Ryan Donnahoe

my name is Ryan Donnahoe, i'm an aspiring character artist living in downtown Los Angeles California, I'm in my second term at Gnomon for a A bachelor's degree program that covers multiple aspects of a 3D generalist skillset, providing an in-depth understanding of the 3D production pipeline, visual arts, and general education studies. here are two of my most recent projects along with some background into my thought process and workflow

SY1NTH

here is my character breakdown for my original character SY1NTH, I created this during my free time during my first term at gnomon, It took me close to two months to finish, I learned a massive amount along the way and really improved overall by the end of the process, I wanted the character to feel dark and gritty, soulless and mechanical. I loved every moment of the process. 

In the process of creating my character, SY1NTH, I drew inspiration from various sources on my vision board. One group of artists who particularly caught my attention was Keos Mason and there  Insectoids projects, specifically his mantis character. The design of the character resonated with me due to its captivating combination of simplicity and elegance.

As I analyzed the images on my vision board, I noticed a recurring theme of skillful integration of intricate details with sections of smooth metal panels. This careful balance created visually engaging compositions that immediately drew my eye. Drawing from these observations, I used them as a foundation for constructing my own character, with the aim of achieving a similar equilibrium between complexity and clarity.

By incorporating elements from the design concepts I admired, I strived to infuse my character, SY1NTH, with a sense of visual interest and aesthetic appeal. The vision board served as a constant reminder, guiding me throughout the creative process.

Throughout the entire process, I utilized a diverse range of tools to bring my character, SY1NTH, to life. These tools included Blender, Substance Painter, ZBrush, Photoshop, Illustrator, KeyShot, and to a lesser extent, Maya.

Throughout the duration of my project, I actively engaged with my fellow students at Gnomon, sharing my work on a daily basis and seeking their valuable feedback. This collaborative process proved to be immensely beneficial as it provided me with guidance and insights into the strengths and weaknesses of my project.

By regularly sharing my work with others, I received a fresh perspective on my character's design and execution. The input and constructive criticism from my peers allowed me to identify areas that were working well and aspects that needed improvement. Their diverse perspectives and expertise helped me refine my creative choices and make informed decisions.

Additionally, the feedback I received helped me to stay motivated and inspired throughout the project. Knowing that I had a supportive community of fellow artists who were invested in my progress encouraged me to push myself further and strive for excellence.

I not only gained valuable insights from others but also experienced a tangible sense of growth and development. It served as a constant reminder that my hard work and dedication were paying off, which further fueled my motivation to push forward and achieve my creative goals.

My workflow for creating SY1NTH involved several key steps that helped me achieve the desired result. Here is an overview of the process:

Silhouette: I started by focusing on establishing a strong silhouette for my character. This step involved sketching or blocking out the basic shapes and proportions to define the overall form and structure of SY1NTH.

Blocking Out Panels: Once the silhouette was established, I proceeded to block out the main panels of the character. This involved creating the primary shapes and surfaces that would make up the different sections of SY1NTH's body.

ZRemeshing and Subgroups: To optimize the geometry and improve the topology, I utilized tools like ZRemesher in ZBrush. This allowed me to create clean and efficient geometry while maintaining the overall form. I also organized the model into multiple subgroups for easier management and further refinement.

Polishing and Edge Loops: After the initial blocking out and optimization, I focused on refining the individual panels and surfaces. This included adding edge loops to enhance the sharpness of edges and creases, as well as smoothing and polishing the surfaces for a cleaner appearance.

High-Poly Detailing: At this stage, I introduced high-poly details to enhance the visual complexity and realism of SY1NTH. This involved sculpting and adding intricate surface details, such as mechanical components, bolts, or surface textures, to give the character a more intricate and detailed look.

Once the high-poly detailing was complete, I utilized Substance Painter for baking the details onto a lower-resolution mesh and for texturing SY1NTH. Substance Painter provided a powerful set of tools for creating materials, applying textures, and adding colors and surface treatments, allowing me to bring the character to life. Additionally, I used Photoshop in conjunction with Substance Painter to create complex masks that enabled me to achieve subtle etching effects on the panels, enhancing the visual interest of SY1NTH.

Once the character design was complete, I extended the world around SY1NTH by creating a cyberpunk-inspired alleyway using Kitbash 3D and Blender. Kitbash 3D provided a library of premade assets, such as buildings, props, and architectural elements, which I incorporated into the scene to establish a futuristic and urban environment. Blender served as my primary 3D software for modeling, texturing, and rendering the alleyway. I aimed to enhance the character's sense of belonging and grounding within a cohesive and visually compelling world. The combination of custom character design and a meticulously crafted environment allowed for a more immersive and engaging experience for viewers. 

Egyptian mechanical Heron

I would like to present an art project that I created for my art history class at Gnomon. This artwork draws inspiration from the ideology of ancient Egypt, incorporating a variety of symbolic elements. The central theme revolves around the representation of a godlike mechanical heron, believed to have been constructed by the ancient deities to maintain balance in creation.

Throughout the artwork, several prominent Egyptian symbols are featured. The Eye of Ra, denoting the sun god's omnipresence and power, is depicted on the left side of the body. On the right side, the Eye of Horus, representing protection and good health, can be observed. Adorning the back of the heron is the Winged Sun, symbolizing divinity and enlightenment. Additionally, the Hands of Aten, a symbol associated with the sun disk representing life and creative power, are displayed atop the head. Finally, the presence of Anubis, the jackal-headed deity associated with the afterlife and the guardian of souls, is depicted on both sides of the heron's body.

The color palette chosen for this artwork holds significant meaning as well. The use of blue symbolizes fertility, birth, rebirth, and life, conveying the notion of creation and growth. Black represents both death, darkness, and the underworld, while also signifying life, birth, and resurrection, highlighting the cycle of existence. Gold or yellow hues are employed to symbolize both death and life, birth, and resurrection, emphasizing the eternal aspects of the depicted subject matter.

By combining these symbolic elements and carefully selecting the colors, I aimed to create a visual representation of the divine mechanical heron, embodying the profound beliefs and ideologies of ancient Egyptian civilization. Through this artwork, I hope to evoke a sense of wonder, awe, and respect for the intricate mythologies and cultural heritage of this ancient civilization.

My vision board for this project is filled with references from the natural world. Growing up, I was always fascinated by the way herons swiftly pierce their prey with their beaks and their overall agility. They embody a perfect balance between beauty and deadliness, much like a snake. This inspired me to incorporate these qualities into my artwork.

Two artists, Meredith Xu, and Mickael Lelièvre, had a significant impact on my creative process. Their incredible talent and unique artistic styles ignited a spark within me, influencing the direction I wanted to take with this project. I drew inspiration from their work, studying their techniques and incorporating certain elements into my own artistic approach.

Another major source of inspiration for me was the art from the game "Horizon Zero Dawn." The level of detail and craftsmanship in the characters' designs left a lasting impression on me. Each character was meticulously created, exuding a sense of inspiration and awe. I aimed to capture a similar level of detail and inspiration in my own artwork, drawing from the rich visual tapestry of "Horizon Zero Dawn."

By combining the natural elegance of herons, the artistic influences of Meredith Xu and Mickael Lelièvre, and the detailed world of "Horizon Zero Dawn," I endeavored to create a piece that pays homage to these sources of inspiration while also adding my own unique perspective and artistic vision.

In terms of workflow, my approach for this project was similar to my previous work, with some notable differences. The main focus was to seamlessly integrate historical themes into the artwork while maintaining my creative process.

To begin, I conducted in-depth research on ancient Egyptian art, symbolism, and mythology. This involved studying various artifacts, hieroglyphs, and historical texts to gain a deeper understanding of the culture. I carefully selected specific symbols and elements that represented the ideology of ancient Egypt, such as the Eye of Ra, the Eye of Horus, the Winged Sun, the Hands of Aten, and the symbolism of Anubis.

Given the shorter timeframe for this project, completing it within a month required efficient time management and a focused work ethic. While utilizing the same set of tools including Blender, Substance Painter, ZBrush, Photoshop, Illustrator, KeyShot, and Maya, I aimed to optimize my workflow to ensure timely completion while maintaining the desired level of quality.

To expedite the process, I capitalized on the new knowledge and skills I had acquired from previous projects. This allowed me to work more swiftly and effectively, making informed decisions and implementing techniques that had proven successful in the past. I leveraged the familiarity with the tools to streamline my workflow and avoid unnecessary delays or technical obstacles.

By efficiently organizing my work schedule, setting realistic goals, and prioritizing tasks, I was able to allocate the available time effectively. This involved breaking down the project into manageable stages and setting milestones to track progress. Regular self-assessment and adjustment of the workflow were crucial to ensure that I stayed on track and met the project deadline.

While time constraints may have posed a challenge, the condensed schedule also fostered a focused and determined mindset. I remained committed to maintaining the quality and integrity of the artwork while working efficiently. Through diligent effort and a strong work ethic, I was able to meet the project's deadline and deliver a final piece that incorporated historical themes within the given timeframe.

Thank you so much for taking the time to view my work and read about my creative process. I greatly appreciate your interest and support. I would love to hear your feedback and any suggestions you may have. Your input will be invaluable in helping me grow as a character artist. Once again, thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!