Hey there, all. Since this is my first post, I suppose an introduction and some comment is in order. I’m a student-eclectic from South Africa, dabbling in everything audio-visual. I’m intrested in advancing my skills in video, audio, music (especially of the electronic and classical variety), and basic art and drawing skills… but most of all, I’d like to become well-versed in the 3D scene. I believe that I have an eye for quality and beauty (why else would I be here? 
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I just discovered ZBrush yesterday. I was completely blown away the very first time I opened it up; never before have I used such an intuitive, elegant, user-friendly program. After checking out some of the ZScript tutorials (and modeling a few mangled alien heads using primitives), I began to get an idea of the immense scope of this program, and realised I wouldn’t get the most out of it unless I started actively educating myself online. These forums were, of course, the logical place to start.
I’ve lurked for the past day, and the impression I get is that this is an active, experienced, and passionate community, one which I’d love to be a part of. I’m particularly impressed by the level of involvement from the admins and Pixologic execs; you’ve created a product and sparked a community that you can be immensely proud of. 
Now then. On to the thread proper!
I’m a great fan of everything related to Mesoamerica and its civilisations, especially the Mayans. In our repertoire this year, the University of Pretoria Youth Choir (of which I am part) is singing a rendition of Carlos Fonseca’s Jubiabá, which is a musical envisionment of a Ioruba “Marumba” ceremony, with the High PriestJubiabá presiding over the worship of the god Oxala.
Technically, the Ioruba and the Mayans had very little in common; the Mayans were American natives and lived in Central America, while the Ioruba were African and migrated to South America. However, the recording of the piece gave me a strikingly clear vision in my mind of a masked priest standing on a massive Mayan pyramid, silhouetted against the stars, looking down on the assembled throng of torch-carrying worshippers below. This is an image that I would dearly like to render in 3D.
Previously, I have had little experience in organic modeling. Straight-edged models have simple come more naturally to me. I also wasn’t confident enough in my abilities in Max to give the image the detail that I wanted. Now that I’ve found Z-Brush, this has changed.
For my scene reference, I have selected Teotihuacan, the pre-hispanic city, principally its Pyramid of the Sun and the Way of the Dead:
(Dial-up warning! Large files!)
Pyramid of the Sun
The Way of the Dead, viewed from the Pyramid of the Sun
These are detailed photographs, so I’m set where my scene is concerned.
However, I’m in want of some other detailed reference photographs, namely those of:
- Mesoamerican men and women
- Mayan stonework and sculptures
- Mayan costumes and ceremonial garb
I’ve looked thoroughly on the internet using Google and other means, and I’ve obtained few good photographs. I’ve only found one or two detailed reliefs that I can adapt for the stonework, and no pictures whatsoever of either the costumes or the characters.
Seeing as much of the art I’ve seen here is based on reference photos, I thought that some of you might be able to point me to some sites or individual images that I might be able to use. As it stands, I can’t navigate the Web as well as I’m sure most of you can. Any help in finding source images will be much appreciated!
In addition, so that I don’t clutter, I’d like to post any queries about the program related to the project here in the thread.
Depending on how busy I am for the next couple of weeks, (and whether I can get my scanner to work or not) I’ll try to post some concept drawings for your review and comment sometime. I’m afraid I don’t come bearing any renders, as I’ve seen many new members do, but I do hope to have some in the full course of time.
If you’ve gotten this far, thanks a lot for your time, interest, and patience in reading through my lengthy rambling! I hope to hear your comments and opinions.
Thanks guys! 