Modeling Begins!

So I started Modeling as soon as I received my copy of An Essential Introduction to Character Rigging. Its a really good guide and really explains the modeling process.

I started buy creating the torso with an EP curve and then using the revolve tool. It creates a nurb surface which you can manipulate using a Lattice Deformer for a really nice organic shape. I then converted the nurb to a polygon and had to adjust the vertices to roughly model it back to the same shape. I am now Block modeling the rest by extruding faces etc.

Cornelius Character Sheet

Cornelius' Final character sheet.

Im running slightly behind on my schedule as i have yet to finish Pocahontas' character sheet. However today I will be focusing on making a basic low-poly model of Cornelius on Maya. Finally taking the plunge into modeling.

Pocahontas Concepts

Whoop! I really like how these came out... rough but they are only ideas. I promise i used no reference, but I'm shocked at how much the fat one looks like Lilo. whoops!

Cornelius Concepts

More concepts for Cornelius; (click for fullview)

Just a few different shapes for the head and a few colour experiments before i move on to the final design. I chose these colours as they are bright and appealing. My personal favourite is the blue guy, i think the tartan waist coat works well with him.

More Research!

Look what just arrived!!! It's in pretty bad shape, but it was darn cheap. The Art of The incredibles will help me along with my concepts hopefully!

UPDATE: It's an amazing read, I'll try and take some photos of some of the character concepts. It was so nice to see how many different styles they chose and how they went about finding textures. One of the best buy's ive even made.

A Couple of Concepts;

Here are some concepts for this project, these are very very VERY early stages, just doodles whilst thinking about the characters.

These are examples of my experimenting with gorilla heads. I personally like the top left sort of disney-esque style.

Here is a small full body concept. I actually really like this image and would like to follow this up. (please ignore the doodle of Freddy Gaffney!)

The following two concepts are for Pocahontas Billiams. I have to say I absolutely hate the image on the left and I'm not overly fond of the image on the right either. However I feel i should show my progress in design. I DO h-

owever LOVE the idea of Banana Hat, so expect that in further designs.

Research; 3D Films

To get me started looking for inspiration and style I sat myself down to watch a few animated movies, this helped me as it was a good chance to look at character models at professional level. It also helped me look at styles I like and point me in the right direction for concept artists to look at.

The first film I watched was Up, I found this exceptionally inspirational and though there were no sign of monkeys or gorillas (but there was some pretty show stopping dogs), the children in this film rocked my world.

Literally everything about

them was incredible. This couldn't have come at a better time as, I must admit Pocahontas' design was playing on my mind a lot as of late. Hopefully seeing this movie will steer me towards some design ideas and some research towards the concept art.

Here is an example of some concept art for up which i found via the internet, there was no information on whom it is by, but i can hopefully find out with a bit of research and by purchasing this book.

After thinking about the

brief, and knowing that I would be using a

gorilla in my project I decided that i should watch a film involving creatures. I decided to watch Monsters vs Aliens. However much I love the film, I do not feel it benefitted me a great deal, although the use of colour in this film is magnificent and watching the animation on Dr Cockroa

ch was a little helpful as he is a civilized character (most of the time).

Lastly I watched possibly one of my favourite Pixar movies. The Incredibles. I knew I HAD to look at this movie since I completed my research on gorillas. The reason for this is because after studying the silver backs frame in the images I chose, their powerful stance and body shape struck me and reminded me instantly of Mr Incredible. I knew I had to watch this movie so I could study Mr incredible's frame and see what sort of model I could work with. I have to say this helped me great deal and i can already visualize the sort of frame i want to give Cornelius.

The incredibles also include the characters Dash and Jack Jack, who were definitely good to look at for some additional help in designing Pocahontas. I especially love some of the concepts I found for some of the characters. More art I must look into.