Hello! I just joined flippednormals and was very excited to see all the contests and active community and great artwork around here.
For my piece, I had the warlock character in mind and tried to build my concept similar to a DND character: dual class (magic and strength), which class is dominant, why branch out to another one. So i got a stylized, aging magic user wanting back the strength from his youth… obvious misfiring deal with a trickster demon takes place and you basically have the warlock - a mutated mage using his magic to keep his uncontrollable strength and bloodlust in check. Still working on the high poly, still a a few costume parts and the mandatory staff needed but it feels good working on something creative again!
So, I’ve been adding details to my character, trying to stay sane during the lockdown the world is currently facing. Hope everybody is doing ok.
I’ve been itching to start the low poly. I want to focus on painting and generating textures more with this project, rather than obtaining an extremely detailed high-poly. Still a few details I want to add or change such as: more dynamic chains, the staff that he controls these magical chains witch, toes, a bit more texture on the blade itself, and thicker cuffs to restrain his muscular hands.
At this point in time, I am happy to say I am closing in to finishing the retopology. Just a few optimizations left to do, hair pieces follow and of course the work in progress staff that seal the chains binding his cursed arms. The final piece will reach 70k to 75k tris.
Please feel free to give feedback as I am a self-taught hobbyist at this point and this is my second full character process and my first complex one. Hoping to be able to break into the industry one day.
Working on the skin complexity and face tattoos now that i am happy with the horns and staff diamond texture. As a general look i want him to look kind but forcefully evil. I think the warlock is a bland type of character in most storylines due to the fact that he is a very one sided character so I am trying to give mine a bit more contrast. The main storyline follows Fernis - a feeble mage who stumbles across the crystal-eyed owl - messenger of a trickster deamon. Glowing horns sprung from his head and strong arms from his back. Despite being generally good he still doesn’t have full control of his strength and bloodlust.
I’m liking this! Complex and interesting. Perhaps you’re already planning to do this, so disregard if so. But I would do 2 quick, screen shot paint overs. One in just value (black and white) and afterward the other in color. Using contrast to establish the most important parts.
This might be old news or a poster on your wall, dunno, but I like the Dota 2 character guide’s explanation for making characters read nicely.
The final pieces are ready and submitted. Loved working on this contest and loved having the time to do it. I hate saying it but this pandemic has been kind to me…
Absolutely love the feeling of this piece. It’s kinda weird, funny, cute and creepy at the same time
Have a question though: how do you approach normal map baking for the cleaver edge? I’m struggling to get rid of minor distortions on the tips and some waviness along the very edge. You’re the only one who has sword-like prop so have I have to ask)
