Wolf Mount

I'm planning on doing a (pink) ostrich for the bird people as well to explain where all those pink feathers are coming from. Poor wolf could also make a nice hat for a king.

I painted this entirely in Photoshop with a process that forces me to be more geometric and considerate of building strong shapes. Would like to push the sculpts to be a little more "simple" like this.

Wolfmen versus Birdmen

Here are my character lineups, the regal Wolfmen vs. the tribal Birdmen (plus an Earth-man). Trying to decide which three characters I want to model. Definitely want to do the brute Wolfman, but not sold on the other two. Whichever I choose I need to come up with a little narrative so that I can set them all in a scene together, which makes choosing a lot more difficult.

Concept Art

Here's a painting I did last weekend to warm up a new game design project I'm working on. To follow my progress go to my other blog, Osgood in 3D.

Mudbox vs. Zbrush

Starting a new project that will focus on using Mudbox (or Zbrush?) for Game Design. The goal will be to create a series of concept paintings that inspire 3d models for a handful of characters and a set. I want to explore the idea of a more painterly look to 3d texturing but at the same time want to create different types of convincing materials (i.e. leather, hair, metal, glass, satin, velvet) Will be concepting and exploring different solutions.



Here is my first concept painting of what could be one of the characters or inspiration for them. I used this as a guide for modeling and painting in Mudbox. The goal was to create a fairly simple piece of geometry sculpted entirely in Mudbox (without and help from Maya) and use Trompe L'oeil painting techniques to create the illusion of depth. The painted render below uses no lighting, the entire effect is painted onto the model.





After completing this test I wanted to give Zbrush a try. I've chosen a completely different subject so it's not a perfect 1:1 comparison but Zbrush is certainly a better sculpting tool. Something about the way the tools impact the 3d form is far more natural. Additionally it has an array of beautiful "materials" that look remarkably like different types of clay. I think this helps me get in the mindset of sculpting, whereas Mudbox materials always look like 3D models. However I'm not impressed with Zbrush's user interface and think its "2.5d" paradigm is very confusing. Will continue exploring.

Game Characters

I've been employed this summer at NC State's Computer Science Dept. helping create characters and sets for a 3D game they are developing. Here are the characters I worked on. I did all the modeling & texturing on these with the exception of the red-haired female who was modeled by a coworker.

The second image is my original sketch for these characters, and a revision for "Bryce."

More 3D Fun

Not a lot of updates this summer as I've been working 9-5 on a 3D game through NC State's Computer Science dept. However I've been inspired to bring some of what I've been learning at work with low-poly models, bumps, and Mudbox painting back home and incorporate it into a personal work. This is a preview of a bigger image that I'm working on.

I completely re-textured the female character with Mudbox painting and have been simplifying the geometry on both of them so that they'll be easier to pose and do more with. Also totally stoked about a new lighting technique that I'm using that scatters color from all surfaces to create a more realistic effect. (and the best part is there is only one light in the whole scene!)

Spies! Fog! Guns! Rooftop lurking!

Here's my latest 3D render. To see all the process check out my 3D blog here.

Rooftop: In Progress

Here is a third composition. I'm still working on the final render, but here are test renders that show my process from posing the characters to setting up the lights. Lots of little tweaks along the way.

I used this as an opportunity to try out volumetric fog. A cool effect, I don't think I got it to work quite right, but I think this solution fits with the stylized reality of this world.

Yes, it's based on a still from La Femme Nikita that is in my moodboard.

One more with the red hair.

Florence Welch from Florence & the Machines. Also a nice way to celebrate 5 years of my blog. Here are the previous red haired boys and girls.

1. Red-Haired Girl
2. Jessica
3. Man in White Suit
4. Handhearts
   

Witch of Snake Mountain

A little He-Man fan art, Evil-Lyn is simply the best.