I'm trying to make a Lakota (wolf) tail in time for Califur, and I could really use some help/critique with the overall shape. :}
Basically, I'll go into more detail under the cut, but the summary is: I tried to match my art style to a tail, and it really isn't what I wanted, but I'm not sure how to change it - or if I even can. XD I don't want to just make a "generic canine"-shaped tail, but since I'm not happy with the stylistic one I made, I'm wondering if I should just go with generic canine. :{
I know I'm stressing a lot over the tail, but tails are weirdly super-important to me (I love them!) XD So, thank you in advance for bearing with me!
This is long with a lot of pictures, be forewarned XD
I really wanted to try making a tail that followed the visual style that I use to draw Lakota's tail. I tend to draw her tail larger and fluffier than a real wolf's, with a very defined/sharp point on the end, and with a bit of a flip/curve to the overall shape that real wolves don't have XD
Here's a quick sketch set I put together to show the positioning her tail is usually in:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
I wanted to try and make a tail that matched hers, in terms of appearance/style/shape/etc. Basically, something different than the usual canine tail... it seems to me that most "canine" tails follow one of three major styles. I LIKE all of these styles and have no intrinsic problems with any of them, but none of them really felt like Lakota to me. Here's examples of what I mean:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
There is also the style that is basically just the tail hanging straight down with no sewn-in shape to it at all:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
I tried planning out a tail that kind of matched my art style:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
It looked great on paper, and it looked great when I cut out one set of pattern pieces and laid it on the ground:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
But my boyfriend suggested I make a quick "test tail" out of some crappier fur before I got too far along, and I'm glad that I did. Because the test tail... was not at all what I was hoping for. :/
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
oh god my posture is so bad XD DON'T LOOK
Even letting it sit lower/closer to my butt doesn't really help:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
messy room ftw
It looks like a cloud or lightning bolt coming out of my butt XD And, I kind of wanted it to have some movement/wag to it as well, but the sticking-straight-out tail just looks lifeless :/
Has anyone ever gone with a "non-standard" shape for a canine tail? Have you been happy with the results? Is there anything I can do to make this kind of shape less static and less pillow-strapped-to-the-heiny in appearance? Should I give up and go with something more typical? XD
Any advice is appreciated :} Thank you!
Basically, I'll go into more detail under the cut, but the summary is: I tried to match my art style to a tail, and it really isn't what I wanted, but I'm not sure how to change it - or if I even can. XD I don't want to just make a "generic canine"-shaped tail, but since I'm not happy with the stylistic one I made, I'm wondering if I should just go with generic canine. :{
I know I'm stressing a lot over the tail, but tails are weirdly super-important to me (I love them!) XD So, thank you in advance for bearing with me!
This is long with a lot of pictures, be forewarned XD
I really wanted to try making a tail that followed the visual style that I use to draw Lakota's tail. I tend to draw her tail larger and fluffier than a real wolf's, with a very defined/sharp point on the end, and with a bit of a flip/curve to the overall shape that real wolves don't have XD
Here's a quick sketch set I put together to show the positioning her tail is usually in:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
I wanted to try and make a tail that matched hers, in terms of appearance/style/shape/etc. Basically, something different than the usual canine tail... it seems to me that most "canine" tails follow one of three major styles. I LIKE all of these styles and have no intrinsic problems with any of them, but none of them really felt like Lakota to me. Here's examples of what I mean:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
There is also the style that is basically just the tail hanging straight down with no sewn-in shape to it at all:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
I tried planning out a tail that kind of matched my art style:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
It looked great on paper, and it looked great when I cut out one set of pattern pieces and laid it on the ground:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
But my boyfriend suggested I make a quick "test tail" out of some crappier fur before I got too far along, and I'm glad that I did. Because the test tail... was not at all what I was hoping for. :/
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
oh god my posture is so bad XD DON'T LOOK
Even letting it sit lower/closer to my butt doesn't really help:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
messy room ftw
It looks like a cloud or lightning bolt coming out of my butt XD And, I kind of wanted it to have some movement/wag to it as well, but the sticking-straight-out tail just looks lifeless :/
Has anyone ever gone with a "non-standard" shape for a canine tail? Have you been happy with the results? Is there anything I can do to make this kind of shape less static and less pillow-strapped-to-the-heiny in appearance? Should I give up and go with something more typical? XD
Any advice is appreciated :} Thank you!