BRiefs
Sol'una is a new game and universe and is looking for talented freelance artists
in:
- Drawing
- Photography
- Miniature scultping
to help realise the elegant style and artistic themes that are core to the
universe.
To help interested artists in submitting suitable examples of their work the
following brief has been prepared.
The Future
The Sol'una universe is one that is far advanced to our own and many other
science-fiction miniature wargames. Sol'una is not a universe beset by alien
threats, a cruel theocracy or apopalyptic or cartoon world. Sol'una has had its
near armageddon and is now in the beginning of a renaissance of adventurous
spirit riding ontop of its already advanced and miniturised technology base.
Above all else Sol'una is a space opera. The universe is is vast and
full of adventure, danger and romance. Characters residing in it range from the
humble orphan child riding the sea of stars in the company of beings so
powerful, wise and selfless, to cruel tyrants in command of Legions
whose motivation is to win the heart of unrequited love. Inbetween lie
independant individuals seeking adventure with their friends on undiscovered
worlds, pirates fighting for the freedom of choice and life, criminals
seeking to undermine the myriad empires and the dedicated lawmen trying
to catch them, the search for knowledge, truth and power, for
some the adoration of the masses, and for Three to be The One.
THEMES and styles
Sol'una is an art and style inspired work. On the side of Sol is Art Nouveau
which bridged the transition of the 19th and 20th centuries. and was dominated
by motifs of nature, flowing curves, and youthful energy, enimitely suitable to
the vibrant and extroverted nature of Sol herself. Alphonsé Mucha is the
principle point of influence of Art Nouveau in Sol'una.
Luna, the being of shadow, is defined by Art Deco, a style of linear symmetry,
elegance and progression that came into vogue between the two world wars, the
time of the Great Depression and the emergence of a powerful, industrous United
States of America. Luna exists neatly in the crisp lines and shadow of film
noir and its predecessors, her machinations unable to be untwined even by
the intellect of Poirot. The period emigre fashion designer erte's
works have been instrumental in defining the elegance, space, and glamour of
Sol'una heroines.
The movies of Dino De Laurentiis, notably Flash Gordon (deco) and
Dune (rococco), must also be taken in consideration. Flash Gordon's
costumes and architecture, heroic and romantic themes fit perfectly into the
Sol'una universe. Among the Myriad Empires there would certainly be a few
empires that echo the great Houses of Dune and engage in similar ploys.
The universes of Leiji Matsumoto - Captain Harlock, Galaxy Express 999, Queen
Emeraldas - have also driven the direction of Sol'una. The sea of stars,
journeymen characters, a code of honour and friendship that is never in doubt,
the loss of humanity through mechanisation... and also Yuiichi Hasegawa's MAPS
manga, full of villians and heroes, romance, vast space vistas, sacrifice, and
planetary destruction. Japan's manga writers have not been the only influence
for Sol'una, the Visual Kei music genre, an extreme case of 80's glam
rock and gothica, bring to life many characters and cultures of the universe.
FASHION AND CULTURE
Nothing says elegance better than designer wear. In the far future any article
of clothing could have been penned by a designer from Chistian Dior, be it an
engineer's overall to a Queen's gown. Research current and past trends at
style.com.
drawing and photography
The Sol'una Tactical Roleplay book needs:
- Thematic page imagery. Quarter, half (vertical and horizontal) and full page
detailed pictures appropriate to the context of the text of the page, which may
be history, a race or empire etc. Detailed does not necessariliy mean full - it
could be a widescreen view of two protagonists standing distant with a vast
arched space-window behind.
- Archetype busts. An archetype is a job or function characters or NPCs can start
out as before customisation or progression. A simple Head and Torso bust
visually destribing the archetype (e.g. a Policeman would be in a uniform, a
smuggler looking roguish shifty etc.). About three archetypes would be placed on
each page.
- Weaponry and equipment. Thousands of races and ethnic groups inhabit the Myriad
Empires alone, each with their own take on what a pistol or lunch box looks
like. Technical drawings or in-action imagery are required.
- Character shots. Each character has a detailed description. A detailed full body
image will occupy a banner (20-30%) width ofthe page.
Miniatures
Sol'una will commission in stages sets of characters
from the Sol'una Tactical Roleplay book to be produced in heroic 28mm (e.g.
Games Workshop, Privateer Press, cipher studios etc.) scale. Each set will be
4-6 miniatures.
- When the character is an archetype, varients may be required for head, pose and
equipment.
- Each character will be provided with their background taken from the Sol'una
Tactical Roleplay book.
- Rough scetches, pose positions, and narrative will also be provided to assist
the sculptor in bringing the character to life.
- Miniatures are to be elegant and proportioned. The defunct French company
Rackham is a good benchmark to follow.
Contact us
If you have the skillset and passion for the above themes, fashion, please
contact us at soluna@aryiki.com.