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.
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.
Petal Power. (c) 2013 Michael J. Barnes.
I decided to try a different tack with this piece, hopefully to display a little diversity in my illustrative style. Petal Power shows a little girl giving a ride to her puppy and dolly through her neighborhood. And, yes, that is an octopus tugging at the end of his leash and snarling at the mailman (because its a well-known fact that octopi are the sworn enemy of mail carriers — at least it’s well known in my head).
The characters were created and rendered in Zbrush. The background (houses and such) we produced in Sketch-up with texturing and rendering done in Bryce. All elements were brought into Photoshop and Viola! (or voila) Petal Power.
I have decided to work up a couple more images based on this theme. I have four ideas in mind, with the next piece including a rocket-powered wagon.
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.
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.
Grumpy Sculpture. (c) 2013 Michael J. Barnes.
Completed the sculpt over this last weekend.