Learning Zbrush: Progress

One of main objectives is to learn Zbrush and to be able to apply the workflow to my own characters. Lately, I have been learning the process with two main learning tools, Ryan Kingslien's ZBrush Studio Projects:Realistic Game Characters and with the help of Digital Tutors, indeed I'm again a  student in my own time.

Also, I have began applying my skills to create humanoid sculptures, however this process proved too difficult because i was not only learning the tools but also some of the details in human anatomy. While, I will later carry on with my female character sculpture, for now i will solely focus on learning the sculpting skills within Zbrush.

Therefore I began a whole new model based on Digital Tutors Tutorial, modeling with zspheres. It is a bug, and with this choice, I freely can explore the tools to create form.

So here is a bit of the process, firstly everything is constructed with Zspheres, and then transformed into mesh by making an adaptive skin. (fig. below) 

With the base mesh then we can start to create an initial sculpt dividing the geometry up to 5 divisions. in this stage you create a few details build form of how the insect would look like. 

After with everything sculpted a few changes have to be made onto the mesh so it can hold the detail, instead of appear all jagged. Retopology is the key to solve this problem, while most creatives look at different pieces of software to correct the topology of the model, I have decided to do everything in Zbrush to learn the process, and I have to say it is a very intuitive, process which will be part of my workflow from now on. 

So the topology had to be corrected to be able to have the details sculpted. though this process takes some time it is very intuitive. 

I will add more detail as I go along. Stay Tuned!

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Master of Animals Project and Such!

Firstly, the good news is that I have been highly creative lately by drawing and sculpting, and learning in depth Zbrush. Therefore, I decided to set myself a new challenge, a new personal project to have completion in a  few weeks time. 15 weeks.

The Master of Animals

Briefly, The Master of Animals is amazonian mythological character, whose power, presence and strength cannot be compared. As mythology tells me that it can be perceived in different animals, being the strongest of the species considered the master, My idea of the character is to create an hybrid humanoid, which power has been offered by these different animals.

For the initial stage I have began to put some reference pictures up.

Meanwhile and as I mentioned earlier I have been sculpting in Zbrush in order to gain some more skills in that such powerful tool and insert it in my character workflow nevertheless. Here is the progress on my games character following Ryan Kingslien Tutorial.

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Work Featured in Digital Arts Magazine and more!

Since University finished, I have been trying to pave the way into my professional life. A few things have been happening since for the better, one of them is product of exhibiting my work at the New Designer, where I was approached by Digital Arts Magazine to showcase my work in their magazine. And lately i was informed that my work was shotlisted and was to appear in the physical copy of the magazine.

So here is my feature in the magazine, I would like to Phil Gomm and Alan Postings for giving me the chance to exhibit my work in ND and to Magazine's Editor Johann Chan and Neil Bennet for picking my work to appear on the magazine.

So if you don't have a copy get one, because it is an issue with a lot of inspiring fresh work.

Alongside that many other things have been happening, Freelance work which i can only thank to David Keefe for mentioning my name and that details cannot be shared just yet.

Atom Pancakes have been slowly evolving into becoming more professional and exposed. With the Final Chapter entering Canterbury Anifest this year and the attempt to showcase it at Horsebridge Centre in Whistable, in the month of September. To keep up track of it evolves check our website and blog.

http://atompancakes.blogspot.co.uk/

http://atompancakesresearch.blogspot.co.uk/

More updates to come soon!!

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Learning Zbrush Sculpting with Ryan Kingslien Tutorial

One of the learning curves i want to tackle next is knowing Zbrush better, in order to apply thhis knowledge on my coming characters. Therefore i have been looking into creating humanoids in zbrush.

So far I was able to start by using zspheres to create a rough shape of the character, then I have used the move brush to retopo the base model, and began to add the volume.

 

with the base mesh sorted I began to do some polypaint on the model to define the muscular structure of the human body, a few more body parts to do but so far the torso has been done. 

Meanwhile on other subject things are going well on the freelance side of things.

I will keep you all updated. !!

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So life goes on...

Here is my first update, after graduating at UCA. The few past weeks were a mixture of holidays plus trying to get the first foot in the industry. A few good news I have received, and most importantly I began to plan my life from this point onwards.

At the moment, I'm in a middle of a freelance project which is quite exciting and hopefully will give me so more exposure into the industry. Projects in production are always confidential so not much information I can give away, but when possible I will update on that subject, just have to say exciting times.

For the time being, I havent looked at finding a job, as the wave of graduates from UK universities is invading London, therefore I am taking a slightly different strategy which I will explain in more detail in a further post.


Regarding tackling a learning curve, I have finally put my hands on Zbrush and trying to explore most of its features, from base mesh with zspheres to dinamesh and sculpting tools. I tend to apply what I learn onto any new characters.

As part of the new strategy, me and a few of my colleagues expanded Atom Pancakes, with a  group of 5 we intend to help each other get better elements to integrate on our showreels. Exciting news on this end, we have a project already forming, but more details can be found on our website or blog.

 

http://atompancakes.blogspot.co.uk

http://atompancakesresearch.blogspot.co.uk/

More updates and details will be added soon as well as any works, sketches etc... 

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New Designers and Graduation!

The end of my educational journey has ended with two events, which marked the transition from education to professional world. The New Designers exhibition and my Graduation.

New Designers 

New Designers was an exhibition held at the Business Centre in London, where recent graduates had the chance to showcase their work. To me was a great opportunity, meet great people, make contacts, and show my 2 pieces on display, The Final Chapter and Le Patissier. It was a great experience yet exhausting experience which help us understand how well we have to be able to sell our work professionally without being too intrusive. Among many graduates showcasing there, I met some great artists, with whom I will keep contact. With my colleagues, we showcased mind-blowing animations, and were one of the busiest stands.

The Graduation 2012

My Graduation was on the 10th of July, concluding the 3 years journey at UCA Rochester, doing a BA Honours In CG Arts and Animation. The day was marked by nerves, stress but a lot of happiness. With my parents and my girlfriend Ivanka present, I was very proud for the achievement, which was characterized by hard work, sacrifice and passion. Lastly, I would like to thank to everyone, who helped me reach the end of this journey, with special attention to my girlfriend, who has always been there when needed.

The next stage on this blog, is to document my transition into the professional world, as well as being presenting any personal projects I plan to do. 

Until a next time!! 

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Week at New Designers!

From tomorrow onwards, I will be exhibiting my animations at the New Designers show. So let's get ready for busy times, heat and little sleep for one last week! but it is all worth, they say. If any of you that follow my blog is going to the show, take a look at our stand, at the media section. and you will see mine and my peers work, but also spin some zoetropes, and see some characters come to life.

At the show I'm showcasing 2 animations, Le Patissier and the collaborative project .The Final Chapter

Project: Le Patissier

Directed by: 
Ruben Martins

Synopsis:
"A patisserie shop in the heart of Paris is home to one of the most talented patissiers in the whole France. The patissier is recognized by his exceptional set of skills in making and decorating wedding cakes. having a new cake on order, this animation will follow the patissier decorating one of the most beautiful wedding cakes he ever created."

 

Project: The Final Chapter

Directed by:
Atom Pancakes (as Ruben Martins)

Synopsis:
"The story follows our crime writer, Arthur Winters, as he attempts to write the ending of his book. As he thinks through possible ideas, things begin to go wrong around him. While having these ideas, Winters enters his dream space and starts to act like the suspects. When he finally realises an idea that works, he burst into motion to finish his book, however the simplest of the tasks is not so simple after all."

Also I have created my 1st showreel focusing on my characters, hope you like it!

and see you there!

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