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Tag Archive monster

New Creature Concept: “George”

"George." Digital Creature Concept. (c) 2014 Michael J. Barnes.

“George.” Digital Creature Concept. (c) 2014 Michael J. Barnes. (click to view full-size image)

Yes, I have done yet another creature concept. This one I’ve named “George.” I have been doing these creature concept for several reasons. First, to build up my “Characters and Creatures Portfolio.” Second, to keep practicing using my ZBrush application — specifically practicing creating believable muscle masses, as well as different texturing techniques. And finally, because it is fun.

That’s right, I’m having fun. When I first started with this concept, I wasn’t exactly sure what kind of creature George was going to be. However, as I started building him up, I decided to make him into an amphibian-like monster. I initially thought he would be an alien scientist, but I just finished watching one of the “Hobbit” movies… so I concluded George would be a monster.

Full sized image of George's head. Note the "gills" under his ear. (c) 2014 Michael J. Barnes.

Full sized image of George’s head. Note the “gills” under his ear. (c) 2014 Michael J. Barnes.

On the technical side, for any fellow ZBrushers who may be reading this blog, this is the first time I’ve used ZBrush’s “body parts” insert brush to build up the torso, arms and legs. Typically, I use a preset base mesh when sculpting humanioid characters, but I found it to be much easier to use this insert brush. I will be definitely using this brush for future sculpts.

And there is a video, too!

I have also created a video depicting my sculpting workflow. I do these videos (of which all of them can be viewed on my Videos page) for a couple of reasons. First, to help me with my self-promotion. Second, so I can review and hopefully continue to improve my sculpting techniques.

As before, George here was created in ZBrush, with the final image produced in Photoshop. I hope you like George as much as I do.

Creature Concept: Red-Hooded Lizard-Thingy

"Red Hood." Creature concept. (c) 2014 Michael J. Barnes.

“Red Hood.” Creature concept. (c) 2014 Michael J. Barnes.

I decided to try my hand at creating a creature concept. I was playing on my ZBrush application with no real idea in mind when I just started pulling out shapes from a sphere. Eventually this creature came to life.

“Red-Hooded Lizard-Thingy” is more of a working title for this creature concept. The fact is, I’m no biologist so I can’t think of a real name for this piece. If anybody has an idea, please add a comment with your suggestion.

I was actually very pleased with the results of this creature concept, that I created desktop wallpapers from this image. If you’d like one, visit my FREE Image Library to download a copy for yourself.

As I noted above, this creature concept was created in ZBrush, with the final image produced in Photoshop.

I hope you like it.

WIP: Monster Creature Dude Head

Monster Creature Dude Head Texture and Render Test.

Monster Creature Dude Head Texture and Render Test.

Monster Creature Dude Head Texture and Render Test.

Monster Creature Dude Head Texture and Render Test.

I completed sculpting and texturing the head of my new creature character last night. I learned a few more polypainting techniques recently and I employed them with this sculpt. This head was created and rendered in ZBrush and I composited the multi-pass renders in Photoshop. Let me know what you think.

WIP: New Creature Concept Blueprints

Pillager Concept. (c) 2013 Michael J. Barnes.

I had an idea recently for a new illustration featuring a fantastical monster creature dude. I’m not going to go into too much detail about the final illustration, but I will share my concept of the monster-creature-dude. Here is the initial “blueprints” for the 3-D model of him naked. I am currently working on his attire, which will be mostly armor. I will post that blueprint when I complete it.

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