Aiken wrote:Concept work for an upcoming character.
Trying to get to look combat ready and feminine has been bugging me for a while now. Most of the earlier versions were mistaken for men...
The quickest colouring job i've ever done. Not too sure if the brown jacket goes with the charcoal fatigues.
Suggestions anybody?
You are trying to combine some pretty polar opposite looks there. It can be done if done well, but femininity typically disappears when going for a realistic combat ready look. Luckily she's not all uniformed up and is wearing a combination of civilian style clothing.
The brown jacket definitely works as you're combining earthen tones that replicate well in camoflauge. It adds a sense of flair and daring. Make sure to accentuate her hips more, as was suggested, and thin the neck. One of the easiest ways to show a feminine quality is to show a little skin around the abdomen by shortening the shirt or lowering the cut on the jeans. Or even both.
A few more pouches or other forms of equipment strapped on would really enhance the fighting look and can draw attention to certain areas that you want to be noticed such as exposed skin. This reinforces further what you wish to convey to the viewer: This is both a woman and a fighter.
Hair is very difficult because it is often a distinguishing mark between a male or female. To enhance the combat ready appearance her hair should be either kept short, or long and tied up. Tying the hair either into a ponytail or a bun pushes the "she's serious about kicking your ass", and I think is the better option because the hair can always be let down or loose when you want to get away from the combat orientation.
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Heed these words: I do not draw. Photos if you're lucky.
