This is how I spent the morning...Final... Fixed a goof up (page 2)

[filament9]

Over the past while, I've been reading a novel by Charles De Lint - "Forests of the Heart." The cover art is absolutely wonderful. It draws me to it everytime I pick the book up. So I tried my hand at it in ZBrush. Not as accomplished as the original, but so far I am pleased with what I've managed so far. Next project I'll develope something I can call my own - which will happen once I can get over the beauty of the novels cover art. The artists name is John Jude Palencar. http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1016659269zyo.jpg

[canary]

Nice work! I saw the little thumbnail and said "hey, Forests of the Heart!" I haven't read it yet but I love the cover. You've captured it nicely.

Mary

[Stonecutter]

Interesting lighting, Fil... :tu:
This has a cover illustration feel to it, and not having familiarity with the original, I still think you must be happy with this...! :tu: :tu: :tu: :cool:
Nice mood...

[DeeVee]

Looking forward to the update, interesting start !!

[ztevie-rae]

Striking Image Fil! :cool:
It certainly pulls on the heart stringz!
:tu: :tu: :tu:

[Kathy]

I think it's a wonderful exercise. the transition between the human and tree is GREAT!

[drjjwow]

this is awesome ... i love that tree ...not everyday do you see a man growing out of a tree..cant wait to see the final image on this one..

[Kaluman]

cool :p

i agree concerning Cdl covers, they are really wonderful.

[filament9]

Added a bit more. First try at the fibre brush, with very low settings. I was after a mossy look for the rocks. Added a mask, which I think will be re-textured for a more weathered wood look. http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1016770901fvw.jpg

[DeeVee]

Great update!! I think this is already a masterpiece.
Joe.

[Kaluman]

this looks good :p

[mizzthangg]

excellent image!!! i have not seen the original cover art, but this is still one incredible piece! :)

[drjjwow]

just a awesome update... i can not wait to see the file image..

[Mik]

Fantastic textures and depth, a real feast for the eyes.
:D :D :D :D

[juandel]

is he taking the mask off or on? anyhoo: the tree-laokoon is getting cooler and cooler, fil! veryvery inspiring and fabulously executed. love it!!!

- juandel

[Digits]

Wow, I can't wait to see how this turns out. The detail and shading of the tree is fantastic. I will have to look for this book.

[jibberish]

holy...this is awesome. it really looks like his legs are blending in w/ the tree. and the ground around him is so realistic looking. that moss looking stuff you did w/ the fiberbrush looks great...thanks for updating us...

josh

[Mentat7]

Very nice work! Maybe a little moody sky for the background...... I would lighten up on the textures for the mask. With such a small object the details will be lost. Put emphasis on the form of the mask- highlites and shadows and hint at the texture. The eye will fool the viewer into filling in the rest. Love it! :tu: :tu: :tu:

[robotalk]

Very fine image!!! :tu: :tu:

[Nova]

Brilliant pic :tu: :tu:

[filament9]

Wow, thanks for the response to this image.
Digits: the tree trunk was modeled in two seperate pieces. The Lower portion is a cylinder edited using the Draw mode to add some body to it. The upper part is a amodified 3dring. Branches were modeled sperately from several 3drings. Texture is actual bark TM'd on. Oh yeah, all parts of the tree were also given some noise in the X and Y.
Jibberish: ;) first go at the fibre brush, switching between using the Flat Material and the same material used for the rocks. And it worked! lol
Mentat: Yep, you are right. I do want to re-texture the mask. The one used for the update was a real quicky kind of texture - with too dark a base color. Actually the same bark textures in the tree. I am going to play with it some more tho'.
Background is next.... A moody one, as you suggest.

[LWTB]

WOW!! I love the transition. The background is ver well done and i love the mask. Did you model the body cause it is very good? I love that tree. Im gonna have to find a copy of the book so i can look at the cover.

[filament9]

Added the sky this morning. Lots of postwork, as the sky was composited in. Left lots of jaggies which some blurring, blending, dodging and burning throughout the image seemed to care of.
I had been thinking of redoing the mask's texture, but opted out for a bit of dodging to lighten it up a bit.
Note on the sky: By copoying the base sky into 2 more layers, rotating one counterclock-wise, and the other clock-wise, then setting both layer to "soft light," I was able to strengthen the mood of the sky overall. http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1017081830mmq.jpg
--------Edit-------
aurick saw it, I didn't! lol Anyway,it's fixed. Thanks aurick for catching what should have bit me right on the nose!
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1017092422qpf.jpg

[Mentat7]

This has turned out to be an A+ piece!! Wonderful!

[aurick]

Absolutely awesome finished piece of work. I like everything about it. Just one minor problem -- you missed the spot between him and the tree when you composited in the sky. ;)

[Ron Harris]

both are outstanding....kudos.....maybe I missed it, but is the figure done in Zbrush as well? Looks great....I was only curious....I am no a purist so I am not trying to bust on ya....there was a movie about a druid chick...this reminds me of...sorry I hadnt seen the book cover.....very masterful :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu:

[Kathy]

Outrageous work!

Gorgeous colors and depth. You've really outdone yourself here. :D :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu:

[ZBC Moderator]

Very unique! I can't wait to see the finished image. :)

-ZuZu :)

[Kaluman]

really good work filament :p

[juandel]

clapclapclap-clapissimo! bravissimo, too, filament! a wonderful painting and a terrifico tribute to jj palencar (thank you for the pointer re: this great artist!) (http://www.asfa-art.org/chesley/2001/cih_palencar.html) :tu: :tu: :tu: etc.etc.

- juandel

[Digits]

Fantastic! just incredible to look at, just amazing how you developed this image. Thanks Juandel for the link. Thou the two images are similiar, you have made it your own.

[Indigo Wizard]

:tu: :tu:
Beautiful image!

[impending]

Hi filament9,

Nice tribute to the original. I particularly like the tones in the sky, they set the mood for the image :tu:

jd

[filament9]

Thanks, again, everyone. :)
Looks like a print of this one is going to a gift to my girlfriend's daughter - whoes wiccan sensibilities, I am told, will appreciate the image.