WIP Critique Tudor Brawl

[WarhammerAdjacent]

Hi all, I’m trying something new; sculpting (well rigging) figures in blender to 3d print and then adding clothing with putty. I want to try to make something a little more dynamic than my poses etc to date and I’ve been ‘inspired’ by an osprey illustration of a brawl between English archers and German mercenaries in 1513.



I found a base mesh for a man and rigged it in blender, I’ve picked up STLs of some appropriate benches and tables which I’m using as placeholders, I might replace them if I don’t like the way they look when printed. My plan is to replace the heads once I’ve printed the figures so I’m not bothering with any expression. I can also adjust the anatomy as it’s looking pretty odd in places.

 

[Briggsy]

Great idea, it's great seeing new (ish) technology being used in different ways, and this a blend of old and new school. I shall watch with interest.

Cheers Simon

 

[theBaron]

This'll fun to follow! That is a cool subject.

Prost!
Brad

 

[NigelR]

A great project and a really intriguing way of approaching it. Like Simon said, a blend of old and new.....

 

[Malkie]

An intriguing project, nothing like a good old pub brawl. I'm following with interest.

Malkie

 

[Nap]

This'll fun to follow! That is a cool subject.

Prost!
Brad

Totally agree there ...looking forward to seeing more

Have 3D fun

Nap

 

[BRAN]

This is an interesting technology that must be very interesting to learn, but long to master. How much computer power is needed to be able to work with this software?

 

[WarhammerAdjacent]

Cheers chaps.

This is an interesting technology that must be very interesting to learn, but long to master. How much computer power is needed to be able to work with this software?

I think you’re right, although I don’t think one needs to master it to get some very useful stuff. I’ve not done any sculpting here (yet), the base figure was sculpted by someone else, I took a pre-made digital ‘skeleton’ which the program then turns into a rig that I can use to manipulate the figure. That should give me the poses I want, I can then clothe them as I would an armature. The difficult part is getting the poses right but that would be just as difficult using wire etc (arguably harder as I’d need to get the proportions right).

Actually I think the hardest thing from a technical point of view will be printing them in a scale that works with the heads I’ve got.

Re. Computing power, I’ve got a pretty naff laptop that can just handle it, although I’m finding some it struggles with some of the sculpting. It seems to be fine with this though.

I’m happy to share the rigged figure if anyone wants a try.

 

[WarhammerAdjacent]

I've now got 4 chaps in the brawl, I'm happy with the general layout and poses but would welcome any advice on the following:

1. Eyelines - I feel like I'm not making the best use of these. The guy with the knife is falling away so there's not much I can do with him. The halberd creates something of a natural focus so I'm wondering whether to have jug guy looking at halberd guy, halberd guy pointing at stool guy and stool guy looking at knife guy so that the eyelines take you through the scene (as it were).
2. Poses - they are all on the balls of their feet - I cant decide if this is repetitive or helps create a sense of movement. I think maybe jug guy or stool guy could do with one foot more firmly planted. What do you think?
3. Figure 5 - the original image has a chap at the back looking on, I rather like the idea of a 'Rimmer' type lurking but not stepping in to help, maybe looking as though he is torn between diving in and running off. What do you guys think? The main issue is that he should probably be another English archer (mug and stool guy are both English archers, the other 2 are German mercenaries) and I'd like him to have something appropriate but unhelpful to hand but can't come up with anything. An unstrung war bow would be a good idea but I can't find a file for one.

What do you all think?

 

[Briggsy]

I rarely plan anything to this degree but the eyeliner idea sounds good to me. As for being on the balls of their feet, the Germans are professional soldiers at a time when combat was up close and personal so they would be pretty light on their feet.

A bow shouldn't be too hard to manufacture from wooden BBQ skewers or dowel from B&Q.

The only thing I can add though is they are all rather well muscled, if you can reduce that a bit you will give yourself more room to traditionally sculpt the clothes. Otherwise it looks pretty epic, a night out in Aldershot in the 80's!

Cheers Simon

 

[MalcC]

I like the effort and thought you're putting into this.

Malc

 

[theBaron]

...The only thing I can add though is they are all rather well muscled, if you can reduce that a bit you will give yourself more room to traditionally sculpt the clothes. Otherwise it looks pretty epic, a night out in Aldershot in the 80's!...

I had a similar thought, getting my first look at this latest set of drafts. A little too buff for the time, I thought. They can be strong, of course, but I think they should look like they enjoy their lager, bread, and cheese. But it's fun following this!
Prost!
Brad