the matrix reloaded

the reduction/abstraction thing was finally re done. i completely traced out a picture of a spartan soldier from the web. slowly brought the thing down until the final abstraction, symbol could be seen.

2208 - Abstraction

i'll give a small running commentary

1. spartan soldier in action
2. converted spartan soldier into digital version, using cleaner and simpler lines and took away all shading. leave only simple colors which were consistence throughout character
   
3. took away details like arrows on shield and sheath (which doesn't look like a sheath anyway)
   
4. took away limbs because i felt accessories afforded the character enough closure
5. moved focus to upper body by removing leggings
6. removed upper body
7. upper body accessories
   
8. removed front of cape (i realised it really made no difference to the entire picture. with our without the front of the cape)
9. next to go was the face inside the helmet
10. cape
11. sword and bracer
12. shield
13. "hair" on helmet

and finally it becomes...



i was having a little discussion with kayvern over whether the final stage was a symbolic or indexic representation. I'm more inclined to say indexic actually, it's still in reference to a spartan soldier. considering all other ancient war helmets of the time really did have different silhouettes.

just to make it clear to anyone who still doesn't get the final stage, it's a reverse of the spartan helmet - making use of negative space to frame the helmet instead.