Ascension Day (spectacular Challenge Entry), Harry Smith (3D)

#1

Title: Ascension Day (spectacular Challenge Entry)
Name: Harry Smith
Country: USA
Software: (Other), Photoshop

This is an enhanced piece that I originally submitted for the Spectacular Challenge.

I created the image using Silo for modeling, Electric Image for rendering and Photoshop for texturing. I am fairly new to modeling and texturing people so any critiques focusing on this are particularly welcome. But all comments are most welcome.

Here is the story that went with my Spectacular Challenge Entry:

Sunrise.

Solatma rises. Noctatmos recedes.

The Obsidian Temple at Sky Gate Marina.

An event that happens once every fifty years.

Monks of the Empyrean Order glide over the placid waters of the marina on their way to board Ascension Pods. Housed by Sky Pylons and raised into the sky by a force called the Lift Ether, these pods will take them to a giant airship. Once onboard, they will stay aloft for fifty years, kept young by the Lift Ether, scrubbing the earth’s atmosphere as part of their dedication to worshiping the sky.

Procession boats, hovering on Lift Ether just above the water, approach a giant statue of Aerial, the Goddess of the Sky and Matron Saint of sky-farers everywhere. She is the daughter of Solatma, the Goddess of the Sunny Skies and Noctatmos, the God of the Darkened Skies.

Flanking the marina are huge towers called Spirit Spires – metaphors for air traffic control towers – used as observation points for astrally projected souls.

The procession boats drive themselves, guided by a glowing rudder called the Steering Husk. The monks inside the boats wear ceremonial robes – inspired by flight suits – with earphones playing several chords of the Binaural Beat, a set of very low frequencies playing in harmony with the earth. The crewman in the front of each boat has a Singing Staff which sends thought signals through the Ether to monks around the world.

A new day is dawning.

Monks prepare to do their service.

But this is only the beginning. . . .

I had a great time making this! Agian your comments and crits are most welcome. Thanks!

#2

I liked this, mostly because of the statue and the colors. The statue is perfect! :slight_smile:

The thing that comes to mind is that the wake doesn’t match what is making it (the boats). I think they need to sink down more considering what’s in them. (Or are they supposed to hover? :P) And I’m not sure what fluid it is :wink:

Some nice subtleties here and there. Edges are CG, smooth and sharp, but I don’t know if the picture would gain something by making them uneven or defocus the distance.

#3

Hi Bitbrain,

Thanks for your comments! The boats are supposed to float above the water on a field called the Lift Ether. it’s a little hard to see, isn’t it? I toyed with making a faint green glow between the water and hull but thought that was too 1970’s sci-fi-ish. Maybe I should try a way to make this more obvious.

Good to hear your feedback on the statue! it lets me kow I’m on the right track in regards to modeling people. The edges do look a little clean – good call!

#4

I love the atmosphere. I think you have done really good job here. Keep it up.

#5

Wow really great image.

I like the style and the idea
very much.:thumbsup:

#6

Very nice idea and composition !

Only one critic : some materials, specialy on water and boats, got an “artificial” look.
I understood that the boats are floating above the water, but it is not clear on the picture on the first boat. You should level it or worked on reflection on the water surface to make it clear.

With some more work on materials this “great idea” picture could be astonished !

#7

One of my favorites from the challenge. Maybe the jets in the sculpture feel like an incongruent kind of technology when compared to the rest but the austere feeling in everything else really holds the mood together.
Excellent!

#8

hey there i think its a great looking image, just the rippple of water under the boat is off, other then that good work :slight_smile:

#9

vlad74 – Thanks! Atmosphere is integral to the story. I’m glad it’s working.

-Framestorm- Thanks! I hope I managed to capture the 1930’s movie serial feel. Kind of a solemn, electric feeling.

LaHorde – Thanks for your comments! I’ll definitely work on bringing a more realistic feel to the water and reflections. My time was pretty limited and the water and wake still still bug me a bit. Maybe I’ll come back to it later. You know what they say, “Time and tide. . . .”

glenn23 – Hi Glenn, thanks for your comments! I see what you mean about the planes – there aren’t any other historical details in the image. I was going for the idea that the statue has been around for a long, long time and putting some kind of “ancient aerial vehicles” would give a kind of historical anchor. Again, Congratulations on your winning entry!

AmpedDigital --Thanks! Yup, the wake needs work. If I have time I’ll work on that – probably in another image.

#10

Great concept cool design and
the sculpture is really awesome.

#11

Thanks for your kind words, Sam. I haven’t really modeled too many people. It’s good to hear I’m on the right track.

#12

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.