HARDCORE MODELING!: 80's Cartoon: Ulysses 31

#1

Latest update 17.04.09

 [img]http://moonjam.users.digital-crocus.com/HMC/19_Ulysses/Ulysses_Colour_800_01.jpg[/img]
 
 Hello! Bit late into this one, but I was dying to join in as soon as I saw the topic. I really wanted to do a version of Odysseus/Ulysses for the Steampunk challenge but I was swamped with Animation Mentor - which I've just completed.
  
  So, real work permitting I'm going to have a stab at my version of Ulysses 31.
  
  Along with Mysterious Cities of Gold, Ulysses had a huge impact on my childhood & for a while I've had the notion of modelling one or more of the series main characters. I like the idea that instead of a heroic, stalwart figure, years of space would have turned Ulysses into a maniacal shell of a man - desperate, haggard & beaten. So that's what I'm going to attempt to do here.
  
  I appreciate there's only 3 weeks left, so I'm going to work on the head first so if I run out of time I might at least salvage a bust.
  
  I've sketched a few different people whose faces hold something similar to what I'm after. I found a cracking picture of Alan Moore looking like a nutjob which will be my strongest reference.
  
  [img]http://www.moonjam.com/HMC/HeadStudies_01.jpg[/img]
  
  I know I want to caricature his expression & features but I'm not sure to what extent. I think I'll just need to play around & see what works best.
  
  [img]http://www.moonjam.com/HMC/Development_01.jpg[/img]
  
  I'll get cracking on some actual geometry asap & hopefully have something solid (if not great) to look at soon.
  
  Cheers!
  
  AJ
#2

Best hurry mate. This should really be an interesting entry. Theres another clone wars inspired one that looks great, so I know your well up to the challenge.

#3

Cheers Rob! Yep, I’ve seen PasKal’s Ulysses - it’s excellent! I think mine is (hopefully) going to be different enough in style to distance the two.

Had a couple of hours free the evening, so here’s where I got with the head.

Ignore the actual shape of the beard - I just wanted to see what his face/shape looked like with something on his chin. I want his actual beard & hair to be a complete mess.

I’m not 100% happy with the style - everything is a little too ‘safe’ at the moment, so I’ll have to see what I can do about that in the next pass.

Cheers!

AJ

#4

Zbrush or max?
Looks sweet btw, needs more pump up music tho.

#5

Basemesh modelled in max & sculpted in Zbrush.

(I shall add at least 50% more pump up music with next update).

#6

Looking sweet already! I loved this cartoon as a kid. I might model the odysseus after the challenge with the Arcadia. (as a matter of fact, it was one of my initial choices for this challenge).

Looking forward to this. Was it aired in the UK?

#7

Yup, it was.
Updates?

#8

Its a good model, Alex, but the old man thing isn’t really working. To be honest, he looks more like General Zod from the superman movies. :surprised

#9

Well, thanks for that Boone…

I’ve worked on his body & beard a bit over the weekend - I’ll post an update in the morning.

#10

Ok here’s where I got with the body. I’m going to pose him slumped in a chair so I haven’t gone into any great detail with the anatomy or creases of the fabric - yet. I also haven’t touched his hands or worked on his boots yet.

1st pass

2nd pass

I’ve roughed in a longer beard, but the position I’m thinking of having him sat in will probably completely change the shape I have now. Obviously, he’s still lacking his trademark mane at this stage - something I’ll fix in the next few updates.

Cheers,

AJ

#11

I feel bad because I didn’t have the slightest idea who this character is, and that’s sad because greek mythology is easily my favorite genre. In any case, both this AND PasKal’s version make me want to explore the series. I’m not a fan of anime, but it CAN’T be bad if it’s greek mythology, right? (:P)

This is looking awesome man!

#12

Oh it’s definitely worth a watch. Like all these things it’s a little dated & the English dub is a little bit ropey in parts… But that aside, there are some great ideas/characters/stories that still stand the test of time - much like the original Greek myths themselves. Oh and with the added bonus of robots & spaceships!

#13

Ok, started posing last night. No dramatic progress on the sculpting/detail side, everything is still very soft & ‘collapsible’ at the moment, just trying to get him into position before I carry on sculpting.

The idea is to have him slumped in the captain’s chair on board the Odyssey, just staring bleakly out into space… Hopefully it’ll make sense further down the line.
:slight_smile:

#14

Bit more progress…

I’m not 100% happy with the pose. Mainly is right arm & hand which feel pretty stiff & unnatural at the moment. Also I quickly put his head & beard into place, but I want his head tilted down/forward more at the moment it’s too wooden…

Things to do : hair boots, belt, wrist straps, the suggestion of a cape & time permitting, a decent chair.

#15

He looks so much older than in the comics, looks like Ulysses after he has taken over and replaced Zeus and got fed up of being in his chair… It is very beautiful really, kind of the bored to death romantic character. A lot of depth (that was missing in most of those 80’s series). Keep it up dude!

#16

Whilst I’m not in the know with this character it certainly looks very different to PasKals version.

Loving the relaxed pose and I’m sure the AM course helped contribute to the posing of Ulysses!? Great work…

#17

Man, this has alot of presence. Love it. Its definatly 80% pump up.

#18

Hey AJ, you’re about to do a very promising tribute to Ulysse !
I’m very like this vision of this hero missing and alone !
Good luke man !

#19

Thanks for all the comments guys - really appreciated!

Haven’t had a chance to touch him the last couple of nights, but grabbed a few hours fiddling this morning & afternoon.

Worked up a belt & wrist straps for him:

And started to rough in his hair & boots:


The hair is really super rough at this stage - it started from a sphere so it’s less than ideal in terms of polygons. Obvious the boots are also just blocked in & need a lot more fleshing out & design.

I’m headed off to visit family for the Easter holidays so I honestly don’t know if I’ll have time to finish him before the deadline of the 15th… But I’ll try!

Thanks again,

AJ

#20

Good strong entry AJ, looking forward to seeing it complete, hope you get the time :smiley: