Cocoon

[Ken B]

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1030227365xka.jpg

To all the entomologists out there. I realize the cocoon isn't quite accurate.

The cocoon was made by applying a simple B&W image texture to a 3D shape (sweep profile) and turning on the transparent settings for the texture. 2.5D brushwork gave it more depth.

Thanks for viewing!

[Stonecutter]

Hey I like the cocoon Ken, even if it isn't accurate.... ;)

Now even though I'm not an entomologist, the only thing that throws this off for me a bit are the wings...They should be much smaller, because when a butterfly emerges, its wings aren't 'filled' yet...The butterfly has to pump fluid into them to sort of inflate them...For accuracy, they would have to be 1/2 to 1/3 the size they are...

Smart-ass critiques aside though, I do like this image, especially the overall environment, and the 'National Geographic' feel you got... :)

:cool: :tu: :tu: :tu: :cool:

The softness of the wing texture really makes it! :tu:

[DeeVee]

Nice image. As some one who has done a lot of entomology I think SC is right. I also like this image. My only wise ass crack is that it just may not get a chance to leave the cacoon as in its struggle to get out it ruined its wings :D Really outstanding rich colours and modeling. :tu: :tu: :tu:

[Ron Harris]

very intersting observation guys....well my take was the butterfly was or had a defect to begin with before he ever went into his cocoon and as a worm didn't eat right and know the deal on what was about to happen to him. He weaved the cocoon the best he could and survived and emerged from his crysilis tattered and underdeveloped. Though still wet and trying to pump the liquids thru his struggling malformed veins to enable himself to spread his wings he began to fall short. Though in his eyes he was beautiful, he just didn't have the mental ya ya's to see the light. Hopelessly he hung there waiting for his wings to dry in hopes that he could escape into the wind. Not knowing that truly there was no way to do this due to the tears in his wings that he so proudly tried to display. Though the birds found him distasteful, a lurking spider or mantis was nearby ready to close the food chain on our weary winged victim. At least the Viceroy wore the right camoflauge for the birds...too bad the spider was color blind...muhahahhahahaa.... Well that was my food for thought.....very nice pic Ken. Something very different from you... :eek:

[DLee]

Awesome image Ken. Can't critique it all.

[DeeVee]

Talk about a weaver of tales :D Well done Mr. Harris :tu: :D :D

[Ken B]

You folks are right about the wings as they emerge. I deliberatley chose to have them fuller in order to show the damage.

Unfortunately, this picture might have come off too literal. The image I had in mind was of a butterfly emerging from a gnarly wire cocoon, tearing itself in the process, not the realistic portrayal of a butterfly's birth. My fault.

Such is the challenge when dealing with more realistic style renderings.

But Ron, I love your take on it. And Grub--what a fascinating reading. I didn't know any of that religious history and symbolism.

[Grub]

I like it Ken, my interpretation is that there's a religious meaning to the image, the butterfly is used to symbolise the reserrection of christ(through metomorphosis), bearing the scars from captivity in their past lives( when Jesus was 'reborn' he still bore the scars where his hands had been nailed to the cross), this is shown by the tears in the butterflies wings. The cross that was used to hold Jesus captive is symbolised by the uncomfortable wire like coocoon, that held the caterpillar. Phew! Pass me some asprin, I need to lie down, my head hurts. :D Whatever the meaning it's a fine piece of work :tu: :tu: :tu:

[banez]

hi ken nice work.
was the Butterfly it self imported?
if so did you use transparent on it?
the Blurr Brush seamed to be used in differnt spots was there a reason for your
technique on this?
it didn't seam to fit the scene.
a sharper contrast look more even would look better.
but hey nice work

[Tag]

Poor lil butterfly... Great image Ken :tu:

[juandel]

whaaaa! another awesome masterpiece... being a sucker on pre- and perinatal psychology i love the idea i smell in here - and being a z-ucker i love the butterflies wonderful modelling and the blurry movements on some of its legs... and the wonderful texture of the wings, of course. major cool, Ken! :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu:

- juandel

[Flycatcher]

Worked for me, Ken. Once I'd noticed the tears in the wings, I read the picture exactly as you'd intended. Also I didn't mind the size of the wings; I was prepared to accept that it had been hanging around on the wire cocoon long enough to have already partially inflated them

My only slightly criticism concerns the damage to the wings. In places you appear to have attempted to portray patches of membrane from which the scales have been denuded; it is perfectly valid that these would have soft, speckly edges as you have depicted. In other places, there appear to be straightforward tears; these would differ and normally have hard edges, most likely with straight longitudinal edges parallel to a nearby vein. However, this is a very minor criticism of a splendid picture.
:tu: :tu: :tu:

DeeVee: Are we doppelgangers? A while ago I discovered that in addition to our shared interest in landscape painting that we both worked as computer programmers in the early days. Now I find you are a fellow entomologist as well. Perhaps I should add jewelry design to my interests to complete the set! :D

[talos72]

Hey Ken...really like your new Dinosaur book! :cool:

[Stargo]

Great image as usual, Ken :tu: :tu: :tu:

stargo

[Ken B]

EZ, the butterfly model was not imported. No transparency was used. 3D copy on a modeled plane 3D was used to texture the wings.

The bluring in the scene was added as an asthetic touch. It actually didn't follow any real logic, rather, I blured areas that I thought would "look cool."

Thank you all for your comments and critiques--I value it all.

[banez]

ok :tu:

[PusGhetty]

Wow... this image really has me intrigued!!!
Very surreal, almost photographic in its realism! Excellent work!