Module 3 - Environmental Art Techniques Part 04

BWAAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!

 

Module 3 - Environmental Art Techniques Part 03

 Bow to the almighty Quetzalcoatl!

Module 3 - Environmental Art Techniques Part 02

 I'm not as far along with this week as I should be, but have no fear, it'll come together in the end. I had planned to make an alpha or repeating texture for the scales, but I enjoy sculpting them by hand. It doesn't take too long and I would have to blend alphas in any way. I prefer rhythm and consistency with organic forms, so drawing the details/scales in feels natural. 

I'll probably only use the most simple feather mesh because it has the least amount of polys. 

The other meshes are the fangs, claws, and spikes.

New Ref Sheet

Module 3 - Environmental Art Techniques Part 01

 For 3D Art II, as a class, we are creating an awesome Aztec-themed room! We each have individual tasks. I will be creating the creature Queztalcoatl: the plumed serpent god. I am planning this creature more than I have any other so far. I am learning techniques to make the process easier in the long run. The technique is to sculpt the low res versions of certain pieces of the sculpture, such as the feathers, in Maya first, UV them, then bring them into Zbrush for the high res details. This is so that I do not have to retopo the feathers in Maya later, because it would be difficult to retopo so many of them and they are thin. Only the main body will be retopoed. Below is a feather/wing test using the new technique, as well as the proxy of the Quetzalcoatl with size comparison to Manny. The feather will be remade with about four or five different versions of size and shape.

Reference

Concept sketches

Module 2 - Hard Surface Modeling Part 04

 Hallelujah the grenade is finally done. I made a fleshy texture in Substance for fun. There are many things wrong with the mesh or UV. As you can see from the handle, I couldn't paint on it at all. The UV seams are showing. Some texturing is stretched. It was a learning experience. 

Upcoming Projects

 I have a bajillion-and-one projects I'd like to make, but for now, I have to narrow it down to four for my portfolio. My goal is to work for the dream: Universal Studios (HHN and Classic Monsters) or Blizzard (Diablo), or at least make monsters, creatures, or demons in digital or traditional mediums. 

I've narrowed my choices down to:

1. Asmodeus as described by Ars Goetia: "He appears with three heads, the first like a bull, the second like a man, and the third like a ram. He also appears with a serpent's tail, belching or breathing fire out of his mouth and his feet are webbed like a goose. He sits on an infernal dragon carrying a lance and flag in his hands; all of these creatures being associated with either lascivity, lust or revenge."

In other words, I'll be making a demon king. It will be a grandiose task. I'll save this for the last project and work on it slowly throughout the semesters so that I can accomplish his whole complex body in the end. This project is also in friendly competition with the great 3D artist Patrick McCallum of my cohort. He will be creating the angelic counterpart of Asmodeus. Will the angel or demon win a battle against each other? I like this project because it will give me a lot of experience sculpting human and animal anatomy, demonic features, hair, and creating a concept worthy of a demon king.

Below are my main references for the project including a basic sketch I made of Asmodeus's shape. 

2. Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights Wolfman illustration: I love this illustration of the Wolfman and it seems simple enough for my first project to make a bust of it with a base. I would also like to turn this into a 3D print. I'll texture this in substance and will also traditionally paint the 3D print. 

3. HHN Jack: Jack is a beast, and also an intimidating sculpture, because of his hair, clothes, beautiful design, and status as the first and number one Halloween Horror Nights icon. A bust will do. This would also make a great 3D print for me to paint.

4. Bat Creature: Returning to my roots, I made this sculpture before applying to FIEA, and it was my first experience sculpting a creature with a 3D program (Nomad). I'd like to revisit this concept to show the experience I've gained from FIEA to compare the then and now.

If I have the time, I'll make sculptures of the selections below. 

Frankenstein's Monster. I have always admired Bernie Wrightson's rendition of Frankenstein's monster. My version will not look as corpse-like in the face. He will keep the same form but have more of a stitched Robert De Niro Frankenstein look.

I love Robocop. I'll make one sculpture of a bust holding his gun and another of him facing off against the ED-209. The bust sculpture will be easier and will give me practice with hard surfaces.

Liono and the Thundercats are bad-ass. I'd like to sculpt Liono holding his sword.

An original werewolf design. I likey da werewolves. 

I'll sculpt Frank Frazetta's Conan painting one day. This will be done after a lot of experience.

I want to do it right. It will be an honor. 

Module 2 - Hard Surface Modeling Part 03

 I finished the low res and high res for the grenade and baked them in substance. It wasn't easy. It was a learning experience that will help me with the whole process in the future. I know the wireframe for the low res could be better, but doesn't look too horrible :D...

Bake in Substance

High Res 

Low Res

The UV