Final Head Render Test. (c) 2013 Michael J. Barnes.
Okay, I jumped the gun. In my haste to produce a new illustration, I thought my previous test resulted in a realistic image. I was incorrect in that assessment. This image is my final render test. For this image, I modified the skin material just a bit, and completely re-worked the eyes. In the previous tests, I noted that the eyes were just too “flat.” Since the eyes make the picture, I really needed to re-do them. I can always use the feedback.
Final Head Render Test. (c) 2013 Michael J. Barnes.
I think I finally found the right “mix” to achieve a photo-realistic look (or about as close as one as possible). The thing is, I now realize that I was over-thinking the process. As it turned out, I didn’t need to do as much composite work in Photoshop. What I did need to do was alter some of settings in the skin material before I rendered the image in Zbrush. It’s a whole lot of technical stuff involved, of which I really don’t understand.
So the phrase, “Less is more,” really applied to this image. Any rate, this is my final render test. It’s time for me to move on to the next phase of this project. As it stands, I’m very pleased with this result. Let me know what you think.
Render Test of heroic male head. (c) 2013 Michael J. Barnes
In my attempt to try and make my male heroic head look more realistic, I decided to do a new render test. With this test, I created “environmental” lighting to try to reduce some of the harsh shadows. I created several multi-pass renders in ZBrush and created the composite in Photoshop. I don’t think I completely achieved my goal, but I believe it is a step closer for when I complete my final illustration.
Detail of adult male hero character. (c) 2013 Michael J. Barnes. (click to view enlarged image)
Continuing with creating new character meshes, I have completed more refinements and details to the adult male hero character. This character is created and rendered in ZBrush, and composite completed in Photoshop.
Heroic Adult Female Basemesh. (c) 2013 Michael J. Barnes. (click to view enlarged image)
I recently completed a base mesh of an adult female model in ZBrush. Eventually, this model will be used in an illustration I’m envisioning.
Girls Bike. (c) 2013 Michael J. Barnes.
I know I’ve been throwing a lot of wips (works in progress) updates recently. The fact is that I am working on three different illustrations at this time (I just wish these were commissioned pieces) for some self-promotion pieces. Since working up the PALS logo last week, I find myself with some extra time to do up these drawings.
My latest WIP will have a little girls bike in the illustration. This model (seen above) I worked up over the weekend – about eight hours total time. I know it doesn’t look scary, or mystical, or fantastical like many of these 3D sculpts that are usually posted… but it came out so much better than I hoped that I had to share it.
In actuality, it is a very scary, evil, demon-possessed bike that will transform the rider into a hellchild that will torment her parents for many years. Okay, not really. I’m not going to go to much into the future illustration. Like I said, I liked the way this turned out and wanted to share. Hope you like it.
Girls bike sans texture. (c) 2013 Michael J. Barnes.