Action Hero - StaKe

[willbrown1]

Great grand nephew of the great Van Helsing, Steven Van Helsing fights the eternal battle to end the reign of the Vampiric host infecting the inner city of Philadelphia. Though he has no real super power, he has honed his body as an instrument for justice. A master of many martial arts, he uses every weapon he can muster to bring destruction to the vampire hoards!

StaKesmall.jpg

[SolidSnakexxx]

It would be fun to see this character with weapons and firearms. The concept sketch makes him looks like a very big macho man. Will he shoot out Wooden Stake from his guns to kill Vampires?

[willbrown1]

Yes, the gun he's holding shoots stakes. The quiver on his back holds stakes for hand to hand fighting. He'll also have an axe for beheading the vampires to finish them off! :o :o :o

[SolidSnakexxx]

Neat! :) Just my humble suggestion, It'd also be cool to see his weapon belt full of stakes....That would make the character name coincide with his ability and make his presence stronger.

[willbrown1]

SolidSnakexxx thx for the ideas!

I'm thinking of a stake bandolier for added stakes,too…and of course, holy water grenades. :D :D :D

[P'etur]

Hi, I think this has great promise even tho kinda cliche idea. If done right it can be great! :tu:

[gang]

great nice concept

[willbrown1]

gang - Thanks for the attaboy!

P'etur- Thanks for the input

I agree this is cliche, but there is nothing new... It's all been done before. And you're right; what makes the difference is the execution.

BTW Stake is my reaction to Blade. I like Blade very much, but using a sword against vampires is romantic and not very pragmatic. StaKe has a much more "throw the kitchen sink" attitude when killing vampires. ...and he's bigger than most linebackers - 350 lb all muscle.

[KrakenCMT]

Great concept Will! I know similar characters have been done before, but this one already feels a bit different. I like the idea of using anything and everything he can find. I also like the idea that this hero takes it up close and personal with the axe. Very gritty feeling character.

[willbrown1]

KrakenCMT- Thanks, Gritty he will be... for sure. :D

[dismantled]

stakes.. Water gernades.. hmmmm.. maybe his gun will launch them...

i guess right now he looks like he should be in predator not blade..

[JUPITER]

the lost boy's was a really good vamp movie,with holy water squirt guns and bows and arrows..vampires just won't go away..lol i like the idea can't wait to see all his gagets..

[adamlane]

look forward to seeing how this guy pans out

[willbrown1]

I'm Posting the Zsphere base mesh to start the modeling part of the challenge. stake_rend-00.jpg stake_rend-02.jpg stake_rend-01.jpg stake_rend-06.jpg

[willbrown1]

I've worked over the base mesh. Here's STaKe sans costume and gear. Now for the Fun stuff…

stake_rend-13.jpg stake_rend-14.jpg stake_rend-12.jpg

[SolidSnakexxx]

Coming along nicely, willbrown1. I like the way you take advantage of placing the light in different angles to see volume of the model.

Just small notes.. I think the belly button's push in a tad too much (Or the hole's too wide..not quite sure). And from the angle that you posed your hero, it seems his wrist's just a little thin. Other than that....good shape :) Looking forward to more great stuff from you! :tu:

[adroit.jr]

keep going. you have managed zsphere very well.

[DAnconia]

Good start. I would bring in the bottom of the rib cage together just a bit. Also add some more meat to the front of his shoulder and his wrists seems a bit too thin for the rest of his body.

The muscles on the front of his shoulders should overlap the upper pecs. The front of the shoulders connects to the entire collar bone. Think of the front of the shoulders and the pecs as one mass. All the muscles from the pecs originate from the shoulders.

Might want to give him some more meat around the traps as well.

Keep up the good work.

[willbrown1]

SolidSnakexxx - You are correct on both crits.

DAnconia - Another eagle eye critique

Thanks guys, it helps to have some additional eyes on this. I appreciate the help. After hours of looking at this guy cross-eyed, it's hard to catch everything. :D

I'll make some adjustments to the BIG guy based on your inputs. Stay tuned for another update.

I've added the emblem that goes on the front of STaKe's tunic.

Made teeth from an alpha mesh I made in Illustrator.

Torus for the emblem came from silo as an .obj.



stake_rend-15.jpg

[willbrown1]

I bought ZC PETROC'S antatomy study for reference on this piece. Great study.
He is a masterful artist.

Made the suggested tweaks from the posters and a few others.

I think I'm ready to start the accessories. I am sure I'll revisit the figure throughout the rest of the process. :D

stake_rend-16.jpg

[ISK-86]

Amazing entry, love the work you did with the muscles.... :tu: :tu:
That Chest off, shoulders back pose makes him look really Marvel-Style Hero

[willbrown1]

ISK-86 Amazing entry, love the work you did with the muscles....
That Chest off, shoulders back pose makes him look really Marvel-Style Hero

Thanks, I appreciate your comment.

Yes, I admit it. I've worked for Marvel. Epic magazine, April 1983. Story title "Mime" art by me; story idea Archie Goodwin. My only job for them, unfortunately. Archie approved a second story for the character, but while I was working on the art, Epic got cancelled. Shortly afterwards (June 1984) I got hired into Boeing Creative Services, which I am happy to say, I am leaving in about three weeks, due to the recession.

At last, time to play.

I am available for freelance BTW.

[threetails]

your character looks like a fun one. nice to see you changing up the materials and the lights to get a better look at the forms. also you can look at the model from below and from the top to see how your forms are blending into one another. what ref are you using for your anatomy?

[willbrown1]

Thanks = Threetails

Mostly, from memory, and after I had the basic forms roughed I purchased Zac Petrocs anatomy ztl for reference. It is invaluable for correcting mistakes.

[willbrown1]

Spent part of yesterday and today working on Stake's Gun, which shoots hardened wooden projectiles at high velocity. It uses a high pressure CO2 air canister to propel the mini-stakes. These are racked in the clip.

The gun is capable of single shot and assault weapon modes.

It's heavy, but Stake's a big guy; he can fire it one-handed if necessary.

stake_rend-17.jpg

[willbrown1]

I've started making his costume: cowl, trousers, boots and vest. Added the NO VAMPS emblem. :D

stake_rend-21.jpg

[SolidSnakexxx]

Looking great so far. Love the new mask...but not quite sure because of the back shirt that makes his neck a tad short? :)

[willbrown1]

Added some more to his costume. The REQUIRED Garlic necklace. ;) For protection. Some more details to his trousers: belt loops, a belt and belt buckle.
:D

stake_rend-22.jpg
stake_rend-25.jpg
stake_rend-26.jpg

[SolidSnakexxx]

The Garlic Necklace..that's classic ;) Just a quick crit, the think the bicep's still bulging a bit odd, especially on the angle you just posted. Other than that, great progress. :)

[willbrown1]

SolidSnakexxx The Garlic Necklace..that's classic Just a quick crit, the think the bicep's still bulging a bit odd, especially on the angle you just posted. Other than that, great progress.

Thanks for the crit, dude. I'll fix that as I move along. BTW your Mantis is wicked awesome!

Yeah! Thought the necklace would get a chuckle. STaKe is a character I created about ten years ago or more for grins. I always thought if I did a book on him, the stories would be tongue in cheek. Lots of horror/vampire gags.
;)

[willbrown1]

Attempted a pose with transpose master, but the other sub tools wouldn't pose when I finished. Must be doing something wrong. Anyway, messed around and posed the figure in an action pose with his gun.


stake_rend-28.jpg stake_rend-27.jpg stake_rend-29.jpg

[willbrown1]

:D :D I figured out what I was doing wrong with transpose master. Took a while to discover how to mask figure and subtools so that they both pose together correctly! Had a lot of transpose practice today.

Here's the result.

Polypaint has to be nearly as cool as transpose. I can't believe how quick everything can be, once I get the hang. Sweet! ;)


stake_rend-30.jpg

[willbrown1]

I created a few comic concept pages for a project called Vamps in 1992. STaKe was the hero character.

I found this sketch in my archive.

Enjoy!
:D

DSCN4460-01.jpg

[swankymonkey]

Sweet!

Whats up with the girl in the heels and Daisy Dukes? She looks pretty fired up about chillin' with Stake!

[wethand]

lol
stakes expression on your sketch is very nice :lol: :lol:

[willbrown1]

swankymonkey Sweet!

Whats up with the girl in the heels and Daisy Dukes? She looks pretty fired up about chillin' with Stake!

swankymonkey - Thanks!

In the concept sequence, the girl is out for evening stroll in the city park, she gets confronted by a group [3] of vampires in gang-banger outfits. STaKe steps from the shadows to deal with the situation. The panel above was the last in the sequence.

Had this idea gone further into production than a concept study, I planned on having STaKe killing the vamps in an action sequence.

wethand lol
stakes expression on your sketch is very nice

wethand - thanks!

[SolidSnakexxx]

I like that concept sequence with the girl.. The hottie with small bra's quite upsetting :)

[Captain Sensible]

Good work man! Makes Blade look like a pansy! :tu:

[aurick]

Please note that the rules require that your entry be updated at least once per week. If no updates have been made on this entry within the next 48 hours I'm going to have to disqualify it.

[willbrown1]

Aurick,

Please do not disqualify this thread. I have some additional renders and more costume tweaks that I haven't uploaded. I've been working concept sketches with paper and pencil, ...thumbnails for the final pose and renders. See attached render from Poser of Sydney and Simon in concept pose. Yes, I think for this image to work, I'm planning on modeling and posing a VAMPIRE for STaKe to terminate.

I am at work right now and will post a costume update that is already rendered...STaKe with a military web belt and his trusty hammer. His quiver with stakes is modeled but no render yet.
STAKE-THUMBS.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27122440%27,%27STAKE-THUMBS.jpg%27,1,0%29)

[wethand]

thats a nice pose!

[willbrown1]

wethand thats a nice pose! Thanks wethand

I'm not sure about this POV but the basic idea is what I'm going with. Leaving wiggle room for camera positions.

[SolidSnakexxx]

That's cool pose you are planning for Stake...real mean action...as well :tu:

[willbrown1]

SolidSnakexxx That's cool pose you are planning for Stake...real mean action...as well :tu: Yong - Thanks

Your Mantis is really great! Can't wait till you finish posing.

[sazar26]

your pose is really cool but i think its a bit off balance and could be a bit more dynamic

[willbrown1]

sazar26 your pose is really cool but i think its a bit off balance and could be a bit more dynamic

sazar26 - thanks for the feedback!

New equipment as promised. Hammer and web belt.


stake_rend-32.jpg

[SolidSnakexxx]

Nice accessory added, willbrown1. I'm now eagerly anticipating your pose....the violent stake the heart pose ;)

[willbrown1]

Started an environment concept. Cross-grave02.jpg

[willbrown1]

Was on a trip to visit family in North Carolina. I'm posting a preemptive image to make sure Aurick dosen't disqualify my entry since it's been a week.

More to come up until deadline :D

stake_rend-33.jpg

[willbrown1]

New Stuff!

Crypt for final scene pose. Preliminary study of vampire victim. Used same zsphere base mesh as STaKe. Now to sculpt some teeth!


stake_rend-35.jpg stake_rend-34.jpg

[SolidSnakexxx]

Like the altar you have there.. and looks like the Vampyr girl's going to be screaming for her undead life. :) Look forward to the action pose.

[willbrown1]

Yong- thanks for the feedback

Here's another look at the vampire. Textured with costume and teeth.


stake_rend-38.jpg

[SolidSnakexxx]

The vamp girl's looking right along...I like the blood texture on her.. Very nice paint work :)

[willbrown1]

Working on composition! Posed the vampire partially. I know time is running out but I like to work against the clock sometimes :D Huge Jack Bauer fan :lol:
stake_rend-41.jpg

[Teeto]

Nice work I must say man,and really love your concept, and blood details on your female vampire characters; but I noted some stuff you could do to further enhance realism on both characters

1. The muscle just below the biceps(firearm) seems a little flat, considering the character's musclature.
2.His Logo is not too visible from the angle you rendered.
3. His shirt looks too plain.Put some folds on toshow some realism.
4. The clothing that folds into the female's pubic area just isn't right!!!
5. Finally, the female's pose on the slab looks good, but her thigh bone seems dislocated from her hip.Fix these, my friend, and your characters would difinitely look better.

Cheers on your path to realism.

[SolidSnakexxx]

I know.....it's nearly time... and I still have some ideas I want to change...but oh well.. Anyhow yours is coming along good.. Look forward to see this piece's final composition. :)

[willbrown1]

Well, ZBrush has crashed at least 7 times today, very, very frustrating. Each time lost work. I know ZBrush is a "save a lot program", but I wish the mac version was more stable.

It's been fun, I'm officially withdrawing from the competition. Thanks to all for all your comments and support.

Just not up for an all nighter and more crashes.

I may end up finishing this, when I do, I will post an image and a turntable when Pixologic releases a version that exports quicktime movies on the mac.

Congrats to all the great entries! :D :D