Non-photorealistic Renders (NPR)

Headwax

 

new plug in for Carrara 

 

 

tkdrobert

mmitchell_houston said:

tkdrobert said:

Switched helmets.  This is concept 3 pic.

This is definitely getting there. This is a strong character design and I think the variety of textures and colors would work well against a variety of backgrounds. Two thoughts: You need to manually add a curved highlight to the helmet, and the gun would probably work better in gray, that way it would pick up some details and not blend into his glove. I also think the yellow buckles would work better as solid colors, instead of having the lighter interior. And again, I'm really liking this character design.

"You need to manually add a curved highlight to the helmet..."  Are you refering to the glass face plate? 

mmitchell_houston

tkdrobert said:

mmitchell_houston said:

tkdrobert said:

Switched helmets.  This is concept 3 pic.

This is definitely getting there. This is a strong character design and I think the variety of textures and colors would work well against a variety of backgrounds. Two thoughts: You need to manually add a curved highlight to the helmet, and the gun would probably work better in gray, that way it would pick up some details and not blend into his glove. I also think the yellow buckles would work better as solid colors, instead of having the lighter interior. And again, I'm really liking this character design.

"You need to manually add a curved highlight to the helmet..."  Are you refering to the glass face plate? 

Yes. The glass.

eugene_lab

head wax said:

eugene_lab said:

Here's a couple more samples combining Daz and Photoshop, a little info about myself I'm a writer, but I'm looking towards self-publishing and I believe graphic novels are an excellent transition as a platform for script adaptaions. I've taken some online classes in photoshop and DIYs in regards to DAZ on youtube. I'm hoping to produce a graphic novel by next year, so I'll be posting samples from time to time, so feel free to critique. 

both images work well - for the second one - longshot - maybe you could drop the contrast on the background so the figure stands out more - ron's fog really helps with this if used subtly - youd have to render out both as seperate layers - in Carrara you can also use an object index pass to separate objects

 

Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated 

eugene_lab

Crescent said:

 

eugene_lab said:

Here's a couple more samples combining Daz and Photoshop, a little info about myself I'm a writer, but I'm looking towards self-publishing and I believe graphic novels are an excellent transition as a platform for script adaptaions. I've taken some online classes in photoshop and DIYs in regards to DAZ on youtube. I'm hoping to produce a graphic novel by next year, so I'll be posting samples from time to time, so feel free to critique. 

I'd highly recommend removing all of the Bump maps before rendering in DS.  That's the biggest cause of grainy results when doing postwork in PS.  (Some times Displacement maps can cause issues as well.)  You can also do "Noise:  Reduce Noise" or "Noise:  Despeckle" to reduce graininess in PS but that can lead to overall bluriness or reduction in outlines when used too aggressively.

I'm also having issues with medium and dark toned skins. I'm getting a little closer on maintaining skin color integrity, but it's "2 steps forward, 1.5 steps back."

Hope this helps,

Cres

I truly know what you're going through.

eugene_lab

mmitchell_houston said:

eugene_lab said:

Here's a couple more samples combining Daz and Photoshop, a little info about myself I'm a writer, but I'm looking towards self-publishing and I believe graphic novels are an excellent transition as a platform for script adaptations. I've taken some online classes in Photoshop and DIYs in regards to DAZ on youtube. I'm hoping to produce a graphic novel by next year, so I'll be posting samples from time to time, so feel free to critique. 

You have a decent character design, although for a graphic novel you will want to tweak the colors a bit to make them -- and your shadows -- stronger. As someone who is also working on some comics projects, if I may make one suggestion, it be to read some books about drawing comics (specifically laying them out and lettering them). You see, that's where most of the people who use 3D to make comics come up short. They produce beautiful single images, but they don't flow like a comic should. Of course, this is just my opinion.

 Here are some resources I would suggest:

• How to Draw Comics the "Marvel" Way by Stan Lee and John Buscema
  This is an oldie, but a goodie. It can completely revolutionize the way you look at framing, laying out your panels, and telling a story. Available at Amazon from $10 up.
• Drawing Crime Noir: For Comics and Graphic Novels by Christopher Hart
  Even if you're not drawing a crime noir comic, this is a GREAT resource for moody lighting and creating interesting characters that "pop." At Amazon for about $11.
• Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels by Scott McCloud
  This is a heftier read, and not quite the down-n-dirty basics of the other two books, but it really gives you a high-level understanding of what should go into a good comic story and then drills down to specifics. Amazon: About $20.
• And, not to blow my own horn, but I wrote a long tutorial about my 3D comic style, and it's hosted on my blog. Now, my tutorial focuses specifically on using Poser, Photoshop and Manga Studio (aka Clip Studio Paint), but there are still a lot of tips and ideas that you could use and apply to Daz Studio. You can find it here.

There are NUMEROUS other books I could recommend, but these are the three I would start with, and I have listed them in order of importance to anyone creating a comic for the first time.

In regards to lettering, I highly recommend this free, online series by pro letterer Nate Piekos, who also runs the Blambot Foundry (and, by the way, he has some great FREE fonts at his site, too). His lettering tips can be found here: http://blambot.com/articles_tips.shtml

You are truly correct, composition is one of the most important steps. I've reviewed the books you've suggested, I will be making a purchase soon and gladly add those books to my library.

eugene_lab

Here's another sample, let me know what you guys think. Posted is the original render and the post work sample done through photoshop.

wsterdan

Sammy_jr_mart said:

This is where I combine Sketching, digital, and Daz Studio to come up with character design. This mutant is one of the concept art for my comic book. Drawing inspiration from the game Fallout and John Carpenter's They Live. I use a basic robe and genesis 3 to pose and rendered. I then look into Middle Eastern clothing and came up with the attire. The Sash, sword, and headress were drawn and scanned into into photshop and then layer by layer apply colors and shading.

Very nice, I especially like the background, how you have the character’s shadow but that there’s no sign of where the ground meets the background/wall/horizon. 

— Walt Sterdan 

wsterdan

head wax said:

cartoon for a painting I might do for a show next year - post work in Topaz Impression, render layers produced in carrara

except the painting will have the breasts intact

 

 

As always, very impressive. I think the black and white version loses too much of the face in shadow, but the colour version is perfect!

— Walt Sterdan

eugene_lab

Here's another sample, a close up trying to catch the eye reflection. Post work and and original render.

Headwax

wsterdan said:

head wax said:

cartoon for a painting I might do for a show next year - post work in Topaz Impression, render layers produced in carrara

except the painting will have the breasts intact

 

 

As always, very impressive. I think the black and white version loses too much fo the face in shadow, but the colour version is perfect!

— Walt Sterdan

thaqnk you Walt, that's very kind - yes the black and white one is certainly lacking in parts!!

 

Headwax

eugene_lab said:

Here's another sample, a close up trying to catch the eye reflection. Post work and and original render.

be nice to see these combined in post, perhaps the eyes are better in the photo real?

 

Headwax

there's some of my NPR Carrara work in this magazine,

related to a show I am having in a major regional gallery next year

starts on page 60

https://issuu.com/robynwerkhoven/docs/arts_zine_november_2017

 

 

eugene_lab

Last one for the day, I kinda like this one, let me know what you guys think.

mmitchell_houston

head wax said:

there's some of my NPR Carrara work in this magazine,

related to a show I am having in a major regional gallery next year

starts on page 60

https://issuu.com/robynwerkhoven/docs/arts_zine_november_2017

 

 

WOW. That is SERIOUSLY dramatic. I'm very impressed. And you MUST tell us about this gallery show you mentioned.

mmitchell_houston

Okay, I know this is off topic, but I hope you'll forgive me. I thought a few of you might be interested in seeing my Halloween decorations for this year, especially since they have a comic book theme: Afterlife with Archie.

These are life-size figures created for my front yard: the masks are illuminated from within, but the rest of the scene is lit by black light.And yeah, these are custome pieces. The costumes and masks were purchsased, but I pult the scene as a custom set for the hollidays (some pieces in years past -- Archie is new for this year). 

Juggie vs Archie:

 

tkdrobert

head wax said:

there's some of my NPR Carrara work in this magazine,

related to a show I am having in a major regional gallery next year

starts on page 60

https://issuu.com/robynwerkhoven/docs/arts_zine_november_2017

 

 

Very good and disturbing.

mmitchell_houston

eugene_lab said:

Last one for the day, I kinda like this one, let me know what you guys think.

Very cool, but if I'm being honest, I'm not a fan of mixing cartoon style with overly realistic textures. Since the face is so smooth, I would suggest simplifying the textures on the clothing (probably just removing the bump maps). Nevertheless, nice work.

Headwax

mmitchell_houston said:

Okay, I know this is off topic, but I hope you'll forgive me. I thought a few of you might be interested in seeing my Halloween decorations for this year, especially since they have a comic book theme: Afterlife with Archie.

These are life-size figures created for my front yard: the masks are illuminated from within, but the rest of the scene is lit by black light.And yeah, these are custome pieces. The costumes and masks were purchsased, but I pult the scene as a custom set for the hollidays (some pieces in years past -- Archie is new for this year). 

Juggie vs Archie:

 

 

 

great stuff, you are allowed to be off topic considering the c and c work you put in here

we dont celebrate Halloween in Oz, but I love the whole concept of this - and the rotten to the end!

you can read more about my show here  http://mrag.org.au/exhibition/andrew-finnie-the-enlightening-journey-of-mr-hugo-ball/

but there is more in that magazine interview link

thanks for commenting on the render too!

 

 

 

Headwax

tkdrobert said:

head wax said:

there's some of my NPR Carrara work in this magazine,

related to a show I am having in a major regional gallery next year

starts on page 60

https://issuu.com/robynwerkhoven/docs/arts_zine_november_2017

 

 

Very good and disturbing.

 

thanks for that, I am glad it's distrbing - it's hard to disturb people in our modern world

 

mmitchell_houston

eugene_lab said:

mmitchell_houston said:

eugene_lab said:

Here's a couple more samples combining Daz and Photoshop, a little info about myself I'm a writer, but I'm looking towards self-publishing and I believe graphic novels are an excellent transition as a platform for script adaptations. I've taken some online classes in Photoshop and DIYs in regards to DAZ on youtube. I'm hoping to produce a graphic novel by next year, so I'll be posting samples from time to time, so feel free to critique. 

You have a decent character design, although for a graphic novel you will want to tweak the colors a bit to make them -- and your shadows -- stronger. As someone who is also working on some comics projects, if I may make one suggestion, it be to read some books about drawing comics (specifically laying them out and lettering them). You see, that's where most of the people who use 3D to make comics come up short. They produce beautiful single images, but they don't flow like a comic should. Of course, this is just my opinion.

 Here are some resources I would suggest:

• How to Draw Comics the "Marvel" Way by Stan Lee and John Buscema
  This is an oldie, but a goodie. It can completely revolutionize the way you look at framing, laying out your panels, and telling a story. Available at Amazon from $10 up.
• Drawing Crime Noir: For Comics and Graphic Novels by Christopher Hart
  Even if you're not drawing a crime noir comic, this is a GREAT resource for moody lighting and creating interesting characters that "pop." At Amazon for about $11.
• Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels by Scott McCloud
  This is a heftier read, and not quite the down-n-dirty basics of the other two books, but it really gives you a high-level understanding of what should go into a good comic story and then drills down to specifics. Amazon: About $20.
• And, not to blow my own horn, but I wrote a long tutorial about my 3D comic style, and it's hosted on my blog. Now, my tutorial focuses specifically on using Poser, Photoshop and Manga Studio (aka Clip Studio Paint), but there are still a lot of tips and ideas that you could use and apply to Daz Studio. You can find it here.

There are NUMEROUS other books I could recommend, but these are the three I would start with, and I have listed them in order of importance to anyone creating a comic for the first time.

In regards to lettering, I highly recommend this free, online series by pro letterer Nate Piekos, who also runs the Blambot Foundry (and, by the way, he has some great FREE fonts at his site, too). His lettering tips can be found here: http://blambot.com/articles_tips.shtml

You are truly correct, composition is one of the most important steps. I've reviewed the books you've suggested, I will be making a purchase soon and gladly add those books to my library.

Glad to help! I look forward to seeing the pages you create in the future.

mmitchell_houston

head wax said:

mmitchell_houston said:

Okay, I know this is off topic, but I hope you'll forgive me. I thought a few of you might be interested in seeing my Halloween decorations for this year, especially since they have a comic book theme: Afterlife with Archie.

These are life-size figures created for my front yard: the masks are illuminated from within, but the rest of the scene is lit by black light.And yeah, these are custome pieces. The costumes and masks were purchsased, but I pult the scene as a custom set for the hollidays (some pieces in years past -- Archie is new for this year). 

Juggie vs Archie:

 

 

great stuff, you are allowed to be off topic considering the c and c work you put in here

we dont celebrate Halloween in Oz, but I love the whole concept of this - and the rotten to the end!

you can read more about my show here  http://mrag.org.au/exhibition/andrew-finnie-the-enlightening-journey-of-mr-hugo-ball/

but there is more in that magazine interview link

thanks for commenting on the render too!

Halloween is a LOT of fun. I really enjoy setting up the decorations and seeing all the kids arrive in costume. Of course, after all the work I put in... we had an afternoon and evening of hard rain! Ugh. Nevertheless, it did lighten up eventually and I had 166 tick-or-treaters come to my door (I use a clicker app on my phone to track them -- it helps me anticipate how much candy I need to buy each year. It's also funny; my neighbors know about it and ask me for "the official count" after the holiday) This is down from last year's high of 244.

I read a little about your show. I've never been big in the DaDa movement, but what I saw looks cool.

 

Sammagi

head wax said:

there's some of my NPR Carrara work in this magazine,

related to a show I am having in a major regional gallery next year

starts on page 60

https://issuu.com/robynwerkhoven/docs/arts_zine_november_2017

 

 

Holy! This is badass!

Headwax

mmitchell_houston  I read a little about your show. I've never been big in the DaDa movement, but what I saw looks cool.

 

thanks! yes the Dada movment was 'interesting' but apparently it set the scene for 'all' the following art movements of that century.

interestingly there was a similar change in the arts with Abstract Expressionism that ocurred after ww2 - as far as negating the accepted norms because they were no longer relevant

so I guess it's all about context? - I'm not s0 keen on Dada but it was a jumping off point for the show

Headwax

Sammy_jr_mart said:

head wax said:

there's some of my NPR Carrara work in this magazine,

related to a show I am having in a major regional gallery next year

starts on page 60

https://issuu.com/robynwerkhoven/docs/arts_zine_november_2017

 

 

Holy! This is badass!

thanks, :) yes it's almost sensual but definitely violent !

 

mmitchell_houston

Sorry, duplicate post. 

mmitchell_houston

Need a filler illustration for a Western Miniatures Game. Poser 11 and postwork in Photoshop using the India Ink plug-in by Flaming Pear. Needs a little work on the face, and I need to lighten up the shirt but overall, it's okay.

eugene_lab

Doing a little comedy here, zombies and kids enjoying the night out.

Sammagi

Nice! Like to see more. I like this style of shading you're applying here as well :) 

eugene_lab said:

Doing a little comedy here, zombies and kids enjoying the night out.

 

Sammagi

Cover of my first issue comic. Its still in production but this is by far the best yet. The union of 3D, digital, and hand drawn will collide to one!