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KoreaSculptor’s Notebook: Sketching out an Idea
By Ryan Kingslien in Sculptor's Notebook | 14 comments
Hello,
In this post I wanted to share the recent evolution of a ZBrush sketch. It all started out innocently enough with a cup of coffee, ZBrush and a PolySphere.
There was no real direction or idea. There was only a desire to push and pull the sphere around until it came to represent something or something clicked in my brain.
So, the sphere became the first of 3 wicked dudes, think Monty Python’s depiction of the Spanish Inquisition here. I would say that they are wicked clergymen except for the ruffles around their neck. Don’t ask me what they are for. I just work here. I let the subconscious do the thinking.
Then, last night, with another sphere I sculpted the first of their victims.
For more, I’ll have to wait to see what my subconscious does when I sculpt their bodies. Like I said, I just work here.
Here is the victim:
Sculpting Process
Here are recordings of the sculpting process for each head. Please note that I had little idea where I was going and was experimenting with ideas as I progressed.
One of the ways that I compare different ideas is to drop one of them to the canvas by pressing SHIFT+S and then moving the live on off to the side. Then I can press undo till the change has been undone and compare the two versions.
Editor’s note: The above content was created in the vein of a disney-eque fictional storyline that just popped into my head and is meant to be enjoyed from an artistic processes point of view not a historically accurate depiction of real-life events.
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Mike R | Apr 4, 2008 | Reply
Ryan, Any chance you can go off on holiday until Zbrush for the Mac is released.
Your works are making me grumpy waiting.
Only joking. Keep it up. Its inspiring to me even if it is only on paper or fimo for me at the moment.
Cheers
Mike R
Ryan Kingslien | Apr 4, 2008 | Reply
Mike, Thanks for the kind words.
Matt Dale | Apr 4, 2008 | Reply
Nice work! An inspiration to all!
Taron | Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
First of all, they look absolutely great! I think it’s an interesting idea to illustrate historic misdeeds in an accessable way. Far more interesting than the usual arbitrary testemonies to detatchment from reality, life and sense. Putting a mildly comedic twist on it is particularely clever, since it allows a different observation of mankinds prior insanities. Some of it is unknown to many and what better way to remind even the most removed minds of what was done by humanity than by communicating in their “language”.
I’d say: Kudos and…can’t wait to see the final piece!
Cheerio,
Taron
Gray G. | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
awesome! these are a lot of fun, and a great study to watch in progress.
how did you make the morph between the two models at the end of the 2nd vid?
Benny | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
While I’m impressed by your skill and creativity, I’m concerned that your choice of subject matter is not entirely appropriate for use in a technical dissertation. It may have been better to let this one sit it out, and use a different theme for your tutorial.
Thanks
Bennyp
Ryan Kingslien | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
Taron - Thanks!
Gray - I simply selected another ZTL.
Benny - The above content was created in the vein of a disney-eque fictional storyline that just popped into my head and is meant to be enjoyed from an artistic processes point of view not a historically accurate depiction of real-life events.
Kindness to all,
Ryan
YaacovD | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
I’m very impressed with how well you use this tool, particularly how you chose to sequence the steps. Fictional as it is, it may be that the historical references get in the way of appreciating the tool’s abilities and your artistry though. To model evil — and the fear of evil on another’s face — in a depiction referred to as the Inquisition may be uncomfortable. Notwithstanding it reminded me of methodologies in calculus as you built some of the forms from two to three dimensions. Well done.
Ryan Kingslien | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
Hey YaacovD - Your observation that some of the forms have been built from 2 to 3 dimensions is a very important one. I have increasingly begun to focus on the merger between drawing concepts and sculpting concepts. Think Princess Jasmine’s eyes, in Aladdin, and casts of the features of Michelangelo’s David.
I tend to start from one viewpoint and establishing the 2D shape like a Disney or Pixar animator and then integrating it with the other views to make it 3D. I tend to. How successful I am is a different story.
Thanks for the comment!
Ryan
Taron | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
How beautiful it would be to hold a little sphere modeling collaboration. It could be something like a ZBC group picture, where everyone makes and contributes a sphere based head model, even a self-portrait if so desired, and put them all together.
Anyway, great stuff you’re doing. Love the clips!
I’d love to see how you’d retopologize them to do the extensions! I’ve recently seen this method used based on a zbrush model, but in a different app. I was so busy the last year that I didn’t get to explore that option ever since it came out. It would be a great opportunity to show that off!
Matt Dale | Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
I cannot believe what you people are posting about his model. They are fantastic faces, with a lot of individual character, and you people are complaining about the subject matter? The inquisition took place 600 years ago, and I highly doubt that is touches any sort of emotional nerve for any of you. Just appreciate his work, and if it offends you, don’t view it.
slashpot | Apr 14, 2008 | Reply
OMG!
Can’t you people read? Ryan didn’t mention the actual brutal inquisition instigated by the Spanish Catholic church, but rather the one depicted by Monty Python involving comfy chairs and cushions!!! Grow a sense of humour will ya!
Geez Ryan, I didn’t expect this!! But then…
Peter | Apr 15, 2008 | Reply
hahaha, Matte Dale i couldn’t agree with you more.
Ryan Impressive work, very inspiring!
Ignore the nay sayers, they are being pedantic to the extreme, would any of them honestly argue that Paintings like Goya’s The Third of May should come with a warning that it depicts terrible events?
My point is you shouldn’t have to label your work with disclaimers lol, if you start then at what point do you stop?
Ryan Kingslien | Apr 15, 2008 | Reply
Taron - Thanks for the kind words. I love the zsphere collaboration idea. Perhaps I will arrange something at ZBrushCentral for that.
Matt - Thanks for the kind words!
Slashpot - I had originally just put the words Spanish Inquisition even though in mind I was seeing Monty Python. I edited the post later to be more sensitive.
Peter - Thanks!