The 30 Characters Challenge 2012 is Here!

30-Characters-Vertical-Banner

The 30 Characters Challenge 2012 is Here!

It’s that time again, for the 30 Characters Challenge “Because the world still needs new characters”.
What’re the 30 Characters Challenge you may ask? Four years ago in 2009 comic creator Tyler James put out the challenge to all creative people to create 30 new characters in 30 days. I participated and accomplished the goal that very first year. The annual event held in November now has hundreds of participating artists and writers of all skill levels. The site has been updated and redesigned for this year’s challenge. (www.30characters.com).

As an alumnus of all the past 30 Characters Challenges, I’m very excited to participate again. The first year was the only time I actually finished, last year I was able to get up to 20. So this year I’m very determined to complete all 30. Each year the challenge helps to strengthen my drawing style. This year I plan to pencil, ink, and try coloring all my characters. I like to approach the characters and biography like Marvel’s “Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.” When I think of Character Designs, I see my characters in that format. I loved reading about characters and their biographies this way when I was a kid. If I have time I might even add a few “Comic Panels” of the characters in action Like OHOTMU did.

Everyone is invited to “Join the Challenge“, the registration deadline is Tuesday, October 30th. And the characters will start going up on November 1st. Make sure to check it out!

Here’s a site Banner I created with one of my original characters from the challenge!
Check out my “Profile” page at (www.30characters.com) too! – SHAZAM!

Here are my past 30 Characters in 30 Days Character Designs.
30 Characters in 30 Days 2009
30 Characters in 30 Days 2010
30 Characters in 30 Days 2011

This blog post was originally published on my other website Comic Book Graphic Design and has now been migrated here to RSC Arts, Ralph’s Art Blog.

30 Characters Challenge 2011 – #4 Lilith

Lilith
Lilith by Ralph Contreras

30 Characters Challenge 2011 – #4 Lilith

Character Back Story:
Lilith is Adam’s first wife before Eve. She refuses to be Adam’s subordinate and states that she is his equal. When Lilith leaves the Garden of Eden and Adam the angels Sansenoy, Senoy and Semangelof are sent to bring her back. She refuses to go back to Adam so a bargain is made for her freedom. The price is the deaths of one hundred of her children every day. Lilith complies but gives birth to more than 100 a day. Through the many centuries, Lilith has slowly birthed an army of daughters and sons to take back the world she believes rightfully belongs to her. Their numbers rival the angels themselves. She has raised her children to hate and pity the “Children of Eve”. There is a war for Earth coming and Lilith plans to win it.

Behavior Traits:
Independent, Motivated, Headstrong, Manipulative, Driven, Cunning

Powers / Abilities / Skills:
Invulnerability, Flight, Telepathy, Motivation, Limited Teleportation

Notes:
Lilith is a character from my comic project “First Legacy”, this is a working title. She is taken from folklore and was mentioned in the character back story of a character named Aurora Light a few years ago. I used is a challenge to revisit the comic idea.

This blog post was originally published on my other website Comic Book Graphic Design and has now been migrated here to RSC Arts, Ralph’s Art Blog.

30 Characters Challenge 2011 – #3 Sansenoy

Sansenoy
Sansenoy by Ralph Contreras

30 Characters Challenge 2011 – #3 Sansenoy

Character Back Story:
Sansenoy along with his brothers Senoy and Semangelof are Archangels and guardians of humanity. When Lilith leaves the Garden of Eden and Adam they are sent to bring her back. A bargain is made for her freedom, the price is the deaths of one hundred of her children every day. Lilith complies but gives birth to more than 100 a day. Sansenoy keeps a watchful eye on Lilith and her surviving children. On many occasions, he even fights them in battle. Sansenoy eventually meets and falls in love with Lilith’s greatest warrior daughter, Sylvia Light.  Sansenoy and Sylvia began a secret romantic relationship. He shows Sylvia the great potential and wonders that the “Children of Eve” can achieve.

Behavior Traits:
Compassionate, Supportive, Stern, Romantic

Powers / Abilities / Skills:
Invulnerability, Flight, Super-Strength, Empathy

Notes:
Sansenoy is a character from my comic project “First Legacy”, this is a working title. He is taken from folklore and was mentioned in the character back story of a character named Aurora Light a few years ago.

This blog post was originally published on my other website Comic Book Graphic Design and has now been migrated here to RSC Arts, Ralph’s Art Blog.

30 Characters Challenge 2011 – #2 Isaac, Son of Lilith

Isaac-Son-Of-Lilith
Isaac, Son of Lilith by Ralph Contreras

30 Characters Challenge 2011 – #2 Isaac, Son of Lilith

Character Back Story:
Isaac is one of Lilith’s warrior children. Raised from birth to despise the “Children of Eve”, this son of Lilith sees no redeeming qualities in humanity. He is one of the most savage fighters of her sons, there is no one he fears. He’s fought against both angels and demons, very rarely finding any equals.

Behavior Traits:
Patience, Brutal, Calculating, Loyal

Powers / Abilities / Skills:
Invulnerability, Heighten Senses, Night Vision, Super-Strength, Weapons Master, Hand-to-Hand Combat

Notes:
Isaac is a character from the comic “First Legacy”, this is a working title. I wanted to make him a huge frighting warrior. Not too bulky, but still menacing looking.

This blog post was originally published on my other website Comic Book Graphic Design and has now been migrated here to RSC Arts, Ralph’s Art Blog.

30 Characters Challenge 2011 – #1 Rachel, Daughter of Lilith

Rachel-Daughter-Of-Lilith
Rachel, Daughter of Lilith by Ralph Contreras

30 Characters Challenge 2011 – #1 Rachel, Daughter of Lilith

Character Back Story:
Rachel is a warrior daughter of Lilith. Lilith was Adam’s first wife before Eve, refused to be his subordinate, and left him. Through the many centuries, Lilith has slowly created an army of daughters and sons to take back the world. One of the strongest of these daughters is Rachel. She was raised from childhood to hate and pity the “Children of Eve”. One of her mother’s most loyal warriors. Rachel has fought many campaigns against both angels and demons. Rachel is a cunning warrior and field general in Lilith’s army. She is always ready to fight in defense of her sisters, brothers, and mother’s beliefs.

Behavior Traits:
Short Tempered, Headstrong, Driven, Impatient, Loyal

Powers / Abilities / Skills:
Invulnerability, Flight, Super-Strength, Swords Master, Hand to Hand Combat, Expert Combat Tactician

Notes:
Rachel originates from a character creation I did a few years ago. I mentioned her in the character back story of a character named Aurora Light. I’ve always wanted to go back to that story, this gave me a chance to redefine the characters and the story. The working title for this comic is “First Legacy“.

This blog post was originally published on my other website Comic Book Graphic Design and has now been migrated here to RSC Arts, Ralph’s Art Blog.

The 30 Characters Challenge 2011 is Here

30-Characters-Vertical-Banner

The 30 Characters Challenge 2011 is Here!

November is coming and that means it’s time for the 30 characters challenge again! What’s the 30 Characters Challenge you ask? in November 2009 comic creator Tyler James put out a challenge to create 30 new characters in 30 days. He invited anyone that wanted to join to participate on a blog site he created (30characters.wordpress.com). I was among those that participated and had a blast. I  then took the challenge again last year at the awesome new site (www.30characters.com).

A year has come and it’s time for the 30 Characters challenge again. This time it looks like there will be over 300 participants. WOW! As an alumnus of all the challenges, I’m ready to jump in again. I’m getting ready to bring my A-Game this time! I have a better idea of how to approach the challenge. Last time around I submitted pencil character designs (3 were inked). I’m planning on inking and digitally coloring all of them this time. (It will be a test of my time management skills). I’ve seen my style change in the last few years. Leaning more toward inking, so I’m excited to focus on finished colored designs this year.

All are invited to Join the Challenge, the registration deadline is Sunday, October 30th. And the characters will start going up on November 1st. Make sure to check it out!

Here’s a site Banner I created with one of my original characters from last year’s challenge! Check out my “Profile” page too! – SHAZAM!

Check out my past 30 Characters in 30 Days Character Designs.
30 Characters in 30 Days 2009
30 Characters in 30 Days 2010

This blog post was originally published on my other website Comic Book Graphic Design and has now been migrated here to RSC Arts, Ralph’s Art Blog.

30 Characters Challenge 2010 – #13 Solarus II (Bonus)

Solarus-II
Solarus II by Ralph Contreras

30 Characters Challenge 2010 – #13 Solarus II

Benjamin McCarran, son of original Solarus – Bonus

This blog post was originally published on my other website Comic Book Graphic Design and has now been migrated here to RSC Arts, Ralph’s Art Blog.

30 Characters Challenge 2010 – #12 Cyberonic

Cyberonic
Cyberonic by Ralph Contreras

30 Characters Challenge 2010 – #12 Cyberonic (Jason Tabort)

History coming soon……..

This blog post was originally published on my other website Comic Book Graphic Design and has now been migrated here to RSC Arts, Ralph’s Art Blog.

30 Characters Challenge 2010 – #11 Brother Jeffrey Hamilton

Brother Jeffrey Hamilton by Ralph Contreras

Brother Jeffrey Hamilton, Founder of the Church of Solarus (male)

30 Characters Challenge History coming soon……..

This blog post was originally published on my other website Comic Book Graphic Design and has now been migrated here to RSC Arts, Ralph’s Art Blog.

30 Characters Challenge 2010 – #10 Solarus

Solarus
Solarus by Ralph Contreras

30 Characters Challenge 2010 – #10 Solarus (John McCarran)

History coming soon……..

This blog post was originally published on my other website Comic Book Graphic Design and has now been migrated here to RSC Arts, Ralph’s Art Blog.