Critiques Please

mgraham235

Hi everyone. I am relatively new to the Polycount forum and I have decided its time to put some of my work out there. I would really like some critiques on some of the pieces on my site. I am working towards becoming a character artist for video games.

I started 3D modeling about a year ago in Maya, and started using Zbrush around July of 2012. I have worked hard at my sculpting skills, but have a long way to go, and I am having trouble with certain areas. I have trouble with accessories and hair a lot of the time. If I try to make straps they come out rounded and gross, general stuff like that. And hair i just end up using an alpha on. Any good tips on how to improve those, as well as ANY other critiques is very welcomed. Please be blunt and honest, because its the only way I can get better!

So any critiques on the sculpts, low polys, and textures would be greatly appreciated! The link to my site is below. Thanks a lot!

www.mattgraham3d.com

The_Blenderer

You would have better luck getting people to invest time and give feedback if you invest time and post the works you want reviewed, if they want to see more of it they will go to your site.

mgraham235

Yeah I was planning on posting wips from now on. The ones on the site are somewhat "finished" I was just seein if anyone would give me any general critiques. I do plan on posting specific wips fromnow on tho

AtticusMars

Think you should consider getting rid of the demo reel, they're pretty much obsolete and I can't speak for anyone but myself but I rarely ever watch them unless it's for animation/vfx.

As far as your work goes anatomy and proportion are the biggest problems. Your sculpts are pretty doughy and formless, the body isn't all soft shapes, it has sharp edges. I highly suggest really grinding anatomy studies, it's very difficult to get anywhere as a character artist without a strong foundation in the human figure.

mgraham235

Atticus-Thanks you, You're right. My anatomy definitely needs work. I am still new and i appreciate the critique. Im going to do a few anatomy studies before continuing with character models. Thanks a lot. I will post wips, I hope youll continue to critique. Back to the drawing board!

Arod529

If you do choose to keep the demo reel, or any sort of video, it shouldn't be the default page, and no auto play, especially with sound. Streaming video is bandwidth intensive, and the visitor should have the choise as to whether or not to do so. It also allows them to be aware of incoming audio and take appropriate action. For example, when I opened your page, I was listening to my own music, and, though I like Lindsay Sterling's music, it was very disruptive. In my case it was inconsequential and only a very minor nuisance, but you never know who will see it and in what environment they will be in.

mgraham235

thanks arod. apprently the demo reel is not as crucial as i originally thought. I thought i absolutely needed one. but if its not crucial i will def make it optional. thanks for the feedback

pixelb

Did you get permission to use ~StilleNacht's concept? He should be credited for "painted eyes", as should any other artist whose concepts you're modeling.

KartoonHead

One strong peice is better than a hundred rubbish ones. Quality over quantity. Throw yourself into something brilliant.

...and by God that video must go!

mgraham235

Pixel- i got the concept from the guy I modeled it for. Im going to check with him to be sure he does have permission, and if so I will give credit, if not ill remove it.
Kartoon- yeah i see that now. I kind of got caught up in trying to just get stuff in there I ended up making sloppy stuff. Im going back now and im gonna take a break from characters and get my anatomy and other skills down. ha i will get rid of the reel

Torch

Hey man, you're on your way just gotta get those anatomy skills down - I need to improve anatomy a hell of a lot myself, its a never ending journey! I would say when you can also practice texturing any chance you get, try to get correct material definition with what you're creating, metal looks like metal, linen looks like linen, etc. with the right highlights. Keep going you'll get there!

mgraham235

Thanks I appreciate that. Yeah as I said I just got caught up rushing and trying to get stuff into it. I'm def gonna take a step back, reevaluate and go for quality over quantity from now on. And yeah I def need to work on my texturing.