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Mega-Quick Style Experiment
So here's the story: I have been kind of wanting to do comic stuff again for a while. I think I've got some fun stories rattling around in my brain that could make for good comic fodder. The only problem is, like, I don't want to -draw- comics. I just kind of want them to happen. x3
To that end I've been fiddling around with a way of making blender do comic-y stuff for a while, but I've never had good results. All the methods of stylized shading usually look pretty rough, and all the methods of procedural inking always seem to turn out downright horrible imo, at least on stuff as organic as a character. To be fair, there are ways to get a decent look if you build your model specifically with such things in mind, but I don't really want to have to build a second set of models just for comics, ideally I could just use my existing ones. So I'd experiment for a while, come up short, forget it for a bit, get inspired again sometime later, experiment again... rinse and repeat. The whole time there's always been a little part of my brain trying to speak out... I ignored it 'cause I didn't want to listen, but finally this latest time it got too loud to ignore: "You know you're a 2D artist too, right? Why don't you just manually add inks yourself?"
Ugh, fine. I was hoping to avoid having to actually do -work- but I guess I could give it a try.
So that's what this is. Rendered in Blender and hand inked on top, with a little manual tweaking to the colour layer as well.
This is a super quick experiment; there's a lot I could do to improve things. The shadows are a bit too dark I think, (in fact I should probably just render the character flat and add some quick shadows in 2D instead) the fur could use a little more tweaking, the white outline was probably a bad idea, I should probably ditch the texturing on her dress and stockings, etc. But as a test just to see if this works... I think this has potential! Enough that I'm posting it here because I'm pleasantly surprised with the results. Didn't take terribly long either, so reasonable for comics.
The actual picture is boring and shit, but just think of the *~potential~*
To that end I've been fiddling around with a way of making blender do comic-y stuff for a while, but I've never had good results. All the methods of stylized shading usually look pretty rough, and all the methods of procedural inking always seem to turn out downright horrible imo, at least on stuff as organic as a character. To be fair, there are ways to get a decent look if you build your model specifically with such things in mind, but I don't really want to have to build a second set of models just for comics, ideally I could just use my existing ones. So I'd experiment for a while, come up short, forget it for a bit, get inspired again sometime later, experiment again... rinse and repeat. The whole time there's always been a little part of my brain trying to speak out... I ignored it 'cause I didn't want to listen, but finally this latest time it got too loud to ignore: "You know you're a 2D artist too, right? Why don't you just manually add inks yourself?"
Ugh, fine. I was hoping to avoid having to actually do -work- but I guess I could give it a try.
So that's what this is. Rendered in Blender and hand inked on top, with a little manual tweaking to the colour layer as well.
This is a super quick experiment; there's a lot I could do to improve things. The shadows are a bit too dark I think, (in fact I should probably just render the character flat and add some quick shadows in 2D instead) the fur could use a little more tweaking, the white outline was probably a bad idea, I should probably ditch the texturing on her dress and stockings, etc. But as a test just to see if this works... I think this has potential! Enough that I'm posting it here because I'm pleasantly surprised with the results. Didn't take terribly long either, so reasonable for comics.
The actual picture is boring and shit, but just think of the *~potential~*
Category Artwork (Digital) / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 652 x 962px
File Size 450.8 kB
I'd say this one already looks pretty good! And honestly if I learned how to use Blender and make at least simple models, then I could at export what exactly I had in my mind and ask my girlfriend to color it or even redraw it in her style.
After reading this message few times, just for clarification - my idea was to use these layers as boundaries to play with in other bitmap editor, not to generate it perfectly with Blender. Like, you get layer of red dress -> unlock only this layer and try to play with it. Then you can apply shadows layer over it and vary its intensity. And so on.
After reading this message few times, just for clarification - my idea was to use these layers as boundaries to play with in other bitmap editor, not to generate it perfectly with Blender. Like, you get layer of red dress -> unlock only this layer and try to play with it. Then you can apply shadows layer over it and vary its intensity. And so on.
For a quick and dirty experiment, I agree this look seems super promising! Given how much hybrid media is coming out these days, it definitely feels like something to keep experimenting with, especially when you just plan of doing a series of static images and not, say, a full animation XD
I mean, I don't think I'd ever call a picture of a pretty girl in a slinky red dress boring. Especially not this lovely lass! The black stockings and sleeves are a fantastic compliment to the dress as well. And it does look really good! I can see where some of the shading and stuff is maybe a little too dark, particularly on the dress, but I'm sure that'll be an easy enough fix once you hit your stride. And Ru comics? Yes please! I'd love to see you do more if/when you feel so inclined, and I do think something like this would beautifully for the purpose.
Uff, but I know what you mean about "I wanna tell a story but I don't wanna work!" Sometimes, I wish I could just snap my fingers and have my novels write themselves! But, it's usually fun, once I get my rear in gear.
Uff, but I know what you mean about "I wanna tell a story but I don't wanna work!" Sometimes, I wish I could just snap my fingers and have my novels write themselves! But, it's usually fun, once I get my rear in gear.
Well.. I needed over a year for 50+ pages in fullcolor now. I can understand his pain. I also try try include 3D in my artworks, but then it was only some static background or guideline objects.
I am actualy jealous of the abilitys ruaidri has. If I would have his skills and good models of my characters, I would love to animate Madlaine and maybe even help me making my comics faster. But after all I decided to mainly focus on 2D and less on 3D. Seeing him makes me regret this choise. His animations are the best I have ever seen in this fandom. On par with Disnar/Pixey (Disney/Pixar) and this guy is such a mashup of feelings in me. I think maybe If I would have focused on 3D I might have on such a level aswell. Maybe even my life would be much better with such a skill.. Darnn..
I am actualy jealous of the abilitys ruaidri has. If I would have his skills and good models of my characters, I would love to animate Madlaine and maybe even help me making my comics faster. But after all I decided to mainly focus on 2D and less on 3D. Seeing him makes me regret this choise. His animations are the best I have ever seen in this fandom. On par with Disnar/Pixey (Disney/Pixar) and this guy is such a mashup of feelings in me. I think maybe If I would have focused on 3D I might have on such a level aswell. Maybe even my life would be much better with such a skill.. Darnn..
This has potential! Keep at it, hope to see some comics soon. I'm just the opposite in a way, been a 2d artist for so long now and recently started learning blender so I can render my characters in 3d. 3d printing is my goal with it and hopefully animation eventually as well.
Some really good potential here for a solid workflow! Lots of good things that can be done in 3d that make 2d easier. I think one of the big things, as with a lot of 2d/3d stuff, is integration with background/foreground elements. thats where i find A LOT of it fails. So if you can also get that down i think you can create a wonderful overall consistant style. Best of luck!
Many years ago I had thought of making a comic using 3D models. Instead of drawing, just set up the scene in each panel, render it and place it into a comic page. Sadly, I stopped drawing comics 14 years ago. I had to because, like my difficulty in learning 3D, the job just kept going with massive overtime. I had to stop.
For an experiment it’s pretty good. There are addons/shaders that others have mentioned that can get maybe the look you wanted. I remember that RWBY show was made in (or using) Poser and it has a thing to make the 3D model look like it was drawn.
With all this AI stuff, I just wish I could use AI to look at a character and make a 3D model out of it. Save me a lot of learning.
For an experiment it’s pretty good. There are addons/shaders that others have mentioned that can get maybe the look you wanted. I remember that RWBY show was made in (or using) Poser and it has a thing to make the 3D model look like it was drawn.
With all this AI stuff, I just wish I could use AI to look at a character and make a 3D model out of it. Save me a lot of learning.
This has a very good style that would fit very will in a comic. I am honestly surprised at how much different it looks from your other work while still being recognizable as you. You are right this does have a lot of potential. Even as-is, most people would still be quite impressed with it.
There's something I cannot put my finger on about "3D as 2D" art that always gives it away as being a model. I've tried many times myself to get convincing hand-drawn looking art and it's nearly impossible.
That being said I think this looks great as a stylization choice!
That being said I think this looks great as a stylization choice!
Duuuude... Go look across the comics out there. Then remember comics are less about stunning art and more about story telling... Not at all saying your art is not drool inspiring. Just that it does not need to be awesome art to tell a drool worthy story. (Hope I make good logic)
So.... use Blender to pose everything and act as both layout and clean pencils, and "ink" on top for 2D with help for shading? VERY MUCH potential!! The result is a really fun blend (ha ha, brain, no really, why) of both styles, unique and new. Deeeefinitely experiment in this direction.
It's an interesting look. A little weird looking, but you seem to be aware of the weird looking bits already and have ideas to solve them. Something about her left ear (the one on the right in the picture) seems off too, maybe it doesn't quite fit with the rest of the pic in style. On the whole I like it though. It should be fine for a comic.
So, I'm not an artist in any format so I'm not sure I have advise on it, however on the the initial reaction, I'm really impressed.
I would have figured a 2D flattening of a 3D model would have looked off, but from a glance at the thumbnail I was "That's a Ruaidri pic." I can definitely tell there's a difference to your drawing to your modeling, at least based on the experiment, but your style on both formats I feel like definitely shines through.
I would have figured a 2D flattening of a 3D model would have looked off, but from a glance at the thumbnail I was "That's a Ruaidri pic." I can definitely tell there's a difference to your drawing to your modeling, at least based on the experiment, but your style on both formats I feel like definitely shines through.
As someone who absolutely struggles to draw but has no problem tweaking a few sliders to get things to look the way that it's sorta kinda looking in my head, I think this is a fabulous idea. Also you said in the description that you didn't think that the white outline was a good idea, however I think it really made the character pop off of the background. I believe other comic designers would use it to introduce a special character or one that is supposed to be super fashionable or beautiful. Either way, I like the effect and I wouldn't knock it's use cases.
Love seeing what you do as always, can't wait to see where this goes.
Love seeing what you do as always, can't wait to see where this goes.
Ooh, I like this style. And a comic based on this as well? This is almost like a birthday present.
On a side note, would you be up to sharing the original underlying render and the inked lines layers on patreon?
I think I could distill the ink line overlaying procedure into an AI model if there is sufficient data.
If I happen to make one some day, may be you could give me some feed back regarding the model?
Anyways. I'm really looking forward to this potential comic!
On a side note, would you be up to sharing the original underlying render and the inked lines layers on patreon?
I think I could distill the ink line overlaying procedure into an AI model if there is sufficient data.
If I happen to make one some day, may be you could give me some feed back regarding the model?
Anyways. I'm really looking forward to this potential comic!
I think it looks great! I am on mobile currently (so it may be a different experience viewing on a computer monitor), but if you hadn't stated it in the description, I wouldn't have guessed this is a 3D model underneath the lines. It looks convincingly like a fully 2D drawing.
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