Bashiok was quick to update us on the official forums.
Official Blizzard Quote:
The monk class page has been updated with all-new art and the in-game model of the female monk. The monk class was announced at BlizzCon, but only the male version was shown at the time. The female option is now revealed on the monk class page.
Both images, as well as the 3D render, showcase the same armor style as the male monk (as would be expected), and personally, I think it flows very nicely with the current art style. It's simple, yet has a splash of color that will provide some extra eye candy in game. Something else I noticed that was similar between the two genders, was the beads they wear around their necks. Nothing has been said about it thus far, but perhaps background lore about the monks order will be tied into them in the near future.
On a sidenote, it seems that the pixie haircut is here to stay. I'm sure we'll warm up to it once we start eviscerating monsters in style, no other character got a haircut that rad.
Now, after having the official monk art revealed, I wonder if any Female Monk Fanart can compare...
(Also, props to Seniri and Shatterer for bringing this to our attention)
When looking at the render and the other concept art, the shoulder pads have indeed been toned down. They seem more appropriate to the armour and less painful, should she ever reach her hands up into the sky.
Her hairstyle is starting to grow on me. Even though it's not something I can get enthusiastic about, it isn't as stylized as it was before. It looks more dishevelled now, but when you look at it from an isometric view it won't matter anyway.
The high definition artwork has definitely nuanced my negative opinion of the female monk. Good job, Blizzard! (as always)
BTW, wth was up with the "I guess pixie haircuts aren't hot" guy on the blizz forum? Her haircut is very hot!
I'm still not diggin' the huge shoulderpads tho.
I still dislike, but the concept pic on the page looks a little better than the first ones we saw.
The render looks fine, but I'm assuming that's supposed to be her "light armor" look.
Good post too Zhar!
..are you sure that's the word you want to use there?
Looks good with the beads and the absence of the 2 huge piles of metal on her shoulders.
Edit- The 3D version is even better!
Final Fantasy has their girly looking male characters but may a lightning bolt strike my head if I was the only one who thought that character art (not in game model) looks like a very masculine guy. It wasn't until I read "female monk" that I could see a lame excuse for breasts in the drawing, Seriously, what is with Blizzard's obsession for huge shoulder pads? Someone tell them to stop putting huge shoulder pads on everything. It's gaudy.