Sketchbook: Sun Smasher

sun_smasher

Well, to kick of 2014 I'm going to open up my own sketchbook over here and see what becomes of it. This will be primarily a 3d sketchbook. While I do make art professionally, I'm going to stick to posting personal pieces in this thread. So I think the first thing I'll post is the highlights of my art from last year. As always, if you think you have some good ideas on ways I can improve my art feel free to post that. I'm always looking for new ideas and ways to get better. So that is to say, comments are welcome!

August: A quick street cutout. Nothing too over the top, but a well needed change from the primarily organic and sci-fi elements I was making at work.



November: A little French Cottage. I'm happy with how this guy turned out.



December: Last but not least, my version of the ArenaNet Environment Art Test that I saw online a while ago. I love Guild Wars 2 and really wanted to do something akin to that style. I elaborated a bit on the original concept, turning mine into the Dragon's Breath Emporium, where you can purchase all your sky-fire needs!



While overall I like how my projects turned out last year, I know I need to catch up on some of the next gen ways of doing things. Starting fresh this year I intend on doing just that.

With that in mind, I'll end this post with the first project of the new year. Currently a WIP, meet Jellybean:



His concept hails from the legendary Creature Box. I chose to make him because I am in the process of learning the ins and outs of new texturing techniques and wanted just a simple project to get me started.

sun_smasher

I wanted to start learning the ins and outs of a few new programs and maps, so I made this Jellybean guy to test the waters. Turnaround time on him was pretty quick, which makes me happy.





His concept hails from the legendary Creature Box.

genwu

These all look great! Would love to see some of the breakdowns of those buildings, etc. Keep up the good work

sun_smasher

Thanks. Breakdowns are a good idea, so I might see to doing them in the future.

sun_smasher

New post of a WIP. Making some Dwarven style ruins. Just finished the Maya high poly and am preparing to take the parts into ZBrush. Never really worked in ZBrush before so this'll be a learning process.

sun_smasher

Working in ZBrush now. Got the cliff normals how I like them, so I've moved onto the door frame.

sun_smasher

Haven't had a lot of time to work on this the past week, but hope to have the ZBrush done, along with the low poly reconstructions and unwrapping come Sunday night.

sun_smasher

Just a little update while I still work on these ruins. Some shots out of ZBrush of the finished models.

SaboR1996

I am fathomed by your environmental stuff, say, what do you render your stuff in? looks great by the way, cant wait to see more!

sun_smasher

SaboR1996 wrote: »

I am fathomed by your environmental stuff, say, what do you render your stuff in? looks great by the way, cant wait to see more!

Thankyou! The final renders are done in Marmoset Toolbag.

sun_smasher

Setting up the shot in Marmoset, with some preliminary lighting and normals.

TomDelboo

good stuff!
this on is my fav atm
curious how the ruins will look at the end

sun_smasher wrote: »

sun_smasher

Working on the ruins. The lighting is dark here since that's what I'm currently addressing. Most of the textures are in their final stage. Still need to do something with the inside wall, and figure out what I'm going to do for my final lighting. This is also the point where I put in alpha, which I started last night.

sun_smasher

Alright, finally calling this ruins done.


"Ancient"



and some wires for it...

pablohotsauce

sun_smasher wrote: »

I know I need to catch up on some of the next gen ways of doing things.

[...]

I am in the process of learning the ins and outs of new texturing techniques and wanted just a simple project to get me started.

All this stuff is awesome.

I'm a more or less a total noob as far as 3D's concerned. I've barely gotten started learning the basics, but you've got me wondering about next-gen techniques. Besides just, uh, "using Z-brush," what else is there? Is that too broad a question? Any info/links you could provide? Feel free to ignore, I should definitely do my own research as I improve.

sun_smasher

pableaux wrote: »

All this stuff is awesome.

I'm a more or less a total noob as far as 3D's concerned. I've barely gotten started learning the basics, but you've got me wondering about next-gen techniques. Besides just, uh, "using Z-brush," what else is there? Is that too broad a question? Any info/links you could provide? Feel free to ignore, I should definitely do my own research as I improve.

Zbrush is a huge part of it. Even though I work at a game company, I haven't had access to Zbrush like I would prefer. We use processes that just don't involve Zbrush in my pipeline so I've taken it on myself to learn it on the side. Zbrush aside, high poly modelling to bake down onto a lower poly object is just not something I've done enough to my satisfaction.

There are also things I've been aware of just never really explored such as the relationship between spec and gloss and the various ways to make different maps for an object. One place that has a few good, simple explanations is the Dota technical requirements page.

After all that, learning how to use Ddo2 and Ndo2 is another aspect I've been exploring. They're both great tools and extremely useful.

So my recommendation is just start with the basics, get a solid foundation, and then spread out into the areas that interest you most. I also recommend the Gnomon workshop tutorials. They have a broad range for a variety of programs.

pablohotsauce

Sweet, thanks, I'll look through that Dota thing. And I was considering subscribing to Gnomon already. I wonder if there's any difference in quality between them and Digital Tutors or whatever other established online training thing is out there ... I'll see what the Internet says.

sun_smasher

New project on its way. I was inspired to make some 3d Heraldry symbols. These are for nations in an ever developing world I've worked on for some time. This one in particular is for Selevar, which is known for its trade, its shipwrights, and its wealth. I put quite a bit of thought and effort into the symbolism on this, but I won't bore anyone with the tiny details.

For this shot the only thing I have left to do is add the chain with splines and make the scroll for the text. Probably going to futz around a bit more with the antlers, since I'm not entirely happy with their shape just yet.



2d is NOT my strong suit, but I still felt that I needed to get a rough idea of what I was aiming for so I did a quick concept for rough colors and shapes.

gonzo_3d

Looks like a great start to 2014, can't wait to see more

lewist

Really awesome sketchbook! Keep up the good work!

sun_smasher

After a bout of sickness I'm back on track. I redid the antlers like I wanted, and placed the chains.



Started texturing. The uvs were messed up on the antlers, but everything else is on its way with the anchor being the closest to done.

sun_smasher

Aaaaaaaaand done. Finally.





If you're interested in quick snippets of stories from the world this Heraldry is from, check out my blog. I have things posted there every so often.

sun_smasher

So my next project is going to be Peter Quill's Blaster (as seen in the comic books)



So I got a high poly that's ready to be broken down into low poly and baked.

sun_smasher

Finished up the Blaster. Ended up having to redo the geometry a couple of times but I finally got it to where I liked it.

sun_smasher

I decided to keep the gun theme going, this time with something that I can really work at in Zbrush. Decided to make an old fashioned Blunderbuss.

main reference image:


I got my high poly done, and am getting ready to reduce it and then take the high poly into Zbrush.

sun_smasher

Added some missing details, then made the low poly. Next step, unwrap then onto Zbrush.

High:


Low:

sun_smasher

Finished in Zbrush. I was trying to bake out the normals this morning but I'm running into a really weird error with the cage. So I guess that'll have to wait till tonight. In the mean time, progress shots....

sun_smasher

Finished with the Blunderbuss. I ended up adding a few more details to the high poly; larger wood scratches and a bit of denting to the barrel.

sun_smasher

Making some stuff in Zbrush. Cobblestone road and some rocks.

sun_smasher

I know I said I wasn't going to post work on this thread, but I was pretty happy with how some tree plates came out so here they are...



If you're interested in seeing any more of my work portfolio, you can find it on my website.

sun_smasher

A little coloring practice. Original lines by Randy Green which can be found here.

sun_smasher

More color practice. Original lines by Ryan Stegman.

"Frankie Get Your Gun"

sun_smasher

Some more coloring practice on something a bit different from what I'd normally color. Original line art by Fossard Christophe.

sun_smasher

Coloring practice again on a piece I particularly liked by Max Dunbar.

sun_smasher

Another colored image with lines by Max Dunbar.

sun_smasher

Next thing I'm working on is a small island scene. My concept sheet is the first step:



Followed by a quick mock up of the general ideas:



I decided to make the tree first, and finally finished with something I'm happy with. I wanted to make a tree that has the heart of an Aspen but comes off with a more fantastical twist.

sun_smasher

Got a grass texture and alpha I like so I moved onto making one of the main plants I plan on populating the island with, Thistles.





And I have my base shrine ready for zBrush

sun_smasher

Decided to alter the grass texture for a different look. Got my shrine done in zbrush and have a base texture on it, as well as my tree layout for the trees. Might alter that once I get the rocks in but it's good for now!

sun_smasher

got some rocks going for the island. My plan is to surround the base with the rocks, and then texture the base with a dirt and rock tiling texture. I'll fill in the rest of the island with alpha plants, including one or two that I haven't finished yet.

sun_smasher

The painting adventure is over!