DWIV - Chris Skinner - Demon Lord

[chrisskinner]

After looking through all the great entries for this I thought I would give it a try and hopefully learn alot along the way. My wife and I are expecting a baby soon so this might be the last chance for a while that I get time to spend on my own artwork, hopefully I'll see it through to the end!...

I've decided to go for a Demon Lord, not worked out much of the backstory yet but have a few ideas in my head.

Quick question for you guys, when I move onto modelling is it best to start with a high res sculpt then retopo it? Or start with a low poly base mesh? Not got that much experience with this kind of stuff.

Here are my initial thumbnails, not much to go on yet but C&C's more than welcome.

[aUGIS]

I like 7

[kuugaman]

Nice thumbnails! I like no 7 as demon lord =) I usually will start sketching on paper or sometimes i just do a quick sculpt on zbrush for visualizing the idea. Once i'm happy with it then i prefer to do the low poly first and then bring it to zbrush for detailing =)

[chrisskinner]

Thanks for the comments guys. I guess it's the stance that works well on 7, looks like he has the most authority out of the other thumbnails.

Here's a few more ideas, think I might try a couple more concentrating on the gesture then start a bit of detailing.

[Warbringerd]

still #7 from the first page.

[Illusidation]

Is that that sketch program again?

[Puckducker]

7 is really strong, I'd definitely like to seem that one fleshed out more.

[Holo]

Agreed, No. 7 Is excellent, i wouldnt change a thing about it, well, except making it 3d of course :)

[Warlock 279]

#7 from the first batch for sure, but failing that #3 from the second could be interesting.

[chrisskinner]

Cheers for the feedback chaps! I'll make a start on developing 7 and see how I get on.

Illusidation - No these weren't done in Alchemy, they were done in Photoshop just using a standard brush as well as copying areas and scaling, flipping and mirroring them etc.

[JuST]

Good decision. 7's my favorite, too.

[chrisskinner]

Had chance to do a couple more sketches, just starting to think how the guy might look. Think these are a bit too mainstream at the moment but will keep at it.

C&C's more than welcome.

[chrisskinner]

Started my first bit of modelling. Will probably use this for a few paint overs before starting any sculpts.

[Cordero]

Hi! Really good concepts! I like the one on the right hand, because his head says to me that "Hey, i'm a professional. Don't mess with me, or i eat your soul through your bare skin..." calm, but scary as hell.. absolute winner for me:D would like to see that in fight:)

[chrisskinner]

Thanks for the feedback Cordero. I'll try and experiment with a few heads once I get some kind of mesh to sculpt with, which is what I've been doing.

Here's a body fleshed out in zbrush, doesn't match thumbnail 7 that much at the moment but hopefully some sculpting, detailing and posing will bring it more in line with that. Decided to stick a tail on him in traditional demon fashion. I'm hoping my detailing might make him look a bit different tho.

[chris_solo]

your basemesh is so clean, good job man. The location of the calf there is an angle that is strange...

[chrisskinner]

Thanks chris_solo!

I admit the legs do look a little funny but I'm going to keep with them for the time being and see how they look with some muscles applied.

I've roughly based my anatomy on these dinosaur skeletons.

[chris_solo]

ooh cool! thank you for the doc I will use it for another project, I did not know it existed, it's true that it is strange, no?

[chrisskinner]

Yeah it does look weird chris_solo!:hmm:

[chrisskinner]

Some quick tests of him in motion. Still not sure about his leg arrangement, especially after posing it. Think I'll develop them a bit more and see if it starts to look ok.

Any suggestions?

[chris_solo]

I think that would be a little bit ... and I'm allowed a paint over, I hope not to offend you because of this ...
I'm not on sure but it seems better, no?

[chrisskinner]

chris_solo - I think you are right!

Thank you for that, I might see if I can get any other animal legs to work first as I am quite keen on them not being too human.

No worries on the paint over, much appreciated!

[chrisskinner]

Decided to concentrate on the design of the head a little. Here are some rough sketches and a quick sculpt from my previous mesh along with a paint over in PS.

[L3XICON]

whoa, one evil looking face :D great stuff! and nicely sculpted.

the horns could use some more love, but I'm sure you are aware of that :D keep it up!

[chris_solo]

yep I love it, man!

[chrisskinner]

Cheers for the comments guys!

Yep defo need to spend some time developing the horns, thinking I might do something more twisty.

Here's another design but I don't think it looks as evil as the previous one so I might just develop that idea further.

[JuST]

Awesome ideas... and I agree... the first head looks more evil.

[chrisskinner]

Had some time to start fleshing out the proportions of the body. Still alot to do and I also need to start thinking of some kind of armour. Don't think the armour will be too complicated, just a spikey shoulder pad and possibly some forearm protector etc.

[Jojomondag]

I think your of too a great start on the evil looking happy face. It has alot of character!

greets/jojo

[JuST]

Great progress! It'll look awesome when finished.

[ryvick]

AARrghh i like all of the heads. i prefer the one with the multiple eyes more though, it hasnt been done by anyone else. great progress none the less.

[chris_solo]

Good progress bro! I like the beginning of the body sculpt, I agree with you on the choice of type of armor ... I expect to see this that will :) keep the good work.

[chrisskinner]

Aww man! I might need to drop out of the comp. My computer has died and my old one just isn't up to scratch, was really enjoying this comp as well.

At least I can stiil watch all the cool entries on Threedy develop.

Good luck to all!

[Psycho Mantis]

i am sorry to hear that. my sympathy.

[chrisskinner]

Cheers Psycho, I might still get my machine sorted in time, hopefully!...

[mix_mash]

The musculature and form of your model is a bit boxy and lumpy. You might wanna lower your subdivision level and use the move tool to give it a more rounder look.

Cheers,
Paul
(mix_mash)

[chris_solo]

hey Chris! you're still in the race? AAAHH I'm so sorry for you bro, it was on the right way...find a solution ;)