Eon (3D Scene) Entry: Gary Downing

[gardogg]

I loved doing the spectacular challenge and unfortunately missed the journey begins challenge. I hope to come back strong in this challenge, improve my skills, make new friends, encourage others, chat with old friends, and enjoy the process. Now I've got to read the book and come up with an inspiration!

[Pooyag]

hey gary,
good to see you back, same here, i joined for the journy, never even started it though....
Best of luck man...;)

[daWinky]

Hey Gary!

Nice to see you back in the game:) !
Have fun reading the book and I'm curious to discover your visions about "EON"...

-sabrina

[gardogg]

I am half way through the book now and it is really getting good. I didn't think I would like the book but I really do. If anyone uses only the excerps given by the inspiration section, they are giving themselves a big disadvantage. I say this because when I read the book, I found out that the excerps given were misleading when taken out of context. The way I pictured in my head what I was reading then was inaccurate when I began to read the book all the way through. I'm sure a lot of people who didn't read the book are going to have false visual representations of what the book has to say...

[TheFirstAngel]

great to see ya join this too old friend, came to wish you best of luck and lots of fun :) burst your boosters Gary! :beer::buttrock::scream: let it rock!!!

[Climax]

Hey mate!, glad to find u in, good luck and tons of fun in the comming 3 months!

[shakes]

hey Gary- good luck with the challenge mate!

[destruct007]

I agree with you on the book, I'm 2/3s done and there are tiny descripters throughout the book, of so many parts, like I saw some one here make Particia have blond hair... hah, not quite the way she's described. anyway good luck! looking forward to your wip

[jddog]

Heila just find your thread... I wish you dood luck Gary

[gardogg]

I finished the book and figured out how I wanted to portray what I felt was the heart and soul behind the book while implementing a taste of what the book has to offer. I also wanted to throw in some humor and creativity. And my own style. (I think I have one?...?) But the book isn't cartoony like my drawing is so I will have to use references to get any realism and whatnot. I'm not good enough to make things look very realistic with no reference yet and why bother on a sketch? I'm still afraid to post what I have so I want to work on my concept sketch more before I submit it.

[beelow]

Good luck Gary! I wish I had the luxury of having the book to better visualize things. Good luck to you!:thumbsup:

[gardogg]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1161153235_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1161153235_large.jpg)

Due to the focus of the 3d scene on the modeling itself (as I read in the FAQ section), I decided to keep things simple and not try to go after an immense landscape or something. Besides, matte painting is better suited to such a purpose. I don't know if I'm going to pursue an all out cartoon approach to this or go for realism within the context of a cartoon look, or go for realism all out and get rid of any cartoony looking elements. We'll see. For a background I'll just stick some stars up and some galaxys and stuff. For the lighting the earth will be casting a glow onto all the characters and there will be some light coming from the stars as well... I'd say that light will be blue and the one from earth will be a warmer yellowish white or orange. Suggestions and crits are very much welcome and appreciated.

[fellah]

yeeees another toon entry! please dont go for realism..!!
will they stand in the universe without floor or do you plan to add some floor for them to stand on?
an idea is to have them standing inside a big "conference hall" with the universe outside, spining an earthglobe.. one like this with a "frame":
http://www.maps2anywhere.com/Graphics/Replogle-pioneer-blue-ocean-gold-base.jpg

looking forward to see where you take this.. and please, no realism!!! :cry:

[gardogg]

Fellah - I appreciate your suggestion. I have considered it. I don't want the world to be on a globe stand because I want this to actually be the real earth. And these are the giant powers that control the earth and their conflict. The earth will just hover. But for adding a floor for the people, hmmm... I'm thinking that over. We'll see. Since this is something coming from patricia's daydream, maybe it doesn't have to make sense. It is just a dream.

[angel]

I'm with fellah on this one. I think the concept lends itself for a more cartoony or stylized style but if you aren't "feeling" it then go for realism.

[Istmo]

"the potato"..hahah:D Good luck to you, I´ll be watching to your evolution:thumbsup:

[soapy]

Hahah! That sketch is hilarious. This one is shaping up to be a classic. Go man go.

[gardogg]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1161663957_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1161663957_large.jpg)

I apologize for how simple and stupid looking this is but I actually think it fits my theme well and plan to model it like so. I laugh every time I look at it because it is so dumb and overly simple for a concept sketch - especially for such a high profile art contest. That makes it ironic and humorous to me.

[gardogg]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1161666633_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1161666633_large.jpg)

Here's a basic model for the little alien. The cartoony style tends to call for less attention to detail... however I can put some effort into the textures and stuff... We'll see. But for now the plan is to hash out the basic models for the characters and evolve the sketch into 3d the best I can. I'm not sure if zbrush and high detail stuff is going to be relevant...

[soapy]

LOL, that alien is hilarious. The sketch is classy too. No problems from me. :-)

[TheFirstAngel]

great previzgreat to see ya go with a toon entry! very cute alien ^^!
oh, there's a nice little trick to support the toonfeel you might find usefull when finishing. use your model make a copy of it, flip its faces use the pushmodifyer (blow it up slightly) on a low amount and assign a nonspecular black on the outer mesh wich will cause nice cartoonoutlines :) try that :)

keep on rocking mate! :beer::buttrock::wip::arteest:

[gardogg]

soapy and first angel - thanks for the support! I am struggling with feeling inspired on my entry but positive feedback helps me there. I wish I had more motivation and determination. Hopefully, that will come soon!

[mmoir]

Hey Gary,

Good to see you're up for another challenge. I haven't read the book yet but I have it ordered so I will take your advise and read the book before getting to deep into my image. I like your concept idea so far and regarding the floor issue around the earth , maybe you could have them standing on one large ring (like saturns rings) but very transparent. Just a thought.
Look forward to your updates.

[madshooter]

Toon style, Hey dude I like your concept:) Alien looks cool, You can add some small minor details like folds on his clothes. All the best for this challenge:thumbsup:

[TheFirstAngel]

np mate. made you a quick examplefile, you can download it here :) outlinetrick.max (http://www.angel3d.ch/content/challenge/xtra/outlinetrick.max)

[gardogg]

mmoir - good to see you are going to read the book. It's a good read. Nice idea about the ring to stand on. I am thinking gravity isn't an issue with giant space people that are fictional... I think I'll just let em "float"...

madshooter - you are right. I think I will add a bunch of details. That makes it more interesting

TheFirstAngel - uhm, I don't have max so I can't open that! Oh well... It would be cool to see a picture of a finished product using the style you are talking about...

[gardogg]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1161974782_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1161974782_large.jpg)

Here's where I'm at with the next character. Started from a box.

[TheFirstAngel]

http://www.angel3d.ch/content/challenge/xtra/outlinetrick.jpg

here's a screenshot, hope that explains it :)

[gardogg]

thanks thefirstangel! That is a cool looking cartoon. the lines do look good. I don't want them on my models though. I appreciate the suggestion and am glad to have learned the new technique.

[gardogg]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1162087813_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1162087813_large.jpg)

Today I modeled the body and added more detail. I took the model into zbrush and was able to sculpt more freely there and get some character built into this man.

[gardogg]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1162133626_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1162133626_large.jpg)

This one came out a little better than the first model I made. I think I'm going to go back and change the first one now. I like this more realistic look and feel. Although it is still cartoon like it isn't quite as exaggerated in features

[soapy]

Great progress Gardogg. Those heads look excellent! It looks like you got your mojo back so that is good to see. Cheers.

[varma]

Hello Gary!
I like your characters a lot and I think you have a good going with the chinese leader,
he's looking great!
I wish to see more as soon as you have made more progress!
Good luck pal!
:thumbsup:

[johnnymaster]

nice work! I like the cartoony style, one already can identify nice shapes even on this early stage!:thumbsup: Good luck!

[gardogg]

soapy - thanks man. My mojo isn't really back but I forced myself to work on this by sheer will power. I don't know why I can't get excited. I just don't see this work as ever meeting my fullest potential as an artist I think... Your support really helps me though.

varma - wow, that really encourages me. Thank you. This is one of my first attempts at designing my own characters and it is scary. Your support helps

johnnymaster - for an artist of your knowledge and skill level to comment on my page is really a treat. That work in progress on your portfolio that you say you will resume after this challenge is incredible and I am inspired to try to do something detailed and realistic looking like that.

[gardogg]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1162773419_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1162773419_large.jpg)

Here is the upper body and hand and gun for the chinese dictator. I hope to get my pace back up on this project.

[fgdf]

^^^ Great modeling especially face - ugly & "comunistic" - Who was your reference. :P

[soapy]

What a stylish bad guy! Very kool, hahah. :-)

[angel]

Making some good progress there Gary. Designing appealing characters for non-concept people like us makes it even more challenging but you are doing fine buddy. Keep up the good work.

[gardogg]

fgdf - thanks. I just typed a google search for old asian man and used a handful of men to give me some reference for the different features. Most of it I modeled just by instinct I guess...

soapy - thanks!

snows - I appreciate that

[johnnymaster]

Hey Gary,

yeah, nice model! I like it, even though my workflow is completely different, i always try to model a "perfect" (you know what i mean) low poly model with traditionelly poly modeling methods, then importet to zbrush and add fine details to the model, but at first i need a perfekt low poly model, i think thats a lot fast than also sculpt whole big shapes, but i'm curious and wait to see the final model. Also curious to see your cloth sculptings, thats not easy, i'm using the other way with simulated cloth on a naked body.

Anyway, nice job, keep at it mate!:thumbsup: Hope you'll finish it well timed!

[gardogg]

johnnymaster - Thanks for the comment on my page! I'm not sure if you thought I did the low poly model in zbrush because just to clarify, I did the low poly modeling in maya. All the extruding and edgeloop flow was done in maya using traditional methods. I bring the model into zbrush to do tweaking on the shapes because it is so much faster to tweak and clean up the lines in zbrush with the move tool. But I bring it back into maya to do any type of adding or subtracting of polygons and edges. So in a way I think the workflow you mentioned to me is the same as what I am using, except I use zbrush a little bit to assist in the low poly tweaking. About the clothes... I guess I'm just cheating by not modeling a naked body and then adding clothes separately. Because I'm not animating but just making still sculptures, I see no need to get fancy with dynamic clothing. I have never made clothes like that anyways :(

[gardogg]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1163719215_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1163719215_large.jpg)

Here's the alien gun. Not too detailed, but oh well.

[gardogg]

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1163889733_medium.jpg (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/15/12014/12014_1163889733_large.jpg)

Here's the face of the tall alien. To save time, I have been using the same mesh for every character and pushing/pulling the vertices with zbrush into the face shapes I want.

[mdavid]

I've finally had the chance to look into this thread and I really like what you're doing. Your characters are marvellous. I agree with Soapy - your bad guy was excellent. Keep up the great work. It's got a fresh, original feel about it. Cool alien gun too!

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