Neighbourhood Watcher

[Bonecradle]

This picture is dedicated to the lady who used to live across the street from me, a master curtain twitcher.

Thanks to Kenneth Williams and his joy of matrons, Stonecutter for pointing out the big heads at the DoD site (have bandwidth, will use it!), and Jack's creation, a hallmark in headwear.

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/uploaded_from_zbc/200309/user_image-1064266646lwj.jpg

Modelling: all ZBrush
Textures: PS and ZBrush
Render: ZBrush
Postwork: PS (to fix up shadows and put in the tree shadow on the wall only).

I've been using a zsphere derived stock head (about 7500 polys) as a starting point for modelling. It has been multiplying though and I am now up to my neck in heads, so if anyone would like to give it a good home you are most welcome to adopt it.

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/uploaded_from_zbc/200309/user_image-1064266722pgg.jpg

It is androgynous and unformed, but apart from the neck being a bit shabby it is not very opinionated. You may also want to smooth the mouth before starting to avoid a messy mesh and the dentist's dribble.

EDIT: Hmm, I didn't realise the tools were so large in file size and despite raring and zipping it still comes in at 512 kb. Does anyone know of any other way I might compress the head to make it fit?

OK, I realised my head was too big and had ambitions of its own, so I told it it was just and object and sent it out of the room. This is an .obj file (300 odd kb), so to use it you will need to import it. Have fun :)

Head stock.zip (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/uploaded_from_zbc/200311/user_file-1064267799sbd.zip)

[BertRus]

Oh my well done I love it... I just can not model a fase oh how anvius I am I love all what you did .except the hand ...I would not have put it there... maybe a sign like beware! :tu: :tu:

[Fouad B.]

Excellent work!!
nice picture.. so realistic.
:tu: :tu:

[DeeVee]

Great work! I like these snippits of images, leaves you waiting for more! Thanks for the heads also , they are most welcomed!! :) :tu: :tu: :tu: :)

[andreseloy]

Bonecradle as usually your work is always superb, Im happy to see another great post from you, I really admire your art¡¡¡
Congratulations and thanks for the pleasure to see this fantastic image¡¡¡

[marciani]

Compliments, you have obteined a very high level of photorealism...
Bravo
Bye
Leo

[DMerchen]

:eek: :eek: That is so nicely done! :tu: :tu:

[Frenchy Pilou]

:cool: :cool: :cool:
What is a "curtain twitcher" ?
Pilou

[artboy21]

wow this is really neat! i love the expression on her face! you said you did the texture in PS, do you use photo, or just get a very reaslistic looking texture on the face? well however you did it, it really looks great! i love the hand too! was that modeled in zbrush as well? i would love to know how you did it! great piece!

artboy

[impending]

Charming bit of whimsy Bonecradle !!

There are lot of small touches that drive this success. The shadow "gobo" is one of my favs. Wonderful texturing on her stern face. All around great use of shadows.

Bravo :tu:
jd

[juandel]

superb! i love each and every pixol in there! kudoskudoskudos, bonecradle-David :)

- juandel

[Stonecutter]

Excellento, B/C! :tu: :cool: :tu:

And thanks for the reminder of the 'Carry On' gang! Glad the reference was useful!

Here's the link, ArtBoy...These are large photos of facial closeups, and if you click on a link, you'll get a photo, which, if you click on THAT will give you a HUGE image.
If you map one of these on a sphere even, you can model with the texture as a reference, as has been discussed here a few times...

A skin texture reference...
http://www.defenselink.mil/photos/People/Portraits/

[ZAMMPABOLLOS]

Bone......chapeau!!!!!!!
you have up to now a new fan!!!

[marcel]

fine and beautiful caricature, (and psychologic caricature!); the hand pointed is the sort of "story in the story" that i love! bravo! M.

[Bonecradle]

Thanks for your kind comments - it's always warming to know your labours have created some pleasure, or even made the corners of someone's mouth go up even just a little :)

Pilou: a curtain twitcher is a nosey person who likes to look from behind their curtains at what their neighbours are doing. You know, they stand at the edge of the window and just lift the corner of the curtain - if they do it a lot it's like they are twitching it. And they always think that they can't be seen :rolleyes: :D

Artboy: I used a photo from the link Stonecutter posted to texture the head using a method similar to one Marcel described a while back.

I mapped the head with a cylindrical (UVC) texture (so I could see what ws going on and to minimize distortion), dropped it in TextureMaster, placed a light directly in front to get even shading, then 'pick shaded'. I then used this as a guide to cut up and paste the photo in PS. Finally painting over the seams and then painting in TextureMaster on the model to fix where the texture didn't quite fit the topology. I had to repaint the eyes a fair bit because the ones on the DoD site didn't come with surprised expressions :D

Here's a pic of the textures and the main parts used - sorry for the awful layout :rolleyes:

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/uploaded_from_zbc/200309/user_image-1064299887cyr.jpg

[andreseloy]

GREAT BONECRADLE¡¡¡
THANKS A LOT¡¡¡

[50'sKID]

bonecradle, this is JUST WONDERFUL! Looks like a Vue d'esprit picture! Thanks for the how to. I'm such a visual person,...I NEED PICTURES! Once again such an unusual concept. Best regards. 50.

[nAÄAx]

THIS IS TOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! Its absolutely marvelous :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: The light, the story, the face, the plant, the wood, EVERYTHING IS WONDERFUL! :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: (my jaw will not close for weeks!!)

CONGRATULATIONS!

[Frenchy Pilou]

Hi Bone
Thx for the explanation ! I have doubt of that because your picture is very expressive :)
I have not this word in my dictionnary and so lazy for see on the web :D
Bravo for detailed tut :cool:
It's like a magician who disclose his secrets :)
Have happy Zbrushing!
Pilou
Ps Suggestion for a next painting : an Dutch interior like Vermeer !
(you have yet some objects in shop :)

Wermeer images :) (http://images.google.fr/images?q=vermeer&svnum=10&hl=fr&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&start=0&sa=N)

[sirquadalot]

Very nice! This is one of the best pieces I have seen in awhile! Great job! :tu: :tu: :tu:

[souleat]

SO MARVELOUS!!!! WONDERFULL - one of the BEST!
and thanka you for the Details - now i going to make plants!

[Polaris30]

I saw this at rendeocity! but would not let me comment there..

This is an amazing pice of work! I realy like what you have done...

[Grub]

Terrific picture, "OOh Matron" indeed :D, I particularly like the way you textured the shutters, although for a busy body woman, she's let them get in quite a state :D :cool:

[Trent The thief]

<b>Frenchy Pilou</b>
That is the neighborhood person who must constantly see and know everyone else's affairs (usually by peeking out the curtains).

T.

[zerebrom]

@ souleat: not "one of the best" - THE BEST!!

Got a neighbour just like that - besides the mood of the pic, just look at the nifty details in doing it!!

Outstanding!!

[artboy21]

Bonecradle, thanx so much for showing how you achieved this masterpiece! it really really helps esp. for a beginner like me! thanx agian for your time to explain all of this!

artboy

[jim coe]

:p ! Such excellent work ! :p

Reminds me of the best exploration games, Riven, Syberia and those - really tells a story. Love the hand!

The texturing, lighting and shadowing are just right - makes me wonder if you are not a photographer.

Work like this keeps recalibrating my expectations of ZBrush - ever upwards. That creative nurishment feeds my motivation and keeps me learning eargerly - much appreciated.

And thanks also for the show-and-tell and the fab resource.

Bonecradle, i know this image will be one of my long-time favorites.

[Ron Harris]

BC, this is another outstanding image. I have waited to post wanting to look at this over and over. One of the best rendered almost real life pieces that I have seen rendered here in a very long time...no offense to anyone else...credit is due here. The textures, lighting, colors, models, setting all work hand in hand in a symphony of magic you have shared with us here. Bravo times infinity squared. I guess the only question is, can you top yourself now? You just set the notches of achievement way up with this. :tu: :cool: :tu:

[Steevo]

Dear Bonecradle:

What is the link for the "DoD" sight?

Inquiring minds want to know.

SW

[TVeyes]

Lovely piece. Really like the nosey neighbour, the style reminds me of the semi-real humans in "Shrek". And thanks for the excellent step-by-step :tu:

[Frenchy Pilou]

Hi Steevo
As I am in front my screen, so I can answer you before SC or Bone :)
The DoD :) (http://www.defenselink.mil/photos/People/Portraits/) is a little site :D for have real faces in a very big format for make your bumping faces !
Take a look, you will not be disappointed :D
2400*3000 pixels !!!
You must of course clic twice for have the big format :)
Have good surfing :)
Pilou

[PusGhetty]

Magnificent work BoneCradle!
Love her expression... the textures and models are brilliant as well as the composition, lighting and materials!
There was a lady like this in my neighborhood when I was a kid. One day I accidently kicked my shoe off into her backyard while playing hackeysack... she never gave it back to me! LOL...
Best regards,
Michael

[The Namek]

lol , how could I miss this one
/me hits himself on the head.

thx for bumping it micheal :)

Great work , the render doesnt look like most Z renders at all , so great work :p
beautifull texturing and modeling.

:tu: :tu: :tu: :eek:

[nocturnal451]

WOW... That's one of the best Zbrush creations I've seen in a long time... The womans face looks fantastic... You did a great job on composition too...

Lotsa thumbs up for that one :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu:

[rhom]

Every once in awhile when I luck out and create a good image the thought will cross my mind "Boy I'm not to bad at this after all"and then I come across what you've produced here and I realise there is alot to
learn-This is really a treasure!
excellent!

[TimW]

It's all been said but this is a brilliant piece of work.

Did you paint the wood and leaf textures from scratch or have you used any photo reference for the texture & alphas?

[aminuts]

WOW! I have to agree the Zbar has been raised with this pic!! :eek:

Thanks for sharing the wonderful work, the how-to's and models.

I eagerly await your next creation.

[tjaden]

this is an amazing piece of work. i'm glad someone else posted in this thread as i don't know if i would have seen it if they hadn't. i think see used to live across the road from me too.

if you don't mind me asking...where in NZ are you bonecradle?

[Bonecradle]

Ouch, this one has been dragged out of the closet - it looks a little dusty.

Thanks for your kind comments. I was reluctant to bump again but seeing as it is near the top... :rolleyes:

Tim: in case you didn't get my PM, the wood and plant were textured using scans that were further painted to integrate them into the scene. I also used a bump material on the shutters to accentuate the wood grain/cracks from the scan.

tjaden: I'm temporarily staying in Te Awamutu, trying to earn the money and put a portfolio together to do an animation course. I'm looking at the Media Design school in Auckland; it is only a year long and seems to be more vocationally/industry orientated and focused than other courses. I'd rather not be in Auckland though, but it is their only location :(

[tjaden]

Hey Bonecradle,

Best of luck getting into the course. with work like this you should have no problem. :tu: yes you have to be careful with some of the courses offered in NZ. if they try to cover too wide a range of computer graphics in a year long course, you can often end up not getting sufficient "hands on" time in the area you wish to focus. is it just 3d animation? or do you look at 2d aswell (like AFX or combustion). i find that all my 3d work ends up going through one of these programs before it is finished.

[zerebrush]

@ bonecradle: what's so bad about Auckland?

Besides that: it was a real NICE surprise to see your pic coming to life again!! It certainly deserves this :tu: :tu: :tu: !!