Character Portraits?

[Wesley]

Now offering character portraits. It's been going okay for me for a couple of different muds I'd offered them for in the past few months. I'm now offering character portraits, and through some trial and error in other places, I've come up with a short FAQ that you should read before asking me for a character portrait.

Recent work folder: http://forum.gsplayers.com/album.php?albumid=103 (Be sure to click the full size links in the comments)

Q. How much duckets?
A. Between 30 and 100 depending on your need (or equivalent in silver). More angles, more renders, more details, more changes, more money.


Q. Will you make this thing specifically for me?
A. No. I have an incredibly extensive library of models and textures ready to go. They take a long, long time to make from scratch, and not everything in my library was made by me. Modeling takes enough time that it's not monetarily worthwhile for me to model anything for you, nor you to pay for that. That said, my library is very extensive, so I am confident I have enough that you'll like.


Q. How do you decide on the price?
A. I'm completely transparent here. I charge $30 an hour for my services for my business. I expect to spend around 4 hours on your job if I quote you $100. I will spend more than 4 hours on your job for $100 when all is said and done, but that's the price I quote. If I think your job is going to be very simple, I'll quote less. I'll never charge you at the end more than I quote, unless you request something that would up the quote. If you do request such a thing, I'll warn you that it'll cost more for me to do before I do it.


Q. Will you re-texture that item from your proof?
A. Maybe. If it's a simple change. If it's a wide sweeping change, probably not. There's not just a texture to worry about. I also have to normal map, specular map, and re-light everything properly.


Q. I like that item from your proof, but could you make it X colored?
A. Yeah. No problem. That's a setting I can tweak easily.


Q. I like that leather bodice from your proof, but I'd rather it was satin and shiny. Can you do that?
A. Yeah, probably. I have a large library of materials to work with.


Q. My character's hair doesn't look exactly like your proof shows.
A. Sorry. This one's the hardest one for me to change. I have a large library and can show you several options, but the chances of me making changes aside from color, specularity and glossiness to hair are slim to none. I can in most cases work with the bones of the hair though and move it around to position it differently. Hair styling is a possibility within limits.

Q. How does it work?
A. You give me a description of your character, and if you have any specific requests for lighting or anything out of the norm (i.e. - I'd like my character cloaked partially in darkness because I am a twilight vampire and do not want my portrait too sparkly). I will create you a proof to look at. You'll let me know if you want any changes, or would like to see different hair styles, clothing, weapons, et cetera. I'll make up to 3 significant revisions on a given project. If at the end, you're not happy with it, just don't pay for it. If you are happy with the result, pay for it. Pretty simple.




If you got through all that and would be interested in a character portrait, send me a PM or email me at chad@ratchetdesign.net. It's probably a large mistake putting my for real name on the PC, but I'm told stalking is the sincerest form of flattery, so feel free if you absolutely must. I'm not that interesting.

[WRoss]

People have done them over the years, but I don't think that they've ever gone for more than a few mil silvers. Last I remember, Tisket was doing them. I'd ask her.

[Wesley]

Thankya. If the going price is a few mil silvers, it's probably not worth the time investment for me. But in the event that there's any legitimate interest, here are some samples I threw together to give an idea on quality. They just took a while to render.

Random H-Elf Sorceress.

http://www.tusaproducts.com/portraits/h-elf-sorc1.png

http://www.tusaproducts.com/portraits/h-elf-sorc2.png

[Androidpk]

http://forum.gsplayers.com/showthread.php?61869-Character-illustrations/page2

[Wesley]

http://forum.gsplayers.com/showthread.php?61869-Character-illustrations/page2

Didn't know you did artwork, Android. That's cool. Unfortunately, tinypic doesn't exist anymore that I know of. Got any linked recently? I'm always interested in lookin' at other people's work.

[Androidpk]

Didn't know you did artwork, Android. That's cool. Unfortunately, tinypic doesn't exist anymore that I know of. Got any linked recently? I'm always interested in lookin' at other people's work.


http://i53.tinypic.com/28lys5u.jpg

[Wesley]

Haha. Okay, that one I saw. I assumed the other ones were different.

Quality work!

[Tisket]

Thankya. If the going price is a few mil silvers, it's probably not worth the time investment for me. But in the event that there's any legitimate interest, here are some samples I threw together to give an idea on quality. They just took a while to render.

Random H-Elf Sorceress.

http://www.tusaproducts.com/portraits/h-elf-sorc1.png

http://www.tusaproducts.com/portraits/h-elf-sorc2.png

I like that her face isn't perfectly symmetrical, it looks more realistic because it's not perfect. Did you you use DAZ or Poser to render it? Is it default lighting or did you use a light source? And is it Genesis 3 base?

I'd probably hire you to do my dwarf if I still played but I don't so I won't.

lol

[Tisket]

I can do portraits of my own characters but it's always interesting to see different takes on them.

[Wesley]

That one was Genesis 2 base originally if I recall. I lose a lot of info renaming things in import/export. I lowered the polygon count of that particular model and messed with some of the features as well as re-rigged for a more game-friendly skeleton in Max for another project, but for all intents and purposes it's pretty much the same, just quicker to render. The render I did through Lightwave for lighting purposes because I already had a decent well lit environment set up there, but as far as the settings on that one are concerned, I could have done it through Daz for about the same result. 4.9 has some pretty nice default settings if you twist the environment sphere around. The skin textures are a blend of a G3 base by Sickleyield (I think) with my own maps and tweaks on top.

I'd tend to use a mix of Max, Daz, and Lightwave for any commissioned work, as well as Photoshop obviously for texturing, though I don't like painting models in Photoshop if I fuse the clothing to the body. If I do that, I tend to use zbrush, but it's rare.

Edit:

The clothing there is a Daz package. I don't recall the exact name.

[Tisket]

You should give Reality a whirl. Been really happy with it thus far.

[Wesley]

You should give Reality a whirl. Been really happy with it thus far.

I'll check it out, thanks. Just looked at the website for it, and it's got info for Autodesk users to possibly expand a license. Haven't read through it yet, but I have an AutoCAD license so it may be cheaper for me to expand to it. I'm always looking for more efficient software. I'm bottlenecked on RAM at the moment.

[Tisket]

The creator of Reality, Paolo Ciccone, is very responsive to questions. Very helpful guy.

[Soulance]

Amazing work! I love that you guys do this artwork and keep thinking one day I'll get a picture or two done of my characters. I hope a few more people are interested because it's always fun scrolling through the finished products.

Weren't they going for like $40-$50 and up depending on what you were looking for?

[emo hero james]

I sort'a do portraits. Right meow I'm not taking on anymore commissions, but pretty soon (end of August maybe?) I will be.

My current project is a bunch of really simple character cards for GSwiki and players' little character blurbs- I think I have about 10 or 11 more to go. Completed list is so far is riiiiight heeeeere without having to wade through any categories or root around.. https://gswiki.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Special:ListFiles/MAZEIKISJ

[Warriorbird]

I sort'a do portraits. Right meow I'm not taking on anymore commissions, but pretty soon (end of August maybe?) I will be.

My current project is a bunch of really simple character cards for GSwiki and players' little character blurbs- I think I have about 10 or 11 more to go. Completed list is so far is riiiiight heeeeere without having to wade through any categories or root around.. https://gswiki.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Special:ListFiles/MAZEIKISJ

Those look great, dude. Ted/Harianne throwbacks, kinda.

[Divone]

I still do some portrait work but work/life has made me slow down quite a bit. I charge 35 for a basic but there might be a long wait for me to finish. I tend to do most stuff for fun now. I absolutely adore James and Tisket's work. There are many talented people floating around GS. I say the more art the better.

http://forum.gsplayers.com/album.php?albumid=46 for examples of mine.

[Jarvan]

I sort'a do portraits. Right meow I'm not taking on anymore commissions, but pretty soon (end of August maybe?) I will be.

My current project is a bunch of really simple character cards for GSwiki and players' little character blurbs- I think I have about 10 or 11 more to go. Completed list is so far is riiiiight heeeeere without having to wade through any categories or root around.. https://gswiki.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Special:ListFiles/MAZEIKISJ

Remind me of what I would think to see if GS was a TCG.

[emo hero james]

Dawh thx. Pretty much what I was going for, yeah. Or like character sheets in a JRPG manual. I was tempted to do them like 32 bit pixel guys but nawh.

[Wesley]

Adding another sample of a character portrait I did for another player on another mud the other day. I also altered the original post to include details, as I'm now offering character portraits. Refer to the first post if you have interest.

http://i.imgur.com/5MFo7BR.png

http://i.imgur.com/CPuin1F.png

[Mateius]

Fuck it. I'll offer 'em. It's been going okay for me for a couple of different muds I'd offered them for in the past few weeks. I'm now offering character portraits, and through some trial and error in other places, I've come up with a short FAQ that you should read before asking me for a character portrait.


Q. How much duckets?
A. Between 40 and 100 depending on your need. More angles, more renders, more details, more changes, more money.


Q. Will you make this thing specifically for me?
A. No. I have an incredibly extensive library of models and textures ready to go. They take a long, long time to make from scratch, and not everything in my library was made by me. Modeling takes enough time that it's not monetarily worthwhile for me to model anything for you, nor you to pay for that. That said, my library is very extensive, so I am confident I have enough that you'll like.


Q. How do you decide on the price?
A. I'm completely transparent here. I charge $30 an hour for my services for my business. I expect to spend around 4 hours on your job if I quote you $100. I will spend more than 4 hours on your job for $100 when all is said and done, but that's the price I quote. If I think your job is going to be very simple, I'll quote less. I'll never charge you at the end more than I quote, unless you request something that would up the quote. If you do request such a thing, I'll warn you that it'll cost more for me to do before I do it.



Q. Will you re-texture that item from your proof?
A. Maybe. If it's a simple change. If it's a wide sweeping change, probably not. There's not just a texture to worry about. I also have to normal map, specular map, and re-light everything properly.


Q. I like that item from your proof, but could you make it X colored?
A. Yeah. No problem. That's a setting I can tweak easily.


Q. I like that leather bodice from your proof, but I'd rather it was satin and shiny. Can you do that?
A. Yeah, probably. I have a large library of materials to work with.


Q. My character's hair doesn't look exactly like your proof shows.
A. Sorry. This one's the hardest one for me to change. I have a large library and can show you several options, but the chances of me making changes aside from color, specularity and glossiness to hair are slim to none. I can in most cases work with the bones of the hair though and move it around to position it differently. Hair styling is a possibility within limits.

Q. How does it work?
A. You give me a description of your character, and if you have any specific requests for lighting or anything out of the norm (i.e. - I'd like my character cloaked partially in darkness because I am a twilight vampire and do not want my portrait too sparkly). I will create you a proof to look at. You'll let me know if you want any changes, or would like to see different hair styles, clothing, weapons, et cetera. I'll make up to 3 significant revisions on a given project. If at the end, you're not happy with it, just don't pay for it. If you are happy with the result, pay for it. Pretty simple.




If you got through all that and would be interested in a character portrait, send me a PM or email me at chad.lippincott@tusaproducts.com. It's probably a large mistake putting my for real name on the PC, but I'm told stalking is the sincerest form of flattery, so feel free if you absolutely must. I'm not that interesting.

Can I has weapons?

[Wesley]

Can I has weapons?

Yep. I've got a ehhh...fairly, not hugely sizable array of weapon models with which to work with.

[Wesley]

Figured I'd add another proof to the thread to bump it and give another example. This one is for a cyberpunk RPG. Unfinished currently, proof quality render.

http://i.imgur.com/cagPaId.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/XT0TuD5.png

[Wesley]

Final versions put here so they aren't in two different spots.

http://i.imgur.com/xBPhiHa.png

http://i.imgur.com/sxdxwdN.png

[Wesley]

Couple new renders for another commission. Word to the wise - If you dress your characters all in black, and request them in dark environments, it does not make them Batman. It just makes them dumb.

http://i.imgur.com/M3o8byv.png
http://i.imgur.com/bcOWvJ2.jpg

[Wesley]

http://i.imgur.com/XH95ted.png

http://i.imgur.com/8UPgj3K.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/JYE0SqP.png

http://i.imgur.com/nicmzAC.png

[Wesley]

http://i.imgur.com/oJyqL9O.png

[Fallen]

Is that supposed to be scarring around the lips, or is that just an artifact of the software being used?

[Astray]

Is that supposed to be scarring around the lips, or is that just an artifact of the software being used?

Don't make out with vacuum cleaners.

[Wesley]

Yeah, that part's a bit weird. I wouldn't have put it in if it weren't a specific request by the client.

[Fallen]

Yeah, that part's a bit weird. I wouldn't have put it in if it weren't a specific request by the client.

I figured as much. Looks great, Wesley. Good work.

[Wesley]

Is that supposed to be scarring around the lips, or is that just an artifact of the software being used?

Oh. Ha. Didn't even notice your quote here. I only saw Astray's. The client request was that she have a scar all the way around her lips in that shape, and she drew it in a picture. I tried explaining to her that if someone had cut her deep enough in that area all the way around her lips to scar, she just....wouldn't have any lips left because that part of the mouth just isn't attached to anything, but she wanted it. I just tried to minimize it and make it really light so you could only really see it in the super closeup render.

[Astray]

I am full of wit.

[Viekn]

I am full of shit.

Fixed that for you. (sorry, couldn't resist.)

[Tisket]

http://i.imgur.com/XH95ted.png



There's no contrast between the background and the characters. Your lighting sucks ass which might be why it looks so flat and uninteresting.

[Tisket]

I don't much like you so it's easier for me to be honest about your work. You are more than welcome to return the favor. I don't mind harsh critiques.

[MotleyCrew]

I don't much like you so it's easier for me to be honest about your work. You are more than welcome to return the favor. I don't mind harsh critiques.

Maybe we WOULD critique it IF you did some more...hmmmmm? :wink:

[Jhynnifer]

Maybe we WOULD critique it IF you did some more...hmmmmm? :wink:

I could use another bald Riend. =)

[Tisket]

lol

[Wesley]

Indeed. It's almost like you don't put advanced lighting effects on a proof because each added light makes the render time go up. I don't particularly like you either, by the way. Thanks for the "help".

http://i.imgur.com/ydxNi1d.jpg

[Tisket]

You're trying to drum up business so why would you post a work in progress?

[Furryrat]

Keep the teeth. And keep this scrap up too, it's actually worth paying attention to.

[Androidpk]

I don't mind harsh critiques.

Your hand jobs are the worst.

[Tisket]

And what the fuck is up with your background? It's almost like you just threw something in so your characters have something to stand in front of. The background of a scene should be treated with the same care and attention you give your characters.

And why aren't you using depth of field with your camera? Please tell me you aren't rendering from the perspective view...

What render settings are you using? The skin looks like plastic so it can't be the photorealistic settings.

Whew, felt good to get that off my chest.

P.S. I give GREAT handjobs, Androidpk.

[Astray]

Your blowjobs can be a little sloppy though.

[Tisket]

That's true too.

[Androidpk]

P.S. I give GREAT handjobs, Androidpk.

http://media.riffsy.com/images/f123cb426b951e2781633c510c988c8c/raw

[Tisket]

LIGHTING LIGHTING LIGHTING

[Tisket]

Put highlights in their dead flat fucking eyes for chrissake.

[Astray]

I gotta get more art done. Maybe next payday.

[Wesley]

You're trying to drum up business so why would you post a work in progress?

Because it was requested that I do so by someone wondering what the process entailed. Several rounds of proofs, updating and tweaking as the client sees changes they want made, followed by a round of high quality renders with things like lighting, cameras, and perspectives all taken into account. i.e. - The shit that makes a render take 9 hours instead of 20 minutes.

That process of posting proofs as they update is demonstrated a few times in this thread, and is only sparsely commented because the proofs in question are not for this mud. They're documented in detail on their respective forums or through PMs/Emails. I post them to show examples of work which was something that was requested of me here, and to keep this thread bumped. Not that any of that needs any explanation to you, as someone who knows how this entire process works. You're just looking for a fight presumably because of some sort of bipolar disorder that you're on a downswing from.

[Tisket]

You want to keep this thread bumped to get more commissions, no? You are far more likely to do so if you post something that's finished. If you want money for portraits then don't treat it like amateur hour.

[GS4Pirate]

1 major issue I'll point out, any real gentleman would have her standing to his inside. Ok, more issues. His hair would be considered just as gay then as it is today. She looks like her vagina protects him.

+1 to the bare feet.

Honestly though, her standing to his outside throws the whole pose off, unless of course it was meant to make him look like a classless pussy.

[drauz]

P.S. I give GREAT handjobs, Androidpk.

http://i.imgur.com/VMPrhbJ.jpg

[GS4Pirate]

Yeah, that part's a bit weird. I wouldn't have put it in if it weren't a specific request by the client.

What's the story behind the scarred lips?

Sword swallowing incident ?

[Wesley]

1 major issue I'll point out, any real gentleman would have her standing to his inside. Ok, more issues. His hair would be considered just as gay then as it is today. She looks like her vagina protects him.

+1 to the bare feet.

Honestly though, her standing to his outside throws the whole pose off, unless of course it was meant to make him look like a classless pussy.

She's in the front because the that's the clients character and she's payin' for it, not the other. And I totally agree about him. I made him look somewhat better to start, and then they (they both had input) said they didn't like the hair. They picked this one out of a choice of 6 of them. She called it "John Stamos with a mom haircut" and apparently, that's what she's looking for. He was even supposed to be significantly shorter than her, but I convinced her that since he was wearing boots and she was barefoot they should appear at equal-ish heights.

These were the originals I made of that character. Pardon the half finished renders, half dressed-ness, poke throughs and lack of any sort of facial expression. They too, were proofs. But the hair was better, at the very least.

Edit to add: On the scarring, I dunno. I didn't delve too deeply other than to convince her not to make it like really deep gnarly scars, because if they were anything but super light, then with that kind of scarring...she just shouldn't have lips. Not to mention it looks dumb as hell, but it's part of her character, so it's there.

http://i.imgur.com/2XhjLYn.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/l0bUDDQ.png

[GS4Pirate]

So basically your client is yet another bat shit crazy woman that has found her mangina to step on.

It reads like a book

[GS4Pirate]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSheZC9C__s

[Wesley]

Another work in progress. Based on that one complaint from earlier, I've added proper lighting and camera effects to all the work in progress posts from here on out. Let this stand as the disclaimer that this is in fact a work in progress, the character below is not intended to look like Aslan the lion in the first render, nor is the hair correct in the second and neither are rendered to completion. No postwork in either. But this is how the process goes. It gets tweaked and added to and rendered and re-rendered until the end result is correct.

http://i.imgur.com/XO13V9a.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3lwuH5m.png

[Ltlprprincess]

Nice lighting. Looks really good.

[Tisket]

I like the movement of the hair and the lighting in the first. DoF is nice in both. I like that outfit too. I don't recognize it.

[Tisket]

You sure that first one doesn't have postwork done on it?

[Wesley]

You sure that first one doesn't have postwork done on it?

Yeah. Difference you're probably seeing is the first one has a bloom filter. I took it off for the second because that first one was at 8 hours and 37 minutes when I cancelled it and was only 46% converged. The final product will have it, but that render time is nuts.

[Tisket]

I haven't tried using a bloom filter. I've gotten similar results in post work but I'm going to try a bloom filter. I like the result.

[vamosj]

I fuck up stick figures....

[Tisket]

I fuck up stick figures....

You wouldn't fuck this stuff up. It's more about technical proficiency than artistic ability. There's a steep learning curve but it's not like you have to be Picasso to do this stuff.

[Soulance]

You guys must be perfectionists. I think these look pretty darn good. Too bad no one wants to do a fancy portrait of an old Cleric. All I could get was this avatar one. At least they got the Bermuda shorts right!

[Wesley]

You wouldn't fuck this stuff up. It's more about technical proficiency than artistic ability. There's a steep learning curve but it's not like you have to be Picasso to do this stuff.

Agreed. My first teacher I think said it best in a way that stuck with me:

It's like whittling, except in whittling, you can't just press Control Z and undo a fuckup. You have infinite chances to get it right. Any time you add a polygon you can just remove it if it doesn't look perfect.

[leifastagsweed]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSheZC9C__s

This. So hard.

[Wesley]

Finished products:

http://www.tusaproducts.com/x1.png

http://www.tusaproducts.com/Finnester.png

http://www.tusaproducts.com/x2.png

http://www.tusaproducts.com/x3.png

[Wesley]

http://www.tusaproducts.com/K1.png

[Latrinsorm]

You wouldn't fuck this stuff up. It's more about technical proficiency than artistic ability. There's a steep learning curve but it's not like you have to be Picasso to do this stuff.I think you underrate yourself. I've seen this kind of art done by people in other places and they don't come out nearly as well as yours do.

[Tisket]

I think you underrate yourself. I've seen this kind of art done by people in other places and they don't come out nearly as well as yours do.

I don't want to discourage anyone who might be interested in trying the software. I've had (and still have) plenty of bad stuff, more than you are aware of since I haven't posted it all. But thanks, man. Appreciate it.

[Wesley]

The whole shebang, if you choose to learn it, does take a large time investment, but you can dive right into the prefab stuff, of which there's a HUGE market, some of it free, for programs like Daz and Poser. It's like dipping your toe in the water. You can adequately learn Daz and Poser without ever learning 3D Studio Max or Maya or Blender or anything like that. You won't be versatile, and you'll be at the mercy of what 3D modelers produce for you to use, but you can definitely produce some high quality artwork using nothing but the free stuff, and it doesn't take a large amount of skill or artistry. Those help, of course, but trial and error will often get you similar results. It just takes a little longer.

http://www.tusaproducts.com/ib.png

[Tisket]

You can adequately learn Daz and Poser without ever learning 3D Studio Max or Maya or Blender or anything like that. You won't be versatile, and you'll be at the mercy of what 3D modelers produce for you to use, but you can definitely produce some high quality artwork using nothing but the free stuff, and it doesn't take a large amount of skill or artistry. Those help, of course, but trial and error will often get you similar results. It just takes a little longer.

I disagree that someone starting out can't be versatile without a profound understanding of all the available software out there. A bad carpenter always blames his tools. A person starting out doesn't need to learn every piece of software available in order to create top notch work. Besides, I've seen some really crappy 3D pieces by "artists" who had a profound understanding of the software.

[Wesley]

I disagree that someone starting out can't be versatile without a profound understanding of all the available software out there. A bad carpenter always blames his tools. A person starting out doesn't need to learn every piece of software available in order to create top notch work. Besides, I've seen some really crappy 3D pieces by "artists" who had a profound understanding of the software.

No no, I agree. All I meant by versatile is that you're not going to be able to model something that's exactly identical to what you want if you don't learn to model. You're probably not going to be able to seamlessly re-texture something to be exactly how you want without training in Photoshop or GIMP. You're not going to be able to create a normal map without knowing what a normal map is or why you'd use it.

But you absolutely can make high quality artwork with only Daz learning and pre-fab pieces.

[Tisket]

Learning good, solid lighting techniques is far and away more important than learning a bunch of different software anyway. I don't care how much time you spend on a scene or what software you use...if it's got shitty lighting, it'll be a boring and drab piece of shit. Every single time.

[Tisket]

I would also like to point out that I've spotted prefab pieces and props in your scenes so I wouldn't be as dismissive of them as you are...

lol

[Wesley]

Of course there are prefab pieces in my scenes. I don't model every single thing in every one of my renders. I wouldn't even go far as to say that I model most of them. What's wrong with you? Are you arguing the fact that I have agreed with you?

[Tisket]

Don't be such a sensitive flower.

[Wesley]

Don't be such a sensitive flower.

You really legitimately are Bipolar, aren't you?

[Tisket]

I'm a sociopath. I don't have extremes.

[Wesley]

I'm a sociopath. I don't have extremes.

Fair enough.

[Wesley]

http://www.tusaproducts.com/S1.png

http://www.tusaproducts.com/S5.png

[Wesley]

http://www.tusaproducts.com/Valdorin.png

You see Valdorin Hartting the Mercenary.
He appears to be a Human from Vornavis.
He is tall and appears to be in the meridian of life. He has brooding hunter green eyes and tanned skin. He has long, glossy midnight black hair streaked with silver. He has a square-jawed face, a straight nose and broad shoulders.
He has an iron-chased dark hook in the upper ridge of his left ear, an iron-chased blackened steel ring in his lip, a deep black deathstone spike in his left eyebrow, a garishly colored tattoo detailing a raging battle scene completely covering his right arm, a crossed claidhmore tattoo on his wrist, and a small black skull tattoo on his ear.
He is holding a serrated invar claidhmore set with a black opal pommel in his right hand and a curled rolton horn banded with golden imflass in his left hand.
He is wearing a misshapen onyx talisman on a black silk cord, a weathered black leather longcoat, a high-collared black silk shirt, a pair of spiked vultite gauntlets, a glyph-etched vibrant gold ring, a weathered leather belt, a black leather coin purse, a simple black leather case, a dark leather treasure sack, some reinforced black leather pants, and some steel-toed knee-high black boots.

[Divone]

I would say you've got a good start on things. I'm interested in hearing how you get to your finished product. I know of some really good texturing packages from daz for converting skin textures in iray if that's the rendering you are using. It makes the skin look less flat and you have the option of adding vascular texture. Clothing can be so tricky. Too much texture and it's bumpy, too little and it's plastic. There are other packages I can steer you too as well to help out in that area. Sometimes the textures that come with the prefab stuff needs tweaking for that GREAT look.

[Wesley]

I would say you've got a good start on things. I'm interested in hearing how you get to your finished product. I know of some really good texturing packages from daz for converting skin textures in iray if that's the rendering you are using. It makes the skin look less flat and you have the option of adding vascular texture. Clothing can be so tricky. Too much texture and it's bumpy, too little and it's plastic. There are other packages I can steer you too as well to help out in that area. Sometimes the textures that come with the prefab stuff needs tweaking for that GREAT look.

What texture do you mean exactly that looks flat? The silk shirt? That's an issue with the model, not the texture. I don't have very many high collar shirt models, least of all silk. The silk is a standard silk texture available in most programs. I also usually do some postwork to make it look more like artwork rather than a 3D model, so you may be seeing some of that. I'm not sure. What's wrong with the one above?

Generally speaking, the finished product comes in this order:

Textures created in Photoshop and zBrush. I don't think there are any Daz textures in the most recent above (Nevermind. The hair is standard Ajax hair with custom settings)
Normal map created via downloaded Photoshop plugin
Specular map created in Photoshop
Individual models created in 3D Studio Max for originals (In the case of the most recent above, there aren't many)
Daz3D to put models together and morph
Export, then import to Lightwave
Lighting set up through Lightwave
Render in Octane using custom maps and settings.
Usually I also use a bloom filter, which may be some of the flat you're seeing. Depending on settings, it can wash out some features. That's what bloom does. It's a fine tuning situation.
Postwork in Photoshop

[Divone]

I meant no offense really. I see from a comment on my portrait page, one was taken. You do you. Peace.

[Tisket]

I meant no offense really. I see from a comment on my portrait page, one was taken. You do you. Peace.

Don't worry about it, D. You were just trying to start a conversation. This asshole can't handle even slight criticism. You come critique me all you want, babe!

[Stumplicker]

I meant no offense really. I see from a comment on my portrait page, one was taken. You do you. Peace.

I took none. I meant the exact same thing you meant when you said it to me just there. You offered nothing constructive though. Would you care to add anything constructive?

[Divone]

:kiss:

[Divone]

Kiss was meant for Tisket and I did offer to link you to texture packages. It was constructive. I also have tutorials that create vascular maps from scratch. That can help with flat looking skins. Also the dials in your surfaces tab in daz are your best friend. I like a little sheen on the skin, not plastic, just enough to KISS LIGHT. Tiskets gets these glossy lips going that are just eviable....

[Seizer]

I took none. I meant the exact same thing you meant when you said it to me just there. You offered nothing constructive though. Would you care to add anything constructive?

Alternate handle huh?

[macgyver]

I wonder... all I'm seeing are portraits of a single person. How about two people in the same picture? Or if we're REALLY getting ambitious two people interacting with each other? Perhaps a passionate kiss?

[Stumplicker]

Kiss was meant for Tisket and I did offer to link you to texture packages. It was constructive. I also have tutorials that creature vascular maps from scratch. That can help with flat looking skins. Also the dials in your surfaces tab in daz are your best friend. I like a little sheen on the skin, not plastic, just enough to KISS LIGHT. Tiskets gets these glossy lips going that are just eviable....

I'm not sure what you mean by vascular map. That's not a map I'm familiar with. Are you talking about the specular map? What is the intended purpose of the map? As far as I'm concerned, what I model looks exactly as human as I intend it to. Some of yours look a little plastic-like to me, but I can see you've worked well into the top layer and translucency settings as well. There's nothing wrong with going either way. I just prefer to dull things a bit to make them look more drawn rather than modeled. I do a lot of that in post, and a lot of it comes through the bloom filter as well. Many of them start a lot more photorealistic than they end up, such as the pirate, or Valdorin.

Edit to add: The one I can see that I feel looks too shiny is the woman in the black dress, and that was the client's choice; not mine. She kept asking me to make her look more athletic with a sheen of sweat, and instead of creating a geometry shell and making actual sweatdrops I just made her shinier because I was getting annoyed with the client after so many re-renders.

[TheLastRowmi]

I'd like to thank everyone that applies their talent to create art that enhances our little community.

I'd also like to thank everyone that keeps it constructive.

Art, like opinion, is universally subjective.

[Divone]

I'm not familiar with lightwave. I only render in DAZ. If you want the links, I'll send them. If you don't care and just want to pout at me trying to suggest it, move along. Vascular maps introduce veins under the skin and can add a more realistic look. Octane is a very powerful engine. You're lucky to have it. You don't need to do much in tweaking to get some great results. That shirt is bad. I won't lie. Models can have textures added and tweaked through bumps and that surfaces tab. That's all I was saying. I'd would like to just part ways now. I won't be offering advice or trying to engage in art talk anymore. It's obvious you don't want/need anything else. Best to you.

[Stumplicker]

I'm not familiar with lightwave. I only render in DAZ. If you want the links, I'll send them. If you don't care and just want to pout at me trying to suggest it, move along. Vascular maps introduce veins under the skin and can add a more realistic look. Octane is a very powerful engine. You're lucky to have it. You don't need to do much in tweaking to get some great results. That shirt is bad. I won't lie. Models can have textures added and tweaked through bumps and that surfaces tab. That's all I was saying. I'd would like to just part ways now. I won't be offering advice or trying to engage in art talk anymore. It's obvious you don't want/need anything else. Best to you.

I understand what you mean by vascular. I mean what type of map slot does it take? Is it a specular map or a normal map you're talking about? It could go either way. It could be a top level translucency map that you're talking about, to better show translucency through the skin. I'm not shooting down what you're saying. I'm genuinely confused about what you're trying to convey. The normal map could fit into what you're saying because it conveys bumps for lighting that aren't represented by the model. The specular map helps accentuate shine and color. And a top level translucency map would allow me to create textures beneath the surface of the skin. I'm not sure what you're trying to get at. Hence the question. You can try to look at it like I'm ragging on you all you like, but I've done nothing of the sort. There is just no industry term for a "vascular map" and I'm trying to figure out what you mean.

Edit: And I appreciate Daz links, but given I rarely render directly through it, they may not be useful to me. I'm always happy to look though because they very well may be. Models especially are very useful to me through Daz.

[Tisket]

Alternate handle huh?

lol. He does that a lot. I can list at least five handles he's created. He acts like an ass on each of them too.

[Stumplicker]

This is not a secret handle. If you played Gemstone, you'd know what it was already. I created this in April 2015 when I returned and didn't remember my password here. Later I remembered my password, but I still upkeep my selling thread through this account.

[Seizer]

lol. He does that a lot. I can list at least five handles he's created. He acts like an ass on each of them too.
LMAO, Wesley acting like an ass. Perhaps Tisket if you coddled his delicate ego he might not? You could post on his safe spot forums for the ultimate coddle.


This is not a secret handle. If you played Gemstone, you'd know what it was already. I created this in April 2015 when I returned and didn't remember my password here. Later I remembered my password, but I still upkeep my selling thread through this account.
I do play Gemstone. Honestly I think you fucked up and replied on the wrong account. Good work!

[Wesley]

http://www.tusaproducts.com/Areigha.png

[macgyver]

http://www.tusaproducts.com/Areigha.png

again 2 people interacting/in motion together; then I'll suck your dick.

[Tisket]

again 2 people interacting/in motion together; then I'll suck your dick.

Why should he? I've done it so it's not impossible. Not sure why you feel the need to goad him into creating one though. He's got nothing to prove to you.

[drauz]

I gotta say, I don't agree with most of the things you say. But you are pretty god damn good at character portraits Wesley. I don't know how accurate they are cause you don't post descriptions, but they always look good.

[Gelston]

I'm pretty skilled at character portraits too.Here is one I did of Tisket a few years back:

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i433/GelstonJ/Untitled_zps403c3294.png

And another one I did of Riend:

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i433/GelstonJ/Untitled_zpsb506dc05.jpg

[Wesley]

I gotta say, I don't agree with most of the things you say. But you are pretty god damn good at character portraits Wesley. I don't know how accurate they are cause you don't post descriptions, but they always look good.

Thankya. I appreciate it. The gemstone ones do have descriptions in most cases. They're just in my gallery and not the thread. I'll start posting them in the thread as well. For the one above, here's the description:

You see Areigha
She has voluminously lashed malachite green eyes and petal-soft, tanned skin. She has waist-length, silky umber-hued hair that falls into a mass of curls. She has a perfectly symmetrical, delicately featured face, a small, button nose and a plump-lipped generous mouth. She has a vaalin-swept electrum shard in her left eyebrow, a diamond-inset faceted crystal stud in her right nostril, a vaalin-swept bloodjewel hoop in her lip, a diamond-inset bloodjewel half-ring in the middle of her nose, a diamond-inset bloodjewel shard in the upper ridge of her right ear.

And the previous one:

You see Valdorin Hartting the Mercenary.
He appears to be a Human from Vornavis.
He is tall and appears to be in the meridian of life. He has brooding hunter green eyes and tanned skin. He has long, glossy midnight black hair streaked with silver. He has a square-jawed face, a straight nose and broad shoulders.
He has an iron-chased dark hook in the upper ridge of his left ear, an iron-chased blackened steel ring in his lip, a deep black deathstone spike in his left eyebrow, a garishly colored tattoo detailing a raging battle scene completely covering his right arm, a crossed claidhmore tattoo on his wrist, and a small black skull tattoo on his ear.
He is holding a serrated invar claidhmore set with a black opal pommel in his right hand and a curled rolton horn banded with golden imflass in his left hand.
He is wearing a misshapen onyx talisman on a black silk cord, a weathered black leather longcoat, a high-collared black silk shirt, a pair of spiked vultite gauntlets, a glyph-etched vibrant gold ring, a weathered leather belt, a black leather coin purse, a simple black leather case, a dark leather treasure sack, some reinforced black leather pants, and some steel-toed knee-high black boots.

[drauz]

I'm pretty skilled at character portraits too.Here is one I did of Tisket a few years back:

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i433/GelstonJ/Untitled_zps403c3294.png

I like mine better.

http://i.imgur.com/Tly0U8T.jpg

[Tisket]

lol

[Tisket]

I am not a serial killer!

[Wesley]

http://www.tusaproducts.com/Gypsy.png

No desc. Not a Gemstone character.

[drauz]

On an unrelated note, if anyone is looking for something to get Tisket for Christmas. She said she wanted one.

http://i.imgur.com/zSFEfzS.gif

[Ltlprprincess]

That's weird and hilarious

[Tisket]

On an unrelated note, if anyone is looking for something to get Tisket for Christmas. She said she wanted one.

http://i.imgur.com/zSFEfzS.gif

I want one. I have a neighbor I want to scare.

[Soulance]

http://www.tusaproducts.com/Areigha.png
Whoa! Beautiful. Too bad we couldn't do a "Weird Science" with this one...but then she'd have to like me too. 😕

Any time you want to do one of a crotchety old Cleric, let me know.

[Soulance]

I'm pretty skilled at character portraits too.Here is one I did of Tisket a few years back:

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i433/GelstonJ/Untitled_zps403c3294.png

And another one I did of Riend:

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i433/GelstonJ/Untitled_zpsb506dc05.jpg
Wow, must have taken months to render these...

[Gelston]

Wow, must have taken months to render these...

They were in post for about a year.

[Wesley]

http://www.ratchetdesign.net/RovvigenFinal.png

You see Event Planner Rovvigen Aniket the Officer of Twilight Hall.
He appears to be a Paradis Halfling.
He is average height and appears to be young and sprightly. He has silver-flecked blue-green eyes and mocha-freckled, lightly tanned skin. He has Short tousled silvery white hair highlighted in shades of red.
He has a perfectly symmetrical, delicately featured face, a small, button nose and thin, lithely muscled arms and wrists. He has a platinum clockwork owl perched on his shoulder.
He has a twisting silver-traced red flame tattoo on his wrist, a fire elemental tattoo on his neck, a silver-traced red flame tattoo on his arm, a silver-inked scythe encased in a crystal sphere tattoo on his chest, and a lustrous ivory sliver in his right eyebrow.
He is holding a helical lor crosier capped with a silver scythe encased in a crystal sphere in his right hand.
He is wearing some fiery red flowing robes embroidered with wisps of silver flames.

[Tisket]

That dude is on my to-do list. I keep getting distracted. Nice job though.

[Tisket]

Now I don't know if I'm still supposed to do my take on him or not. So confusing! Thanks a lot, Wesley.

[macgyver]

You guys have a lot of talent seriously. Everything from the detail to the general art know-how. But I still say old-school pen and paper art is just exceptional compared to anything done on the computer. Maybe it'll change in the future but for now; just no contest...

Elric the Elf
http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/1/13340/1699592-elric_of_melnibone_by_isra2007.jpg

[Tisket]

You guys have a lot of talent seriously. Everything from the detail to the general art know-how. But I still say old-school pen and paper art is just exceptional compared to anything done on the computer. Maybe it'll change in the future but for now; just no contest...

Elric the Elf
http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/1/13340/1699592-elric_of_melnibone_by_isra2007.jpg

You realize that image was created digitally, right?

[Tisket]

Seriously, that gave me a good laugh. Thanks, man.

[macgayver]

Found some more excellent hand drawn images

http://i.imgur.com/vyRb5uZ.png

You should do more of these!

[Tisket]

Found some more excellent hand drawn images

http://i.imgur.com/vyRb5uZ.png

You should do more of these!

Except that it's not. Jesus. Digital with a heavy dose of Photoshop or Corel.

I didn't think it was possible for you to be even stupider than I thought you were. Congratulations.

[Tisket]

Oh hahaha I'm responding to Macgayver. Got me again!

[Tisket]

I still laugh at the idea that he thought that Elric the Elf picture was hand drawn. So the bump was worth it.

[macgayver]

I think you're just mad because the altar boy has a tighter looking ass than you!

[MotleyCrew]

I think you're just mad because the altar boy has a tighter looking ass than you!

I think shes mad because your mother didn't root you out with a stick when you were in utero.

[macgyver]

I think shes mad because your mother didn't root you out with a stick when you were in utero.

He probably dumped everything into dodge at creation.

[Tisket]

I think you're just mad because the altar boy has a tighter looking ass than you!

I love MacGAYver. MacGYVer, not so much.

[Tisket]

I think you're just mad because the altar boy has a tighter looking ass than you!

Time to change your sig .gif by the way. Keep up with the times!

[MotleyCrew]

I love MacGAYver. MacGYVer, not so much.

Jesus H Christ, I didn't even notice there were two of you. Oh fuck, that's a scary thought, 2 MacGyvers. Stop confusing me, I'm OLD!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7X2_V60YK8

[macgayver]

Jesus H Christ, I didn't even notice there were two of you. Oh fuck, that's a scary thought, 2 MacGyvers. Stop confusing me, I'm OLD!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7X2_V60YK8

I'm the old show, and hes the new remake.