Designing/Drawing Armor

STEP 1.

First, I'd like to evaluate why armor was made and for what parts. Take a look at the bare human body. Notice if someone went into a war that included swords, you'd need protection so you wouldn't get injured. Here I list a few key points for reasons why armor is placed the way they're placed. 1. The face is vulnerable, blacksmiths create a helmet to rid of this faulty. 2. A neck is something very vulnerable, especially with sharp objects. 3. The chest is a very easy part to puncture and kill someone. Swordsmen would penetrate the heart, lungs, or esophagus to kill someone quickly. 4. The stomach is a classic area to injure someone fast. It may not kill an enemy quickly, but it can slowly. 5. Legs are easy to slice and stab when dueling with a skilled warrior. 6. Arms are vulnerable to being sliced off since they're so high up and in the range of sword fighting. 7. Shoulders are easy to slice/stab. You're little warrior girl will need heavy duty army to become totally badarse!

 

STEP 2.

Woo! Look at all the pretty armor on your fighter. She'll definitely be unstoppable now but all that weight will absorb her agility. Plate armor was a very strong and popular armor used back in the medieval ages. It was upgraded from Mail. Let's take a look at what the purpose for the armors serve. 1. A helmet is very efficient for fending sword attacks. 2. The end of the customized helmet will block swords from attacking the neck. 3. The breast plate is nice and sturdy to avoid nasty slices and stabs. 4. I made a nifty - spruced up 'Fauld of Four Lames' which basically connects the breastplate, protecting the waist and thighs. 5. A continuation of 'Fauld of Four Lames'. 6. Giving your warrior gauntlets will most definitely give her maximum protection from getting her arms dismembered. Stylize your gauntlets with cool little designs and ways to keep your warrior protected well. 7. Shoulder plates, a very popular piece of armor that can be stylized in many cool ways.

 

STEP 3.

These little dots are actually bolts that keep the armor screwed together. Add bolts at ever edge where there's attachments.

 

STEP 4.

Let's take a look at a different style of shoulder plates. The girl at the left is a mage warrior, who uses magic as her main attack/defense. The shoulder plates she bares on her shoulders are stylized with cool attributes that help her magic powers writhe.

 

STEP 5.

When you want to draw shoulder plates that have no other armor beneath, you'll be needing attachments that hold the two pieces in place. 1. The thick chains hold both the pieces so they keep sturdy. Having them secured on either side of the plates only synchronize realism. 2. Adding efficient designs that spruce up the character of where the warrior originated is something very important. Keeping themes of sharp edged objects will give a different cultivation of your character. 3. Having wicked cool horns on the plates convey the character's origin. This makes her seem she's more primitive and skilled than her counterparts. There are many diverse designs you can add to your warrior. My advice would be to explore your favorite video games, magazines, artists, and cultures to get unique designs.

 

STEP 6.

Alright, onto the drawing part of learning "how to draw armor". Draw the basic structure of your warrior's figure. It's VERY important to draw the figure of your character first so you'll have a nice idea on where to place the armor. NEVER add random armor without having a solid foundation for the character wearing it.

 

STEP 7.

Let's go ahead and add the helmet and breastplate. Drawing from the head and below is best to start. Evaluate the design of your warrior's helmet, but remember; they need cutouts for vision and breathing. Nothing comfortable is fight-able!

 

STEP 8.

Go ahead and take your time drawing the gauntlets, shoulder plates, and 'Fauld of Four Lames'. Take your time and use a ruler if necessary.

 

STEP 9.

Next, add the leg guards and extra details to spruce up the design around the upper body armor.

 

STEP 10.

Lastly, use your imagination and add some spiffy designs. Don't forget to add those bolts that melt the armor together.

 

STEP 11.

Ah, your finished drawing! Take your time and erase all the un-needed guidelines and you should be set for inking! I would recommend using Micron inking pens for the best ink quality. Use line weight principles! Add thicker lines to areas with activity and depth. Use light lines for details and un-important parts. I hope this tutorial has helped! Good luck and have fun with your new drawing :)