Steampunk Myths and Legends Entry: Kirt Stanke

[Kirt]

This theme is too cool to pass up. I'm in!
Best of luck to everyone! :buttrock:

[coCoKNIght]

oooh, look who's here
good luck mate!

[Squibbit]

ey kirt


.,.,

[Kirt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226526811_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226526811_large.jpg)

I think I'll be doing something that has a feel for American folklore/mythology. I like the old west tall tales. Images of a steam powered Babe the Blue Ox and a commanding Paul Bunyan come to mind immediately. So, I'm going to pursue that for now. The idea of a Pecos Bill variation seems intriguing as well. Hmmmm ...

[Swizzle]

I think I'll be doing something that has a feel for American folklore/mythology. I like the old west tall tales. Images of a steam powered Babe the Blue Ox and a commanding Paul Bunyan come to mind immediately. So, I'm going to pursue that for now. The idea of a Pecos Bill variation seems intriguing as well. Hmmmm ...Before Icarus, I was considering doing a steampunk Paul Bunyan. American folklore is ripe for steampunk imagery, so I'd love to see what you come up with, Kirt. Good luck!

[WyattHarris]

Old West is good stuff. Good luck Kirt.

[OKMER]

Yep that can be really cool indeed!Nice to see you in!All the best Kirt!

[Kirt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226547515_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226547515_large.jpg)

Another quick sketch.

[Kirt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226610429_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226610429_large.jpg)

I think I'm just going to make a machine rather than make the machine look like an ox. This just turned out stupid looking. meh ... thought I'd share my failures as well.

[Legacy40k]

I like the big oxen machine.. especially the head, I think you should experiment with the idea a bit more and see if you can find something you like. My only criticism of the machine you have is Paul Bunion (who I assume is driving it?) is no longer a giant man.

[Kirt]

Well, I'm not sure I'm going to go with the whole "giant man" idea yet. I like the idea of Paul Bunyan being big in stature and prestige through his invention of Babe the blue ox.

[SheepFactory]

Sweet sketches Kirt. Subscribing to this one. :wavey:

[iskanderMellakh]

i like the Ox too - i dont think the image is a failure. I like the idea of the man riding the ox and the steam coming out from its nose. Not sure about the cog wheel as a leg? the rest is great though.

[TheNeverman]

came across this in another thread... got a nice smile out of it...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/2215410611_3c19439c1d.jpg?v=0

[blackheart]

[QUOTE=Kirt]http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226610429_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226610429_large.jpg)

I wouldn't call this sketch a failure i think it has potential and personality, although the main feature is mechanical it doesn't seem cold and lifeless, i like where this could go.

good luck.

[SideAche]

I like the Bull sketch Kirt - good luck on this one.

[Kirt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226628280_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226628280_large.jpg)

Still working with the idea that Paul is not a giant and that he commands a machine of large size. Here he's atop a humanoid robot. Which would be one of two large machines working together. A steam engine Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox ... if you will.

[ace4016]

Sketches look pretty sweet so far. I actually like the mechanical ox; could you a few tweaks in the locomotion area, but looks sweet. Although...didn't Paul have to go up against a man that used a steam powered lumber machine? Ah that doesn't matter :P


Subscribed! Good luck and have fun.

[Kirt]

ace4016 - Did he? That sounds more like the story of Casey Jones. He pitted himself against a steam powered railroad track laying machine.

Maybe I got that wrong too? ... I'll have to look it up.

[RicoD]

Steampunk Wild West? Looking forward to seeing you explore this. Good luck Kirt! I loved the steampowered bull btw.

[ace4016]

Think it was John Henry that pitted himself against the steam powered hammer for railroad tracks...maybe I'm remembering a modern update to the Paul; Bunyan story where a man uses the invention of a chainsaw to cut trees faster than the axe and a steam engine train to replace Babe that sort of borrowed from the John Henry legend. Ah, doesn't really matter; these are usually loose stories anyways with like 1000 different versions :P

[Goro]

Kirt haven't seen you around for a while! Love your latest one!

[angel]

Hey Kirt, nice sketches and I like your idea quite a bit, very different than the rest of the pack. I suppose this will take a good chunk of your TF2 playing time right? :D

[mordecaidesign]

Concept art wise this has been my favorite so far. Awesome job.

[Kirt]

ace4016 - Yeah, I think you're right. I didn't look into it yet (as stated ... I've been playing too much TF2 :blush: ), but John Henry sounds right. I think Casey Jones was an Engineer or something though. Ah well ... doesn't matter.

I was thinking about this the other day and was remembering a tale of Paul Bunyan walking home after a long day's work. He and Babe were weary and tired and the dragged their feet and (Paul) his ax while walking. They say that the trail left in the dirt behind them is what we now call the Grand Canyon. This might be a nice bit of story to illustrate while using the rich warm tones of the southwest.

RicoD and mordecaidesign - Thank you much! :beer:

Goro - Yeah, I've been struggling to get one of these challenges done since (way back in time) the Hapless Heroes Challenge. I sat out of the last one (maybe two, I forget). But this theme just begs to have me try my hardest again. It's going to be interesting as I will probably be forced to use my work computer for most of it. My Wacom doesn't run on my new Vista machine and my other 'puter is just to old and slow to handle anything more than web resolution.

SNoWs - Hmmm ... I can't miss the weekly games. I should cut back on my additional activities if I plan to complete this. Not enough time in the day, bro. Not enough time ... :D

TheNeverman - lolz! I actually remember stopping at a few Paul Bunyan touristy spots during family cross country trips (this will age me terribly ... but families used to be able to afford to drive across the US because gas was less than a $1.00 a gallon!). I may have been there if that place has been open for ... oh crap ... eons?!?

Legacy40k, SheepFactory, iskanderMellakh and SideAche - Thank you also! :beer:

I should have something new later tomorrow.

[mim-Armand]

wOw!
Lovely works Kirt, I dig all of em!
welldone.
mim,

[NinjaA55N]

Hi Kirt! Lovely concept, I especially dig the character :D its sooo funny on that last sketch with his jaw a bit forward, haha.. keep up the good work!

[Kirt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226976782_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1226976782_large.jpg)

Another Babe design. I don't know about this one either. Looks too crab-like and much to small.

[TheNeverman]

Hey! I saw it was down to $1.87 in Topeka here this morning
=)

Ahh yes, memories of family road-trips, bunch of kids crammed in the back of a station wagon with the wind in your face...

Ironically now as an adult, I get terrible motion sickness as a passenger for extended trips.


TheNeverman - lolz! I actually remember stopping at a few Paul Bunyan touristy spots during family cross country trips (this will age me terribly ... but families used to be able to afford to drive across the US because gas was less than a $1.00 a gallon!). I may have been there if that place has been open for ... oh crap ... eons?!?

[RayBender]

Kirt.. the last sketch is really cool. i love perspective and the style of the machine.

[angel]

Hey Kirt, I found some good reference of a machine with a similar leg set up as your last design, maybe you already have it but I can post some url's for you tonight if you want them.

[Kirt]

SNoWs - That would rock! Yes, please post any links that may help. I found a good forum for antique steam engines and I've been browsing that for inspiration.

I'm finding this to be a challenging challenge. I'm used to doing character stuff, but the scale of this machine is throwing me off. I want to do Paul Bunyan (which you'll see in another sketch I'll post later today), but he is going to be so tiny in scale with this machine that I want to put in.

I think I have to start thinking of the machine as a character if this is going to work. But it seems like everyone is doing large mechanized men or animals in this challenge. Ghah! :argh:

[Kirt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1227038542_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1227038542_large.jpg)

Another sketch of Paul Bunyan.

[Kirt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1227059471_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1227059471_large.jpg)

A little color ... looks better!

[JeffDurham]

Good looking Paul Bunyan, there. I really liked the first shot at Babe, but the second one shows much promise, too.

[Slav]

AND DONT SKIMP OUT ON THE ONION RINGS! YEA! thats right, you go back there.

soo much character! bravo! :applause:

[SideAche]

Kirt - that second concept looks great!

[vmulligan]

Ah, good idea -- I hadn't thought of delving into American mythology. It's funny how Americans mythologize their history, and generate entirely novel myths as well (e.g. John Henry). It's kind of a shame, but we really don't have an equivalent up here in Canada...

[daw]

looking good man!

[Try]

Really great concepts all all of them! :)
I notice you are getting more and more cartoony. I like it very much but wondering if you have decided on the style fore the finished work?

[ironhead76]

Ohhhh, I love this style.
Keep on going! :buttrock:

[Kirt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1227662141_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1227662141_large.jpg)

I never realized how much I hated doing machinery until now. :p Here's another overhead sketch of Babe that I gave up on. I may have to block something out in XSI just to get perspective correct. Ugh.

[kromano]

I'm not sure if you gave up on just the perspective or if you gave up on the design in that last sketch, Kirt, but I quite like it. The 3 train-light eyes, the menacing cow-catcher jaw. It all pulls together in a very creepy way that I do so enjoy. I'm not so sure about that circular object between his legs by the jaw though... not sure what it is but it seems really out of place.

[Kirt]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1228188209_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/15969/15969_1228188209_large.jpg)

No Kyle, what I meant was that I was giving up on trying to get the perspective correct on paper. I'm building this up in XSI now so I can paint over it later.

I may have just made it easier or more difficult for myself. Time will tell.

The circular objects were supposed to be circular saw blades that are hanging below it's chest at about ankle level. The idea is that it will use the saws to cut the trees while it pushes them over with it's head.

[gossage]

Hi,
even if I'm not familiar with Paul Bunyan story, I really love what i've seen so far.
what do you plan for the background ?
keep up; it's very impressive.

[Atwooki]

Hey there Kirt,

Excellent! You've come out with some really magnificent concept sketches there of Paul Bunyan and the other related bits :thumbsup:

Can't wait to see which direction you're going to take the SteamPunk elements along the way :)

Chris

[Geta-Ve]

Howdy Kirt! Just wanted to say that, even though I am unsure of whether you are continuing this, I really love your character sketches. And also that the first Ox you had (drawn in blue) was your best design in my opinion. The newer ones just don't look 'oxy' to me.

But man, you have all kinds of talent in characterization, from realistic to intensely stylized, I am jealous sir!

Great job. :)

[Kirt]

Thanks Geta-Ve and everyone else. I hate to say it, but once again I doubt I'll continue this image thru completion. I wish I had some legit reason why but I just failed at developing this idea into something that I felt like continuing with.

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox ... that was it. No story, no interest ... I wasn't even sure what they were to be doing in the image. After working a bit with XSI I also quickly realized that I don't have enough experience to even generate a rudementary basis of what I wanted to paint over.

So, lack of idea, frustration with myself/my tools and the quickly approaching deadline = FAIL!

Weeeeeeeeee! I hate myself. :D

[ace4016]

Heh, sorry to hear that kirt. Yea, I understand where you're coming from too. Was a good run while i lasted :P

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