Uplift Universe - Image Entry: Scott Clark

[ScottC]

Well, I've sat out the last couple Challenges here, because I didn't approve of the way 2d and 3d images had been lumped together in the re-categorization. But frankly, that's just not very much fun, and I'm tired of everyone else having fun and not me ;). So my hat's in the ring, but don't expect any sketches for a while...I've got to read these 6 Uplift books first..

Good luck to all...see you back here in a few weeks!

[ScottC]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14487/14487_1206773337_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14487/14487_1206773337_large.jpg)

Well, I have now read Startide Rising (fantastic) and The Uplift War. Can't believe I haven't read these great books before now.

I have decided to to illustrate a moment from Startide Rising(mostly) for this challenge. I played around with a few different scenes, but this was the only one that gave me an excuse to model a cyborged up dolphin on a big spider-walker (how awesome is that?) The choice was clear.



Here is my profoundly crappy sketch. It depicts a moment where Toshio and Hikahi are rescued, injured and stranded after a tragic away mission, by more crew from the Streaker. They are found "huddled together", after Toshio has overcome some of his own attitudes about the Neos, and adopted a more protective/affectionate attitude towards them.



If I pull it off, I think there will be relationships evident among the rescue party, between the party and the stranded crew members, and a tender interaction between Toshio and Hikahi.

Much more likely, it will just look like accusing onlookers have stumbled upon an illicit man/dolphin love affair. Either way, my entry is valid ;) .



My intention is to fully model the scene, for a predominantly 3D entry. However, we seem to have less time alloted this time around for image entries. I lost over a week just trying to read some of the promoted reference material, because I wanted to try and keep in the spirit of the challenge. I will have to evaluate my progress in a couple weeks, and possibly switch to a more traditionally painted 2d piece.

[nmcelmury]

Nice concept so far, you got your work cut out for you! Good luck, this could look really nice!

[sasquatch70]

Hey Scott,

Are you done reading the books yet? I want to see more.This is looking great.
Brad

[ScottC]

Im afraid real life work threw me some curveballs, and I wasn't able to get back to this untill this past week. 3D is out...Im scrambling now to get a more traditional 2d painting done. I should have a B&W "rough" wip up in the next day or so.

[Edit] Actually, looking at the calendar, and taking into account my own work, I just dont think theres enough time this challenge to get anything worthwhile done. Good luck to everyone else.

[ScottC]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14487/14487_1209850854_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14487/14487_1209850854_large.jpg)

Well, I decided I already had some work in, I might as well try and get something finished for the challenge, so it wont be a total loss. Just finishing something would be a learning experience at this point.

Since 3d is out, Im going with a more traditional "painting"...not really my strong point, but something I could conceivably get done after real life work messed up my plans, and working outside of ones comfort zone is a good learning exp.


Here is my tonal base. Theres little of the eventual detail on the figures or strong highlights. I just wanted to get some things worked out in my head before I proceeded. Its something of a mess...if we had the full amount of time for the challenge, I would probably rework the entire composition.

Im afraid I originally budgeted in the malleability of the 3d experience when planning this, but at this point I've no choice but to go with whats already been worked out. Still, I think things should improve substantially with color added to the mix.

[ScottC]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14487/14487_1210297102_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14487/14487_1210297102_large.jpg)

Color and more refinement. Burning midnight oil now.

[MartinNielsen]

Nice progress :thumbsup: I hope the poor dolphin makes it :)

[ScottC]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14487/14487_1210399890_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14487/14487_1210399890_large.jpg)

Still working on this, just wanted to get an image uploaded in case of problem. Will upload another image, barring incident.

[kobatune]

good!! dolphin and spider! keep it up!

[ScottC]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14487/14487_1210564531_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14487/14487_1210564531_large.jpg)

Well, more real life work reared its ugly head, so I couldn't do much more on this. This will be my final image.

Just to recap, it's based on a passage from Startide Rising, describing how the crew of the Streaker find Toshio and Hikahi "huddled together" under some trees on the island they are stranded upon. In the book it technically was storming, but that would have looked like it was part of one "event" rather than having had some time pass, and it would have obscured some of the things I wanted to show. Given more time I would have liked to place a lot of leaves and debris one the ground showing the passing of the storm.

Also, Im not sure, but Kithrup may or may not have a red sky, but that wasn't a color palette I wanted to work with the dolphins.

Anyways, congratulations to all the other entrants and the winners. Hopefully next time work will be sparse, and the stars will align to help me get closer to my original vision for the challenge. Thanks to CGtalk for hosting the challenge, the charitable few who gave me some encouragement, and to David Brin for some wonderful books.

[vmulligan]

Very nice. I'm glad to see someone else actually read the book ;) . Best of luck with the judging.

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