Mythic Shadows

Introduction

I am proud to present my projects for 2023, which demonstrate a remarkable improvement since 2020. Each project has significantly enhanced my skills in sculpting, texturing, optimization, and overall design. With new proficiencies in Marvelous Designer, hair/feather cards, and fiber mesh. Notably, my biggest accomplishment is the development of Oni, my first human character, representing a significant milestone in my artistic journey. Each project embodies my own design and conceptualization.

Oni Assassin

Inspired by the Oni from Japanese mythology and the assassins from my favorite game franchise, "Assassin's Creed," I designed this character to inhabit a world of magic and subterfuge. This assassin, driven by a dark past, is unwavering in his quest to avenge his home. Branded as an outcast vigilante, he staunchly defends those who suffer mistreatment and impoverishment at the hands of corrupt societal leaders.

Marmoset Viewer

Please note that I have used fibers to enhance the quality of the renders and experiment with new workflows. The primary hair component incorporates the use of hair cards. It is worth mentioning that without the inclusion of fibers, the polygon count stands at 269,207 triangles.

Marmoset viewer files for almost all characters limited to 1k due to file size constraints.

The creation process

My workflow for this character was different from my normal workflow, involving challenges in creating hair and feathers. Feathers were relatively simple, using alphas and textures I sourced on manually placed cards. Hair was trickier, and an area for significant improvement. I created my own cards using fiber mesh and marmoset baking, then manually placed them using curves in Maya. I added shorter hair for the side of the head, eyelashes, and eyebrows using xGen and ZBrush fiber mesh. This could, however, be better optimized. I aim to explore more complex grooming techniques in the future. For now, a simplistic hairstyle suited the character the best.

Credits for extra resources:

Medieval house h2 (Annielihta): Sketchfab
-Used the building in the renders for atmosphere. I painted over them in the still renders as a stylistic choice.

Marvelous Designer

This was my first time using Marvelous Designer. I had a blast experimenting with new designs. Despite some initial mistakes and opportunities for workflow improvement. My biggest error was not staying with low simulation points until all clothing pieces were in place. Adjusting simulation points for each piece affected software performance even when deactivated. Nonetheless, I was satisfied with the final outcomes, which underwent further modification in Maya and Zbrush.

UVs, Shaders and Textures

Polycount

Spirit

A creature crafted for a universe of my own creation, this spirit embodies the fusion of a dragon and a wolf, hailing from a realm of spirits and shadows. Its wings mirror the celestial beauty of its home, resembling a galaxy-strewn sky. Within its being resides a reservoir of blue energy, capable of shape-shifting its form into various animals or rendering its physical presence ethereal, becoming almost completely invisible.

Marmoset Viewer

The creation process

I followed my usual workflow for this creature, starting with blockout and sculpting in ZBrush, then proceeding with retopology and UVs in Maya. Texturing was done using Substance, and the final rendering was achieved in Marmoset.

UVs, Shaders and Textures

Polycount

Rat - Stylized Character

Meet Rat. Yes, that's his name. :) This character was a straightforward creation, serving as my first project of the year. The task at hand was to design a stylized character, and being an admirer of rats, I decided to blend the concept of a rat with a distinctive style inspired by "Darksiders".

Marmoset Viewer

Conclusion

As I conclude my contest submission, I extend my sincere gratitude to the judges and fellow contestants. Your contributions and camaraderie make this experience extraordinary. It is an honor to showcase my work alongside yours. I am excited for the results and look forward to celebrating everyone's achievements!