Secret Agent Entry: Chase Stone

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1247081148_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1247081148_medium.jpg)

Hey everybody, this is my first cg challenge and I'm hella excited. Unfortunately I'm a little late getting in but hopefully I'll be able to finish.

My idea as of now is an undercover agent somewhere in Russia rummaging through classified soviet documents. This is the moment after some curious guards stumbled into the room.

[diissar]

Hi ChaseStone,welcome:D!you still have plenty of time to finish your image.most of us are still at the first stage of work.nice first sketch by the way,enjoy!!

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1247099502_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1247099502_medium.jpg)

Here's another idea, I kept a lot composition wise from the first but i feel like this is more iconic of the theme.
basically our agent has cornered the 'evil genius,' some mad soviet general, who is trying to launch nukes at the US (you'll see on the monitor behind him the warheads paths and targets etc). The question will be whether or not the agent has arrived in time to stop it.

[Smirtouille]

Nice start. Your concepts are very atmospheric and right, for me. I'll be there to see the piece in progress.

[deftsword]

Nice start ChaseStone,
I like the general position;
both harms in his back looking a little bit down,
he know is going to get kill for what he did but he is convince he did the right thing
or
he is sad he did not have time to finish his ``mission``.
That is the whole issue isn’t it?

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1248648556_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1248648556_medium.jpg)

Unfortunately due to some other projects I haven't been able to work on this much in the past couple weeks, I still plan on finishing but it might be a rough couple of weeks.

So I've altered their poses a bit, the agent's a bit closer and the general is a tad more defiant, I'm still trying to decide what his face will tell us (he could be surprised, saddened...or even confident with a subtle smile, suggesting he still has something up his sleeve). The other two monitors will show the missiles themselves, presumably from security cams in the silos.

[ChaseStone]

Thanks diissar and Smirtouille, I'm glad you like it so far

deftsword: Yea you pretty much nailed it. though right now I'm toying around with some other possibilities


One question I've got for you guys: Right now the agent is dressed in the classic secret agent suit & necktie, which i originally chose cuz its so iconic. But when i imagine this scene realistically, I imagine the Agent dressed in one of the bad guys uniforms, suggesting he's been undercover there for a while or possibly just infiltrated the base and killed a guy and is wearing his uniform. So my question is, would you find it better if he were dressed as a soviet, or would it make the image too confusing?

[JiDy]

Nice rough, good lighting.

My A.Secret Post (last work) (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=291&t=786243)

[samHell]

There is lots of moody drama and perspective action going on here :-D I like the original sketch a lot!.

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1248994634_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1248994634_medium.jpg)

Just making sure the perspective is more or less correct.

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1248995694_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1248995694_medium.jpg)

Here's the image that will be on the monitor behind the general. This ended being a bit more involved that I thought it would, but really all it is is a lot of the pen and line tool, layer effects (i put an outer glow on basically everything), I got a Cyrillic font for the text, and then blurred everything, added noise and a layer of horizontal lines to simulate a digital screen, and that's pretty much it.
I painted all of the map elements (used some maps from google for reference).

[ChaseStone]

Thanks JiDy and SamHell, I hope you like the more recent sketch too!


oh and btw I referenced this image for the Russian words on the screen:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Russian_Mission_Control_Center.jpg

[walrus]

Nice screen detail! (And that's really going to set your tone for your whole palette, too! :) ) I still have to do some maps like that for my secret base video screens, though I think I'll approach it a bit differently. But nice work on the graphics, and on the whole composition so far. :thumbsup:

[ktkps]

my persona; opinion will be the bad guy makin a evil smile(not exactly a smile,sort of) and to add more to the environment, a cigar in his hand and a bit of smoke might look good...

[ktkps]

The monitor could use some scanlines..(just a suggestion)

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249060088_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249060088_medium.jpg)

I've refined the sketch a bit, got the dead guys where i want them and everything, so now i can really start detailing the image. I just slapped the color in to get a general idea of how it might look. I also put in the screen image but that's not final or anything either.

[ChaseStone]

Walrus: Thanks man!

ktkps: I was definitely considering the subtle smile for the bad guy, the cigar is a neat idea though..a cigar in his mouth had crossed my mind and I wasn't too crazy bout it but in his hand could be really nice. Its like he was smoking his victory cigar when the agent spoiled the moment.
Since were talkin bout variations on the bad guy, I also thought about him leaning on a cane, which might still show up im playin around with it

[Frio]

excuse me, i don't know is it a joke or not but your word 'clock' has a mistake in russian - first letter is not "ц" - "ч" is correct. ('часы')
If you can't see this post correctly (maybe problems with coding), send me a PM, i'll help.

[ChaseStone]

I can see it properly and thank you I definitely need help with the Russian, if you don't mind could you help me with a few phrases?

I used clock because that was the best i could find with the free translator haha, is there a word for countdown or phrase for time to launch, something like that?

In my original sketch i had "Launch sequence initiated" on the screen, I'm planning on still writing that in English but having its Russian equivalent written underneath or above. What would be a proper phrase for that?

Hope thats not too much thanks so much man

[germanager]

Clocks and watches are 'часы'
Countdown is 'Обратный Отсчет'
Launching time 'Время Запуска'

In your case it's better to wright "Запуск через:" over the numbers.
Because часы are usually referred to usual time, like its 5:43 p.m.

Washington 'Вашингтон'
Ottawa is right

'Launch sequence initiated' that's a hard one, there can't be any straight translation
i think it would be 'Процесс запуска инициирован' yeah, this one sounds logical and quite close.

I've seen so many hollywood movies with such stupid Russian:) believe me it always hilarious for hundred millions of those who can understand it:)


UPD I think change часы to Обратный Отсчет: (Countdown) not Запуск через: (Launch in) because otherwise you'll have the same word Запуск repeated twice on your picture, that's never nice.

UPD2 I don't really think that you need Countdown written on the screen at all, its quite obvious, you know:) Put fewer minutes like it 00:00:32 and that's gonna be all right.

[Frio]

Oh, i'm the second one :)

I agree with germanager (http://forums.cgsociety.org/member.php?u=376177), everything is right except this :

'Процесс запуска инициирован' - if we are talking about russian silo, it's not fully correct. All these constructions were built in 60s-70s, and they used only russian words for commands. "инициирован", "Процесс" - are originally english words "initiated" and "process" so they couldn't be used.

It's better to write "Начат обратный отсчет" - I saw this on real control panels.
In english it means just "countdown started" and i think it's more suitable in this case.

[germanager]

Frio, you kinda right but 'Процесс запуска инициирован'sounds much cooler than very soviet 'Начат обратный отсчет':) And we are talking not about 60-70s but I think more about Red Alert future, where they can use words with English origins. Screen does not have style of 60-70s.

Chasestone, you can use any of these phrases Процесс запуска инициирован is modern interpretation, and Начат обратный отсчет is soviet translation.

[azazel]

You know, I liked the first sketch much more. It had more atmosphere, depth, dynamism. Maybe it's because of that glowing, green screen - which overpowers rest of the image and drags the attention away from the characters.

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249166849_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249166849_medium.jpg)

Now that the composition is pretty final I'll be zooming in and finishing it up section by section, I'm painting in Photoshop alone and referencing some personal pics. The first dead guy here is almost done.
ima put some smaller monitors and keyboards and stuff on the desk he's lying on.

Edit/ woops i didn't think the pic would actualy come out this large

[ChaseStone]

And thanks so much Frio and germanager, you guys really helped a lot!

azazel: I actually know what you mean..but I'm workin on minimizing the impact of the screen. Too late to go back to the other idea so I'm just gonna try and make this one as good as i can

[Smirtouille]

You're doing a pretty good job on finishing. The details are great. I like this pic with the sober, war movie colors on the characters and this neon blue light from the screen that is very from the fashion of now. It gives to the scene in front a lot of impact.
Maybe the screen shouldn't stop that harsh on the left and rather continues out of the image. Dunno if you can still change that or what do you plan.
But so far this is my fav entry. Can't wait to see the closer characters detailed.

[germanager]

details are awesome. I don't know why they did not give you award for your "Dust" picture, it's so f*cking cool.

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249407137_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249407137_medium.jpg)

I finished up the other dead guy and the workstation area. I think I have enough of the background to -finally- start working on the main characters!

[ChaseStone]

Smirtouille: Thank you. Yea Im planning on cropping the image so we don't see the end of the screen, your right that its a bit jarring.

germanager: haha thanks dude that means a lot

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249454705_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249454705_medium.jpg)

Spent some time with the general's face, this is what I came up with. I tried the subtle smile and everything but in the end I think cold defiance might be the better emotion. Not sure if I've got that yet though but I'm still working on it.

Really cutting it close with time, the next couple days will be rough but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now

[Irawan]

hi Chase,looks great!

[azazel]

That face is awesome. Nothing to crit :)

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249519985_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249519985_medium.jpg)

Just about finished up the detailing on the general. Decided having him leaning on a cane might be a nice touch, what do you guys think?

[chilombiano]

woaw. your control over light is superb. i wish to be able to achieve such results some day.
the whole thing looks great!
though i have a question.. why the russians again the bad guys? ...these days the americans should be ! :)

[Smirtouille]

This piece is just great. The two dead guys are too well done, and I envy this nice jacket of the general.
The cane is fine, it makes him look more determined. It seems to express his intentions, he wont move.

[deftsword]

The detail are fantastic and the overall ambiance is great.

I think your are right about the general not smiling;

He is not doing what he as done by vengeance or some madness, is doing it because he think it’s the best for his country, if that is what you want to demonstrate, that is the impression I have of him.

[CyrilJEDOR]

wouuuuuaaaahhhh. My eyes are full open. i love your characters, impressive details. In the realistique style it could be my favourite. Good job i really hope you can finish on time! ;)

[DarwinsMishap]

I'm amazed here!

The cold defiance and the cane are a perfect touch to your general, in my opinion. I couldn't help with the Russian-I haven't a clue, but the screen in the background with the lettering is a fantastic idea.

Overall, the lighting, your painting skills, and the almost palatable sensation of tension that comes from both pulls you in to keep looking!

Great work!

[mikebot]

That's amazing. Great job with his expression, can't wait to see the whole frame.

[germanager]

you have a very cool style. Your paintings look fresh and modern, I hope you'll have to time to finish your piece.

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249711736_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249711736_medium.jpg)

So i put everything together and this is what I got, I'm thinking this is more or less what the final will look like minus color (certain aspects like the screens actually already are in color, but for ease of viewing i just made everything grayscale). The agent isn't quite finished yet, I'm gonna render his other hand a bit more since i don't think having it as a complete silhouette works.
One thing bout the monitors, do you guys think the scanlines are too big or distracting? I'm thinkin of minimizing them.

So I've still got loads to do and only one more day. busy

[ChaseStone]

and thanks for the comments guys, and especially for keeping me motivated!

Oh and Germanager and Frio, if you guys spot anymore mistakes with the Russian please let me know :) I couldn't decide which phrase for the launch sequence to use so I flipped a coin haha

[tunes]

Hey Chase!

GREAT work you have!!

Best Regards!

:thumbsup:

[germanager]

yep, so I don't think you need to make russian phrase so much bigger than english one, logically they are equal, although compozitionally your variant is better. And in word 'Запуска' you (your font) put english 'Y' on the place of russian 'У' thats not a big deal, they look similiar, but it is a bit noticeable:) because its quite common mistake.

Looking very good so far.

[JiDy]

Perfect illu !!
I don t know if you would like let in Black & White but it s workin' very nice without colors.
And it makes original piece like that. Very good painted.
Good luck !

[azazel]

The only distracting thing is that white 00:0:45 - I'd lower the opacity by 50%. Otherwise, it's awesome even in B&W. So good you could submit it as a final even like that.

[ShogunWarrior]

hi, its good work but its hard to tell what you are trying to portray and it is in black and white. So its a little difficult to see what is going on if you have no color scheme. Thats the whole point of this project is to show your ideas and have us realize your potential to help you along the way.

[Randis]

Man, great job! Looks very good!!!

here some of my thoughts
the environment looks very clean...
1) its Russian, can not be new and clean :D
2) having 2 dead soldiers i would expect some blood and damage here and there...

The characters look really great but the screens are really flat, its just a wall in almost frontal view, kinda does not do Justice to the characters. i think a oval shape for the wall would be more interesting and monitors detached hanging from the wall somehow, not so flat.

and a really small thing.. i understand that it benefits the composition but the shooter is left handed.
Thats ok really, but i always feel that unless its part of the story it usually looks like the main reason is just having the best pose for the composition.

another thing...
looking at the perspective of the room i feel like the ground level for the agent and the old guy is not the same. correct me if i am wring but one of em seems to be standing higher.

sorry for the late feedback, is kinda late but who knows, maybe you are still working and it might be of any help.

cheers and good luck!!!

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249772394_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249772394_medium.jpg)

Adding color. Got around to adding the blood splatter from the two dead guys. Their positions may or may not be final.

I'm pretty much gonna be working on this right up to the deadline lol. I've got to add highlights in some places, adjust the color in a lot of places, maybe add some smoke hangin in the air from the agent's pistol, and detail the ceiling which right now is essentially untouched.

oh and the reason the agent is left handed is actually because originally I was going to make it clear that his other arm was shot. Not really enough time now to emphasize that but i frayed his sleeve near his shoulder a bit, I'll probably make that a bit bigger later on (and if there's time, shed some light on his right hand and have some blood trickling down).

[ChaseStone]

Thanks for the comments guys really any other problems you can pick out at this point are a great help

Randis: Thanks man! Your right the wall is very flat, but that was more or less on purpose. I didn't really want a very conceptual background just a fairly believable big monitor and some work stations. Though I have simplified it down quite a bit for the final but I think given the time that's left, it'll have to do.

As for the perspective, I worked it out earlier to make sure the agent wouldn't be too big, and i think it's held up since then. In the detailing process he did get moved around a bit so it might be a bit off, if theres time ill play around with it.

Azazel: Thanks and I just saw your comment, the 45 is def too bright

JiDy and Shogun Warrior: Thanks guys, I hope you think the colors improved it

[Slav]

great image! the only thing i have to wonder is, why always the russians!

again awesome work.
slav.

[walrus]

Glad you're still chugging away on this, Chase! I looked in earlier today and didn't see the color one, but it's nice to see it now! I love the set-up and the details, and how sparing the image is. On my monitor, everything from the general's collar down is almost entirely black. I can see by bringing it into Photoshop that you have a lot of detail there, but it's getting lost for me... on this monitor, which runs a little dark. Hard to tell you to correct it on a monitor you're not working on, I just suspect I can't be the only one seeing the image perhaps a little darker than you intended, and there is a little room to lighten the values without killing the overall dark mood. Anyhow, just a small (and probably not very useful) idea.
But anyhow, this is looking great. Time's you're only enemy now.. good luck! :thumbsup:

[diissar]

awesome work!i really like the lighting and the expression on the characters
good luck!! :cool:

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249779921_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249779921_medium.jpg)

This may very well be the final image, I'll probably be tweaking here and there but at this point can't really add or take away anything major.

[ChaseStone]

Walrus I tried lightening the image a bit but its probably still too dark? on my monitor the generals not really blacked out at all so thats a little worrisome..

[Randis]

that is coming out very nicely! i like the colors! Looks great.

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249785392_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249785392_medium.jpg)

Tonight, after years of planning, a retired Soviet general put into action a series of events that could very well have changed the course of human history. Determined to see a red flag fly once more over Moscow, the general gathered a small but strong group of men and forcefully commandeered a nuclear launch facility in Northern Russia. For reasons only he could fully understand, the general aimed every available warhead at the United States, prepared to wipe it off the face of the planet.

As the final countdown began, an agent of unknown origins infiltrated the facility, and somehow managed to make it to the control room. Here we see the general finally cornered, but the Agent will need the abort codes to stop this catastrophe, and only the general knows them...

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249785415_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249785415_medium.jpg)

Tonight, after years of planning, a retired Soviet general put into action a series of events that could very well have changed the course of human history. Determined to see a red flag fly once more over Moscow, the general gathered a small but strong group of men and forcefully commandeered a nuclear launch facility in Northern Russia. For reasons only he could fully understand, the general aimed every available warhead at the United States, prepared to wipe it off the face of the planet.

As the final countdown began, an agent of unknown origins infiltrated the facility, and somehow managed to make it to the control room. Here we see the general finally cornered, but the Agent will need the abort codes to stop this catastrophe, and only the general knows them...

[ChaseStone]

For some reason the image won't show up so until that's fixed I'll just post it separately

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3802928124_06ffb9bd86_b.jpg

[walrus]

They're all showing up for me, so I think it worked. Nice job! I can see his jacket a little better now, btw. And great job with the image overall - Not overly complicated (like mine!) but it gets the message and the mood across perfectly. Great execution! Good luck! :thumbsup:

[fallenherald]

Hey ChaseStone, Im really digging the mood of this piece. Very Nice! Good luck!

[MartinNielsen]

I really like this work :thumbsup: It's a very simple scene, but the elements fit well together with the lighting. The story is also clear to me :)

[Marat-Ars]

Awesome lighting! Nice painting! GL!

[ChaseStone]

Thanks so much everyone, this challenge was a blast, its been such a great experience working alongside so many talented artists. Good luck!

[MikeTheHunter]

WOW, really pro work :) Great storytelling, great atmosphere. Very cinematic. You have a VERY good chance of winning :)

Good luck :)

[ChaseStone]

Thanks man :)

btw guys I have a question, i just read in the FAQ that the final image should be submitted full resolution, I was under the impression that the 150k limit still applied so its only 1300 px wide. Is there a way I could submit the full resolution image?

EDIT* nevermind I see that the deadline was extended so I'll just resubmit

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249888934_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249888934_medium.jpg)

Software: Photoshop

Tonight, after years of planning, a retired Soviet general put into action a series of events that could very well have changed the course of human history. Determined to see a red flag fly once more over Moscow, the general gathered a small but strong group of men and forcefully commandeered a nuclear launch facility in Northern Russia. For reasons only he could fully understand, the general aimed every available warhead at the United States, prepared to wipe it off the face of the planet.

As the final countdown began, an agent of unknown origins infiltrated the facility, and somehow managed to make it to the control room. Here we see the general finally cornered, but the Agent will need the abort codes to stop this catastrophe, and only the general knows them...

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249889128_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249889128_medium.jpg)

Software: Photoshop

Tonight, after years of planning, a retired Soviet general put into action a series of events that could very well have changed the course of human history. Determined to see a red flag fly once more over Moscow, the general gathered a small but strong group of men and forcefully commandeered a nuclear launch facility in Northern Russia. For reasons only he could fully understand, the general aimed every available warhead at the United States, prepared to wipe it off the face of the planet.

As the final countdown began, an agent of unknown origins infiltrated the facility, and somehow managed to make it to the control room. Here we see the general finally cornered, but the Agent will need the abort codes to stop this catastrophe, and only the general knows them...

[ChaseStone]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249889668_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/24/18561/18561_1249889668_medium.jpg)

Software: Photoshop

Tonight, after years of planning, a retired Soviet general put into action a series of events that could very well have changed the course of human history. Determined to see a red flag fly once more over Moscow, the general gathered a small but strong group of men and forcefully commandeered a nuclear launch facility in Northern Russia. For reasons only he could fully understand, the general aimed every available warhead at the United States, prepared to wipe it off the face of the planet.

As the final countdown began, an agent of unknown origins infiltrated the facility, and somehow managed to make it to the control room. Here we see the general finally cornered, but the Agent will need the abort codes to stop this catastrophe, and only the general knows them...

[ChaseStone]

woooaahhh sorry so many uploads guys the link I was using to see if the uploader had worked properly wasn't working, so I felt like I had to resubmit it to be sure...hope that's not a problem

[dagoth2001]

your final entry is excellent i love the composition and design... it really make me feel in the last 5 minutes of a good spy movie...

good luck

[tunes]

Man!

GREAT work, Chase!!

:applause::applause:

[DarwinsMishap]

Congrats on a fantastic final piece!! The tension, the antagonism... that cold stare of the generals speaks volumes. :beer: NICE.

[marianof83]

Really cool image man!
(sorry my english!...)
interesting the backlight accents the atmosphere and the tension beetwen the characters.
Love you not show the agent´s face, a little bit of mistery and darkness!

Great Image!.
Good Luck!:)

marianof83.

Check out my final image ...:wavey:

[mrpeace]

Nice one...Somehow I felt like living in the scene...It is so Intense...its like the climax moment...very good concept and execution. Keep it up!

[Zeoyn]

Congratulations!

The piece looks great!

You rendering style is just awesome! Good Luck!!

[digitalinkmind]

What a impressive scene:eek: Awesome shading and composing:applause:

[gpepper]

A huge one !
Nice technique, black and white and then color...

[walrus]

Such a lovely, well-executed image (still! :) ) Congratulations on your well-deserved prize! :thumbsup:

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