CC - Shoes

Step by step.

Char.Design - Research, Studies, etc

Doing this only for degree.

Step1: Research.
First of all, I have build my character in the head. His body shape, ability and size. Then, I've searched for image references via google. I had some written thoughts how he should look, but I didn't know how look for example pirate's boots or shirt in details. I've created few reference images:

 I like this kind of boots, but I thought I could change them a little bit, adding some details.

I like scimitars, not generic swords. First of all, because they are elegant and I associate them with agility and speed.







Then I recalled one interesting film - Cutthroat Island with Geena Davis in main role.

I watched it again and figure out appearance of my character. I know, that Geena's character is female. Indeed. But who cares, if I can translate this into man. So that sleeveless leather jacket, shirt and belt came from this film.

Step 2: Studying

Actually, this is not Step 2, it is Step 0, because I started it stright away after briefing. To be honest, anatomy, character design is really hard to learn and it is not something that you can understand even in a ten months. I am talking for myself and this is my opinion and if you are genius and can learn it for 2 days, I don't mind. I know that I don't post my studies. Why ? 

1. If you are talking about blog as a professional face, I rather not show my crap things.

2. I don't have scanner, therefore, I am not able to post them stright away after studies, when I have enthusiasm to post them. Soon, I will find comfortable way to do this and you will wonder how often I can post.

I've managed to scan some pages from sketch pad:

You see my drawing are the weakest(!) thing I ever seen, therefore I use references for my character. Like figures of a skeleton and man. I know this is a little bit cheating, but when you have lack of knowledge it is the only way to reach good results.

Sometime I just copy them. But don't think it is easy, it is hard, especially when you don't understand what the hell are you doing. But : Picasso once said, Good artists copy, great artists steal.

I'm also watching DVD tutorials from Glenn Vilppu. He is an amazing person and he give basic knowledge of anatomy. This gives basic understanding, like "why this part must be shaded and this not"

Step 3: Syrus Character

And finally I started working on characters. Slaan, Djinn, Syrus. I will show Syrus, because others are not ready yet, I can continue only when I take wacom tablet from uni.

 I took as an example one of my references from influence map. Then Created basic shape.

 Then added skeleton.

 Then started draw them and refine and refine and refine. I took good people's consultations from 3Dand2D world, Also Alan helped me, with basic form, but it was a little bit later. So this is long process from redrawing from references, asking people, then refine then etc


Then added another layer and painted black for contrast, also later added arm, for modelling.

I repeat I can not draw, because I DON'T UNDERSTAND, maybe now you will get it. I just want to understand it, not copying etc. And this is result of tedious work of refining, copying, asking etc which takes a lot of time. Therefore I want to model it, I believe this method will help me and this is good opportunity to learn Zbrush.

Generally, I like this project, even if I started from 0 level. I like learning and giving everything to learn more. But result is important too generally for grade. Sometimes I wonder how many things I must learn and how many things I don't know and don't understand.

So, this is it. As I said, soon I will find way to post often this so called "progress".

Char.Design und Zbrush - erste Schritte

 Later or sooner we all will start learning Zbrush, therefore I decided to start it now and maybe on the third year I will be able to create something. The key word - Something :).

One thing: it is hard as quant physics or I am dumb.
Interface is incredibly unfriendly, but after 10 hours I started to get use to it.

I am also working on my character - Syrus. You can see side and front view on the screen.

That's what I'm doing every day apart from Anatomy learning and Maya tutorials.





p.s. It is the right time to start writing essay.

СC - Legs

Cartoon Character - Shirt

 

Can't wait for my own character!

Puddnhead

Finished Watching Gnomon DVD by Puddnhead.

Puddnhead is a concept development artist living in Hollywood, who has worked for Lucasfilm, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Records, FOX, Columbia Pictures, Vivendi Universal, Imaginary Forces, Hasbro, New Line Cinema, Sierra Games, Troika Games, Electronic Arts, Interplay Entertainment, Black Isle Studios, Big Huge Games, and Wizards of the Coast to name a few. Some of the films that Puddnhead has worked on are Blade 3, Hellboy, Spider-Man 2, Harry Potter 3, Van Helsing, Dreamcatcher, Cat in the Hat, Identity, Daredevil, The Hulk, Elektra, Pirates of the Caribbean, Darkness Falls and Charlie's Angels 2. Puddn' has also worked on the redesign of the Dreamworks logo, and developed designs for the "Return of the Mummy" ride at the Universal Studios Theme Park in Florida.

In this DVD, Puddnhead shows you how to transform a pencil drawing into a digital painting using Corel Painter. He reveals every step of his process, from underpainting to the finished rendering. Puddnhead shows all of his tricks for creating a better glow by combining tools and layering, painting better edges, rendering small details, adding more life to your paintings, implementing advanced lighting, creating mood and emotion, and knowing when a painting is finished.

Description taken from Gnomon official website.

You can buy this DVD on Gnomon official website or here.

It is useful and captiviting DVD even for the artist who doesn't have good skills (like me). Puddnhead gives a lot of useful hints how to paint realistic characters in painter. He also used photoshop for color correction and hsv correction. I think with the practise and Gnomon tutorials I can achieve something. I am glad that concept artist like puddnhead are sharing their knowledge. ( not all and for money, ofcourse, but still)

Some screenshots:

Characters Profile

Another attempt to draw Syrus. Now he looks more like a pirate.

Hero – pirate

Name: Syrus

Syrus is a pirate, who undertook the journey to the eastern lands and islands for a magical ruby, which he thinks will make him a very wealthy and famous pirate in the world. Syrus isn’t an example of kindness, however, his heart is not evil and he never was a cruel or unjust to other people. He is hard, but he is fair. He’s always look calm and his common smile forces people to make false impression about him. However, he is the deadliest scimitar master among all pirates of the west and perhaps of the world. Some people say, that he can reflect even bullet or arrow with his two deadliest scimitars. That is why he was one of the most respectable pirates on the ship. As a melee fighter he doesn’t accept range weapons and he is skeptical and disrespectful about people who use them.

After incident with magical ruby and the Djinn, Syrus personality is changing in time.

Djinn kills all crew (except one - Slaan, because he is not a human being) and destroys the ship by interpreting in his way Syrus’ wish. Syrus swears that he will find a way to destroy him no matter what it takes. The two survivors built a small ship and made a trip to the closest continent, where he could find a food and information. The journey changes him a little bit. He doesn’t see the true value in treasure however his old nature doesn’t disappear. Slaan and Syrus discover information about Genie’s nature and his goals. They find in a secret cemetery of the dead kings in an Arabian kingdom a prophecy:

The pure soul will take a Thanatos ruby and

Spell three words: Nigurath Shub Bahim

And will enclose the demon in that ruby forever.

They together will try to save the world. Can they make it? We will see.

Age: 20-25 years

Race: Human

Height: 173 cm

Body Type: sinewy, agile.

Face Type: Calm, average with barely perceptible smile, intelligent

Eyes color: Grey

Hair: Bald or short haircut

Clothing Style: Pirates boots, pens, bandana on the neck, shirt, leather belt, two scimitars Twinkle and Sunset.

Speaking Style: Calm and deep voice

General Demeanor: Unsociable, sometimes arrogant, kind to his friends and people who loves.

Career: Pirate, adventurer.

Prejudices: Hates ranged weapon thinks that people who use it are weak.

Best Qualities: Skillful, rational, kind, ready to kill for a close person.

Worst Qualities: Arrogant, love to easy money, selfish,

Weaknesses: Cannot use ranged weapon, his friend his weakness and strength.

Sidekick – Lizard folk

Name: Slaan

Slaan belongs to lizard folk race – the race of the slaves. But he managed to escape and promised to himself that he would find a way to free his race. He is becoming a thug. He earns respect on the streets and becoming a respectable thug, but this is not what he wanted. The rumors on the street say that one of the famous pirates is deciding to take a journey to the eastern lands and he need a few members in his crew. Slaan sees a great opportunity for better life in eastern lands. He finds Syrus and after Trial he is becoming one of the pirates.

Slaan is arrogant and cruel person. Moreover he is skeptical and always makes sarcastic jokes. He is extremely brave and some people think his braveness boards with insanity. People don’t like him, most of all, because of his appearance. But they don’t know that Slaan isn’t that bad in his heart and he is more complicated than just a simple reptile as many people think. Syrus was able to see a great man inside reptile and they became friend.

Age: 121 year

Race: Lizard folk

Height: 180 cm

Body Type: reptile like, sinewy, agile, green skin, body covered with scales.

Face Type: sly, sometimes sad

Eyes color: Yellow

Hair: scales

Clothing Style: Pirates boots, pens, leather waistcoat, belt, sword, throwing knives. (sometimes in a big cities wears a cloak with hood)

Speaking Style: Hissing speech

General Demeanor: Unsociable, very arrogant, reckless, kind to his friends and people who he loves.

Career: Pirate, adventurer.

Prejudices: Hates most of the humanity.

Best Qualities: Skillful, kind, ready to kill for a close person, brave

Worst Qualities: Arrogant, reckless, selfish, skill to make sarcastic jokes

Weaknesses: A powder of Skuuma, he cannot live without it.

After incident with magical ruby and Djinn, Slaan sees the chance to free his race. He thinks, if he will save the world, maybe he can show people that lizard folk are not a threat and they can live among other people.

Villain – Genie (Djinn)

Name: No name

To the people of Arabia, the Djinn was neither cute not funny. It was something else entirely. It was the face of fear itself. One who wakes the Djinn will be given three wishes. Upon the granting of the third, the unholy legions of the Djinn will be freed to rule the earth. The Djinn has unlimited power and cannot be killed. But he is only able to use the powers when some asks him for something. But be careful to make a wish, because one wrong word and Djinn can turn it against you. He doesn’t need Syrus dead, he needs his wishes. Actually, he can't kill anyone. Not unless someone wish me to. But also he must gather 616 souls to fulfill the prophecy therefore he is taking a human form and beguiling, provoking and deceiving people to make a wishes. Everyone wants something!

First form:

Age: unknow, approx 5000 years, but it doesn’t affect his look

Race: Djinn (Genie)

Height: Variable

Body Type: Massive, huge-muscled arms and body, tattoo on the neck, green skin, levitating his lower part of the body consisting of particles.

Face Type: Dreadful

Eyes color: Yellow

Hair: Bold with a Djinni pony tail

Clothing Style: Big ruby on his neck

Speaking Style: Loud deep voice

General Demeanor: Asks to make a wish

Career: Wishmaster

Prejudices: Hates all humanity

Best Qualities: invulnerability, unlimited power

Worst Qualities: Can act only if someone asks him

Weaknesses: None

Second form:

Height: 160cm

Body Type: Skinny, old, tattoo on his neck

Face Type: artful, attracting face features, something magical about him.

Eyes color: Variable

Hair: Bold

Clothing Style: Merchant style. Cloak and waist-belt, staff with the skeleton arm with the ruby

Speaking Style: Deep voice, calm, relaxing, friendly

General Demeanor: Asks to make a wish

Career: Wishmaster

Prejudices: Hates all humanity

Best Qualities: invulnerability, unlimited power, friendly

Worst Qualities: can act only if someone asks him

Weaknesses: None

Lip Sync

Here is my Lip Sync, I didn't know that it is so fun to do, especially when you see the result. I enjoyed doing it, really. I still think that I can do better than this, therefore, I definitely will do another one. Anyway we all be doing another one to 11club competition.

French advertisement

The French branch of the human rights organization Amnesty International ("Amnesty International) has launched a social campaign to draw attention to violations of human rights in Russia. Ad campaign «AI» developed a Parisian agency La Chose. The campaign, which became the main symbol of matryoshka, held as part of the year Russia-France 2010.

Truly, the advertisement has a real power.

The day the earth stood still 1951

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a 1951 American science fiction film that tells the story of a humanoid alien visitor who comes to visit the Earth with a warning, accompanied by his powerful robot, "Gort". Robert Wise directed this film, and its leading actors and actresses were Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Sam Jaffe, and Hugh Marlowe. "Gort" is also a primary character in this motion picture, but he is portrayed as a completely mechanical man. The writer of The Day the Earth Stood Still, Edmund H. North, based his screenplay on Harry Bates's short story "Farewell to the Master" (1940).

The film was made after the United States conducted two atomic bombings against the cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan (1945) and during the cold war between USSR and United States (1947-1991). The film represents idea that humanity must stop the wars and aggression against each others. The main hero Alien Klaatu explains that if humanity will not obey this warning, the Gort will destroy them, because human beings understand only violence. The meaning of this film and philosophical content is brilliant. It forces you to think about all these issues even nowadays, I can only imagine what effect it caused 59 years ago.

Besides, the technical side of the film is very pleasant even for nowadays. I am not saying that it’s brilliant, but for those days incredibly beautiful. I liked everything from the camera movement, sets and especially montage. The sequence where we can see the neutralization of the electric power is strikingly strong. “A montage sequence shows that Klaatu has neutralized electric power everywhere, with exceptions for human safety, making the world "stand still" for half an hour.”

Therefore, the most critics are doubt whether this film is a B-movie or not.

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a 2008 science fiction film, a remake of the 1951 film of the same name.

The remake is completely different film. The same Klaatu and the same Gort, but the meaning isn’t the same. The Klaatu is trying to save the earth from us. This idea reflects our reality which says that humanity spoiling and killing the planet. “Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet.” © Matrix The film also shows how people are arrogant and stupid by their nature.

The both films are an actual for their times. However who cares about the meaning nowadays :) the special effects rule the world. And they are not so good in the remake.

The original film is still better. Much better.

Some interesting facts:

“Klato Verada Nikto”.Two instances where the phrase is used as a command are the films Toys and Army of Darkness. In the film Toys, the character Leland Zevo speaks the phrase to stop a rampaging robotic sea creature he calls the "Seaswine". In the film Army of Darkness, Ash has to speak similar words in order to retrieve the Necronomicon, but fails to remember it properly ("Klaatu... verata... n... Necktie. Nectar. Nickel. Noodle.").

In 1995, The Day the Earth Stood Still was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant"

I am glad that I had a chance to watch an original 1951 film.

Car modelling 05

Thanks for the tutorial!

The one thing that I will learn for sure from this is that I must know my model before modelling it!