Day 3 done.
Didn't really do much today, haven't had the energy. Took some of the advice I received and acted on it (though still haven't done the paws yet). Doesn't look like I'll be able to do what I wanted for this week so I guess that's something I'm going to have to relegate to after class. Was secretly hoping I could get 4 A++s but 2 isn't so bad lol. Also sorry for not being very active recently, I'll try to help out more.
Won't lie during working on this today a small part of me just wanted to give up, but no-one ever improved by saying "Screw this, I'm out," just that anatomy classes are both rare and expensive so maybe that's something I should concentrate on in my spare time. So, onto what I actually got done. Well I improved the shoulders using the advice I was given and I also detailed out the face, though something feels... off. Haven't added a tongue yet nor fur so maybe it's those but I'm not sure, I'll let you be the judge.
I did an OpenGl render mostly due to the light washing out the details, maybe I should've cranked up the contrast? Here's also your scheduled turntable:
I also appreciate all of your kind words regarding taking a break from all this. After messing around with Blender once or twice in December of last year I didn't actually start properly doing anything in it until February, and since then I think I've taken a max of a week's worth of days off, with some of my days studying going 12+ hours (which is admittedly very rare, but during last class I don't think I did anything other than Blender and attending to my basic needs for a fortnight). This is mostly due to the fact that I don't really have any other job prospects and CG is the only thing I really have going for me. That, combined with the enjoyment I get out of it, is what pushes me to study and practice a lot, so that I can hopefully get a job - whether a fixed one or a somewhat consistent freelance gig - in the future. But hey, burning the candle at both ends never worked out well for anyone so I guess stepping back for a bit (and more consistently) would be wise in the long run, even if it stings in the present. I'll still be finishing this class but probably not with the almost naive amount of ambition I usually do, at least not this week. With that mini speech out of the way I wish y'all the best in your studies and lets make some kickass stuff!
cptken I be using a tablet, yarr. Just a Wacom Intuos. It's small, yeah, but so is my workspace so I don't think I'd have space for anything bigger haha.
To answer the other question, I started with a plane and then blocked out a very rough mesh, then added subsurf. Very backward way I know but for some reason I thought it was a good idea.
Also holy crabcakes that's a lot of advice! I really appreciate it, you're definitely correct about the anatomy, that's what kinda scares me about sculpting to begin with, 'cause it's mostly about creating organic things, but I thank you for your insight.
swikni You definitely have a point, hopefully I can pull the fur off well. Cheers for the feedback!
ssmurfmier1985 Why ta very much, I'm flattered! I try my best but maybe I try too much. It's something my friends and family criticize me for so I think I need to take a step back every once in a while lol.
@theluthier Yeah you're right, I appreciate it. I'm definitely taking this week easier though I can't say the same for next week, we'll just see how everything goes haha. Sculpting is certainly a different ball game, just gotta wrap my head around the brushes and anatomy I feel.
ccarrotnl Why thank you! I certainly do struggle keeping collected when something just doesn't look right. I don't get irrationally angry or burst into tears or anything, I just feel embarrassed for some reason, but there's not a single use for that, no? Just keep on truckin'!
silentheart00 What a coincidence, I'm terrible at programming too!
In all seriousness you're right, we improve by doing, and by showing initiative to do you show initiative to improve. Wish you the best of luck in you programming endeavors and thanks for the feedback!
thecabbagedetective Hey man yeh Wacom Intuos is just fine. I was just double checking because a mouse can be frustrating in of itself without all the other difficulty. The bear is looking much better in it's overall form and silhouette.
The way you blocked out the mesh is a really good method imo. In fact it's my preferred method for most things with limbs etc. Though I want to try using meta-balls sometimes because it seems like a really useful tool.
Haha I tend to write a lot. :/ Maybe I'm just bored.
Regarding anatomy, I wouldn't worry about expensive anatomy classes. Sure they would help you a lot but don't stress about it too much. The best way to get better at anatomy is to just look at it.... a lot... draw it, sculpt it... over time you will get better. I was into body building a few years ago and just by looking at the muscles every day I find that I have a better understanding of their shape and I wasn't actively studying it. If you surround yourself with anatomy you will become more familiar with it whether you learn it actively or not. Anatomy classes will likely teach you more than you need to know like scientific names of things. Imo that stuff is almost useless. If you're really keen, get yourself an anatomy book for reference but honestly a quick google search now and then is more than enough to get going with it.
... and yeh I concur with everyone else, take it easy, long term consistency is better than sporatic intensity.
I've done it again... writing too much.
thecabbagedetective I think it's awesome that you know what you want and that you put all your energy in getting there! You're well on your way 😊 So as long as you keep an eye on taking your breaks I would say go for it full throttle! I have no doubt you'll get there 😬
On to the bear,
This improved a lot!! 😄👍🏻
My gut says it might be the bottom jaw that's not quite right. Maybe sticking out too much and maybe not thick enough? Maybe the inside of his mouth should also be more hollowed out, digging down like melvins .
Just some things i think might be it that you could try. Dunno for sure though I don't have a bear around the house to double check 😜
wow amazing progress. Nice thooths . love it. but indeed maybe the mouth inside should be a bit further like Miranda said. adding the tongue will help too. and maybe adding a bit more detail on the nose . but really amazing job this is incredible .
Look what you made me do!
Had to buy a new game 'cause I only had Nintendo stuff until a year ago, so I couldn't play it before. But now I do have a PS4, and someone was teasing me with awesome pictures telling me that I missed out all these years... 😜
thecabbagedetective Hey, don't worry about that. It's common around artists, and I think it's about the biggest hurdle we artists have to take. Even the most settled professionals struggle with feelings of inferiority from time to time. 😉
thecabbagedetective I think the main problem with the head is that the jaws stick out in a V-form. If you look at the photo from a growling bear you see that the upper jaw is connected to the scull, and the bottom jaw is actually connected far more to the back then you'd think. I think that's why your bear head looks a bit unnatural. I don't think the lines I've drawn in the photo are completely correct, but you get the feeling.
The reason why his upper jaw is up so much is because he tilts his hole head up.
Not that I know that much about bears, but I watched some YouTube video's from Aaron Blaise, an former animator from Disney, and the director from Brother Bear. He has some interesting video's about drawing bears and other animals.
If you find the time: maybe have a look here.
thecabbagedetective If I haven't recommended this to you yet, this book is a great reference for human anatomy. I've recommended it to several people in the past and it breaks down every aspect of anatomy. I wouldn't get too hung up on the technical names, just find the major muscle groups. Trace the muscles on your own body, even. Feel yourself up lol.
ssmurfmier1985 You must play Horizon: Zero Dawn if you haven't yet. It is amazing.
silentheart00 I like the way you think! Bought it right before class started so I haven't had a change to play it yet. Good to know it's as awesome as I thought it will be 😬 Planning to have some quality time with all my neglected games (and cg cookie courses!) between this class and the next, gotta take your breaks right? 😎
ssmurfmier1985 HZD is a wonderfully crafted piece. You should totally dive right in!
Day 4 done!
Didn't do much today (surprise), though even with my reduced plans I'm gonna need to start hauling ass to get it done by the deadline. Refined the face even more, and added some basic paws and claws. Mesh modeled the claws 'cause screw sculpting them, didn't put a lot of details into the paws 'cause most of it is gonna be covered in fur and outside of smoothing and straightening out the face a bit I'm happy to call that part done, now onto the fur!
Close up of the face, which aside from the wobbly gums and lack of details on the teeth looks significantly better, I'll let you guys be the judge.
A more zoomed out body shot, also showing the claws.
Naturally with that roaring face I'm going to have to put him in a more action orientated pose come homework time but that's something to worry about later. Unfortunately your regularly scheduled programming will not be available due to taking too long and totally not because I forgot to parent the tongue to the empty. Actually I lied, it's both. I suppose something such as this will hopefully satisfy you all for now.
Now for the more eagle-eyed of you out there, you may have noticed that I've mentioned a couple of times - very subtly too I might add - that I haven't been working as much on this project and this is not what I intended. Well, I do intend to bring that original vision to life sometime after class. I don't wanna give away what it is, so here's a vague teaser (WARNING: High doses of metal ahead).
With all that said and done, I hope a lot of you are learning quite a bit about sculpting, apologies again for not being super helpful this week, I know very little about sculpting unfortunately lol. Have a good one!
@cptken Well that's lucky, I've recently been getting into strength training so hopefully this kind of knowledge comes naturally with that. Reassuring I don't need a class 'cause there ain't a snowballs chance in hell I'll be able to afford it anytime soon lol. Appreciate the kind words about a break as well, thanks.
ssmurfmier1985 It would appear you would be correct! After applying both those things it looks significantly better so cheers for that!