http://duncanlong.com/blog/?p=6552

Science fiction stories often travel into the “uncanny valley,” using a human-like creature that is almost — but not quite — human. For some reason (probably for survival), human beings have a tendency to be more horrified by something that is almost human, than they are by something that is obviously not human. A robot that has big eyes and looks like a doll is less apt to creep us out than a robot that does its best to look human. The almost success of appearing human is more horrifying than when no attempt is made to appear as “one of us.” (I think possibly this is what makes Werewolves and Vampires so popular in literature; they are almost, but not quite, human beings like us.)

With all this in mind, I’ve built on this concept with these pictures, which are basically my experiments with a greatly modified posable 3D model, with an eye toward using her with future science fiction novel illustrations or for magazine art projects.

Test painting for an android that has exposed mechanical parts by artist Duncan Long

Robot character created by book cover artist Duncan Long

Vicki 42 - artwork for a book or magazine

Hopefully this “gal” will be employed for making a science fiction illustration for a novel or a magazine. In the meantime, creating these “for fun” pieces is good practice to hone my illustration skills.

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Duncan Long is an artist who creates illustrations for novels and magazines. You can see more of this artwork at: Duncan Long’s Book and Magazine Illustrations.