Exploration. I think that's the word that I'm looking for. Or perhaps "experiment" fits better for this. Artistic experiment instead of scientific experiment. Though, my experiment resulting in nothing new, but I like.
And I hope you like it as well...
This was the result of me experimenting with Blender 2.8's toon shader. But instead of setting up a simple node group and be done with it by smashing that "Render Image" button, I decided to fiddle around more to create something more interesting.
Captain here! Toon shader, or toon shading, or cel-shading, nor NPR is the digital art term for 'cartoony' visual style you usually see in, well as the name suggest, 2D cartoons and anime. In 3D modelling, it is a method to create a 3D model appears flat like it's 2D. And one way to achieve that is by using the tool called node group, or simply node. Captain out!
Here's a sneak peek of the nodes and the model without the shader:
Those magical nonsense on top are what we call the nodes, though you don't have to understand them, of course, and the bottom is the viewport, where the magic happens.
I'm still experimenting on this style, trying to come up with a better look which I'll apply to another character.
Originally, I wanted to make it look like one of those old comic book style shader, with the dots or those lines on the paper but somehow the process led me to render this retro poster sort of stuff instead, which I don't mind. In fact, I like it.
As for the character itself, the idea behind him is that he's some sort of sentient old TV that brings "retro" in his presence and cartoon-comical mannerism. He's not a secret agent, but a wannabe secret agent.
I used to call this project the "RGB Series", but apparently I've forgotten about this until lately. And yes, his name, Cyan, is the colour cyan. Note that this is separate from The Owl, The Wolf, and The Spider's universe, which is fantasy.
I really want to share the trick to change his facial expression using the texture map, but I thought I don't have to because I'm not sure how many 3D artists will see this. So I'll just keep it 'all audience-friendly'.
I worked on this before I even finish the Inglourious Basterds fanart scene, and now time to go back and finish that one quick before I start working on a character for an Artstation contest that I'll participate on Monday.
For Blender users, if you want to see the full nodes just ask me, I'll send you nodes. Yes, I'll send you my nodes, senpai~
Ok, I should stop. Thanks for visiting, and if you have any questions, leave
...them in the comment section below. Ha! Got you.
Ok, bye. ._.
Art commission info:
Character Portrait | 3D Print-Ready Model
