The Journey Begins Challenge (3D) Entry: Joe Richards

[Wintermute]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141199106_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141199106_large.jpg)

Here we have a soldier giving his wife one last hug goodbye before he leaves home to go to war. This could be a soldier of any nation of any era, the emotion is the same. Really going to try for the emotional end of this one. I just hope I can pull it off.

[ragdoll]

nice concept!

perhaps it would be much more clearer that they're off to war rather than returning from it if the men standing in the background are climbing the stairs towards the plane... :)

just a thought... and thanks for your feedback on my page...

-rj :wavey:

[Wintermute]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141277226_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141277226_large.jpg)

Adding to the "epic" of the piece by increasing the scale of the deployment. I'll probably have another group of soldiers marching between the couple and the camera, as well as lots of soldiers and equipment loading on what appears to be an endless line of transports. Post compositing will be my best friend for this one.

[Crin]

Nice concept with potentially very strong emotional value! Maybe add a crying child?

[Wintermute]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

ragdoll: I'm planning on either having the soldiers on the ramps or at least marching to the planes

crin: Yeah, a crying child latched on to the soldier's leg or something would be great for this piece!

[JurajMolcak]

Like your concept. Looking forward to see some color scheme. Jet fighters make nice "like a long way" feel. Poetic and emotional ;)

[Wintermute]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141454980_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141454980_large.jpg)

Here's a quick color study. Bleak, overcast day, damp concrete. Dull and dark colors for the military uniforms and equipment. The family he's leaving behind is the only remaining bit of bright vibrant color to be seen anywhere.

[amz23]

Nice idea! Very emotional, and personally I love planes ;). I hope you manage to pull off the emotion required for the moment, maybe we could get a glimpse of the wife shutting her eyes very tight, or a teardrop... we'll see!

Keep up!

[Ghost Enigma]

It's a very powerful image, especially given current events.

[JurajMolcak]

Yeeea, we´ve got colorz. Man, this is going to be very emotional. My points for this stage:
Don´t go with yellow dress for a woman. It´s just too close to army green. Make it more vibrant, more romantic.
About to show her or boys facial expression. I don´t know. We all know what´s going on... I don´t think that is good to be very descriptive.

[Wintermute]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141551082_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141551082_large.jpg)

I finally got a start on modeliing the Soldier. Really not a whole lot to look at so far, just an evening's worth of progress.

Oh yeah, Blender 2.41 all the way!

[Wintermute]

Thanks for the feedback everybody!

amz23: I might be able to set this up so we see her eyes. Facial expression will be key, I just hope I can pull it off!

Ghost Enigma: Current events are a definite inspiration here. Especially since i have friends and family currently serving.

Oweron: I see what you mean about the choice of yellow in the composition. I went with yellow because, at least here in the states, it's typically associated with supporting the troops.

back to work! :wip:

[JurajMolcak]

Thanks for the feedback everybody!
Oweron: I see what you mean about the choice of yellow in the composition. I went with yellow because, at least here in the states, it's typically associated with supporting the troops.


Oh, didn´t know that. Now it looks all right from this point of knowledge. And Blender 2.41? That´s cool :thumbsup:

[doffer]

I really like your concept.
It's very strong.

Good modelling on the soldier.

good luck with the challenge.

[ragdoll]

thanks joe! your blocked model is looking promising from here! :thumbsup:

-rj

[coochaki]

nice
I like your idea!
:thumbsup:
very nice concept!
I feel it... .. .
:)

[alkhobarspecial]

cool concept man. looks like it could be real nice. one thing i thought that add lil something is on his bag when you put patches and stuff. im not sure what they look like but maybe some kind of patch to show that its going to be his second tour to the same place. Like so maybe it hints at that they thought he was finally going to stay home but instead hes been asked to go out one more time. iono its something to think about.

model looks pretty good so far. allthough i think in your concept he looks like he has broader shoulders

[Wintermute]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141718804_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141718804_large.jpg)

Hands are probably the most difficult aspect of a human for me to model, despite having 2 perfectly good ones attached at all times and having a Gray's Anatomy book to reference. :D

[Vedic-kings]

Thats one good looking hand!

Great job!

[Wintermute]

doffer, ragdoll, coochaki: Thanks guys!

alkhobarspecial: hmm, duty patches. Interesting idea. As far as the model not being as broad-shouldered as my sketch-I have more verts to push around then don't I :D I'll probably use this as a base mesh for several variations, as I do have quite a few soldiers in the background.

Vedic kings: Thanks! You should see some of my earliest hand models :surprised

[Wintermute]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141791402_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1141791402_large.jpg)

Despite still being faceless, I think I've finally got a decent figure to use for the primary soldier as well as the background troops.

Next up, uniform design, rigging and character variations!

[Womball]

Very nice concept! The topology looks very clean too. I like the stylized almost realistic look. Although you might want to add comic book style feet. By this I mean the basic curves of the foot, ankles and a visible achilles tendon. This would be great if you have a soldier that has his foot out his boots for some reason. Soldier can have character too, it just needs to be subtle. Also your hands seem to lack a defined palm and the pinky muscle.

[Wintermute]

Thanks for the crits Womball! :bounce:
I see exactly how to make those refinements to the hand, but the feet are pretty much going to be in heavy combat boots. Now that I look at it, the ankle topology is really not as complete as it should be-still, the boots will cover that eventurally. :D

I'm currently struggling with making the uniform not look like a superhero costume :banghead: (skin tight) I'll post an update when I have something worth showing.

[Wintermute]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1142144297_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1142144297_large.jpg)

I finally have something worth showing in the uniform department!

[Wintermute]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1142153119_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/13/9983/9983_1142153119_large.jpg)

Moving right along…
The uniform still needs adjustments - mostly in adding folds and the like.

[ragdoll]

hey mute! :p

the model's looking good!

just a thought, since the image will be generally focused with the pilots back turned from the camera, maybe you can focus on working on the details at the back more so than at the front. just to make things easier and to get the image looking at its best! that being the detailed parts... :arteest:

keep it! i'll be keeping track! :thumbsup:

-rj

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