Finished Bust Base Mesh

It's been a couple days, but i think for my first head model it turned out well. Now, on to zbrush for the fun stuff... it think...

Getting on with it

So, I've modeled a bit before, but it was only robots. Robots don't really need precise edge loops, least I didn't think they needed them. Anyway, I started modeling the base mesh for the head of Daedalus. After researching and questioning a few friends of mine, I felt that blocking in the head starting with a cube was the way to go. 3 hours later I have a cube with a crappy nose and am trying to model an ear with the correct edge loops. I had no eyes, mouth, neck, or ears, only a crappy looking nose. To be frank, it looked like shit. Maybe I am not cut out to be a modeler, but after inquiring a few friends they suggested a different method rather than blocking. They said to start with the eye and begin to extrude out from there. Then create the mouth, ears, nose, etc seperate. After all this was done all I needed to do was connect them. This may take longer, but it really worked for me. I guess its a simular process to how I work with drawing. I never work general to specific, I just start on an area and move on when I am finished.

After restarting and about 4 hours later (and with the help of a reference head model) I had good looking edge loops and not horrible topology. I now have everything done besides the ears and the back of the head. Mind you it doesn't look good, but the topology is correct. At this time, that is all I am worried about. The rest will be redifined in ZBrush where I know I will have greater control over proportion.

On a side note I ordered "Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist" and "Anatomy for the Artist" today off of amazon.com. Hopefully they where worth the money, I should recieve them sometime next week.

Daedulus and Icarus

The assignment:
Create a Hellenistic sculpture using a myth as your inspiration.

The Software:
Autodesk Maya 8.0 and ZBrush 2 & 3

The Myth:
I am going to depict the myth of Daedulus and Icarus. It's a myth that has already been depicted many times, but I am going to depict a different part of the story to help strengthen the originality of the piece. If you are curious about the myth and have not heard the background that goes along with it, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daedalus. I am going to depict an old Daedalus sitting in his exiled workshop constructing the wings for himself and his son rather than the flight itself. His feathers, string and wax are sitting beside him as he sits upon his stool tinkering away at it. Daedalus would be aged considerable and retains a small stature. A small hat sits upon his head as his bifocals slide down his nose. The idea is still new and needs a lot more refining. I will produce concept sketches to help depict the necessary pose and physically try to represent him. I got six weeks, so here it goes...