Z brush - From start to finish

As well as drawing and designing 3 characters we have been learning Z brush so that we can sculpt a human figure, or at least certain areas of the body.

Before starting with a human though, we learnt the basics using a base mesh Tian had provided us with of a column. From this basic shape we were shown how to add details quickly and easily.

Using alphas we was able to add the details on the column such as the hundreds of individual squares as well as the scratches and cracks going around the mesh. Then to add extra damage such as parts of the column actually crumbling we used actual brushes and played around with options to make the brush, when used correctly, look like it was tearing into the mesh.

We then moved onto sculpting the actual human figure with the information we had now learnt about z brush. Again using some base meshes tian gave us to use we set up the character to be scaled properly using a provided measuring guide. Below is a picture of the character set up and ready to be worked on further. 

I subdivided the mesh 3 times to become easier to work on, as this increases the number of polygons you can sculpt with. Once doing this I began working on just the upper half of the body, mainly the neck and shoulders. Below is a picture showing my process at the beginning, still learning the basics. 

Once getting some practice on the character model I then felt more confident with what I was doing and carried on working around the neck and shoulders area, but working down to the chest, ribs and parts of the back. At this point I was mainly sculpting it in rough and then smoothing it all out together but this soon changed later in the sculpt.
For now this is where I got up to further into the sculpt.

Now where I was previously I carried on the sculpting process to a point I was happy with and then began smoothing over. It was here I realised it would probably be easier to sculpt and smooth out as I went along as I only have to go over what I have done already now, wasting some time but helping me learn for future reference. 

After fixing up the body with some more obvious detailing I am pretty happy with the way the sculpt has turned out so far, and it shouldnt be long until its finished. I just need to smooth off any excess clay on the model and try to define the chest slightly better to make it look more like a male.

Finally I changed the material to a more skin like tone and finished the sculpt completely with some last minute fix's and details to make for a more realistic character sculpt.
I am pretty pleased with the outcome of my model and I hope that I have captured all the major parts of the body that I was trying to, to create a more believable design.

Class 6

This week we had a new model, which meant drawing a new body type. This week was a thin young male and although we have a young female model often, there are some obvious and some less obvious changes to the body structure.

I would also like to point out that all the sketches from this weeks lesson was whilst standing up as we shared a class with the rest of the second years, resulting in no where to sit, so I used an easel to draw with.  

Below is some of my 30 second - 2 minute sketches 

We then moved onto some longer poses, the below are ranging from 10 - 20 minutes

I had also bought some chalks with me and wanted to try them out, so with the last two poses I gave them a go. I was hoping to get more shading in that I did in the end, though I am still happy with the final result as its a different way of drawing and I think the end results are still okay. 

Alongside using the chalk, for this last sketch I chose to do a study of a certain area, as the model lay down and because of where I was stood, I wasn't able to get a look at the whole pose clearly. I did his upper body, focusing on the face mostly as I thought I hadnt paid much attention to the face in previous drawings.

I thought it turned out alright and if I had some extra time I would have liked to carry on this one.

Class 5

In this weeks lesson I wanted to try and draw some more poses in a bigger size as I am usually used to working in A4. Instead I some poses on A3 which changed my way of drawing more than expected. Because of this some of the proportions seems off but I want to try and work on this in the future. 

I am also sorry for the quality of some of the photos, though being on a larger piece of paper I cant scan them and have had to take a photo and tweak them in photoshop.

 30 - 1 Minute sketches

2D Characters - Info Points

Alien Tribesman - Krahh

Past

Was born and raised on his planet Mensa in a place called Dramen. Here he lived for over 120 years before his planet evacuated to earth. Before this though he lived a very primitive life like many of the rest of his race, in large tribes filled with huts, surviving from hunting animals for food. 

He has no immediate family still alive, so treats the Seridans in his tribe like a family, making him one of the most compassionate about his tribe. 

Present

Moving to earth was a big change from his home planet which was so free and laid back to his new home in a heavily guarded living area, cramped together next to the rest of his race. Eventually after breaking out with some of the Seridans from his old tribe, tried to carry on from where they left off on Mensa and live away from the rest of there race, free again. 

Now he is the leader of the biggest Seridan tribe on earth and a legend in the eyes of many Seridans for breaking away from there designated living area. 

Future

Krahh's future is a simple one, he has no desire to overtake or hurt anyone,  but to live how he did back on his home world, free and without rules. 

He will further expand his tribe, as well as finally finding a mate and having his own offspring. 

The Seridan life span is around 400 years for a male and Krahh will live until he is 378. 

Environment

Krahh since moving to earth has lived in Russia, in Europe's largest forest, Virgin Komi. Here him and his tribe have built tree houses, all connected and next to an easily accessible water supply. With thousands of large trees around and his and his tribes previous experience with crafting things by hands this was an easy task. Rocks of all sizes are also scattered around the forest and are used for weapons and decoration for both the homes and the tribe members. 

Personality

Wise, Knowledgeable and Caring especially towards his tribe. 

Design

Krahh like all other Seridans have a similar body to that of a human, though with some key differences. The main one being the size and look of the head, which is much longer on the back and has open gaps for hearing. Toes and Fingers are also both webbed which was originally for catching fast fish like creatures on this home planet, though earth's fish are much slower and because of this, these webbing's serve no purpose and are instead decorated in the tribe or left as they are. 

His skin is similar to humans in its texture, though is more of a bluey/gray colour. He is also covered in markings given by his tribe as well as ornaments and other accessories that he wears, each meaning something different.

Below are images I found as reference that help visualize elements of this character. 

Mutant Marine - Dom Wells

Past

Dom had always looked up to his farther who worked as a US marine and when the Seridans came to earth and his farther was killed in the process of some Seridans trying to brake out of their living area, he decided to join the US marines himself in remembrance of his farther.

Present

Upon being mutated, Dom has gotten more confident with his new body and his robotic legs and has been on a number of small missions to find and bring back Seridans that have escaped. His most recent mission was to go alone, as before he had always been accompanied by other men, and killed 2 Seridans purposely. He luckily got away with it and with no one as a witness, finally got the revenge he wanted. 

Future

For years Dom carried out his work as a marine, though still killing innocent Seridans now and then for his own pleasure. The power he had eventually got to his head and with the number of Seridans dieing on his solo missions was alarming, so he was sent to work with other marines again, and on his final mission was caught killing a Seridan child. Because of this, he was sent to prison and was also charged for the murder of over 20 other Seridans that they knew of. 

Environment

Apart from his home, the only other place Dom spends any time is in the Marines base. Although highly advanced, its a very modular place, and doesn't have much character. He however does also spend time in Russian forests looking for escaping Seridans. 

Personality

Daunting, Secretive, Professional for the most part, Angry, Confused. 

Design

Dom has a mutated body which has made the whole of his upper body 3x its normal size whilst his lower body the same. This has resulted in skin tearing and protruding bones in some parts of his upper body and has also rendered his legs useless. Because of this, he has been crafted mechanical legs which can support his body properly. 

Below are images I found as reference that help visualize elements of this character. 

E.T.C Worker - Lauren Brown

Past

Being in a world with aliens her whole life, Lauren didnt have much of a problem with aliens living on earth, especially as much as people who had lived before them coming to earth. Because of this she felt more sorry for them than anything, always being hated on for coming to earth and so decided to help them once she grew up. By the time she was 18 she was already looking for jobs in Alien care and eventually found a job as an E.T.C Worker.

Present

Lauren has been working as an E.T.C worker for over 5 years and is nothing less of a professional of her job. With this is mind though, she still enjoys her job fully and finds great satisfaction in helping the Seridans.

Future

Lauren carried out her job as an E.T.C worker for the rest of her life, being promoted many times in her work life. Some Seridans had even marked her with there tribe signs showing there respect towards her. She lived until she was 76 and left behind a legacy or work towards helping the Seridans thrive on earth.

Environment

Apart from her normal home life, she spends alot of time in the Seridans environment and because of this is equipped with the necessities she needs for coping in there.

Personality

Kind, Caring, Supportive, Determined, Smart

Design

Below are images I found as reference that help visualize elements of this character.