Stella sunset, Mattias Doevenspeck (3D)

[moonangel]

hm, thats difficult. The robot itself is quite good, and the environment rocks.
But in my first opinion, they do nit fit together... :surprised
The environment is shady and dirty, but not exaggerated, quite realistic.
the Bot is more comic-style, roundly, a sympathic, cuddly character.

I think that Bot would fit much better in some kind of slightly wrecked spaceship,
while a more realistic, sharp edged bot would fit better to the environment,
maybe its not that, maybe its a matter of composition or light, or all that.

On the other Hand i like that contrast, that conflict of style, it somehow leads one to look at your image longer and closer, instead of having everything the "traditional" way ;)

oh man, what am i talking, no body will understand that weird texting ^^

ok,: The technical side is very good, the objects are quite nice each of them alone, the robot is somehow funny, and i am totally confused of what to think of the image as a whole.
alright, 4 stars for your nice work with included mind attack :)

[Eloosive]

Hi Mattias. There's no doubt as to your ability, I think your texturing is quite good, the lighting seems convincing, and the modeling is nice and tight. I'd have to go with Johannes though, the robot, which would presumtively be more technologically advanced, is not in a relevant environment. The environment alone, is fantastic, that should be a separate piece. And the robot could be independent on it's own. I like the robot. I'd have no doubt you could craft for the robot a nice stylized futuristic environment, since you enjoy making detailed environments. Just check out some reference material, Google images or watch the Sci Fi Channel. Sometimes we all design images with the best of intentions, but there are times where the artist gets caught up in the technical processes (however good they may be) and the concept begins to lose cohesiveness or doesn't tell a story effectively. It's generally best to have both technical execution and conceptual development as both strong. This image could be fixed quite easily by putting up little touches that might tie the robot into the environment more effectively. Maybe the robot works at the factory, in which case he could have a distressed beer logo on him, and there's a sign on the building with the same logo. Even if this made up example isn't the case, in general, people do look for a narrative or a story in images of this particular presentation and if there's a deficiency, it'll stick out glaringly. Even if the image wasn't meant to have a story, people still tend to look for something interesting, or for clues that demonstrate relationships or meaning, if these aspects are combined together effectively, the image will resonate with the viewer. Static images have less time than an animated duration of frames to build up a story, so it can be harder. The lighting to me is moody, (quite nice) which makes me wonder what's going on, and interests me enough to look at your image longer, and realize that the two elements don't connect as strongly. Either way, I think the technical accomplishments are very very solid and have style. Look forward to more of your work. Keep it up!

[ASIFKHAN]

outstanding.....

[MattiasD]

Thanks for the comments.
You guys are right about the background/foreground missmatch. I started out with a totally different idea. I wanted to create a ruined city with a big crater and the robot standing on the edge. But for the moment skill en time still constrain my imagination :).

[Pitipongp]

looks great! nice design :wip:

[Dtox]

I have to disagree with all the comments regarding the environment clashing with the character.

The sentiment to that is that robots should be in somewhat futuristic environments, and IMO, that doesn't make any sense.
That way of thinking is too "within the box" if you know what I'm saying.

I think this work is excellent.
I like the rustic environment, and I can easily see a robot being in an environment like that.
Doesn't seem out of place at all.
IMO anyway.

Robots in spacecraft/futuristic environments are a dime a dozen around here.
On any given day you can log in here to the 3D stills section and find at least 6 new images of robots and/or spacecraft in the traditional futuristic setting.
It's just plain boring.

Fast forward 75 years in the future, where mankind has designed all sorts of different robots for industrial purposes.
What kind of logic would dictate that they will be seen mainly in futuristic labs or cutting edge industrial warehouses?
I could easily see robots being used to demolish old 19-20th century factories that are condemned and too dangerous for humans due to things like asbestos and black mold all over the place, not to mention weak structures that could collapse at any time.

This robot is clearly designed with an industrial style.
I don't see it as a cuddly character.
At all.
If anything, the robot has a somewhat depressed appearance.
And the environment has an undeniable depressing atmosphere.

I'm not trying to tell you what to do here.
But I would personally be depressed if you were to take the above advice and start creating futuristic environments that "go along" with characters like this.

I too gravitate toward designing environments rather than characters.
Seems like everyone and their brother are doing characters these days.
It's to the point where I don't even bother looking anymore.
Everyday there's another robot, alien, orc, gollum, knight, muscle bound tough guy in futuristic armor, futuristic alien/human hybrid female with big boobs, mech, blah blah blah.
It really only shows technical proficiency with the software, not outstanding creativity.

It's so freakin boring at this point I want to take my head off and kick it like a football.

Then along comes this image which has a refreshing flair to it, and people are lining up to help stifle the creativity and pound the idea back into the box.
Talk about depressing.

I'm not trying to offend anyone here, so I apologize to anyone who has already taken offense.
Maybe it's time though for people to re-evaluate their ideas on things.

It's not enough anymore to just "think outside the box", you have to recognize that there is no box and there never was.

you guys are right about the background/foreground missmatch. I started out with a totally different idea.
And you subconsciously ended up creating a refreshingly different style of image.
I think you would be doing yourself a terrible disservice if you were to forcefully constrain your ideas when they seem to naturally gravitate toward the un-orthodox.
If it don't fit, don't force it! Just relax and let it go.

I think you should just go with this style and see what else you can up with.

[Eloosive]

I for one certainly don't intend to stifle anyone's creativity, far from that. For myself having more than enough years in art school, and more than that working professionally and at one point, as art director, I'll for better or worse understand 'art' as both an expression of raw creativity, and a means to a business transaction. -We're in a commercial art oriented industry, let's be just brutally honest about that, and it's a commodity as well, so those dimensionalities don't make anyone, no matter how much they proclaim to be an "artiste" unequivocally immune to mainstream values that are already established in the medium, regardless of what genre, a robot connoting Sci-Fi is not off limits.

Now we can be blissfully creative until we're blue in the face, throw caution to the wind saying we'll disregard what others might think, ignoring some precepts about art- specifically in this medium, the principles about composition, cohesiveness in story, but I think that's a stretch, because if CG artists are choosing to be on here of their own free will, looking for opinions, whether qualified, casual, or otherwise, they're pretty much acquiescing to being told some sort of honest critique or advice on how to improve their respective skillsets or how to eventually get hired.

I'd daringly guess that CG artists do make art for art's sake with all their passion, but I'm sure 99.999% of them still want to make a living at it, and have enough to buy fast computers to make their pieces. And if this is true, they're simply going to follow established conventions. Apparently this means people are lining up to bash your efforts, but that's ridiculous.

I doubt highly this implies they're ANY LESS creative, innovative, ANY less apt to attempt clever abstraction in their quest to be different. If anything it means they've mastered the rules and know how to negotiate a balance.

Frankly, I don't see anything wrong with Sci Fi characters. Robot, Alien or other. These are an institution as a genre of entertainment, much like Cowboys and Indians or old westerns were years and years ago. It is what it is, and there's a reason it's popular. It's a fantasy staple of modern times.

There are reasons why a robot would be in a futuristic in envronment, and that's as legitimate as reasons why they'd find themselves in archaic, primitive, or completely organic and natural ones, my point was, before it was misconstrued and diluted, is, if there's no articulated relationships, meanings, or stories in the composition, the piece has less impact, no matter what environment it's in. Context is simply important.

Anyone could say you're being coerced or forced in to some ominous "conformity ring", or whatever, but it's a basic understanding; human behavior- people tend to look for solid meanings in a piece, however "horribly" mainstream that sounds. Looking good is but one of several other components to what would be thought of as a thouroughly successful piece.

- just my two cents

[Wiley3d]

hey man, I love this piece. I rarely comment but I have to respectfully disagree about the background being out of place. I am also an art student, and I think that the background adds more contrast and interest to the piece. I dont think we need to see even more robots in futuristic cities. I like the idea of an advanced robot being in an old worndown less modern enviornment. Great job...I am going to give it 4 stars....bordering on 5. If you are still only a student you have a very bright future ahead of you. I really like the robot, he is cute. I am saving it to my harddrive...Great job. Keep up the good work.

[MattiasD]

This robot is clearly designed with an industrial style.
I don't see it as a cuddly character.
At all.
If anything, the robot has a somewhat depressed appearance.
And the environment has an undeniable depressing atmosphere.

Wow, that really what i wanted to express with this image. At the beginning, it was on the edge of a crater offcourse :). I just thought it would be nice too make it look like a somewhat tired of work, depressed robot. It gives it a bit more of a emotional side...


if there's no articulated relationships, meanings, or stories in the composition, the piece has less impact, no matter what environment it's in. Context is simply important.

Indeed that's certainly something i have to take in mind for future work. I don't think it means that this robot can't be in this scene, but i should have created a more visual connection between the two of them, like the simple beer logo you suggested.

[dOMINUSMess]

Hi,

I really like this image : great technical skill. :applause:
As to the previous comments : I'd say the best is a bit of both as usual.
Some people tend to stick to classical composition rules because they believe that's the "right" thing or "commercial" or whatever...
I think in art there is no "right" thing, only that what you do.
And some will like it on some will not. And that's it ...
Anyway: some of the greatest art would never have been created if everyone sticks to the same principles: diversity rules haha ...

Dtox said : It's not enough anymore to just "think outside the box", you have to recognize that there is no box and there never was. I completely agree with you.

EDIT:
Eloosive said : people tend to look for solid meanings in a piece
Yes they do, but people don't need a logo for that or a "matching" environment : The robot could well have been sent back in time or whatever.
With this image, as it is right now, one wonders what the robot is about and what it is doing there : so your imagination is being put to work and your brain can fill in the gaps, which is most of the times (like in this image IMO) much more fun than when everything is being fed into your mouth with a spoon.
I feel this image is way better of "being not commercially oriented". Things like that can always be done if there's a need for it when you're work is being commissioned.

Have fun, Dominiek.

[X-796]

This is great stuff I love the lighting and modeling but the texturing is the best man

keep it up great o no amazing jobhttp://forums.cgsociety.org/images/icons/icon13.gif

[moonangel]

Yes they do, but people don't need a logo for that or a "matching" environment : The robot could well have been sent back in time or whatever.
i think you misunderstood.
The main mismatch mentioned here is not the difference in time the objects seem to be from, (either way, they are) but what was mentioned is composition. There is no relation between robot and background, neither visual, nor by sense. It gives the impression as if you take to photographs and cut an object from the one picture and glue it on the other. That may be an artistic approach for composition, but it is inappropriate for an image that is meant to be a logical unit, as that image seems to be, by first impression.
thats the difficulty here. On the one hand it does not fit, on the other hand it fascinates

maybe it would be interesting to see the scene with a visual, physical relation between background and robot. so, objects casting shadows on the robot, wires on the ground, the robot stands on, or something the robot has in its hands, something that integrates the robot into the background and with that unites the two objects...

[dOMINUSMess]

moonangel said : On the one hand it does not fit, on the other hand it fascinates
Indedeed you're right and that was exactly my point : because the relationship isn't obvious, your brain is more being put to work than when everything had been crystal clear and personally I prefer to look at that kind of work.
So my advise to MattiasD = follow your own instinct and don't follow the "dos and don'ts" of others too much except of course when your boss tells you so ;)

EDIT: Of course : paradox : my advise is to not follow the advice of others, so if you follow my advise then you are not following my advise and ..., ... , eeeek : system overflow haha

[TheGoozer]

Awesome still Mattias.

I'm still a student to so I know it is fun to experiment with different styles and so on...
And i think you'r work is GREAT.

Love the textures... Love the model... Love the concept...
4* mate.

Question because you're a student to: how many years do you model and so on so that you could accomplish this scene/still?

Grtz

[MattiasD]

I m a first year student, didn't had much experience with 3D modeling prior to that. Just tried 3Ds max a couple of times, but had a lot of difficulties getting started. So this first year has been really great to not only get to know the basics, but also to get to know other passionate 3D students/artists.

[TheGoozer]

I m a first year student, didn't had much experience with 3D modeling prior to that. Just tried 3Ds max a couple of times, but had a lot of difficulties getting started. So this first year has been really great to not only get to know the basics, but also to get to know other passionate 3D students/artists.
Well that's great. I didn't learned much at school. Most things I learn on myself. So... Had a rough start myself. Very great model dude. You are talented.
Textures are great. That's the part I hate. But that's because I don't know the thing proper I think. So that's something I have to work on. Now, modeling is my priority and passion.

Keep it up Mattias. Mayby we'll meet some day at a exhibition or somewhere...

BTW: Are you a DAE'er in Kortrijk? Because... that's just 10km from my home or someting like that...

Grtz

[Bipolar]

As someone who creates environments for a living, I have to say awesome job. I agree with the sentiment that the robot doesnt seem to fit. Maybe textures or lighting are making it pop? But thats more of a composition thing. The robot itself is very cool and imaginative. Keep on posting!

[prabodha]

i'll just say..this is excellent for me...5stars frm me.bro..

[Dtox]

I'll for better or worse understand 'art' as both an expression of raw creativity, and a means to a business transaction. -We're in a commercial art oriented industry, let's be just brutally honest about that, and it's a commodity as well, so those dimensionalities don't make anyone, no matter how much they proclaim to be an "artiste" unequivocally immune to mainstream values that are already established in the medium, regardless of what genre, a robot connoting Sci-Fi is not off limits.
I would never say it's off limits, I'd say it's tired, overdone and doesn't show alot of creativity.
But, we're humans with our own freewill.
So people make what they want according to their interest.

The image in this thread isn't for a job, it's a personal piece done for school.
And the student that made it wasn't offering a demo reel and asking for peoples opinions on how to tailor it to get noticed by a future employer.
Which, coincidentally, is something that many people recommend for that task.
To not fill your reel with spaceships and robots because employers see so much of it it becomes background noise.

Anyway, the student said "here's a personal piece I did for school, what do you think".
People didn't seem to understand what the image was conveying.

I couldn't understand why people were questioning the environment.
Old abandoned and condemned buildings, depressing, the robot looks depressed too.
And people are saying "the character doesn't fit the environment".
If the character were in a traditional space or future environment, the entire atmosphere that the image was created with would be totally lost.

I understand the difference between doing a job you're hired to do and creating your own personal work.
From my perspective there's a large difference.

I've modeled embarrassingly low res buildings and alpha mapped plane trees and people for jobs.
When creating a personal piece though, there's no alpha mapped plane people or low res buildings.
Just as there aren't orcs, gollums, knights, spaceships, women with big boobs-guns-knives in armor, etc.
Would I make any of these things if I was getting paid?
Hell yeah!

I could appreciate a creative re-envisioning of these things also.

maybe it would be interesting to see the scene with a visual, physical relation between background and robot. so, objects casting shadows on the robot, wires on the ground, the robot stands on, or something the robot has in its hands, something that integrates the robot into the background and with that unites the two objects...
It has that though.
It should be tweaked to make it more apparent it seems since people are having a hard time seeing it, but the image and the BG DO have cohesion.
I personally don't think it's that hard to see though.

[MattiasD]

Well, I m really glad I had the courage posting my work here. Thanks for the indepth reactions. I ll certainly keep in mind some of the stuff said here.
The jury seemed to like my entry the most :), which is a great boost to keep on working and hopefully improving.

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