S2 WEEK 8
Things are getting more complicated this week in 3D Digital Literacy.
We we’re shown pre-recorded demonstrations we were to attempt in blender. These were based on blocking our characters out and were given to us to show us how to use differing methods to create basemeshes for our models, and help us learn how to create different volumes and shapes.
The one I focused on the most was the dog demonstration. I learnt how to use metaballs to create a very loose basemesh following a reference image provided of a dog. I was once again reminded how to use dyntopo to add more divisions to my mesh and the axis’ — to mirror the sculpt changes I made upon the X Y or Z axis. I used a range of the different sculpting brushes with this demonstration too, such as the draw tool and the grab and smooth. These were integral in helping me with my model.
It was quite difficult navigating the program at first, but thanks to Henry’s demonstration, I now know a lot of really helpful shortcuts, and how to manipulate the sculpt brushes far easier. This model was meant to be very simple and not hyper-realistic. It was simply to help us learn to character block, and I think I did a pretty decent job at it. I focused hard on making the volume and anatomy as close to the reference as possible, though it was hard manipulating some of the metaballs as they couldn’t be as precise as I wanted them to be (as seen in how the feet are pretty much just little balls.) I do see however, that I’m getting better at using Blender with every new venture I take in it, though it is still a very confusing program so far.
Last week I created a spider diagram and collected images to help me create my character. This week I decided to attempt to make a few that I’d be interested in creating.
I thought about creating a silly little dinosaur model, I wanted to create a sort of velociraptor and wanted to make it look really silly and like it had never had a single thought. I thought about using this for a while as I really like dinosaurs and I think it would’ve been fun to do – But thinking about it some more, it was too simple a concept and there wasn’t much personality to it, and I couldn’t think of any props to put with it.
The second thing I thought of doing was one of my original characters I created for a short comic in 2017 named Sardine. He’s a mutated fish man who eats the rubbish people throw and leave on beaches to help keep the beach and oceans cleaner. I would really like to model him actually, but I feel like he’s a bit too complicated for me to do at my current skill level.
The main concept I think I’ve finalised on is a mushroom person. Namely – a Ink Cap mushroom-person who’s an artist, and uses the ink it secretes on its paintbrush to create art. I thought this was a very fun concept and I could get a pretty decent narrative going with a good design of it. I started working on some design ideas. Attempting to give the character a lot of personality, but a relatively simple design. I believe I’m making decent headway with it.
And a bonus idea I drew up – A cat wearing a little wizard’s hat, with a wand on the floor beside it. I thought this was very cute, but want to challenge myself a little more than this.
