Steampunk Myths and Legends Entry: Matthew Lahmann

[llama-d]

Hi everyone! This is my second challenge, but last time I wasn't very active in the forums. I am really excited about this challenge and look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with. I hope I can get started right away and make it around to everyone's posts!

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1229218081_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1229218081_large.jpg)

Alright, a little late getting stated, but here is my initial sketches. The concept is the Battle of the Titans, from greek mythology when the gods rose up against the titans. I would love input!

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1229674622_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1229674622_large.jpg)

I have decided to change my concept to the medusa. This is just a sketch to get started with. There will be more sketches to come laying out the sceen more

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1229750321_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1229750321_large.jpg)

Another image of the medusa, I'm still just working out her pose and her looks. Hopefully soon I will have a full composition.

[wildcory1]

I love the battle of the titans. Your concepts are progressing nicely. Keep up the good work

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1229834011_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1229834011_large.jpg)

I was just trying to get the composition and the anatomy down for the battle between Medusa and Perseus. I think I'm going to run with it over the Battle of the Titans as it allows for a more character development.

[llama-d]

http://mattlahmann.com/images/tmp/Medusa_Perseus.jpg
The image didn't upload, so here it is:

[llama-d]

Some strange stuff going on, but it looks like everyone is having trouble. Anyways, I could use some good critics on this composition.

[Necronomiden]

i don't know whats wrong with the composition, to me it looks like a very dynamic angle to show the confrontation.
love your second medusa sketch.

[kdot]

Hey Matthew thanks 4 the comment. I'm taking it into consideration especially cuz it seems to lend to the feeling of a "presentation of a gift" (the pet Minotaur). I get a sense of special effects with the steam all around so I'm gonna try working that in and c where it takes me. Thanks. As 4 ur work, I like the 2nd Medusa sketch and I agree that the composition is very dynamic. Keep it! U have a lot of foreground to play with as well as background with this composition, which will make ur piece incredible. Looking 4ward to ur progression. Good work so far

[DougFerreira]

Hi Matthew!Looks like a very promising concept!I can't wait to see more development,if I can give an opinion,that will be to change the composition a little bit in order to show the expression on the face of Perseus,I think that would add to the "drama" of the battle ahead!Keep up the good work and don't give up,we both started late but we can still finish!Best of luck for you!

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1230914397_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1230914397_large.jpg)

Here is the finished line art. With little time left, I have a lot of catching up to do. So, it is the battle between Perseus and Medusa. Let me know what you guys think.

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1230944266_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1230944266_large.jpg)

So I started the colors and I'm liking the way its coming out, I would love some comments on if the colors all flow together. Also, I added a top hat to perseus. I think I am going to have medusa's snakes shooting beams at perseus, what do you guys think?

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1231062747_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1231062747_large.jpg)

I have been working on Medusa a lot trying to get her skin tones right and develop her clothing more. Any comments on her cloths or the colors would be very welcomed.

[llama-d]

Here is a close up of Medusa. I was having some issues with her lips, but let me know what you think. I still have a long ways to go!
http://www.mattlahmann.com/images/tmp/Medusa%20closeup.jpg

[kdot]

Hey there Matthew. The upper right side of her lips (our right hand that is) should come over a bit more and it'll look right. Thereafter, rework the eyes as they are looking at different angles. Remember the eye is a part of a ball, a spherical object so use that as key and reference. Her neck is also a bit too wide and her torso is a too long. In addition her right foot is in front so it has to be bigger. Reworking these will greatly improve the look of this piece and it would be best if u addressed them before u actually continue rendering, as if u try to address them later it will pose a great problem for u. All the best with this challenge and 4 the year

[llama-d]

Kdot - Thanks for the helpful comment, I will look into fixing the facial issues. As well as the anatomy ones, especially working the neck better.

DougFerriera - I tried to work the figure around, but it looked strange so I went back to the same pose, but re-worked the jacket, I'll post an update later tonight.

Thanks for the comments, they are very helpful!

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1231229888_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1231229888_large.jpg)

I have been working to at least do a little on all of the unpainted areas. I am now starting to go in and detail some of the finer objects. Only 6 days to go and still so much to do! Any comments would be very welcomed.

[fipo]

thrilling perspective - good work dude. i like the idea of medusas steampunk snakes and the choose of colors. keep it up and good luck.

[DougFerreira]

The colors are looking nice,it`s a warm pallete !And thanks for the comments on my thread!I used the head you liked better for my rough illustration.Best wishes!

[paperclip]

Looking good so far! I'd suggest putting more emphasis on medusa's snake-hair- I didn't know it was Medusa until you actually mentioned it in your post. You need to play up the legend a bit more!

Aside from that, I like it

[Necronomiden]

i like how its this is turning out but i too suggest putting more work into the hair, in your first sketches medusa's hair looked a little more massive and full of life and i think thats a very important asset to the image.

[llama-d]

Thanks everyone for the comments

I agree about the hair also, I am going to add more volume to it. Do you think more strands of snakes, or to increase the size of the ones she already has? I will probably experiment with both, but any suggestions would be nice.

[elmasfeo]

I think you nailed the steampunk look, I love the clothes of medusa... perspective and composition are great too, maybe the top part of perseus legs look a bit strange but in general the poses are very good too... good job, hope you can finish! :thumbsup:

[reddesign]

Thanks for the input...once i get to detailing the army I will give them a little more life. The cloud cover is a difficult thing because if it is snowing the snow really whites everything out depending on how much light is showing through and how heavy the snow is...this is something I have been struggling with since the beginning. As far as your medusa painting goes I guess it's good I didn't persue my medusa concept....I would go for some more dynamic lighting. To me it seems like you may want to darken the whole piece so it looks like it would be in a dark dungeon/cave. Then use some ambient light and a single light source for some rim lighting. Just my thoughts. Good luck.

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1231638340_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1231638340_large.jpg)

Well, a last minute work in progress. I have so much left to do! Thanks for the earlier comments, I worked on the hair a lot more and am working the background now. Anyways, any last comments would be very helpful.

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1231730212_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1231730212_large.jpg)

Well, it looks like the deadline was extended, thats good! Well, I did more work on Medusa and the backgroud. I also am working with some ideas on the final color correction. I would love some comments on this! Thanks

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1231831999_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1231831999_large.jpg)

I am working hard on finding the right lighting for the piece. I also did some more work on the gears in the background. I would love some comments on the lighting and the winged feet.

[MR]

hi

try to look these fedder things more like fedders or wings. now they look like a rope or like hair. and try an other colour.
lighting:
the interaction happens between these two characters. the far right side of your picture isnt important for the story. try to put this side in a very dark tone-- almoust black. --> becomes automatically more dramatic.

my tips for the moment. i hope you understood. sorry for my bad english.

good luck

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1232003735_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1232003735_medium.jpg)

Thanks for the comment, I decided to re do the wings. I am not done with them yet but hoped I could get some comments on them to see what people think. Thanks

[llama-d]

Here is a close up of the wings, I could really use some comments on them.
http://studiollama.net/images/tmp/wings.jpg

[Korendo]

Perspective and anatomy are impressive; a small suggestion is to increase the contrast (her the same and the backgrounds lighter) and color (her warm browns against a cooler background) between Medusas’ head and the background to make it easier to see the snakes! All the best!

[Fabien-Clottu]

Hey Lah!

thanks by the way for letting some nice comments on my Thread!

Your scenery looks nice too! I´m quiet impressed by the level of detailing you´re achieving here!
If I can alloud myself, I think that less detailing as well as less colour saturation on the foreground would help to set a better center of interest ( Medusa).

All the best, and good luck!

Fabien

[elmasfeo]

I think those wings look great! maybe, as others say, there's too much difference in the contrast of several parts of the image, like for example the suit is quite dark and with high contrast while the hand looks the opposite, I don't think that none of them is bad separatedly, maybe it's just the difference between them... hope you can finish, I like it!

[llama-d]

Thanks for the great advice.

Korendo - I agree, The snakes kind of fade into the background, I'm working on making them pop out more

Fabien, Elmasfeo - Thanks for the great ideas, I still have a lot of work to do to work all of the high contrast and low contrast things together. I agree the hand meeting the jacket is really not working.

I have a lot of work left, but I hope to get another work in progress by the end of the night.

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1232267702_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1232267702_medium.jpg)

Hey, I just wanted to get one last wip in before I do the last finishing touches. I tried to address the issues that everyone mentioned. Please let me know if there is anything else that would help finish this piece off...

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1232351577_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1232351577_medium.jpg)

Thank you everyone for following along on the creation of this piece. It has been a great experience. Here is the final image, I put my story on the final image when I upoded it on the uploader...

[llama-d]

Here are links to a higher res image:
http://mattlahmann.com/images/gallery/illustration/medusa_perseus_final-hued_med.jpg
and here is the small version without all of the distortion:
http://mattlahmann.com/images/gallery/illustration/medusa_perseus_final-hued_small.jpg

[llama-d]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1232352333_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16638/16638_1232352333_medium.jpg)

Software: Photoshop

Perseus, the son of Zeus and Danae, was placed in a chest with his mother and thrown into the sea. When it drifted to the island of Seriphus, the king, Polydectes, fell in love with Danae. Being embarrassed by the presence of her son, Perseus, he plotted to kill him.

Polydectes sent Perseus to retrieve the head of the Gorgon Medusa. Medusa was a beautiful woman, however, while worshiping in the temple of Athena, she was raped by Neptune. Because of this the Great Tinkerer Athena punished Medusa for her sacred temple being violated. Athena created powerful bronze snakes that could turn a man to stone and infused them to Medusa's head.

Though Polydectes thought he was sending Perseus to his death, the Great Tinkerers loved him. Hermes gave him a gold revolver and mechanical winged shoes. Athena gave him goggles that would protect him from Medusa's gaze, and Hades gave him a top hat that would render him invisible.

In the clock tower of Cisthene, Perseus faced off with Medusa, his victory becoming legend.

[llama-d]

Here are some close ups in case anyone wanted to see.
http://mattlahmann.com/images/gallery/illustration/medusa_perseus_closeups.jpg

[rebelakemi]

very unique! She's too pretty to be evil! But I guess I would prefer my villianess sexy! HA!

[llama-d]

Thanks for the comment! Yes, she was suppose to have been very beautiful. I'm glad that it comes across.

[Korendo]

Really like your detailed work, the close up shots really work for showing off the details!

[llama-d]

Thanks, I worked pretty hard up close on the image, working at 100% a lot of the time.

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