Topology concept- draft video

Meeting Notes: 14.10.07

Notes from my 15 minute meeting with supervisors :

What are my eventual aims and outcomes of the M.A. ?
Is it the process or artifact/artwork that is my aim?

>If it is the process---> Then is this process then going to be a working practice specific for games - as a research question developing a working model for getting sign off on 3D sculpts -iteratively reworking and getting additional feedback from the client-art director- i.e. similar sign off procedure as Lucas arts uses for is 2D concept artists. Where George Lucas will draw or write feedback on the actual prints of the works. Then the concept artists will then implement the feedback and print it out. George will again review and comment - this cycle will continue until George is satisfied.

This sort of process of using Maquettes is used in Film but have yet be used as standard working process in games.
Can I make this a part of my working practice as a games artist?

>If it is the artifact---> Then I need to steer my research into the unknowns of "Fine Arts" (prejudicial) and then the question is why?Then how?

Sharing skills: Video tuts as an offshoot of practice/as practice?
I have started recording my digital learning process using Camtasia (screen grabbing software).
This is part process of sharing work also in part because I am now teaching full time and need to improve my teaching and ergo work flow process and documentation.- also the people that are really well respected and skilled are people that share their knowledge. Since I have come here to Oz I have been sharing what I know through giving talks though organizations such as IGDA . I am going to continue doing that by documenting my process. (thats one of the plans anyway).

Also went to the library yesterday evening and got out some great books on electronic/digital art/science art - One of which I am reading is from the Ars Electronica group (in the list of links) - I will post up any conclusions as and when. (Plus links to books and ISBN numbers).

SILO: Demo play

Just having a bit of a play with SILO - Thinking about buying it-I want to develop my speed modeling and it has loads of other features such as sub-division re-topologising tools e.t.c.

Virtual_Kas(Update)

Sculpt image uploaded- done for now- I am a little disappointed with the end result. I need to move onto something new - took far to long working on this CG sculpt.

Virtual_Kas(Update)

Update on the virtual model-
Starting to fill in his features- I overlaid the drawing to compare where I need to update and change the sections - pretty much as I did with the clay sculpture.

Analog/Actual -Finished

Saturday afternoon 29_09_07 _ Yes!!!!
I have finished the clay bust- it is now drying in its cupboard. It was successful as an experiment on the analysis of the medium of clay - successful since I had never sculpted a bust in clay before.

Really liked working with the paper based clay (its a very forgiving clay for noobs)- Even though in the end the sculpt is no longer a portrait image of David- as I rushed the working in of his eyes and lost his key features and proportions in the process.
Doing this exercise has certainly given me a better understanding of working with clay- and I really enjoy working with it- except for the fact there is no Crtl+Z in the physical world and that have to keep the clay wet. though next time I will work a little more loosely and to larger scale -which to me is the more fun aspect of clay.


I had a great time making a mess- I will be making more soon.
Though I will be looking into using sculpty or some other equivalent in the next physical(From now on I will be using the term actual) sculpt.

Update_Analog_KAS

Analog Update Monday 24_09_07: From left to right- Busy reworking the back of the neck area as I was working in the clay a little to thin which resulted in me beginning to lose the supporting clay on the neck. So I reworked the base armature. Then went onto working in more detail such as adding the bulge of the eyes, reworking the ears and started on the hair detail

Update_Analog_KAS

Slowing moving out from the blocking stage- just one thing to mention- good thing I am not planning on firing the bust as I am sure there are loads of air bubbles.

I am now at the stage of reworking and removing bits of clay that I don't need from the bust, which still need loads of work but the paper based clay is a pleasure to work with. I have all the reference up - now just have to get it looking like him.
(easier said than done as one can see from the images below).

Above: Just realized where I am not putting the correct volumes of clay- as one can see from the un -overlayed version below.

After looking at the the photos I have put up I realise just how unsymmetrical my model is- I have also notice that the best way to get the volumes right (for me) its to close my eyes and feel the volumes of the face- which I obviously cannot do on the Mudbox version -an avantage- also its just great to feel the flesh of ones work so to speak.

Things I do miss from working in the virtual/digital- Control z, symmetry on tools, free camera rotate - that way I can work from any angle.....

Things I don't miss from digital - NO tactile aspects.....For me sculpture is not just about seeing its about touching feeling the piece.

Process : Digital_KAS

Process:
1 I'm using the pre-built ready made mesh "here is something I made earlier" method- so I start with a base mesh that I have used before in other Mudbox sketches.
2-3 Refinement of mesh, adding extra rows and rough blocking out of head shape.Rescaling and re-positioning of nose and ears.
4 Adding of eyes and completion of blocking out. (At this stage it doesn't look like the subject matter Dave)
5 The mesh exported as an .obj which is the subdivided in Mudbox ready for actual sculpting


Above: Additional reference image with simplified line work.

Space and Process : Analog_KAS

I have just to say thanks to Ian and Charles for arranging me the space at QUT - I love it its great to get a space where I can think and make a mess. I have started personalizing the space -even if I get kicked out in a couple of months or so I want to be inspired so I am gonna stick up pics up of whats out there.

Hell the space is bigger than the unit I live in- Fan-bloody -tastic!!!

Analog Process:
1- Tools: Basic students pottery kit, paper based clay as its seen as stupid proof, spray for wetting clay,wire for armatures, brushes and sponges for something.
2- Base Structure : made up from paper trash and coffee cup found in the studio, I also use a an bit of wire for support -all of which will be removed from the sculpt when dry.
3- Underlying support/armature :hopefully my clay slaps that I put over this will not collapse and crack
4-Beer and thoughts: Cheers to my neighbor

Now I just have to pull this baby off

Table sketches: Just some arbitrary sketches I did on the table.
I am doing the "hey I 'm an artist so I can!" thing...WOOT! - Cynicism aside I did feel comfortable in the space/place..so who knows I may get some things done after all.