Grand Space Opera 3D Entry: Jonah Ross

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098345486_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098345486_large.jpg)

Hello All!
This is so exciting. My first challenge!

So, my concept is a final victory scene; though it is a glorious day for the empire, this soldier can not feel anything but remorse for the pain and suffering he whitnessed and that he inflicted. seven years of fighting all come crashing in on him now...

This scene allone may not be vast enough to meet the challenge and I may incorporate it into something larger... dealing with the complete history of his memories... hmmmm

Good luck to all! I am stoked to be here.

peace

j

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098386744_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098386744_large.jpg)

Added the moon for greater vastness and scale. added tank and (shamelessly) copied ships a bit

[jddog]

Ho great idea/concept and looking the skecth I imagine really a wonderful work... really like it.
jdd

[NoRabbit]

very nice idea !
War will always be a part of our history...

I like the scene (the last version), keep up the good the job !

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098601071_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098601071_large.jpg)

Here is an initial tank turret blocked out. I started with a very traditional turret; very faceted and planar. I have now switched to this more modern/futuristic look.

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098601562_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098601562_large.jpg)

here is a progression of detail on the turret. will add more detail soon.

[nuclearman]

Nice concept sketches, Jonah, and it looks like you're making quick progress on the tank. One question: the battlecruisers look like they're close to the planet surface, and don't appear designed for terrestrial flight. This implies a low-gravity environment ... and those generally don't have atmospheres (the gravitatioal attraction is insufficient to retain them) ... so why is the soldier not in a protective suit?

[jonahhawk]

Hey Nuclearman,
thank you for the crit. I agree with you on the atmosphere issue. It is crucial to my theme to have the inhabitants unmasked. I need to show emotion; glory, humility, pity, sorrow, sadness, fear, remorse, etc. I hope to juxtapose the winners and losers of war. The empowered vs the powerless, government vs the people, rich vs poor. All while incorporating the epic history of the waring factions.

So, following your advise, I will make the cruisers more... gravity aware, with thrusters, and wings etc. Even though you'de not be able to see the space bound ships I would still like to incorporate them as part of a huge invasion armada.

Thanks again for keeping up with my posts,

jonah

[eahartz]

I am really liking your concept layout.

[Virtuoso]

Very nice Jonah..............You have a very nice dramatic scene set up.I like the potential in this.It's got a good feel to me.Keep it up.And best of luck to you.............:arteest:

[Saschi0815]

Hi Jonah, your concept is coming along very dramatic.I like that....and your 3d makes me hungry to see more .:thumbsup: Wish u all the best...:) and looking forward to see the progress...

cya

[jonahhawk]

Thank you Saschi0815 and eahartz for the kind comments. I truely appreciate the support.

Virtuoso, it is an honor to have had your comments, and postive ones. It was your work that drew me in to follow the Machine Flesh challenge and I still am inspired by your work in this one. I just went through learning the IK rig for Hydraulic pistons and hope to incoporate them into the tanks in homage to your work and its resulting inspiration.

Since I do respect your opinion so, I would greatly appreciate your truely constructive critisism. It feels really good to have positive feed back and is motivational. I would also like to hear your advise along the way, what you would change, how you might approach this or that. Anything you have to offer, no matter how... harsh would be respected and appreciated. I hope to be as helpful as I am supportive, if that makes sense.

Thank you all,

jonah

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098672075_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098672075_large.jpg)

After printing out the challenge criteria in 24pt type and posting it on the wall in front of me, I felt that I should revisit my theme. It helps to read the instructions!!!

Still, the Unknown Soldier, with his disdain and loss of pride for the cause, stands with his back to the holy inauguration of the Supreme Dictator. The colossal loss of life, the mass carnage, the annihilation of entire peoples has taken it’s toll on him.

In the background the Holy Order presides over the inaugural event as Church appointed advisers escort the new puppet leader to his throne below the statue of our Sorrowed Mother. In her hand she holds the body of her fallen son, a tribute to (and attempted reparation) to the families of lost sons.

Also just behind the Unknown Soldier, sits a fallen soldier of another kind. Rocking slowly back and forth, he is lost in sadness, weeping in his hands. Remorse and sorrow have taken his heart… and his mind.

To the right a group of mourners gather to release the spirit of their loved one in a holy cremation.


So, I plan to fill in the rest of the background with the hoards of battle; the armada of frigates and destroyers, the carriers and supply ships, etc. The Alter and statue (which was inspired by the statue of Lesbia holding a dead robin, I believe) will be ornate and detailed out with the holy symbol of the Order. A pyramid with an eye at the top maybe ;)

The holy advisers to the left and right of the king will resemble a bishop with the smudge pot (forgive me if I have that wrong) with smoke rising from the pot.

On the cremation tower, tied to the posts, are 77 prayer ribbons from friends and family.

A note on war as an “inspiration.”
Without starting an infinite political debate (this is not the forum for it) I would like to give my prayers and condolences to those and families and friends of those lost in this and any war. My heart mourns for all who are lost or injured on all sides of any conflict.

[arturro]

I think you have one of the best and most original concepts. Really cool! This thread is worth being watched:)

[jonahhawk]

Thanks Arturo,

I am using the Challenge Mission statement as a montra. Read it every day. Several times. Live it.

LOL, almost sounds religious!

thanks again, i hope my artwork lives up to the theme.

[greentek]

wow.. really monumental composition.. i think you might displace center.. i mean statue.. though maybe not.. looking cool anyway.. godd luck in challege Jonah..

[mmoir]

Jonah,

Your sketches really do have that epic look , looking forward to seeing more. I think the more streamline turrets is a good move.

Mike

My Grand space opera
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=180886

[killbot]

I like how the gun is pointing towards the statue in the middle, composition wise.

can't wait to see the final project.

[WazaR]

As far as opera drama.... you got it in this comp. hands down.

These really fills the qualifications of the instructions,... it is large, but the human story is still the most fundamentall compente of the image. Your concept has alot of character. It is very good thing you choose to reconsider your work.

hehe, I think your and my peaice are very similar, not mearly because we both have a staute as an element in our work, but more importantly because both revole around the fate of one single character, placeed in a truely epic and sometimes tragic world.

Your vision is an intersting interpitation. I apperciate the use of a non-anglo person as your main character. It can not be stated engouh how underrepresented this class is in 3D work, and in sci-fi in particularlly.

There are GREAT referances you can use from National Geographic that has alot of photos of African Mercenaries and Soliders, I think it could offer you some inspiration.

buena surete amigo....

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098854369_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098854369_large.jpg)

Here is the character reference I will use for the hero. (Courtesy of www.3d.sk. god's gift to 3d character modelers!!) Due to the fact that the photos were shot at close range there was a bit of perspective distortion. In the front view the nose and mouth are closer to the camera and therfore larger than in the side view even though the distance from, say, the top of the head to the eyes is the same in both. I corrected some of these elements in photoshop. I keep the ref photos togehter like this in one image and then crop them in Max's material editor.

Comments on technique are welcome.

[jonahhawk]

I would really like to credit www.3d.sk (http://www.3d.sk) for their efforts. Check them out!

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098854743_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098854743_large.jpg)

Box model step 1

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098854856_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098854856_large.jpg)

Maoving the verts to the proper spots in both views... It is so important that the views be accurate as in the photoshop prep abaove.

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098861033_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098861033_large.jpg)

In the time since my last post...

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098861145_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098861145_large.jpg)

comp over references

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098861244_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098861244_large.jpg)

comp over references

[jonahhawk]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098861370_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4460/4460_1098861370_large.jpg)

I still have a ways to go... Good night all.

[pinnamraj]

hey nice sketches and good stuff


3dmodel- u could still do some details ...more subdivisions..
all the best

[Virtuoso]

I got your PM Jonah................Nice WIp process...................I think your on the way here.The scale of your concepts are looking nice,and have that epic feel.The storyline is fitting.I'll be back,and I hope to be of some help with a suggestion or two then.For now,I will just sit back and watch your progress....................All the best jonah...........:arteest:

[jonahhawk]

for those who just stop by and see that i have not done much, I have been house hunting, shopping fo r a mortgage and making a few offers. Buying a house is time consuming but I hope to be back at it here soon. thanks for looking

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