So after my Artstation challenge entry disappointed me I decided to move on and make another game-res monstrosity based on a concept against my better judgement. Trying out fantasy, for a change.
So here's how she's supposed to look like:
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/x431rAnd here's my blockout + minor stuff so far


Planning to make a few changes to the design, mainly adding straps + connection points to the armor and reshaping the boob plate a bit (because the one in the concept is a bit too silly even for fantasy armor, planning to go for a still recognizable but less extreme shape).
The pauldrons were detailed to test out the workflow as I'm planning to try to detail her as much as I can in zbrush and not resort to add many normal passes on the texture as an attempt to get out of my comfort zone. Will probably redo them later as I get the hang of it to make them more polished.
So yeah will see you next when I actually have something interesting to show you.
Replies
Will move onto the face soon, don't really like how it's turning out
wanna work a bit more on the face to give the texture a bit of depth but I guess I'm open to tips, I also so want to start working on her hair mesh because the hair blob is aggravating but I gotta start working on the lowpoly first
peace out
The face needs some work but it´s a nice approach, maybe a little flesh onto the sides to rounder more the face.
I´ve encountered myself a kind of problem trying to represent asian type concepts to 3d in a more occidental way where the face tends to be towards "anime-esque" stereotype.
So rounder but sharper cheeks, ovalexagerated head and some minor details.
It depends if you want approach the concept more or less for the face... for the armor,looks perfect to me.
I´ve done a paintover( not so happy about the result) and it turns out suuuper old compared to the original, too much mukuphotoshop.
But in general terms, smaller rounder/more elongated eyes, much smaller nose some adjustments into the eyebrows and the rest it´s the hair work.
It depends to you and your own style or design for the character
Also, think I'm finally in a good place with the face. Not sure if I want to crank up the realism on the texture but I definately need to add at least some skin detail though, will have to finalize it asap.
That's all for now, see you s
Current count is 63k tris, which gives me plenty of space to work with (my target is max 100k). Probably will make another bit of a detail pass on the armor and capes before the final bakes (everything atm has temporary UVs), and then will move onto the final pass+lowpoly on the head.
Someone might give you flack for the impracticality of the breast plate, but this looks great so far. Her chin does seem a little recessed and pulled down too much, though. Really digging your hardsurface skills.
And yes, I did receive a few comments about that, but the concept isn't going for historical accuracy and neither am I.
Practical accuracy, on the other hand, is another pair of sleeves. A lot of the plates were that kind of solid plate with no hinges or straps in sight, had to do a bit of research to make them look proper without losing the general look.
I also find it funny that so far everybody seemed to focus on the boob plate and completely ignored the high heels.
Impressive work nonetheless.
I'm all for historical accuracy as well, but when I work on someone else's design I make a promise to stick to it as much as possible.
Also I like girls being feminine so that's a plus
Take this with a grain of salt (I'm a noob at this stuff) but I still think the cloth pieces need some work. They look very papery to me and not very "fabric-y." I think it might be a combination of a little too much specular with the large amount of small wrinkles. The plating looks fantastic though!
Also this marks the second month I've been working on this, kinda wish I had more spare time.
That being said the face doesn't look like it's even in the same art style. The armor is stylized but high detail while the face looks halfway to a cartoon in it's undefined softness. Great armor though.
Now that you pointed it out the chin should be a bit sharper but it's nothing I can't fix even at this point, thank you.
Not sure if I should throw her capes back into zbrush for another session of fold sculpting tho
If you have any last feedback this is the time to say it lol
3D viewer, callout sheets and a few more pics on my Artstation:
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/x0nQO
Thanks for keeping up with me everybody, now let's see how many people make observations about the boob plate and the heels >:)
again, great work!
Layer strips more efficiently
but yeah I just transfer the normals from a really rough sketch of the torso into the hair like you said. It helps if your hair strip does not suddenly "stop" but fades at the borders until it goes full transparent close to the edge (either by making hair more scarce or by actual gradient).
why thank you