Does anyone sketch before they model a head?

[FootFace]

I believe that sketching out your character and even writing a short description of there attitudes and demeanors makes modeling a character that much easier.

If you KNOW your character than you will know what they need to look like.

Modeling might even be the shorter process imho

[dickma]

Well, I treat LW modeller is a digital clay so......
I didn't sketch at all.
If I do photoreal character, just put the photo reference as backdrop.

[PixelInfected]

every times i did something i sketch it, to define and sharp my ideas, from paper to digital skecth, with my wacom, i prefer to sketch it, to define better my idea, and go over the normal tools of my software, if i define it by sign, i decide to do a precise thing, indipendently from my tools...
i suggest every times in my course to use a previz to define our ideas.

[Pi3141]

I rarely ever sketch out my characters before I make them. Occasionally I'll sketch a caricaure before I will model it, but for original characters and most other designs I tend to "mentally sketch" it out in my head first then sit down and re-create the design

:)

[Claymation]

I always use it like clay. Just take a box and begin deviding it up. Got used to working that way in Nendo and has stuck with me.

Clay

[kevman3d]

I sketch ideas if I don't have any to start with (it clarifies and directs my thought process a lot better) - Otherwise I find reference - Photo's, toys, whatever and use those to inspire (and get the proportions right)

Proportions tend to always be an area I am a little slack in - You find this out a lot faster when you have other people animating your models! :D

Having reference images or sketches does speed up the whole modelling process... Though I have been known to just 'do it' without any reference on occasion! :)

[Pi3141]

Having reference images or sketches does speed up the whole modelling process...

I always found that interesting. I honestly believe it slows you down.

When I'm using reference material a model takes me 3 times longer than without reference material :)

I prefer to jot it out in my head and visualize it then model it that way. It saves me having to check a picture a thousands times which only adds time.

[kevman3d]

Hmmm, I guess it depends on how you work - And everyone has their own way of working... :)

For me, I tend to use images as guides rather then going for that perfect match... It just gives me dimensions I need, and gets things looking proportionately correct.

I do know some people use images and spend a long time aligning and adjusting to match. That's when it extends your modelling time.

Some people, with artistic skills like yourself Pi, have a better 'feel' for form then someone like me. That's something that is even better then reference material IMHO!

:beer:

[Pi3141]

You right :) larry and I were talking about this not long ago. We came to the conclusion that working form a plan in your mind or from memory is still using reference material, just a different format ;)



BTW Ichecked out your website Kevman3D, Captain Pukeko rocks :buttrock:

[kevman3d]

lol! That's like the *best* example of reference for a guide - I used the 'Batman' from Justice League as the base shape to form a box. Then I used a physical plastic toy of 'The Tick' to polish the shape a little more by eye...

The whole model took me less then 3.5 hours from start to finish... I dunno how long (or whether I would have bothered) if I didn't have that initial reference imagery...

However that said, there are other characters that I never used reference for... Most started out with a head only... The rest was made up without sketches (so that probably makes me a semi-hypocrit in some ways!)

lol!!!! :p

[little5points]

If I'm coming up with a design from my imagination, it's just easier (and faster) for me to establish the look I want with pencil and paper.

I guess with you, Pi, 'sketching' is done in 3d. Pretty cool :)

The other benefit I'm finding is that it's easier for me to visualize and understand edge loops when I trace them out over my sketch. On some of my first head attempts, I was backtracking a lot because I couldn't see far enough ahead.

just need more practice I guess

[hrgiger]

I don't think I've ever sketched a head before I modeled. But good reference pics are a must. Even if I"m making something up, I"ll use a reference photos for general size and proportion reasons.

[angel]

Originally posted by little5points
The other benefit I'm finding is that it's easier for me to visualize and understand edge loops when I trace them out over my sketch. On some of my first head attempts, I was backtracking a lot because I couldn't see far enough ahead.

just need more practice I guess

exactly! you can study the shapebefore attempting to model it.
Although some artist use 3d as their sketch book, which is pretty cool.

I sketch my work about 95% of the time. It'll make it easier to decide wich modeling method to use. I use the point extend technique most of the time, but you already knew that;)

[pixelranger]

I rarely do it, but when I do the results get better, and when I don't I allways wish I had....
So I'll try to do it more often, but Modeler is so tempting I usually just sit down with it and start droodling in 3d....

[JohnD]

I not only sketch the head, but the whole body as well, both profile and front views. Definitely helps with the modeling process.

[Steve Warner]

When I was trying to figure out how to get the most efficient edge loops, I did spend time sketching them out on paper before I began. I don't currently sketch out my characters or their poly flow before modeling, as I've finally streamlined the process to get a good working flow right out of the gate. But If I were building a character for a client, I would likely use the the reference file as I've found that to be easier when trying to match an existing photo or drawing.

[NanoGator]

Here's an example of how I used a drawing to build a head:

http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31461&perpage=15&pagenumber=2

Was it faster? Oh yes. I used it as a texture map on the mesh. That made developing the nurbs cage significantly easier. Also, it was a challenging design. I can't imagine trying to invent that type of character while building it.

[little5points]

goodstuff NanoGator! very nice

[NanoGator]

Originally posted by little5points
goodstuff NanoGator! very nice

:beer:

Sadly I'll have to rebuild it to finish it hehehe.

[JasonOsipa]

I tend to only do sketches if I'm building it for somebody else, and they haven't given me drawings or reference.

If I 'm aiming for something recognizeable, like a specific person or character, I use a ton of reference.

If I'm just building a character for myself, I've usually got a better idea of the shape in my head than Icould draw anyways, so I just jump in.

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