To try something different, this time I did some prelim. sketches, then modeled the main character's head in Sculpey.
I intend to use the physical model as a reference when I begin splining.

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This is not my usual workflow. I found the "real-world" sculpting very relaxing, however.

I do that a lot and yes it is relaxing. Love the character.

Alan

I did that the first time I ever had to model a character head. I couldn't translate my 2D sketches into 3D without somethign physical to look at.

Did a bit of modeling while stuck at home on a gorgeous day (piano tuner is here.)
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Ended up roughing a mesh onto my maquette with a micron pen and then using reference photos to start meshing in the nose. I didn't get too far yet just killing time until we can get out of the apartment.
As far as "Figure Drawing" goes, we've been brainstorming some ideas to flesh out the premise. So far I'm going to be a bit mysterious with the story-line, until we nail it down a bit better and I board it out.
It is set in an art classroom/studio. The above character is the instructor. He is very passionate about drawing. Very.

Yes, I love this method too.
If you bake your model,
it's fun to draw the splines on it
before taking the photos (telephoto if you can).
Here's a sample from 2002.
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That is exactly what I did. Only messier. =)

Here's a bit more of the model...
(been busy with school and finding an extra job)

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And the head is pretty much done. Well, except for the lumps. The lumps are interesting, but I'm not sure they will be left alone.
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I love the lumpiness. Lots of character.

Alan

I cleaned up some of the lumpiness, modeled some extra face creases, added his eyebrows, etc.
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I'll be working on his body soon, then moving on to the next character.
Since there are still about three more characters to be modeled after this, I plan to model them all before any rigging.

Fixed the mouth. It was wayyyy too wide.
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-Nice job so far-

-His skin is that SSS?-

-What are ur settings?-

Yes, I used it in conjunction with the "fake" diffuse skin shader.
1/2 Extinct. dist for SSS are as follows...
R = 20
G = 15
B = 10
Density = 150%

I also tweaked the fall off of the surface to 95%

I don't want a realistic look, more a stylized effect, so I'm sure my settings aren't accurate.

Very nice Jesse!

I'm going to state the obvious about the male character.
Someone has to state the obvious so it might as well be me.

That nose...

This is obviously a stylistic choice and I don't have your insight into the design or story.
My concern would be that his expressions won't read as well as they could from the front.
The size isn't the issue as much as the width.
I'm not concerned as I'm sure you will prove me spectacularly wrong.

As the whole thing is about 'Figure Drawing' I'd guess that nose is an important aspect of the film.
If not, perhaps his schnozz could be adjusted a little bit more.
In favor of keeping it... it does make him a very unique character.

Rodney, the teacher has been designed from the beginning with that ungainly proboscis, but I too share your concern about his animability (made up word.) After I get the basic heads all done and attached to their bodies, and start rigging I'm going to do some animation tests to decide whether or not the nose wants shrinking. Thanks for the insightful comment!
Tonight I'm modeling the main character Sculpey maquette to stay on my self-imposed schedule.

I like the nose.

you're making a great start. I to, used Sculpey.
it was the perfect medium when I sculped fairies. can't wait to see your next project come together
I, think noses are good keys to character,just a thought

You sculpted fairies? Cool beans, any links to examples of your work?

Oh, and I'll follow my nose on the second thought

Okay, I'm moving onto the body for the teacher now... this will be interesting, because, for reasons essential to the story, he must be modeled naked. and then clothed separately...

An alternative would be to make two versions of him - one clothed and one naked. Once you finish the film, you can go back to the scene where he undresses and re-do it, showing him undress in front of the camera if you're into that sort of thing.

Haha... no he needs naked modeling, there will be various stages of dress/undress. Just got home and may model some after dinner. (Not before.)

I, think noses are good keys to character,just a thought [/quote]
You sculpted fairies? Cool beans, any links to examples of your work?

Oh, and I'll follow my nose on the second thought
[/quote]
did have a web site leaffairies.com. But my site manager became very ill. I didn't know how to run it. So I took the site down.
but it's such a good idea what your doing.. I'll post a sample of my characters, that started out in sculpy in the Jaws section

First off, the teacher's full head model. Body to follow.
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Alright, I had a few minutes and was able to finally start on the modeling of the torso, for the rather rotund instructor.
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I think what youv got so far allready suits his face ,nice modeling

Thanks, I haven't many consecutive slices of time lately, so I fit it in when I can. =)
Next post should be by Tues....

More naked torso. Slowly, slowly...
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Eww...the SSS really makes this rather gross.
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G'night!

Yea sss doese make a lot of differance ,it looks a lot more like flesh ,howd you do that

that's every gym teacher I had in school.

Well, perhaps under the clothing of every art teacher is the body of a gym teacher?
I may tone down the fat a bit.

Just the same settings I used for his face, earlier in the posts. Umm....20, 15, 10? (RGB 1/2 extinct distance)150ish density...

The colour of the skin is something that needs to be tweaked per character.

Oh sure. You'll tone down the fat but not the nose.

just kidding!


That SSS does really make a difference.


Edit: (I said the SSS doesn't make a difference. IT VERY OBVIOUSLY DOES!)

Thank's for the settings ,it looks quite a bit differant when I put them together on the same monitor ,more waxy baby skinn sortof

Yeah, adjust the fall-off to 95%, also SSS depends upon model's virtual size (how many cm tall etc) so there are a million different factors. I'm only using it this early in the project because it does impact the modeling stage in visualizing how it will look. (I did have to rework the old man in "The Mountain" when SSS was added in v14 and we decided to use it.) Especially things like wrinkles and folds that read fine in Phong shading may be lost in scattered shading.

A bit more modeling before bed.
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I had to censor his "parts."

Thats looking real good ,nice modeling

looking very good, great pasty-white-appropriately saggy fleshy looking skin - but...butt...butttt -

This guy must go to nude beaches, as I can't see any tan lines from his speedo bathing suit...and I looked.

I have to say when we were last at the nude beach, I did see an old man built almost like this (less firm, more saggy.)

You seem knowledgeable about this subject, Nancy...

All right...finally recovered from the flu (yuck) and finished up modeling the naked version of the instructor...(yuck)
I'm off to bed.
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hahahahaha
love it!

Yea graet looking model ,I like the proportions

Thanks, the proportions are, I fear, going to be a Rigging Challenge.
We shall see, but for now I'm off to model the girl's (clothed) body.

Very good - fun character - quite Wallace & Grommitish looking...er...more Wallace-ish than Grommit

Thanks Nancy!
He decided to do a quick pose for you =)
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hahahasnorthahaheeheehohoguffaw

Awwwww...that's sweet...naked boy is Waltzing Matilda

Next step, clothing for the teacher. Working out some ideas in my spare time, I'll post when I get a chance.