A Pyle Pirate

[garyjd]

Several years ago, I sculpted this pirate bust based on a pen and ink sketch by illustrator Howard Pyle. The first few photos show the sketch along with a sculpey "sketch" and then the actual bust in putty as looked when it was later produced by Michael Roberts Ltd. I really enjoyed sculpting this character, so I decided to sculpt yet another version in Zbrush. I'm currently blocking in the hair and clothing and can't wait to see the final results myself.

 

[sd0324]

Arghhh...


Steve

 

[Oda]

Looks awesome already.

Oda.

 

[Nap]

Hi Gary

Thanks for sharing the 3D work to achieve this result

Always good to see the steps needed

Thanks for sharing

Hope we see more from you

Happy 3D sculpting

Nap

 

[BRAN]

Great idea, I think the comparative result will be very interesting!!

 

[quang]

Hi Gary, call me an old fart but I’ve always had a soft spot for artists ‘sketches’, be it pencil, ink or in your case Sculpey.
To me it’s a direct link to the creator’s vision and as such, is more lively and authentic than the resulting cleaned-up and smooth ‘commercial-wise’ result.
The capabilities of modern 3D sculpting are amazing but can it fully render the character and directness of your Sculpey sketch?
In any case, I’ll watch your progress with interest.
For old times’ sake,
Cheers,
Quang

 

[garyjd]

Quang, there different "materials" and brushes available for Zbrush if you wanted your piece to have that lose traditionally sculpted look. Great hearing from you.

 

[garyjd]

I appreciate the comments guys. More in progress pics will be coming soon.

 

[garyjd]

Refined the hair a bit more and added the ties for the neckerchief and headscarf. I have to add some buttonholes to the waistcoat and coat, along with tweaking the position of the buttons. Still sorting out ways to approach the collar for the heavy overcoat.

 

[BRAN]

It's coming along nicely Gary. 2 small remarks if I may.
The knot of the bandana is too centered and each side after the knot is the same size. It seems a little too precise, in reality, nothing is as similar on a left or right side, especially since the knot is made behind the head. I think it would benefit from being asymmetrical. Same for the knot around the neck, the two ends are too similar.... My two cents.

 

[garyjd]

Something easily altered in digital, especially if you keep pieces seperate and not merge them with others right away. I'll get around to tweaking them as soon as I get his overcoat sorted out as I've yet to get it just the way I want it.

 

[garyjd]

Quick update on the pirate bust. All the clothing parts are in place and I just have to go in and finish up the folds on the overcoat. I was not too pleased with the ties for the headscarf and did them over. I also weaked the neckerchief ties a bit. The hat will probably be the last part to finish up. I'm more than ready to move on to finishing a few pieces I started a while back, one of which is also almost done.

 

[garyjd]

I've decided this is done. I have a few little cleanups and tweaks but not sure which ones to do if any. I thought of fraying the ends of the neckerchief and adding some much smaller strands of hair coming off the sections on the side of his head. I also thought to texture the hat a bit, but I'm unsure how it will print in smaller scales. Since it's not a totally historically correct interpretation of a pirate I added the crossed swords and skull on the back. I may even include a small HP somewhere as a nod to Howard Pyle. Thoughts or suggestions?