Ok, I don't have anything. I don't know if I'll have any time to do anything. But just in case I thought I'd post this idea before anyone else, haha.

The Lighthouse at Alexandria has been lost to the sea for 500 or so years. Said to be one of the greatest archetectual marvels of the Ptolemy Empire. So I thought that would be cool. At least I think it was Ptolemic... Could be wrong .

I hope I have time to do it! Good luck to everyone else on their entries.

Jeff

Put down the snow shovel and get to work. Maybe I should change my entry into lost driveway.

Jeff,
This would be an awesome sight to see in 3d.
Lets hope you can find the time!

Jay

Click to view attachment

Thanks for the support, guys.

If I do have the time I will definately be putting more fantasy into it then the reality. I think the reality would not make as cool a pic . So it should be alot of fun. I'll probably incorperate alot more Egyptian style into it then it actually had as well.

oh its on now! ;-)

cool idea. If you need any content research.. we did a site a few years back that has anything you want to know on ancient egypt.

http://www.eternalegypt.org/EternalEgyptWe...p;language_id=1

and we also modelled the entire city of Alexandria including the lighthouse, but I wasn't satisfied with the end result (probably because I didn't do most of it ;-)


check out the virtual environments here..

http://www.eternalegypt.org/EternalEgyptWe...p;language_id=1

glad your in. This is going to be a great contest.

That site is out of control. You did an incredible job. I browsed through it back when you announced it to the AM list, but it still blows me away.

Glad you like it ;-)

Oddly I'd almost forgotten about it (maybe I wanted to forget about it ;-) but on reflection, I think it might be a nice resource for this contest, for alot of people. I might have to go back and peruse it to see if anything grabs me over my current ideas for the contest.

Yeah, I also totally forgot about that site. Nice job on it. That is close to what the original Lighthouse probably looked like. I am definately going more fantasy egyptian than greek though. I will still probably make it its real 300 ft in height.

Thanks for the info Colin.

Hey Jeff, et all.. I forgot one more little handy tidbit.

I have a book, its very handy, called "The grammar of Ornament" not sur if its still in print, but its got thousands of swatches of old patterns. I mean like every type of pattern from an ancient civilization you can imagine. Might come in handy for some of your ideas.

Here's a reproduction on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Grammar-Ornament-Vic...2573&sr=1-3

Fantastic book - my library has an immense copy of it.

Digitised at:

Grammar Of Ornament

Caroline - this is incredible! I didn't even know libraries offered digital versions of their books. This is such a great resource to have. I've bookmarked the link you sent.

Thanks so much! This will definitely come in handy for lots of us .

- Michael

Whoo Hoo! Thanks for the link Caroline!

awesome find. I hadn't realised the book was so old.. I have a newer version thats about the size of a scout guidebook.

I'm going to have to see what other finds there are on that site.

Here's the blocking for me scene so far.

Some people might say it's too symetrical. To those people I say, ~~~! The statues will be of a pharoah and a queen.

Little Update.

I blured the pubic region of the Queen for those that aren't comfortable with nudity. She will be wearing "clothing" by the time I'm done with her.

Let me know what you think of it.

cool, scifi-ish

Thanks Jacob. I hope more people start posting their own WIPs.

Hi Jeff,
This is looking sweet.Just a quick question,are you going to keep the composition your using or will you be expanding the canvass out a bit?

Jay

No. I decided to concentrate fully on the lighthouse from the position of coming over the bridge. I thought this would be good, but I might push it out a little more, but I will probably leave it the way it is.

Nice work as always Jeff

Jeff - This is going to be fantastic! I like that you've kept it in close, focused on the Lighthouse. My only comment at this point is to model something that will show the audience just how enormous this beheamoth is. Right now it looks big, but not unfathomably huge .

If I have time I will be putting little people in it as well as other objects to show size.

Thanks for the comments .

New Update ^.

Your modeling skills are incredible - the two statues look INCREDIBLE!!!!!! I bow to your skill .

I'm really glad you decided to take this on, Jeff. It's looking splendid.

- Michael

Absoloutley superb.This is going to rock when the textures start hitting the model.

Brilliant.

Jay

Thanks guys.

my only problem is the sky...are you gonna change it by any chance?

I wasn't planning on it. I was going to add clouds, but I was going to leave the rest the same. What don't you like about the sky?

I like the image at the top of this page but for some reason the last update isn't showing.

I really like where this is going. It reminds me of a certain style of illustration... I can't explain it... bold and symetrical... simple but realistic. I love the symmetry of the composition. It really draws you in.

I don't know if the comment about the sky refers to the previous sample or the one before it. The only thing I would say is that it's too... blue... too saturated.

This will depend of course on final color of the stone work. That would change everything.

Clouds would be excellent... big bold dramatic clouds framing the lighthouse in the darkening sky.

-vern

Thanks Vern. Ack, I was going for too blue. Just thought it added to the fantasy element I was going for -- but maybe not. I'll leave for now and see what happens .

I fixed the broken image so it should show up now.

I've looked at it some more and can't quite decide. I think I am actually starting to like the intense blue now. I like the concept of a strong "monochrome" color scheme. I think it comes from the fact that there is a strong blue tone overall... my brain is thirsty for some small amount of a complimentary color...

These are just my personal tastes coming in to play so take it with a grain of salt. I keep thinking a subtle warmish hue to the stone work would punch it up... maybe some warm highlights from some torches or something like that.

Great look so far.

-vern

I have the same impression about the sky as Vern and the black mage. Too uniformly saturated. If it is a night sky, it might be nice if it were blacker and less saturated. If it's just supposed to be a fantasy sky, it might help to make it much lighter and less saturated down by the horizon with a gradation up to what you have there at the top.

Since you're being so true to the symmetry and austerity of Egyptian art, the arm positions of the two statues stand out as inconsistent (for me). Your image is in such a strong and iconic style, the postures (and limbs) beg for a solid resolute resting place. I think in that style, the palms of both statues would be touching the thighs. The upper arms also would probably be touching the body quite firmly. You might also get away with each statue holding a spear, crossing them over the bridge, or something equally bold yet balanced, and extremely grounded.

That quality of solid resolute grounded earthy symmetry somehow communicating the impression of an ethereal otherworldly reality has always captured my interest and imagination. I wonder if the Egyptians got their ideas from Plato, or Plato got his from the Egyptians.

I will post my own WIP's when I get AM. Which at this rate will be VERY soon.

Sorry... off topic for just a small moment.

I have been noticing Homeslice's avatar... I am hypnotized by the... undulations.

So look at my avatar above his... that is as close as it has been for Vern in a long time "getting down" with the ladies on the dance floor.

Back to the discussion. Sorry for the intrusion.

-vern

Haha, you are just wrong Vern, haha.

Yeah, the poses for the statues are definatly not done. I was going to push the arms closer. The palm on thigh idea is good though, so that will be done for sure. Thanks.

Yeah I will be going for sandstoney look to the stone. I will also probably have banners or something in there for more color -- and people with different colored clothing if I have the time.

Thanks again everyone .

its kinda one of those "i can't explain it....i just don't like it" things, but the clouds seem like a good idea....

I'm not sure which way the lighthouse faces or from what direction you would be looking at it, but in my opinion, a soft orange sky with firey clouds and maybe the sun peeking underneath them could fit. Perhaps a large moon in the top left or top right?

The modeling looks outstanding so far. Can't wait to see more.

Ben

I think the blue sky could work very well. Using a complimentary color for the lighting of the lighthouse itself would be very striking with the blue, starlit background. Some orange/yellow lights, making it look firey against the blue would be stunning .

- Michael

The sky doesn't look "real" and so doesn't fit in with the realism of the models. I would suggest using this software: Universe Image Creator. Another thing that might be cool would be to play upon the theory that the pyramids at Giza are aligned to the constellation of Orion and use that constellation in the background. It has enough bright stars including Rigel and Betelgeuse.

Where have you gone, Zaryin? Have you discovered the lost library of Alexandria? Got distracted by some ancient texts?

I look forward to an update. But knowing how quickly you work you have probably finished and are just sitting back waiting for the deadline.

Well, with all the crap that's been going on in my life lately I didn't have any time to get on the pc. Now that I'm getting more time I'm having a hard time at getting back into things. I got alot of stuff to do for TWO so I will probably not be finishing this -- at least not be the time limit.

This is looking great zaryin. I admire your modeling skills. I look forward to seeing more.