Maya Modelling Assignment - Tools

For our second weeks homework we were asked to follow some more tutorials on Lynda and make tools such as a pry bar, ladder and sledge hammer. I was able to learn alot more with the functions/short-cuts in the tool bar and working with the hot-box key which is also really useful. Below I have included the models with and with out UV texture mapping. I found the UV part challenging as there was several problems I had to keep going over but I think over time it will become straightforward.

Maya Modelling Assignment - Fish

For our first weeks homework we had to design a fish model briefly following tutorials on Lynda. I really enjoyed the freedom within Maya and designing my fish model (a Bass) pictured below; with my reference image and then the final render in the shaded display. Although I did not get to put textures on the model, I plan to with other future assignments.

Life Drawing - Session 1, 2, 3 & 4

In our first life drawing session we did several short pieces, focusing on the body shape and outline. I think my (second across) image below was a lot more successful and in proportion to the rest of the body structure.

In our second session we began with a series of four poses and then moved on to more complexed work. Still using charcoal, our mentor got us to try several challenging techniques such as continuous line drawing, using our opposite hands to sketch and change in distances with our contact on paper. 

For our third session we could use pencil, although the paper we used was more for charcoal, it was fun experimenting with various techniques such as Scumbling and Crosshatching. I played around with the depth of tone alot more and made harsh edges to bring out the silhouette of the model. 

Our fourth session was alot more concentrated on the figures stance and interesting angles to work with. I really enjoyed bringing out the expression of the model and toning. I also found using geometric shapes to prepare for the actual pieces relieving. The third image down was pleasing too, as once the time was up we had to move on to someone else's work and go over it. This is the one I started on and found it interesting how everyone had corrected several body features and yet left others.

Visual Design - Futuristic Weapon Assignment

This weeks homework was to design a futuristic weapon that fired a projectile. Below is my reference/research images that helped inspire me to my final design. As games can have more involvement in weapons than film, my primary two influences were Lost Planet 2 and Dead Space 2.

From researching and studying the components of a whole range of actual guns, I wanted to create something that was believable and could be constructed in the next century.

I looked into a range of orchid flowers and exotic floral to help with my idea of a 'blooming' gun that opens up and creates an arc of power for the bullets to accelerate their flow through. The image above of the flower 'Hymenocallis' was my main vision of shape for the blueprint.

Below is my final (fine-liner coloured) concept of my gun I called 'FLARER'. I am really pleased with the technical drawings of how the gun functions and its features that blend today's gun technology. Although I could have rendered the piece digitally, I feared I would have spent to much time on it and not enough on the experimentation thought-process.

Visual Design - Creature Assignment

Below are my reference images and inspiration towards my final concept. From games like Alien: Isolation to films like Monsters, have been my central inspiration towards my tentacle creature.

Below are my rough sketches and quick development of my tentacle character. I was really resolute in picking my creature in the style of the Greek Medusa monster; replacing her famous 'snake like hair' with tentacles. Furthermore, I twisted along with the idea that my creature was some sort of criminal in a space prison wearing a (strait-jacket & helmet) spacesuit.

Here is my progress through my final piece for my tentacle creature concept. I began by going from simple coloured silhouettes to slowly layering tone from the face outwards to the tentacles and so on.

After some alterations and exploration of more values, I spent around twelve hours forming colours and the composition. Overall I am really happy with the piece, although I did not fully complete the painting, I will definitely finalise it at a later date (and upload it to the blog). I also named it JESSA; an acronym for 'Justice of Extraterritorial Selected Species Alliance'.