Steampunk Myths and Legends Entry: William Charles Chamberlin

#1

William Charles Chamberlin is entered in the “Steampunk Myths and Legends” update: View Challenge Page

Latest Update: Final Image: Kokopelli the Steam Dancer

#2

I know, I know, I’m late - I’ve had a busy Christmas season, so odds are I won’t be able to finish this in time.

My idea is the Hopi myth of Kokopelli, the dancer and bringer of seed. In the myth, he is described as having “his back hunched forward like a rainbow”, and appears to either have a hump on his back or carrying a bag with seeds in it.

My vision is basically a steampunk version of him, where his hump is actually something like a steam organ, playing backup to the twin flute built into his head. In the myth, “when the Kokopelli comes playing his flute the Sun comes out, the snow melts, the green grass grows, the birds come out and begin to sing, and all the animals gather around to hear his songs.” So, the snowy ground around him will be thwing, and grass and flowers appearing at his feet. Various animals will be appearing in the background, and trees near the foreground will begin to sprout again.

Some of the animals might be steampunk as well, and the flowers and trees might have a techno-organic “look”, it all depends on if I have time before the deadline.

#3

Just started working on the head. The flute is part of it (and nowhere near done), while the hair the “real” Kokopelli has will be replaced by hoses and heat sink cables.

#4

Just a bit more work on the head. Most of it will be procedurally textured, while the larger plates will be mapped to have panel lines and rivets.

#5

Just some further work on textures and procedurals on the head. Most of these (procedurals) will end up being reused elsewhere on the model, while the bronze will be used for most external plates.

#6

Started work on the neck, which means the entire spine will soon be done.

If it seems I’m posting a lot of WIP’s, it’s because I’m hoping something I’m doing will catch SOMEONE’S eye to give me any needed advice. :slight_smile:

#7

That’s looking good so far! I specially like the textures you are using, I don’t have really any crit, just maybe that big piece that is the base for the head looks a bit like a big round stone… not that it’s bad, but it doesn’t look so “mechanic” as the rest of it, IMHO…
anyway, good luck with it, time is running fast! :slight_smile:

#8

Thank you! I decided to temporarily give it a procedural (Darktree to be exact) of metal plates, blended slightly with a normal metal texture, but even with that I think I might end up replacing it - keeping, say, the crown (where it meets with the ‘heat sink hair’), and adding more bits where it connects with the eyes and the other face bits.

BTW, as I think, I do believe that the final model will also have ivy growing on it in various places. Kokopelli brings new life wherever he goes, and what if the spirit of Kokopelli decided to inhabit the massive simulacrum that the engineers created?

#9

Started some work on the spine and torso. Inside the main torso frame will be the rest of the main boiler, as well as the engines driving the shoulders. On top of the yellow plate (which will be textured bronze like the plates on the face) will be effectively an automatic pipe organ, with pipes leading down to the main boiler area. The bottom of the spine will connect to a semi-solid hip with a secondary boiler, segmented strips to act as a “kilt”, and of course the legs.

#10

Okay, time to start work on the limbs, then the environment he’s in. If I’m lucky, I just MIGHT make it in time. :slight_smile:

#11

From someone on the Rez, that looks great

#12

All I have left to do now is make his segmented “kilt”, the pipe organ on his back, refine the bronze textures, and then pose him.

Next, after the main character is done, is to create his environment, and add in a few critters, plants, vines, etcetera.

#13

Last image didn’t upload, so let’s try a slightly smaller version

#14

Okay, now time to work up the environment, vegetation, and critters. :smiley:

#15

Here’s the finished KP in a ‘grey’ render

#16

Started work on the environment, and some crude lighting…

#17

I don’t know what to say… its amazing, this model would look so kool in front of the Santa Fe Art Museum when completed…deserves alot of admiration…cant wait to see what the end result will look like.

Nizhoni/ danzhoo’
C.L. Sandoval

#18

hey there!:slight_smile:
cool looking robot you got there! only suggestion though… try to make it more steampunkish… you have references of steam robots? if yes then your good to go! if you dont, you should be looking now… if you have a few… gather more!:smiley: it should look 18th century-ish with all the pipeworks, swirly brass patterns, rusty nuts and bolts, bulky wooden containers… well you get the feel… :slight_smile: it’s just me though… hope this helps! goodluck!

#19

Actually, all of his internal workings are based on actual steam engines. On top of that, the plates themselves are supposed to be bronze. Perhaps I should tweak them to be more cast iron, or perhaps brass…

#20

Software: 3ds max,Photoshop

When the poor engineers decided to make their latest giant steam robot an image of the Hopi deity Kokopelli, little did they know the dancing god of fertility and growth thought it a grand idea. No sooner had they fired up the main boiler, than it broke free, dancing throughout the snow dusted countryside, bringing life with each thundering step.

Done in 3D Studio Max, textured in Photoshop CS3 and with Darktree procedural shaders. Rendered in scanline.