The Magician and his assistant

For my final update before the contest closes. 

It is unfortunate that i was unable to complete this on time - I wanted to make this illustration highly rendered and thought out which i hope i have achieved in what is shown so far. I will however, be moving this current project to a "Play by Play" so i can still post regular updates and a final image if an reader is interested. 

I have made a lot of changes to this iteration. I have decided to completly fill the background with colour as opposed to the previous version. Why i did this is because the entire image became hard to view with two very strong contrasting values of whit and black. With what i have created now i feel that the entire image is more view-able and easy on the eyes. 

Due to time constraints i have also cut some corners by using photo-manipulation for certain areas such as hands - and hiding a hand completely. Despite this, i feel that i may not reach the dead line, i will try to complete as much as i can before hand.    

I have started to block out areas with values and some rendering for this iteration. Im happy with how the sprigged mull dress areas have turned out and how everything else is starting to come along.

Im still playing with ideas for the background - if i want to add additional props or change colours. I have focused more on painting straight with colour and trying to remove any evidence of line work which is proving to be tedious and tricky 

I have started on the final Illustration for this contest, i plan to take a small break from this and continue to work on m other "play by play" projects.

Im undecided if i want to continue in grey scale or start with color, when i come back to work on this again it will be with fresh eyes. 

I have done some development sketches for both my characters and posing them together. I have decided on the final design for both of these characters and will be moving forward with a final illustration of these characters.

I initially wanted to do two separate illustrations, one for each character. But due to time constraints - i will be focusing on just one illustration with both characters performing the opening act : The floating chair 

For this iteration, i have focused on designing the magicians Assistant.

I liked the idea of having a mask for both characters, it gives off a more mysterious vibe. I have decided on a design which i think will work well in an illustration with the main character.

First stage of initial concepts for my first character: The Magician.

I found a design that i really liked and decided to keep this for the overall theme.

Currently split between having the main character with a mask or some type of creepy clown face. 

I have come up with a story for two characters : The Magician and his assistant.

They would be the opening act to any circus performance and would lead the audience through out the event, some viewers claim they could see invisible wires in their main event: The floating chair.

So far i have gathered reference material for my character design which include: Clothing, theme, pose reference .

Magician / open act

Assistant 

props/ scene ideas