Looking for some basic advice on technique

[montypython]

Hi,
I'm still developing Mudbox skills, and I have been struggling making suitable mouths and eyes.

I have watched over a dozen timelapses and quick tutorials but I haven't found an informative piece on how to actually execute these features. Could someone please breakdown a general workflow with a tip or two towards technique?

Thanks!

[Wayne]

Although methods differ fomr artis to artist and are a personal prefernce..ou may have best luck for eyes and mths by making then 'hole' first and then sculpting everything into shape.

Most times the 'how' is less important than the 'why'. You'l find if you get a number of high res images of eyes and mouths and really look..and I do mean really SEE whats there you'l start to notice the small thing that go to make up a belivable eye or mouth.

Work from the very large shapes to the medium sized shape and then the small shapes...thats the basis of all sculpting not just digital sculpting. (Although you can take short cuts once you've been doing it a while you'll find in time.)


Wayne...

[montypython]

I was also wondering about the add-sphere-mesh method; I saw you use that a few times in your videos. How do you do things that way?

Mont

[montypython]

Another question that is definitely open to everyone:

How do I get past the CPR-Annie stage of modeling?

This is probably a purely-psychological element of modeling; I find I over-smooth everything, resulting in the classic crash-test dummy or CPR-dummy look. As I am not trying to create mannequins, I would appreciate any pep-talks, sage, or even not-so-sage advice. I can see what needs to be done when I am modeling a real-life figure, but I can't let myself stay at an imperfect-look, I am compelled to smooth it out.

My current project is modeling a man in his 70s with lots of looser skin around the jowls. Any other advice for creating a more lifelike look is most certainly appreciated.

Thanks!

Mont

*To clarify: the above regards the molding of features, not an inability to texture the surfaces.

[steelsky]

.... good reference where you can really understand the form and break it down will help you progress I would think... im not the best person to comment as im no serious sculpter... but I assess things like this with the same resepect to drawing, Sometimes ya brain will fill in gaps and get it wrong... ie why we use to draw eyes as just ovals when younger.

Another thing ive noticed is that some people expect a little to much from their initial sculpt where its best to get the main forms into position - then retopologise and then take the model further. Forcing topology to work in a way its not designed to wont help you define areas.

Excuse me if im telling ya stuff you allready know hehe.

Dunno if that helps... lol

[montypython]

No, steelsky, your advice is true, and it helps for someone else to say it; that I shouldn't expect perfection from initial work. I guess the correct motto would be the Chinese phrase "Man Man Lai" (literally "Slowly Slowly Come"). Patience can be painful sometimes, but thank you for reminding me.

Again, though, if anyone has any tips on how to create the foundations of a mouth it would be appreciated. I am struggling to find a method of forming the base for finer molding.

Thanks, all.

Mont

[Wayne]

My best tip would be to study the planes of the face. You'll find it a very good starting point the mouth for example can be thought of in its most basic form as a set of plane with a '3 count' for upper and lower lip. I'll try and see if I can hunt something out to illustrate what I mean.


Wayne...

[montypython]

My best tip would be to study the planes of the face. You'll find it a very good starting point the mouth for example can be thought of in its most basic form as a set of plane with a '3 count' for upper and lower lip. I'll try and see if I can hunt something out to illustrate what I mean.


Wayne...

Thanks for your prompt reply. I am honestly impressed at your dedication to helping us young fledglings.

Mont