Hey all, just trying to revamp an old character I worked on today. I reduced the AO on it so it wasn't so harsh as the original - you can see in the new version there's a lot more color variation. However, I can't help feel it could be loads better, the values could be improved or my technique is completely wrong, so I wanted to ask for some advice
![:D :D](https://polycount.com/plugins/emojiextender/emoji/twitter/grin.png)
Currently, I take the AO I baked from Zbrush and have that on Multiply that with 30% opacity, then have the same AO on Overlay at 30%, all above the diffuse texture.
![mHs9Hdr.jpg](http://i.imgur.com/mHs9Hdr.jpg)
I'm still fairly new to the hand painted style but really want to try and master it. If anyone could help with tips or advice I'd be really grateful! Thanks a lot
![:) :)](https://polycount.com/plugins/emojiextender/emoji/twitter/smile.png)
Replies
The challenge here is that it looks like you began with using 'photosource' type of textures. The pattern on the dress, and the hair, already have a realistic kind of feel. IMO it would be easier for you to handpaint everything first, then you could lay in photo detail afterward to spruce up the texture a bit if you want, but if you lay it in first it will be hard to blend the handpainting in. My thoughts anyway
The kimono looks too clean for a ravaging undead. Try adding stains, especially around the hem and cuffs. You might also want to add some stains to the front, as though she dripped a rather appalling mouthful of food. Try playing with the alpha channel to give the hem and cuffs more of a frayed appearance as opposed to the current sharp cuts. You might also be able to use the alpha to give the robe a thread bare appearance, especially around the elbows and knees, but I don't know how well this will look...
I'm not getting the blackened finger tips; gangrenous, I suppose? Blackened fingernails, I could see, especially if she's been doing a bit of digging (gardening, or rummaging through her neighbors for tasty morsels...)
You might have gone a bit overboard with the blood around the mouth; again, I prefer the more subtle original version.