Hi guys. i am learning step by step with this amazing master-class Kent has given to us. I am so excited with the process, enjoying each step. While I am moving forward with the lessons, I am wondering if this Loomis method would be aplicable to any creature and how. I mean, is there any method as Loomis' for create any creature & living beings sculpting this way? I have some designs to sculpt and after this course I would like to out into practice everything I have learned throught SHARK & HUMAN courses (trespassing all the concepts lesson by lesson). I would like to learn with tracing from a reference. I know you have a creature course (https://cgcookie.com/courses/creature-modeling-for-production) but it is made throught an old version of Blender, which it takes me some time to get the tools. I will do it, of course, but it would be helpful if you could give me some references or courses I did not notice in the library. Also, my concern is: is there any sculpture method course tracing from a reference illustration? So, guys, some advise will be apreciated. Thanks a lot!
I'm not the guy to write about this, but since I'm the first one posting, I'll add my two cents before the real character sculpting pro's arrive.
I'm guessing that for sculpting creatures it depends if said creature is human like or if its a total monster ala Resident Evil final bosses. It sounds like you either need to have the basis of the human form learned or animals that walk on all fours. Either way I bet you need to have an underlying basic from which to part from and then exaggerate, deform or change and modify. At some point you're doing things that don't exist, so it's up to your imagination since there's no reference.
When it comes to tracing, I have never seen someone doing that with 3D unless you're doing like a logo or something that is basically flat or hard-surface model. You have to learn how to translate from 2D art to 3D space using your eye, it can be quiet a challenge and that's probably where learning how to draw with pen and paper comes in handy. There's a couple of courses where Kent spends the first part of the lessons trying to nail down the likeness keeping a close eye on the reference imagine while working in 3D space. The one that comes to mind is the Piero course, the one with the red bird.
https://cgcookie.com/courses/short-film-character-production
Thank you so much, Omar. You are my guardian angel in all my topics :) Big hug!
Great questions lleo_buit.
is there any method as Loomis' for create any creature & living beings sculpting this way?
By this point in art history and the internet, I'm sure you can find many loomis-style teaching methods for many animals. But the need to seek them out and utilize them is a sign of ones sculpting skills being young. Mature sculpting skills either won't need a loomis method at all OR you'll be able to analyze basic photo reference and develop a loomis approach on your own, if that's your preferred sculpting approach.
For what it's worth, I never use a loomis method myself. I use it in this course purely as a teaching method for beginners.
is there any sculpture method course tracing from a reference illustration?
Yes! Omar mentioned one and this chapter within a course is very specifically aimed at that goal.
but it is made throught an old version of Blender, which it takes me some time to get the tools.
Again, as you develop your sculpting skills you will learn that the tools are far less important than the concepts. I.e. Blender versions are far less important than the concepts taught in old tutorials - this is true for CGC content and abroad.
In the beginning of a Blender artists journey, a bigger emphasis on the tools is understandable. So I recommend following the latest courses step by step till your comfortable with the tools. But once comfortable, don't be afraid to learn the concepts from older courses. 99% of the time, concepts transcend Blender versions (and various 3D softwares) especially core skills like modeling and sculpting.
HI Kent! Thank you so much for your response. Agree with all you explain. I apreciate your help and congrats for all the content you share with this courses. I am so obsessed to go forward every day! I wake up thinking on it thanks to you! My respect
Am I also doing these courses now, how are you doing? Because I feel like I'm doing something not like that, I'm being given too easy. Besides that I use https://papersowl.com/examples/civil-disobedience/ to do writing and learn better grammar, I use it specifically because there are good writings like civil disobedience and other topics that interest me.
Hi Ainsley. I think you are asking to me. I am doing well. I am at this point of lessons, could not go on because I am so busy right now. But I will re-take it in several days. The process explained by Kent is very easy to understand, but as per Kent's words I like so much: "you must understand so far WHY and not HOW". That's the key. And the other goal of the learning process in all the fields of creative arts is to practice, practice & practice. Fall down & get up all the time. I am a lucky guy, because I studied Architecture and have a lot of experience in the illustration-animation--creation arts. Even so I still feel so amateur... I have learned Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Maya, Autocad, Blender with the wonderful team of CGCOOKIE currently... More than 20 years dedicated to the arts (theater-stage included), so as you see it is all a process. Also, take into account: Each one of us needs different time. Still learning and falling down-getting up always. What is easy to me, maybe it is so difficult to you & vice versa. Keep firm & the results will come. & shre your work! I have no doubts the CGCOOKIE and their wonderful people helping in all our topic will help you to go forawrd and improve your art. Do not give up! I am not at home right now, but I will share my work at this point in this topic once I arrive. I was going to share right now the final render of my last course with Kent: the funny shark. See you here!