Steampunk Myths and Legends Entry: Justin Hrala

#1

Justin Hrala is entered in the “Steampunk Myths and Legends” update: View Challenge Page

Latest Update: Final Image: Versus Gugalana

#2

This is an early sketch for the Enkidu character. I’m going to be revising it, as he needs more of a wild-man, ‘I know how to survive’ look. Gilgamesh on the other hand, which I will be working on in tandem, is more or less a king, and many of the sculptures incorporate a lion, so I’ll have to somehow work that in.

Now, as far as the plan for the image, I was originally going to do the bull and both characters in 3D, but I’m really uncertain if I can finish all of that, along with texturing and matte painting, etc. So the bull might be the only 3d element. Suggestions on all of my ramblings are welcome.

#3

I’m still deciding on a look, but I started exploring his gloves, I figure the Gilgamesh character will come together a lot smoother since I’m working the bugs out with Enkidu. I’m messing around with gloves, and I’m trying to make them functional, such as a fast trigger finger adapter on the left hand. Not sure what to do with the left, I think that its a compass for the time being.

What kind of weapon would take down a large mechanical bull anyway, that I have to figure out. Some sort of large semi automatic boomstick…

#4

Good Luck with Gilgamesh, Justin. I’m diggin the 2nd sketch you put on here. The dude’s face is great!

#5

Semi-final designs? I am going to be exploring them more and get the designs nailed down, then a couple finals, then its time to move on to Gugalana, the Bull of Heaven.

#6

Gilgamesh’s design. I’ll be coloring it tomorrow. Moving on to finish up Enkidu’s design.

#7

Gilgamesh’s design. Moving on to Enkidu.

#8

I decided to ditch the leather/metal shoulder pad wing dealies. I might decide to add them back in toward the end, I’ll toy around with it a bit, but this is the design for now. Colors on the way. Will that leg setup actually work? Probably not, but it looks like it could. I could have made him completely mechanical, but the bull is going to lose its glory if I do that. I’ll be posting some of the layout sketches soon too. At this point I’m really itching to get the modeling started, but according to my schedule, I still have a couple of days.

#9

Enkidu colored. I’m actually a day behind, I wanted to have the bull finished by today, but looks like that hasn’t happened. But, instead I figured out a bit more functionality with Painter and solved a few technical issues, so that’s bonus.

#10

This is my take on Gugalana. The bull was sent by Ishtar to avenge her, as Gilgamesh rejected her advances. The bull was a plague on the land, and caused a drought, which I find to be a perfect fit for being steam powered. Gilgamesh and Enkidu defeat the bull, and Gilgamesh hits Ishtar in the face with its hindquarters, as well as tearing out its heart and offering it to Shamash (the sun god).

#11

After a few iterations of compositions, I’m going to go with this one, or some variant thereof (as I’m sure it will change once I start placing 3d models and whatnot.

#12

Nice myth, and good sketches by the moment, doesn’t Enkidu take horns as a bull? and the representation of the lion is in the hands of Gilgamesh?

good luck with the 3d modelling, Keep it working!

#13

The lion is going to be represented in the hammer that is wielded by Gilgamesh, although I could put it in somewhere scratching at the bull or something. It doesn’t function well if he’s trying to fight the bull and holding the lion. As far as the horns on Enkidu, they crossed my mind, and crossed right out; heck I almost didn’t give him goat legs either. They do seem a bit integral now that you bring it up.

Edit: Gilgamesh also has what looks like a sickle in the sculptures, that could also change for accuracy’s sake. Opinions welcome.

#14

He has horns, I knew this and skipped them. He looks better with horns (thanks Dapi). The feathery thing to the right is what I may put on him, as something similar has been depicted in some of the myth’s artwork (notably the death of Enkidu image). Moving on to model sheets and the 3d models.

#15

Just a model sheet. 3ds Max is open, finally.

#16

Started on the head. I plan on having the lowP mesh done tomorrow and take it into zBrush to get the detail. I’m approaching this with a game asset process. Also, I will be recycling parts of this character for Gilgamesh, but I promise they won’t look the same…

#17

Finished up the base of the head. I have to figure out how I’m going to do the hair. I’m thinking planes, and then in then using a good alpha map when I get to texturing.

#18

Making progress on Enkidu’s model. Should have the hands/legs done tomorrow then learning zBrush while detailing the model (never used it, but studied the process for normal mapping).

Should be fun.

#19

Made some progress, I went to a drawing workshop last night instead of working on the challenge. Now I feel like I’m behind, which I am, I’m still trying to figure out how I’ll get the other two models done, plus getting the scene itself together…

#20

Made up for some lost time tonight. Not sure if the mechanics are functional though, and I’m going to add a bit of stability to it tomorrow, which will probably not be noticed, but will make it seem more believable. Tomorrow I’ll be putting the rest of the bolts on, taking the body into zBrush and adding details.

I may try to do something different, as I’m not entirely convinced I can get all three models textured by the deadline, so I may do up the models and then get everything set up in a scene, and then use Photoshop/Painter to create the image.