ALIENWARE Challenge Entry: Bartosz Nowakowski

[Psotek]

Hey guys.

Alrite so I joined the challenge a little late, my bad :shrug:

But I have gotten some ideas going and some sketches flowing. Heres one I just whipped up now. Im hosting it somewhere else and not uploading it to the challenge section because I dont think this is going to be what I will be doing.

But I would like your opinions. C&C PLEASE!! :)

Bartosz

http://www.voytek-art.com/Concept1.jpg

[Psotek]

Alrite heres another concept drawing.

I think im going to go with this one, any comments?

http://www.voytek-art.com/Concept2.jpg

[Ian Jones]

I like the general direction you are taking, but I dont think the concepts are worked thoroughly enough for you to move onto the next stage. The second concept is interesting but theres not much of a feeling of immense scale and depth. I'd also like to see some more things to actually look at, cos it looks a bit plain atm. Maybe also try a different perspective? I hope that helps.

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1071373901_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1071373901_large.jpg)

Here is the final concept sketch for my alien landscape idea. I have decided on this one, as it will have great dramatic lighting. The focus of the image will be in the lighting as well as in the atmosphere. Im hoping to achieve a tenebrism style, such as Caravagio used.

Any comments would be great.

[TheFirstAngel]

the Stairways to heaven... Mhmm... Awesome.
Just one thought: This must be a kind of "some Humanlike being must live here"-Location thougt (who else would build stairs) and looks more like a phantasy scene (except the 2 planets) to me, kind of elves and dragon tale environment. Maybe, when its alienlike textured, it provides a different look then.
But anyways, It's great lightning, and a beatiful scene. Good luck and be inspired!:)

[Psotek]

Thanks angel.

I figured since the challenge says something about having no lifeforms, but evidence of them, I thought of adding stairs.

[TheFirstAngel]

Had the same problem as well, my first concept, was filled with lifeforms and i decieded to create some more "alive" landscape, and a gave ita bit of a sci-fi touch, adding some semiorganic stuff n tech mix, to have more of that alienfeeling and left my living alien things die... (they're dead jim... :cry: )
maybe you add some alien flaura, like your tentacles of concept 1, cuz if there are just those red rocks and stairs, this could also be on good old Mother earth...
:wip: good luck and keep on rockin'!

[Psotek]

Yeah I follow your idea. There will definately be some vegitation in there somwere, im still playing with the placement of it tho, i dont want it to seem to cluttered.

I will update the sketch soon.

Bartosz

[conundrum]

I think you've got a great concept going here. Hopefully you can portray it as well as this in your modelling.

[TheFirstAngel]

been looking 4 u... hows the process goin', mate???

[Psotek]

Hey buddy how yah been! Long time no talk.

Ive been busy with christmas and stuff this week and I just arrived back home today on the plane from seeing my girlfriend.

So as you can see, I havent been able to do much for the alienware challenge for a while now, but im gonna get back into the groove very soon.

Hey Merry Christmas to all!

Talk to you later,

Bartosz

[TheFirstAngel]

Nice to ce ya back! Have merry X-mas too, and cee ya round soon!

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074049268_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074049268_large.jpg)

Ok so heres the modeling stage. Its been a while since I posted, and the deadline is creeping up! Yikes....

Anyways after a long and hard few weeks of juggling ideas, I have decided to move away just a bit from my original concept sketch above. Here is the Alien Shrine Model up close.

[bigbigblues]

The concept sketch is really wonderful, especially with the vibrant colors. As for your modeling, you have a really strong hold on many of the elements. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074070620_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074070620_large.jpg)

Alrite this is my last post for the night. Ive started to do some shaders for various objects in the scene. Let me know what you think.

[neverthemachine]

hello,

your concept sketch is really fantastic, its taking me somwhere, like it is a dream. i really like it. very strong and calm. keep rocking :buttrock:
your latest has a chillly feeling. :beer:

[Cullen]

Push on... I know we don't have much time... but you can do it.
The textures you have done so far look pretty cool. What sort of lighting mood are you going to use?

What is that object in the bg in the cliffs? Anyways... I think you should have more of them scattered around (not cluttered) in groups.

As if they are more buildings or ruins...

[Psotek]

Thanks everyone.

As far as lighting goes, im planning to set up a dark atmosphere with a bright light bursting through some clouds in the background.

The object in the background mountains is another one of the alien shrines that is in the foreground. I think I will take your suggestion and put a bit more them around.

Thanks again!

Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074142615_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074142615_large.jpg)

Heres another render. The shaders are coming along, im kind of trying to work out the shrine textures right now. The gradient on the shrine is just temporary. Right now, I think the colour of it totally skews the composition. Im going to change that ASAP...

Bartosz

[TheFirstAngel]

Great work so far my friend. My suggestion would be to scale down the shrine to gain more impression of a big panorama.
It still wil be clear its big, cuz of the stairs.
The Textures look very good, like em a lot. Best Luck and like me: hurry hurry, let ROCK!!!!!:buttrock: :wip: :beer:

[Psotek]

Hey angel! Been a long time since ive heard from you! Nice to see you back! I just saw your last post now so il take your suggestion about the panorama and see what i can do. I'l post again tomorow! Ciao!

Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074152174_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074152174_large.jpg)

Well I decided to totally get rid of that last shrine shader. Right now im still drawing up ideas for an appropriate material that would suit the buildings. I also have to add some atmosphere to this baby, as right now its looking a bit flat and dull. Quite a bit more work to do, but as for today this is the last update; Its getting late. But as soon as I get back from school tomorow morning, more updates will come! See you all soon.

Bartosz

[Psotek]

:bounce: I just had a great idea for that shrine building. Im going to get rid of those twirling pillars along the edge of it and try something completely different. Too bad im at school still, damn I need to go home! Argh!:cry:

[TheFirstAngel]

Well, print it out, draw, make a masterplan and then, back to the track, rock it big time! Best luck mate!:buttrock: :beer: :wip:

[TheFirstAngel]

Very cool, great update Bartosz! But when I look at those Tentacles out there, I would avoid to say any word to not end up as alin dinner ;) Great work, keep it up mate!

[Psotek]

Oh yah make sure to click on the images because they open up with a clearer/sharper version.

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074309453_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074309453_large.jpg)

Sorry for the no-show last night. I hit some kind of artist's block. :(

Anyways, heres the newest version of what I have. Im still in the texuring stage, although im kind of starting to play with lighitng. Any comments would be great.

Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074385864_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074385864_large.jpg)

Just some quick modeling changes.

[saturen3]

Awesome and stringe modeling.
good luck to you.

My .AW (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=104685&goto=newpost) challenge is waiting for your replies.:bounce:

[TheFirstAngel]

Great update, the broken lines help the impression of something big has forced itself trough the wall. Best luck on the last Hours of this, Keep on Rockin'!:beer: :buttrock: :wip:

[Psotek]

Thanks angel. Damn, this is one of the biggest stuggles of anything that I have done as an artist. Right about now im pulling my hair out :eek:

[TheFirstAngel]

Keep on Fighting!!! You will make it, look back and say this thing SURE I done, hell yeah! http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/spezial/Fool/kar.gifGo for it Bartosz, ROCK DA HOUSE!!!:beer: :buttrock:

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074410882_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074410882_large.jpg)

This is my last update for the night. God this is frustrating me so much... The composition is just NOT working for me. I feel no depth, no perspective, no sense of MASS in this scene. I dont know whats wrong...

Bartosz

[eska]

Everything is realy interesting. I love the abstract element of your composition. Best of the best, and good luck.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :wavey:

[fubar3d]

very good example for "less is sometimes more"
great work.

[JamesMK]

This is quite nice me thinks! I like your choice of colors.

Since you feel a bit lost and desperate while comping (I know I did, I have practically no hair left on my head) I thought I'd offer you my initial impressions. Please take them for what they are, just quick notes from someone who strangely enough can't recall havng seen this particular thread before.

1. The sky could help you regain that feeling of mass and size. Have you ever seen one of those massive Terragen renders? The way I see it, the sky is the key to much of the perceived grandeur ... Experiment a bit with such an extreme single vanishing point perspective using a couple of infinite planes with some kind of smokey/cloudy/gaseous turbulence in a few layers stacked on top of each other. Don't loose the colors though, I think that orange/purple combo is pretty slick - it could be a bit less saturated perhaps...

2. The "cage with the bashed out door" on the left looks very composited, if you follow me... The model and textures are perfect, but it doesn't look like it's really there. Maybe try to put it a bit further away from the camera, integrate it with some part of the terrain and try to fix the lighting (perhaps some haze or dust, it looks like a dusty or sandy location) to make it blend in more nicely.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[Dan-o706]

I think a lower camera angle with a wider lenses setting might help with achieving the sense of scale you are looking for. The roof line of the building is too horizontal. Some perspective will help I think, otherwise a very good scene. Hope this helps.:)

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074456536_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074456536_large.jpg)

Hey everyone. Thanks for all the suggestions. I am re-doing the sky right now, to add depth like you suggested. This is what I have so far, its all procedurals. Anything you think I should modify? Lots more updates to come!

Bartosz

[TheFirstAngel]

I agree with Dan-o706 about the POV/lensselection for the cam

The textures of your shrine art very cool. I agree with James MK about interaction with envirronment, you could add some dust, and dirt where it meets the ground to fix that.
The eaysiest way to do it would be pulling the ground in a curve upwards where it meets the wall a bit.

Fog and volumetric effects in general help giving athmosphere.
I could imagine groundfog, that gives your image the feeling of being over a sea of fog.

Work with attenuated lights for illumination
as you have areas then, you can illuminate things with a huge range of colored nuances, maybe blue toned, redish, yellow, so you dont have to tone down your sky that much and get the power of colors back, as it looks washed out with a grey sad sky.

Best luck dear friend and keep on rockin'!
:wip: :wavey: :beer:

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074461900_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074461900_large.jpg)

Heres an update. Still some work to do on the sky.

Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074467153_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074467153_large.jpg)

I did a few adjustments here and there. I think the opening in the middle works now but Im still not satisfied with the clouds. Update again soon.

Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074469380_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074469380_large.jpg)

Yay! Finally finished the sky. Any comments?

Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074473311_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074473311_large.jpg)

Here are the mountains. Wow, it looks like im really far behind but i assure you, im on track ;) I have all the other models ready (and shaders) I just needed to fix the problem I had before where there was no sense of depth and perspective. I think Its good now, what do you think?

Bartosz

[Anga]

Great job on the mountains and the sky!!. I see distance now that wasnt there before. I also like how you made them so bumpy it looks great. It does seem like you are far behind. You are doing great though. Ideas are all there!!
Good luck.
Your doing great!:thumbsup:
:applause:

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074475498_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074475498_large.jpg)

Alright since no one is really replying, Im just going to continue posting updates. Heres an early lighting test to get some more atmostphere in there.

Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074478832_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074478832_large.jpg)

Alright so I applied my terrain shader that I made from before and I applied it to the mountains I have now. With a little more tweaking, I will have the mountains looking the way I want them to.

[saturen3]

:beer: so amazing
The sky technique is realy amazing.I think that it has several layers.Could u explain me a little about it?
And which software do you use?I think that the clouds have a nice view and their reality is awesome.

I can`t wait for your new image.good luck to you:thumbsup:

[Psotek]

Thanks Saturen.

The sky was really a pain to make. Theres 3 "dome" layers. Each has its own shader. The very outer doem is mostly a simple gradient moving from a dark colour in the top, to a bright colour on the horizon. The middle layer gets a little more complex, but again using a gradient. This time its a gradient ramp, that way I had a little more control over it. This is where the actual details of the clouds come in. Again, I followed the "dark to light" transition. The last layer is where the "openings" in the sky are done. I used a lot of radial gradients and various noise/smoke maps to create and effect where the sky was "opening" and letting in light. All these layers have opacity maps so that you can see the dome behind it.

I will post a screenie of the materials in just a moment.

Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074492013_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074492013_large.jpg)

The lighting is now beginning to look good. Still need to tweak it a bit though.

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074500223_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074500223_large.jpg)

Here you go Saturen3, the layout of my sky shader. I hope this helps you, as well as anyone else. Best of luck!

Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074547092_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074547092_large.jpg)

Everything is starting to come together now. Lighting is looking good, models are slowly being brought into the scene. Here is a test render.

Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074547724_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074547724_large.jpg)

Here is how I did those tall buildings. Building "A" Hehe...

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074568173_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074568173_large.jpg)

Im getting really close to the final image. Just a few more teaks and some post processing work and I am ready to submit my final image. C&C's are welcome.

Bartosz

[TheFirstAngel]

Unbelievable! you almost done a masterpiece in less than a day almost from the scretch!!! Wow! this looks so beatifull, keep on goin' Bartosz, this rock big time!!!:buttrock: :wip: :beer:

[Psotek]

Thanks Angel.

Its been a rough past few days... Havent had much contact with the outside world lately. All my time has been spent on my entry. Its funny, I live in Vancouver, and its cloudy and raining here 98% of the time, especially now since its winter. The largest amount of sun Ive had this week is from starring at my alien landscape. Sad, I know.... but actually I went to get a drink this morning (one of the few times I get out of my chair) and to my amazement, the sun was out. What a intense moment that was. I immediately dropped my drink and ran outside ripping off my clothes so I can catch all the suns rays before It dissapeared.

*Sigh*... God bless you, Alienware Challenge. :P


Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074575401_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074575401_large.jpg)

Heres a variation of that last render. Let me know what you think. Ive been asking some friends and some say they like the first one, the brighter one, and some like this one. My girlfriend suggested I try the lighting in the first one, inside the second one. Should be interesting, il try that now.

Bartosz

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074579814_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074579814_large.jpg)

Hurray! Its almost time! A little more post work and this baby is out the door!

Sorry for the low res render this time, Im trying to save time! Final Image (Online version) will be big, see you all soon.

Bartosz

[swadepgh]

These last images you posted remind me a little of the Na Pali Coast of Kauai, Hawaii. Looks great. Good luck to you! :thumbsup:

[Psotek]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074624607_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/1344/1344_1074624607_large.jpg)

And thats a rap.

Hope you like it. :)



Bartosz

[eska]

I love it - what beautiful world, space, atmosphere came truth.
Best luck to you and be proud.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :wavey:

I would be honored if you have time to visit also my thread

http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?postid=1090320#post1090320

[Psotek]

Thanks for the feedback, eska.

Bartosz

[Psotek]

I just want to take this last moment of my threads life to thank a few people. I want to thank my girlfriend, Angela, for her constant support and inspiration. I couldnt have done it without you. To my parents, for their support, and to everyone on cgtalk who has been there for me since my first post. Thanks again for this great opportunity. :wavey:

Bartosz

[Cullen]

awesome.... especially like the sky and background. This has completly changed since last I was here
Congratulations.

[Psotek]

Thanks alot Cullen. And you are right, it HAS changed, lol.

I look at it now and I cant believe how much it has changed since my first modeling screenies. I am happy with the way it turned out. Thanks again!

Bartosz

[saturen3]

:scream: Hi dear Bartosz

First excuse me because of my coming late.
Now i saw all of your images step by step and carefuly.
The sky process was so amazing and it was great for me.Usualy i creat the sky the same as you and playing with gradiants is a nice work that we can get incredible resalts.

About lighting:volume lights had a nice effect on surfaces and it was against the darkness in the image that caused a good harmony.
Wheni read one of your threads about the vancouver environment and its rainy sky,I found its emotional effect on your work.When you said you are at home much of the time.

At least a nice work that i like it,an amazing tip also was the buildings that were alone in the environment,I think that it say me finishing of the technology life and vinning the nature.

Thanks again and best luck to you

[Psotek]

Thanks alot saturen, for the great comment. Im glad to hear that you followed my posts, and enjoyed my entry :)

Right now im in one of those stages where I look at my work, and think to myself: "Damn, I could have done that so much better" or "I could have changed that". I think I am going to continue working on this scene, and post it again in the main gallery sometime soon.

Thanks again Saturen.

Bartosz

[saturen3]

:thumbsup: Hi dear bartosz

Certainly i should say that it`s Real Art.Continueing the artwork after finishing the award is a excellent case.

I think that i will do it on my work such as you.

REALY THANKS FOR YOUR INSPIRATION FOR ME.

BEst luck to you dear bartosz.

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