat; her hooves, goat legs, horn, ears, all characteristics atributed to the Antichrist, Faun creatures, the god Dionysus from ancient Greece who inspired the Antichrist to beggin with. She might heal instead of killing, which I consider comedic irony, but don't forget her abilities can also damage. Also, they have runes and symbols that give a dark feeling instead of her usual healy-starry-fairy stuff as well as darker toned Heals. She is basically infusing with dark energies instead of pure vitality.
I never said skins are lore related thank you very much, the second thing you make up. Gotta fix that habit of yours. I know Riot's confirmed it as well. What skins do however, is follow the Champions visual cues and thematics, which is the primary concern when it comes to readability in-game for Riot. One of the reasons spell effects get adjusted, skins get toned and recolored, and all these adjustments happen in the PBE. Dragon trainer Tristana does what Tristana would normally do, following her thematic. It has nothing to do with her lore. But she still is holding the dragon in her hands like her cannon. The dragon fires fireballs and flies in the air for her jump. She could be riding that dragon and fly across the map, and the dragon could fire piss at the enemies instead. The dragon could be a fully matured creature instead of a taimed youngling. But no, the skin follows her thematic and visual cues to the absolute.
Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Fasmodey1 votesNo, not an extremely power hungry human being, I never said such a thing thank you very much.
In my point of view, Syndra is an (once suppressed, now set free) omnipotent psycher. Simple as that.
She could easily seek otherworldy realms for power. It's just that when you reach the point of power not being a limit, you don't really give a damn about branding your specialty. You can evaporate people with the power of your thoughts, trivial things like a mark of power are pointless by this point. A necromancer on the other hand, a psycher who is bound by death, would have the need to clasify their power level. Since they are bound by their dark arts, and death, they have to mark their capabilities for their oponents to be aware they have achieved power that rivals death. Also, death is taboo for most societies as well as feared/misanderstood, so having a mark that states you have powers revolving what most consider "otherwordly" is an easy way to impose fear and make common folk respect your power(again, out of terror).
I didn't talk about Soraka because I thought 2 examples were enough, but since you want it, you'll get it honey: Grim Reaper Soraka, keeps many of the characteristics that have to do with death as well as her basic aesthetics. Albeit a healer, she keeps her tool of the trade, her staff now turned a cythe shaped like a crecent moon, which fits her "starcall" thematic as well, since you know moon/night/stars that kinda stuff. It also looks similar to her stock staff, again, keeping the thematic real. Devil in many religions, especially Christianity, is symbolized by a goat. Most of Soraka's characteristis reseble a goat; her hooves, goat legs, horn, ears, all characteristics atributed to the Antichrist, Faun creatures, the god Dionysus from ancient Greece who inspired the Antichrist to beggin with. She might heal instead of killing, which I consider comedic irony, but don't forget her abilities can also damage. Also, they have runes and symbols that give a dark feeling instead of her usual healy-starry-fairy stuff as well as darker toned Heals. She is basically infusing with dark energies instead of pure vitality.
I never said skins are lore related thank you very much, the second thing you make up. Gotta fix that habit of yours. I know Riot's confirmed it as well. What skins do however, is follow the Champions visual cues and thematics, which is the primary concern when it comes to readability in-game for Riot. One of the reasons spell effects get adjusted, skins get toned and recolored, and all these adjustments happen in the PBE. Dragon trainer Tristana does what Tristana would normally do, following her thematic. It has nothing to do with her lore. But she still is holding the dragon in her hands like her cannon. The dragon fires fireballs and flies in the air for her jump. She could be riding that dragon and fly across the map, and the dragon could fire piss at the enemies instead. The dragon could be a fully matured creature instead of a taimed youngling. But no, the skin follows her thematic and visual cues to the absolute.
Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
I wrote something but then I understood how you got this issue so serious (I doubt if it's a issue). Nevermind, you're right. Syndra is not a power hungry human, all skins are related with their champion theme (it's what you say when you gone too much to deep).
K.
Transgressor1 votesWhy so salty?
Umad?
Because you got rekt with your own argument?
Bye byeeeeeeeee.
turkeyBACON2 votesThis is really nice idea. It'd be even better in the Concepts & Creations board where it belongs.
Zaele1 votesoh wow I didn't realize there was a concepts board. Just saw "art" and was like "That's gotta be where this belongs". Is there a way to move this to another board without making another post?
turkeyBACON1 votesDon't think so. Perhaps a nice Rioter would be able to move it?
Ephemeral Frost1 votesthis is an amazing skin [slayer-pantheon-thumbs]
Zaele1 votes[slayer-pantheon-thumbs]
B0MBSIGHT1 votesShe has a vicious camel toe. Still a good skin, I like the glow effect you added to the hair.
Pawuichi1 votesWay better than any of this year's harrowing skins. I approve ;)
Maratsune1 votesI really like it! I especially like the ethereal glow she has. It feels like it's missing an extra oomph though. It's better than some skins that are in the game, though. I must say though, her clothes REALLY remind me of cloth heirlooms in WoW. Like, REALLY. A lot a lot. Maybe I'm imagining things.
Zaele1 votesHmm that's interesting, I mean I did play WoW a long time ago. Although I didn't reference it and I never played clothies so idk.
ProExpertKing1 votesThe only problem I have is making this underworld skin, doesn't make her look a whole lot different than her already, darkened with greed self. A Wild Fire Syndra could look pretty cool, especially since she has Dark (classic) Water (aquatic) and Light skins so it could be really easy to give her the 4 Western elements along with Dark and Light.
Zaele1 votesThanks for the feedback, I'll take that into consideration.
Akenero1 votesHey!!! Could you help me out on a couple of concepts as well?
Ive got an idea that could get us in riot, if done right anyway
Zaele1 votesUm I suppose it's possible, depending on my schedule. What do you have in mind?
Akenero1 votesWell, ive got working plans for both urgot(less developed) and evelynn(i have like 30 drawings), as visual upgrades for them, and im trying to make actual, working splash arts, for both of them. On top of that though, the models are completely new, and i just do not have the time right now to make them.(btw link to my dropbox https://www.dropbox.com/sh/egbxuu68oo5xg2r/AADLrdcX64jFHi1RYzeJswFza?dl=0 Interested? Because im just about done with urgot(in ~3 days he'llbe ready for splash)
Zaele1 votesIt sounds to me like you need yourself an illustrator and not a concept artist (sounds like you already did all the concepting). I really am not an illustrator and don't really desire to be a formal illustrator, so I'm going to have to pass on that. I do hope you find someone that will fit your needs though. Cheers!
Vekkna1 votesI like it a lot and would buy for 975. My only criticism comes from my years of painting minis (dozens of hours on a single 1-inch figure), and it's the same criticism I have with most of Riot's art. When you think you're done, make the shadows one shade deeper and the highlights one shade higher. Dimension is lacking a bit on the bodice and definitely on the skirt layers and leggings. This definitely fits well with Riot's style, but it feels flat in areas.
Some other fun Syndra ideas with cool VFX revisions.
Titan/Geomancer Syndra: Boulders for orbs. Rock spike shoots up from the ground on Q and leaves a boulder behind.
Tempest Syndra: Orbs are stormclouds that occasionally rain and zap lightning as they orbit Syndra. Lightning strikes on Q and leaves behind a crackling stormcloud. Ultimate throws crackling clouds at enemy with long chain lightning zap throughout the animation
Omega Syndra (Ultimate): Named for a very famous omega-level psychic/telekinetic from pop culture. Dressed in a green and black skin-tight suit. VFX start out as pink or blue energy. At rank 5 of each skill, the VFX change to fire. As Syndra levels up, she slowly catches fire. By level 16, her costume is black and red, her hair and eyes are fire, and all of her VFX are fire effects. Of course, she gets flaming bird wings briefly when she channels her ulti.
Zaele1 votesAll really cool ideas :D. Thanks for the feedback!
Blainezy1 votesYaaaasss!!! I love syndra. I think skulls with green flames would be great though, or make the flames a bit more liquidy like it was ectoplasm.
theurbanraptor1 votesHey bud, I'd say cool, but... make her balls Spirit Skulls. That would feel more underworldly to me.
Bleediss1 voteslooks nice
i wish her spheres were skulls with that color glow around them though
and yes i know china is so offended
but idgaf
Bunnies2Save1 votesi have one if your willing to try it
Will of The Lion1 voteslove this concept riot pls with moar dark flame like effects on model i would play 1350 rp for it
gonna flex on u1 votesThat is so freakin cool!
Cheshire Kittin1 votesI think syndra should get a new skin soon and i think this would rise her popularity
