Nuthin' But Mech 3
I am incredibly honored to have been invited to submit imagery for the Nuthin' But Mech series.
In appreciation of Francis Tsai's contributions to the artistic community, proceeds from the sales of this book will be donated to his family.
You can order your copy from Design Studio Press.
Nuthin' But Mech 3
I've been sitting on these images for over a year now and am excited to finally be Sharon them!
For my submissions, I wanted to pay homage to the still bourgeoning field of 3D printing.
Images were first sketched out as thumbnail sketches before diving into Maya and ZBrush for modeling. Rendering and compositing completed with the ever awesome KeyShot 3D.
ResinBot Prototype V1
SpoolBot Prototype V1
KeyShot 6 Avatar Tutorial
I have a four-page tutorial published in 3D World Magazine's September Issue #198 that goes into the making of the KeyShot 6 Avatar.
You can also view some higher resolution images up on the KeyShot 6 Avatar project page.
Fun With MatCaps in KeyShot 6
Fun and quick method for simulating lighting with MatCaps in KeyShot 6.
I was perusing my Pinterest boards last night and came across some stunning bodybuilding photography in one of my Art Anatomy boards. I wanted to see if I could recreate this look, and found a pretty quick and novel way to simulate this with a MatCap experiment.
Originally, I was going to try and hand paint the MatCap sphere in Photoshop. However, after searching for areas in the skin tone that would give me a pretty good range to use, it turns out the spherical curve of the buttocks in this particular image exhibited the exact range I was looking for.
The selected region was circle cropped,Gaussian Blur applied, and Curves adjusted to give it some more contrast, then exported as a JPEG.
In ZBrush, you can import this as a texture map, apply as a MatCap, then export to KeyShot for rendering. Alternatively, you can do this directly inside KeyShot by assigning the Texture Mapping type to MatCap +VCol, then applying the MatCap image to the Diffuse Texture tab.
I then adjusted the Specular component to introduce some blue that would complement the custom colored backplate that was generated to match what was in the original photograph.
For the Environment, I simply stuck with the default startup.hdr map and tweaked the Contrast and Brightness to give it a little pop.
Pretty simple if you're needing to crank out some quick concept studies.
Up next when I have time, I will attempt to recreate the actual studio lighting setup. Close observation from professional photography is a great way to learn how to set up your own 3d lighting and renders.
KeyShot 6 Teaser
Been busy cranking on this cool 'bot design for the gang over at KeyShot. Full reveal in the near future. In the meantime, visit https://www.keyshot.com/keyshot-6/ and download a hi-res version of the KeyShot 6 avatar for your desktop, and sign up for information leading up to the release.
MOLD3D Shop is LIVE!
If you have a 3D Printer and would like to own one of my robot creations, look no further than the Mold3D Shop. I am one of the initial launch artists, and we'll be making available new content as we move forward. There will also be an option for acquiring an already constructed maquette in the near future, so be sure to bookmark the page for all the latest info.
I'm super excited to be a part of this venture and look forward to hearing your experiences with printing up the content!
Surge Protector
Just finished up this model test using Maya, Zbrush 4R7 beta, and Keyshot 3D. I was asked if I had anything in the Disney style in my modeling portfolio, and I hadn't. So I found some Wreck-It Ralph concept art from the amazing Bill Schwab to use as reference and inspiration. I've always been a fan of the "Cartoon Modern" retro aesthetic, and this piece was a pleasure to sculpt.
I've got additional views on the Project Page, and will upload some turntables in the near future.
Final Textures
Base Model
EntryBot
I designed this 'bot for my buddy's new company that helps with properly formatting files for award show entries. Check it out at http://www.entrybot.com
Modeled in Maya, rigged and posed with Anzovin's TSMG, and rendered in Keyshot.
EntryBot
Some WIP images.
WIP images.
New Work Page Posted - ZBrush Sketches
In my attempt at resurrecting my blog, here is the 2nd post of the year!
I've added a new work page featuring a bunch of ZBrush sketches and projects. It's fun going back a few years to see how far I've progressed. Most of these are loose sketches, where you can see evidence of the brush strokes, but I like them as "clay" studies nonetheless. Some I may revisit, others were done typically late at night where I spent the last hour or so experimenting with different brushes and workflows. Enjoy!
New Year. New Site. New Stuff!
Happy New Year! It was time to overhaul my website, and I really wanted to check out SquareSpace. I was very impressed with the relative ease of migrating the entirety of my blog over. I also like the eCommerce aspect of SquareSpace and plan on finally launching my first Shop where I'll have Sketchbot related product and some other goodies planned throughout the year, so definitely stay tuned for that!
3D World Magazine #191
The New Year also brings in my first published magazine cover! I was excited to work with the editorial team at 3D World Magazine for the February Issue, #191. I also have a 5-page tutorial in this issue showing how to take a robot character from Maya to Keyshot, and using ZBrush to prep the geometry for STL output, and eventual 3D Printing.
Create and Render a Robot for 3D Printing Tutorial
Feel free to look around at the new projects posted, and be sure to drop me a line in the comments below if you have any questions. Thx!
Custom Bellicose Bunny for Nathan Hamill's Bellicosity
Has it really been almost 4 months since my last blog post?! Holidays, family, and work have been keeping me plenty occupied. I did find time to squeeze in a custom for
Bellicosity Custom Group Show opening tomorrow night at
in LA.
When I got the blank I knew immediately that I wanted to separate the bunny from the carrot, but didn't want to treat it as a rocket. A few sketches later and I came up with two droid companions that would be sidekicks to the Bunny.
Check out the featured artists participating and get on over to TAG 3/23-4//6 and check out the incredible work on display!
Designer Con 2011
is this Saturday, November 5th, at the Pasadena Convention Center! I'm pleased to announce these incredible resin casts by
as my show exclusives. They will be $60 a piece and limited to only 30 pieces for this run. I'm offering up six juicy colours that complement the original Sketchbot series.
I'm also releasing a new Sketchbot print at the show! This 13" x 19" Giclée print is priced at a very affordable $20.
Also, based on the overwhelming positive feedback from Instagram and NYCC, I'm pleased to have on hand a limited run of custom iPhone 4/4S Sketchbot cases!
Printed via
, these turned out extremely well. Pick up your favourite colour to match your Sketchbot purchase. Only 21 of these exist, and will go for $35 each.
I'm offering all seven Sketchbot stickers as a set for $5 or individual for $1 each.
I'll have plenty of Sketchbot T-Shirts available for $20 each.
I'll have on hand Sketchbot vinyl V1-V5, and the DIY's available for $35 a piece.
V6, due out in 2012, will be on display as well.
I've got lots of awesome Sketchbot content this year, so stop by Booth #434 and say hi!
Sketchbot V5 NYCC Pre-Release
is right around the corner, and I'm excited to return to NY to participate in my fourth NYCC. I won't have my own booth this year, so I'll be doing the pre-release of Sketchbot Variant 5 with my good friends over at the
booth, #879. Signing times have yet to be locked in, but I should be making an appearance sometime on Friday. I'll have a small batch of brand new Sketchbot t-shirts on hand, along with a new, ltd. edition NYCC giclee print. Be sure to check back for actual signing time and a view of the print and t-shirts that I'll have on hand!
Sketchbot X Stikalicious = iPad Wallpaper Fun!
This is pretty big news - I've been included in Series 1 of Chocoloate Soop's awesome new iPad app, Stikalicious
The app is a free download and includes one complimentary sticker set. You can then make in-app purchases of your favourite artist's sticker sets, including custom backgrounds that you're free to mix 'n match any way you see fit.
As an extra bonus, I've designed two brand new, exclusive Sketchbots for Series 1 - Yellow variant w/crayon and Jet Black variant w/rapidograph. I've also broken out the accessories, so you can choose from your favourite drawing tool to include with your wallpaper creations.
I look forward to seeing what you all come up with - be sure to eMail links to your Stikalicious wallpaper images. Have fun!
Stop It! for Super Cooper's Munky King Show
It's been a busy Summer, so let's try to catch up on some blog posts!
I was excited to be part of "Super" Cooper Berella's huge birthday celebration group art show
that opened a few weeks ago at Munky King LA. The show runs through this Friday, Sept 25th, so try to check out the work up close if you have the chance.
Below are some work-in-progress shots as I work on the digital painting on my Wacom Cintiq using Corel Painter 12. The digital giclée turned out nicely using Epson's Stylus Pro 3880.
Sketchbot Variant 4 @ San Diego Comic Con 2011
It's been over 2 months since my last post, but with good reason - we've relocated to Los Angeles, CA this past June! It's been a busy Summer thus far getting settled in and also jammed-packed with quite a few freelance gigs.
Tomorrow I head south for my fourth San Diego Comic Con! Sketchbot Variant 4 (green w/stylus accessory) will be available as a pre-release exclusively at the Dragatomi booth #4935, and then it goes global after the con. Price remains at $35.
I'll also have 25 Limited Edition Sketchbot prints that will be available during the times I'll be signing - Thursday at 12pm and Sunday at 3pm. The
se giclée prints measure 8.5" x 11" and were printed on cold press bright archival paper on an Epson 3880 Stylus Pro. The quality is amazing, and I'm excited to offer these for $20 each. See you all in San Diego!
Making of Sketchbot and 3d Printing @ NYC Maya Users Group, Wednesday, May 18th 7-9pm
I'm very excited to be invited by Steve Mann and the NYC Maya Users Group to give a presentation on how I use Autodesk Maya to create characters that are printed via rapid prototyping and make their way to final products - specially, the Sketchbot vinyl designer toy.
I'll be bringing along plenty of samples to show what the 3d printing results look like, in addition to touching on a few other 3d-to-print projects I've completed over the past year.
The meeting will be taking place at Oceana Digital on Wednesday, May 18th from 7-9pm. Entrance is free and you can RSVP at nycmayausersgroup@gmail.com
I'll also be giving away one original Sketchbot variant at the end of the evening!
This will be my last event in NYC before we head out to LA on May 20th. Would be great to see lots of familiar faces there for my last hurrah. Blue Sky Studios will also be on hand showing behind-the-scenes on their latest CG animated film, Rio. This is full-circle for me, as I moved to the East Coast 17 years ago to animate for Blue Sky!
Sketchbot V3 Debuts FRI, 4/22 @ TOYSTREET NYC
Alright folks - here's the first new Sketchbot colourway for 2011! Variant 3 sports a popping, semi-translucent magenta tint to the vinyl and comes with ink pen accessory and matching sticker. Debuts this Friday, 4/22, 12-8pm at TOYSTREET NYC and will go into wide release thru normal distribution channels the following week.
My good buddy Mr Munk will also be sharing space with me at the booth where he'll have some gorgeous customs available for sale. Definitely swing by and check these bad boys out in person.
Rumor has it I'm also tapped to do a custom sneaker-head for Cookies 'N Cream. Stay on the lookout for more info day of show!
Sketchbotik
Astute readers will recall that when I first started the Sketchbot blog back in 2007, I was excited to be heading to Berlin to attend my first Pictoplasma conference. I've since attended two additional events that took place locally in NYC, but am unable to be in Berlin for the latest incarnation which begins today. I will, however, be there in spirit as my custom Lunartik, Sketchbotik, will be part of Matt Jones Mini-Tea Tour debuting tonight at 43º Kitchen/Gallery as part of the Pictoplasma Character Walk. Lars and Peter have planned an incredible 5-days worth of character goodness, so be sure to check it out if you're in Berlin.
The Pharaoh Bonez
It's been a crazy busy month work-wise, but I was able to crank out this custom - The Pharaoh Bonez - for tonight's "Dem Bonez, The Reconstruction"custom show opening at ZAKKA.
Turns out Elite Gudz's Mr Den had worked with the godfather of graffiti, SEEN, for about 13 years and had access to this piece that didn't quite make it into final release. Den and co-curator Nemo got the go ahead from Seen to put together this show, and I'm honored to be included with such an esteemed roster of artists.
Show opens Friday, March 25th at ZAKKA here in my funky-industrial BKLYN neighborhood that is known as Dumbo. Check out my Flickr set for a few more shots.
Crimson Argus
Here is the full reveal of my custom Alien Argus for Max Nagata's group show at Toy Art Gallery, which opens tomorrow, Feb 26th and runs thru Mar 26th.
**UPDATE** Artwork is now available online - here's a direct link to my very affordable piece.
I'm pretty happy with how this one turned out, as I've been experimenting more with washes, dry-brushing and all around weathering on recent customs.
Here's a great tip for getting amazing captures of your work - try to take advantage of the natural outdoor light, especially during "Golden Hour" when taking photos. I like to throw the background out of focus and position the piece to get an edge/rim light along the silhouette of the character where possible.
If you're in LA, be sure to stop by the gallery to check out what is turning out to be a huge custom show for Mark's awesome Kaiju-inspired creature!
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