Feature: Avatar and Banner Colections

I wanted to capture the attention of all my readers to remind them, or even perhaps announce to them that my Avatar and Banner Collections are available to purchase.
I have been creating and selling these Avatar and Banner Collections for nearly a year now.
'Why the hell would I want to pay for that? loads of people do them for free.' Seems to be a reoccurring thought.

Well I want to show you just what it is you are paying for, and explain to you why that has a price.

Firstly, I will show you the steps taken to create the signature banner.
These often take between 5 to 7 hours to complete.
If you think about that in minimum wage by the hour terms, you are already looking at a bargain with just £10 for that amount of work.

Step 1: Research

Sherlique's armory page click to view.

First thing is first, I need to know what your character looks like, A simple link to the armory will suffice.
From here I am able to then find out what your character's facial features, skin tone, hair style, colour, specific armour, level, class, professions and more.

Everything needed in order to personalise your banner specifically for you.

Every avatar and banner are 100% unique and you will not find anything else like it on the net, Each image is made to order specifically for YOUR individual character.

During the research step I will also require you to fill me in on any extra little details; Does your character have any quirks? Perhaps scars, piercings or jewellery. I can even change the hairstyle, eye colour, armour colour and anything else based on your preferences. A lot of people give their characters special features that are not shown within the game, I take this into serious consideration and I will spend as much time needed editing your character to fit any description you give me.

The instructions I was given for Shirlique is to equip her with a top-hat, but still have her hair shown.
I was also informed a little on her personality, she is a similar character to Sherlock Holmes and thus would definitely need a pipe, That's just Elementary...

Step 2: Re-Creation

Using the program WoW Model Viewer I set about creating a character that matches perfectly giving me the base to work from, I will also add any special armour that was requested at this stage.
In this piece I just had to add a Top-Hat and ensure the hair was still showing.

Using WoW Model Viewer

Step 3: Milkshape

Next we need to get the model into 3D! The starting tool for this is to briefly jump the character into a funky program called Milkshape.
From here we just check that the model has kept it's mesh shape correctly before sending it into the srs business program.

Milky Milkshape

Step 4: 3DS Max

Once out of Milkshape, your character will dive right into 3ds max.
This is without a doubt one of the processes that take up the majority of the time spent on the signature banner.

Character after it has been ported into 3ds max

After the character has been positioned correctly - which can take a while depending on the model and initial pose - altered pose. We need to get to texturing the model! It's during this stage I am able to edit the textures to change the colour of armour. With this particular piece such was not needed.

Adding the textures.

Once the textures are on, the model can be defined in a number of ways, Lighting adjustments can also be made. I then place the character in the position of which I want to capture in an image and then render the model, This step can take a great deal of time depending on any adjustments made, the more armour and effects added determine the time spend in this process, fortunately for this example it did not take very long at all.

The rendering pocess can take a lot of time.

The renders do not always come out perfect, in fact it's about 90% chance that they have something wrong with them.
In this example part of her hair disappeared and her hair is going through the hat (this could be fixed in 3ds but it takes a great deal more time) The lighting is also a bit off as it has lines on her chin and doesn't look very natural, These are all things that will be fixed in the next step.

The finalized render.

Step 5: Photoshop

Once the render is complete I can take the finalized 3D image into Photoshop.
It is here I touch up the image and add any extra items or details, such as scars and markings to the model.
I almost -always- will also add hair extensions, eyeliner/make-up (depending on the character) and glows to the armour. It is here that I will fix the problems mentioned above.
The first thing I do when i bring the rendered image into photoshop is quickly put it in the signature banner sizing.  I then know how much of the image I actually have to touch-up and work with.

The banner size restrictions.

I then spend around 2-3 hours, sometimes more - editing the character to bring it to a good looking form. During this process I add the scars, markings and make all changes needed finalizing the unique looking character. Most of, if not all of these changes are done by hand adding to their uniqueness.

Edits and fixes.

Then I add the finishing touches, all the text will need to be placed in, along with a background which can take up to an hour if not more. I follow the colour preference that was specified when I bring this image together, along with quote or lyric preferences and anything else requested.
I usually then do the whole process again to make an avatar, with a different 3D pose!
Which is pretty much double the work, double the time.
In this case as I only made this banner and avatar collection for the sake of an example I have not done another render and just reused the first one.

The Final Product

Okay so it takes a load of time, and it's 100% unique and specifically made for me, But I'm still not convinced...

Well as a special Promotion from Tomorrow's Winter all Banner & Avatar collections will have 30% off! That's only £7 GBP! (3500G)

If you use forums at all, be it your own guild forums or generic game forums - featuring one of my Avatar & Banner Collections in every one of your posts will definitely catch people's eyes!

Don't miss out on this offer, Grab it now at discount price!

For the small fee of £10/5000G (£7/3500 with this promotion!) you will recieve the following;
- An avatar of chosen character with 3D render and gear of choice
- A Signature banner of chosen character with 3D render and gear of choice
Colour preferance, quotation, fonts, and detail added upon request.

To redeem your 30% discount please include the following code with your order via email.

X7J930

If you are interested in purchasing one of these sets you will be required to provide the following:
A payment method through paypal of £10 (Or 5000G, Offer applies to payment on Earthen Ring EU only.)
A close up image of your character face [Example] Or an armory Link [Example]
A chosen colour scheme + brief desscription of a theme.
Character name/Guild/ Quotation if desired.

I will do the avatars and banners seperately if you wish to purchase only one or the other, please contact me at the info given below for futher details on cost.

Please send me an email to Keora_kaiba@hotmail.com Or send a mail or /w to Linanthus on Earthen Ring EU. Or you can leave a reply to this post! for further info or to arrange a purchase of your own fabulous Avatar & Banner Collection NOW.
Become the envy of all your guildies and friends on the forums!

For further examples of Avatar & Banner Collections click the images below for fullsize views.