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There is a creature in the D&D Monster Manual (I'm looking at v3.5) called the "lamia." It's kind of like a centaur in build, except the upper half is a man, and the lower half is *supposed* to be that of a lion. I've always loved the illustrations in the D&D Monster Manuals, because I'm just so into fantasty creatures, but this is an exception. u_u I really dislike the official lamia image. I ranted and raved about how thing shouldn't be there, and how there's just no excuse for art like that to be in the Monster Manual, which is usually such good quality, and how the artist should've used photoreference if he didn't know what lions looked like, etc., when my friends Stephen and Jared finally told me that if it bothered me so VERY much, I should just draw my own.
So I did.
And I rather like how it came out. This is Tria Markers and Prismacolor Pencils, as usual (more marker than pencil, tho). I'm particularly proud of the proportions (it's hard to draw proportionate taurs!!) and the pose. As far as critique goes, I know I need to become good friends with that "contrast" fellow, since I was obviously afraid of him here.
But I still like it. I think it's better, anatomy-wise, than that abomination in the Monster Manual, even if the abomination is better drawn than mine. 
***
Oh, and here's the "official" lamia image, if you're wondering what that looks like: [link] . The upper half is fantastically done, but the lower half is just sad. Which means the artist *can* draw and just wasn't trying. Do you see how many joints that thing has in its front left leg?! 0_o
Lamias are probably (c) Wizards of the Coast, Inc., but I'm not really sure.
So I did.
And I rather like how it came out. This is Tria Markers and Prismacolor Pencils, as usual (more marker than pencil, tho). I'm particularly proud of the proportions (it's hard to draw proportionate taurs!!) and the pose. As far as critique goes, I know I need to become good friends with that "contrast" fellow, since I was obviously afraid of him here.
But I still like it. I think it's better, anatomy-wise, than that abomination in the Monster Manual, even if the abomination is better drawn than mine. ***
Oh, and here's the "official" lamia image, if you're wondering what that looks like: [link] . The upper half is fantastically done, but the lower half is just sad. Which means the artist *can* draw and just wasn't trying. Do you see how many joints that thing has in its front left leg?! 0_o
![[link]](http://shazzbaa.doesntexist.com/mmlamia.jpg){kind=link}
Lamias are probably (c) Wizards of the Coast, Inc., but I'm not really sure.
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© 2005 - 2024 Shazzbaa
Comments32
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A very, very nice pose!
I like the way that you have the creature balanced, and the dynamic feel to the paws ... it fells like he's in motion, or tensed.
The snarl is nice, too. I was surprised by the sharp teeth, but I like it.
And the tail adds just a little hint of the fantasy nature of the creature ... it's unusually long, and bristly.
I kind of wish the area where the anatomy is joined were a little more fluid, rather than such a hard line where the anatomy looks very different.
But, overall, I like it quite a bit.
As others have said, D&D has influenced pop culture a lot, and while a "lamia" (historically and mythologically) is often depicted as a serpent-form, especially the "noble" or "Matriarch" ones ... this one is just fine, for what you're wanting it to be - a replacement for art that you didn't find appealing.
While it may truly be more of a "wemic" or "urmaḫlullû" as they're called historically, I like this leotaur just fine. And you're right ... it's better than the atrocity in the Monster Manual.
I like the way that you have the creature balanced, and the dynamic feel to the paws ... it fells like he's in motion, or tensed.
The snarl is nice, too. I was surprised by the sharp teeth, but I like it.
And the tail adds just a little hint of the fantasy nature of the creature ... it's unusually long, and bristly.
I kind of wish the area where the anatomy is joined were a little more fluid, rather than such a hard line where the anatomy looks very different.
But, overall, I like it quite a bit.
As others have said, D&D has influenced pop culture a lot, and while a "lamia" (historically and mythologically) is often depicted as a serpent-form, especially the "noble" or "Matriarch" ones ... this one is just fine, for what you're wanting it to be - a replacement for art that you didn't find appealing.
While it may truly be more of a "wemic" or "urmaḫlullû" as they're called historically, I like this leotaur just fine. And you're right ... it's better than the atrocity in the Monster Manual.