SNIPER SCHOOL

[s o u t h e r n]

The problem, you see, is how much you care.

Luckily I don’t .

… and then some of us don’t attract them at all, not if you follow all your training you don’t. Take the ticket, do the job and go right back to school for the next call, that is what they taught us. If you want your badges, follow the code.

But what about the sensitive ones I hear you say, the rookies that bring them right back with them all noise and light and humming like they do. Straight after the kill shot they find you, search you out and just hang around, for months some times. It’s like they belong to you in some inane way, and after all, it was you that took their shell away so maybe they figure you should be caring for them.

As I told you, I don’t care, like it says in the manual. Oh, they follow me all right, it’s just that I don’t care. Not anymore. I’m ten now and I just don’t care.

Sniper School Diaries 02,02,2104 (c) GMS

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1015108027vgk.jpg

ZBrush, Cinema4D, Rhino, Poser4, Painter (Demo), Photoshop, but mostly ZBrush :)

[Stonecutter]

Nice one, Glen... :tu:
If I had one critique, it would be the pose...I think the arms raised like that takes away from what should maybe be an action oriented pose... ;)
That being said, your texturing is really fine as usual with you, and that background is superb. :tu: :tu: :tu: :cool:

[drjjwow]

another awesome image southern...he looks like hes the worlds best sniper.. any tips would be helpful.

[Mentat7]

Your attention to detail is extraordinary as always Glen! A little story with this one eh? Will we get a part 2? Has a sort of dark cyberpunk thing going on. Great work! :tu: :tu: :tu:

[s o u t h e r n]

The pose came about as I was trying to get a 'ten year old boy skipping to school' sot of look. The idea worked well until I added all the parts which took away the inocence and added a sprinkle of sinister.

[Stonecutter]

AHHHH...
Now I can see the deal...Actually Glen, while I was looking at it again, I was examining what seemed wrong. It has to do with your story, (Which was cool by the way!)...The problem is that the pose has upward tension...As a minutes' experiment will prove, it requires effort to hold your arms up. In the story there is resignation, lack of caring....It seems what would be required would be a pose with the hands draped loosely over the weapon, the shoulders slumping, and the head very slightly bowed... :)
A further thought I had regarding the lost innocence, is that the scale of the armor against the small limbs would convey that just as well, in any pose. (Again, just my thoughts...
;) )

[Digits]

The addition of the narration, reminds me of Heinlien, really deepins this image beyond just the masterful art.

His outstreched arms to me are appropriate, seeming to say here I am amongst my demons, but "I don't care". When horror becomes normal and desensitized in a 10 yr old mind things must be bad indeed.

[aurick]

Superb work. Simply stunning.

[Voltage]

WOW! Super Job!!! :tu: :tu: :tu:

[Gerlon]

Great picture. The story really reminds me of "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card.

[Stonecutter]

Damn Gerlon, I've got that story in my library at the studio! I didn't think anyone would remember that old story, so I didn't mention it... :cool:
Come clean, Glen...Have YOU read that too?
And thanks to Digits, I've been thinking, and although I still think more resignation would be better, I can see that interpretation too!
Did I mention I like it? :D

[Ron Harris]

tag yer it .....very interesting to say the least and being an ex infantry man I see what the story says....the soldier could be giving hand and arms signals for his squad to either take wedge formation or to fan out...or he could be in the process of raising his hands in surrender...he doesnt care coz his feelings are irrelevant...he is an automoton and is just doing a job..the job he was trained to do...though he didnt want to be there and the land of the people he was protecting didnt want him there..but by circumstances he is their saviour and they are his adopted family...hmmm...gasp..ya made me think....great work Glen!!!

[picsas]

Great work Glen,the boots are really cool, There seems to be silence in this image, expressed by the floating figure, as if time has slowed down, which works beautifuly with the style of the story, Waw. :eek:

Arran

[Kathy]

Speaking through the fog of a 101 temperature and heavy medication, I think the pose isn't the problem on the figure supporting a 10 year old.

It's the physique. My son at ten was as gangley as a young deer. Arms and legs aren't symmetrical they are all leg and feet and forearm. Also, the pelvic area is a 20ish anatomy to me. The hands are also distracting as their fingers tend to be long and thick and square.

The pose is cool. The subject and story intrigueing. The usual HighEnd Southern product. Can't miss it.

I personally just think the Michael Poser figure doesn't downsize well to preteen male. I also think the the stagnant gear on a running body is distracting.

What would really be cool is extending the fingers to a longer thicker young boy, change the upper/lower body ratio/longer juevenile legs.

THEN

make the gear look "to big" on the boy. Like a child trying to fit "into" dad's clothes. Kind of a "lost boy" feel.

One other thought. The ghostly figures seem a bit strong to me. They need to be pushed back.

But what the hell do I know. I've been running a fever for a week and am under meds.

[s o u t h e r n]

Hell, yes I've digested Enders game a few times and the whole of the Alvin Maker series.
My favorite though, is a little known work of Mr Cards called 'Planet called Treason'.

I believe that Enders game will be made into a film soon! Could be good. However, having read 'Starship troopers' (1959) as a kid and then seeing it at the cinema, lets hope they stick to the story line and not effectify it too much (although the movie was cool in its own way) and god knows I love the rendered series (Don't want to upset Ken B :))

Glen

[s o u t h e r n]

Kathy,

I agree. Version 2 will reflect your thoughts. Ta.

The story has echoes of 'Rogue Trooper' (2000AD late 80's) which is about a bio engineered soldier whos weapons and armour carry the imprinted memory chips of his dead buddies.

My central character is a 10 year old assasin who is simple good at what he was trained to do. Unfortunatly he attracts spirits of people that he kills (as do all the trainees) and thinks that he is dealing with them in the correct manner, ie.ignoring them until they fade.

Having attracted a couple of mid teen spirits (read: Ed, Ed and Eddy) he finds that they befriend him and start to give him a social conscience as he progresses into his early teens, something that does not sit well with his trade as an assasin.

[AfroditeOhki]

Geez that so nice...
I love all the fantasy you put in your artworks, Glen...
Will we be seeing what happens to this boy and his tough reality?

[Kaluman]

good work southern !

for the info, i read the book too :)

[Muvlo]

Another completely awsome & brilliant image Glen! Great work, as always.

...And remember. The enemies gate is down. ;)

[The Saint]

Another greatly detailed piece.

'Nice concept!

[Stargo]

Great picture, southern :tu: :tu:

stargo

[filament9]

Simply amazing work, all critique aside. The color, the texture, the mood. Everything.

[flamable]

Wow southern... this guy is awesome I LOVE the boots!! the gun is so realistic!

Chris

[Le Discot]

Good job boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry I must go!
I'm in a hurry!!!!

PPPFFIIIUUUWWWWWWWWWWW....!!!

[diana]

Is there anything you aren't good at graphics wise? I've seen all kinds of amazing work by you here and there around the web, and here is another fine example.