I just wanted to tell you that you legit opened my eyes to a whole new level of creature design. I was annoyed that many of my cross-breeding attempts looked like Splicing, but I didn't know how to *define* what was wrong. Now it'll be a little easier to spot and improve on, I cannot express how much your tips and art have renewed my love of creature design. And for that I am sincerely SO grateful. <3
you're welcome! I'm glad I could put into words what bothered me so much growing up HOWEVER
Splicing is not wrong.
Some quick review:
Creature Design Masterpost || Splice Vs Blend || Splice/Blend griffin tutorial
Splicing doesn't make things wrong, but it makes them unnatural. Sometimes unnatural is the way to go!
To refresh splice vs blend: A manticore using Asiatic lion, Indian scorpion, and "ancient Persian bust" statue reference. I like to reference animals and people of the time and place where myth originates
Splicing (top) looks like a creature formed by a bored god; meant to be uncanny and threatening in its familiarity. But the blended version (bottom) looks more like a predator that evolved in the jungles of India that can and will swallow you whole.
Both blending and splicing are valid, but I like blending best in most circumstances. Let's try another one.
I think we can all agree this creature looks super cool. But what is it? There's probably some lion (big surprise, people love making lion beasts) and a goat (kri-kri), and from the mouth/tail/scales probably a snake (Anatolian meadow viper) It's neat but it doesn't match the ancient descriptions enough to identify the myth.
Little easier to tell now huh? I kept the markings spliced as well for even more distinction, but colors and markings matter less to a chimera than easily identifiable anatomy. The chimera is the Original splice, so even though a blend looks more "realistic" it doesn't work. Plus, by chasing "anatomically feasible" I've eliminated the "serpent for a tail" because it doesn't make sense evolutionary. But by doing that, I lost a HUGE part of what makes a chimera and chimera.
Compare the blend map with the different arrangements of splice maps. You can get really creative with your seams and stitches, so treat splicing as a technique and not a sin. True mastery of a technique is knowing when and when not to use it.
Blending almost always makes things look more natural, but sometimes...
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