Custom Major Havoc Marquee Art - voice your opinion!

m_mcgovern

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Custom Major Havoc Marquee Art - voice your opinion!

I am trying to finish off my 25" 720--> Major Havoc conversion, see

this link for the first part of the conversion process

Right now, I am putting together a custom marquee that will fit the unusual 720 Boombox shape. Since this is a custom conversion, I thought I would come up with a new custom artwork design rather than re-purposing either the dedicated or Tempest/Space Duel conversion marquee artwork that is out there.

After mulling it over, I came up with the idea of re-working the rare Major Havoc poster that was done for the game's designers to be consistent with the dedicated sideart. This is the poster I'm talking about:
major_havoc_poster.jpg


In order to do this, I need to draw and vectorize Major Havoc running toward the viewer. I took an initial stab, but I wasn't very happy. I had a friend of mine who is more of an artist whip up a better "spaceman" running pose. From there, I have started to convert his quick sketch into something that is more consistent with the sideart. Here is where it currently stands, still rough, side by side with the Major from the sideart:

MH_CHv2%2520%2528Custom%2529.JPG
MajorHavocDetail.JPG


What do you think? Good? Bad?
Am I on the right track or should I scrap it and restart?
What part of the image would you tweak?

Thanks in advance for your opinions. Don't be afraid to be honest...ultimately I want something that is going to look great, so I will do my best to have a thick skin!
 
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Looks kinda cool except aren't the arms in your drawing in the opposite position from the poster? Either way looks like fun.

I think the poster pose is not correct. People swing arms opposite to their legs when running. To keep the left leg forward like the poster, I had to make the right arm more forward.

I am going to try tweaking a few things. I'm not happy with the arms. I'm going to try to make the helmet more circular, and I am going to re-do the boots. Some of the boot detail is disproportionate to the reference picture.
 
I think the poster pose is not correct. People swing arms opposite to their legs when running.

I was just pointing out the discrepancy. Funny thing is I was actually testing this out in my hallway last night and you would be correct sir. I'm guessing the poster was with someone posing, which is more easily done the way it is in the pic.
 
I think the poster pose is not correct. People swing arms opposite to their legs when running. To keep the left leg forward like the poster, I had to make the right arm more forward.

I am going to try tweaking a few things. I'm not happy with the arms. I'm going to try to make the helmet more circular, and I am going to re-do the boots. Some of the boot detail is disproportionate to the reference picture.

I agree with on the arms. Post updates as you go! Looking forward to seeing updates!
 
I'd add a frame around the visor. and the hose connection point should probably be lower on the helmet, out of sight. The shoulder joints need to
be a little more symetrical as well. They would rotate in a circle on an angle
if its a hard joint.

I think its a really great start. The boots do need rework as you mentioned.

I would compare the two pictures one small section at a time. Its to easy
to miss details looking at the whole pictures.
 
Okay...here is the next version along with the previous, side-by-side:

MH_CHv2%2520%2528Custom%2529.JPG
MH5.JPG


Changes:
- made the right foot visible
- reworked the boot
- made helmet more rounded
- reworked shoulders (still not liking the left shoulder joint)
- replaced "Honda" belt buckle with shape
- changed the "webbing/accordian" on legs to match sideart...it is on the back of the legs, not the front

What do you think? Improved or not?
What still needs changing?
Anything on version 1 that should replace version 2?
 
Okay...here is the next version along with the previous, side-by-side:

MH_CHv2%2520%2528Custom%2529.JPG
MH5.JPG


Changes:
- made the right foot visible
- reworked the boot
- made helmet more rounded
- reworked shoulders (still not liking the left shoulder joint)
- replaced "Honda" belt buckle with shape
- changed the "webbing/accordian" on legs to match sideart...it is on the back of the legs, not the front

What do you think? Improved or not?
What still needs changing?
Anything on version 1 that should replace version 2?

Honda buckle? I thought it was for Havoc! ;)
 
At first I didn't like the revision but I keep coming back to it and the more I really study it and look at the it, the more all your adjustments make sense to me. Keep the updates coming!
 
I think the original Havoc poster guy is ice skating or floating on some sort of anti-grav device that makes him look like he is ice skating. My opinion which I am certainly entitled to. Of course, I could be wrong.
 
Here is an update. I came to the conclusion that I would not be happy with me doing this to the quality level that I wanted....so I found a REAL ARTIST that does custom artwork like this for mame machines on the byoac forums...he is also a member here, so if he wants to out himself he can. But I am just so happy with what he was able to come up with based on my initial rough sketches along with the dedicated Major Havoc sideart. I think it is just killer and is exactly what I wanted for this custom 25" Major Havoc:


MHfront_vectored.jpg


This has re-energized me and I just cannot wait to finish this machine.
 
Here is an update. I came to the conclusion that I would not be happy with me doing this to the quality level that I wanted....so I found a REAL ARTIST that does custom artwork like this for mame machines on the byoac forums...he is also a member here, so if he wants to out himself he can. But I am just so happy with what he was able to come up with based on my initial rough sketches along with the dedicated Major Havoc sideart. I think it is just killer and is exactly what I wanted for this custom 25" Major Havoc:


MHfront_vectored.jpg


This has re-energized me and I just cannot wait to finish this machine.

I can't wait to play that puppy some day. :D

Edit: By the way I'll take a nice print of this for above my game when it's finished!!! ;)
 
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...he is also a member here, so if he wants to out himself he can.
:)
I'm glad to hear you are happy with the artwork. It was fun to work on a classic image, and classic game such as this! I'm also happy I gave your motivation a jolt!
Can't wait to see this whole conversion/renovation finished!
 
Not yet, I am embarrassed to admit :eek:

I now have all the artwork for the marquee and control panel. I recently got the metal header panel's edges filed down a bit as it didn't quite fit. I need to touch up some paint after that and then I just need to get everything applied.

Should be soon if we can get enough warm days.
 
Not yet, I am embarrassed to admit :eek:

I now have all the artwork for the marquee and control panel. I recently got the metal header panel's edges filed down a bit as it didn't quite fit. I need to touch up some paint after that and then I just need to get everything applied.

Should be soon if we can get enough warm days.

Cold days ahead actually. :( Life tends to trip the hobbies up from time to time. I've been working on my barn to make an arcade at some point, but it is slow going with everything else there is to do.
 
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