'The Last Archway' [Handpainted diorama]

JamesMeader

So i'm dusting off polycount as its been many months since my last thread. I felt this project was the one that needs the most critique considering its the first time in a while I'm using my own concept/idea.

The idea is as follows, this will be a small diorama of a world in decay. However the Archway is the last gateway to a living world. This living world is bleeding energy on to the archway, tree and stairs. So those areas will be covered in moss, flowers and lots and lots of colour.
The rest will be dark, grim and scary.
I really like the idea of such a drastic contrast between one and an other.

I do have some sketches and an idea of how I want it too look. I've also written up an asset list and made a chart to keep track of everything (maybe I make a trello board too?) 

So this is what I have so far, planning to make everything, bake out ao and normal maps and then start texturing. However maybe I'll texture a few assets to test things out before hand.


and below is with the block out meshes to give an idea of what else will be added. The tombstones will be a bit more elaborate as well looking rather sacred.  


So here is a list of things that will be added, or just overall asset list:-
Island *done*
Island Rocks *done*
Pillars (tombstones)
Arch w/plants *done 1/2*
Arch Tree *done*
Island Tree *done*
Vines?
Tiles/footpath
Platform/stairs
Lanterns
Small torches
Skeleton with sign
Spears with skulls

If you have any feedback at the minute then please dont hesitate! 

Thanks. 

JamesMeader

So I only have half of tomorrow to get a bit more done before I go on holiday.
I've started the platform and stairs, its just the sculpt for now.

I also did same sketches and ideas for the tombstones, the idea that once they were pillars of promise and hope and now taken over by the dark forces and used to scare anyone getting closer. Expect skulls and scrolls. 
Over the holidays I'll properly just sketch and when I get back I can go full speed and get this finished. I have no excuse seeing as I'm out of a job at the minute.

Caiterade

Such ominous. MUCH SCARES. Keep at it  

JamesMeader

Thanks Caiterade, though I think the lighting will change once I add more assets and obviously when I start texturing. Its just something I wanted to play with 

mrgesy

I like the concept of the living world decaying. Have you done a quick sketch of how things would look? 

JamesMeader

@mrgesy: Sort of, im not the best concept artist but I would like to put a few days aside (maybe 30th and part of 31st when I get back from holiday) to do some half decent sketches. What I have at the minute is really loose and something I can follow but maybe make someone else confused. 

JamesMeader

So very WIP WIPPY WIP at the moment but I want to show stuff, so firstly a poorly done sketch over a screenshot I did


and also some WIPPY action on the current state of the tombstone


I plan to do some test on other skull ideas, maybe even more demonic and more over the top!

Thanks for looking, any feedback just shout!

JamesMeader

I decided to make a more demonic skull, going to make a third version and try and make it completely different to this one so I get a nice variance between each version

I really dont like doing these quick shitty screen grabs but I dont have keyshot or the time to do fancy renders for WIP WIP WIPPY stuff

feedback is encouraged. 

pigart

Your first tombstone skull looked much more demonic and real. The second one just looks like a lumpy mess. I can't imagine how it would look with muscles and skin over it.

JamesMeader

So last one!
Let me know which one you think is the most slamming, scary, slamming, freaky, demonic and of course slamming.

feedback encouraged!
*EDIT*MADE THE HEAD A BIT SMALLER

JamesMeader

@pigart I was trying to go for more stone, so maybe I need to add more harsher edges. Its kind of similar to some of the stuff they did for Darksiders. Thanks for the comments for the first skull, really appreciated. What do you think of the goat skull?

Cube Republic

Why not break one of the horns for more drama, or where you planning on mirroring the UVs?

JamesMeader

@Cube Republic  Good idea! I was even thinking of adding arrows too 

JamesMeader

So I'm done with the tombstones, maybe add the already mentioned arrows later on. I'm thinking of doing a texture soon as well adding some bricks to the floor which should be easy enough!


Any comments or feedback dont hesitate! 

Thanks.

griffiti

I'm loving the look of this especially that it's a self-contained diorama Looking forward to seeing the texturing. Keep up the good work!  

JamesMeader

@griffiti Thank you very much, hope to post an update soon....

Bedrock

Got an idea of what the final camera angle will be? I'd nail that relatively soon

JamesMeader

@Bedrock Yeah I have a camera angle in mind
Tadaaaa......

I also did the texture test which i am not 100% happy on and more than likely try again on an other asset or start fresh. Maybe I will leave making any asset for a bit until I have a few textures done.