Research Project

Research Project: Anatomy Studies

For the past few weeks, I wanted to find the best methods for practicing sketching and sculpting anatomy. My main focus was on on muscle groups of the torso and limbs.

For sketching and labeling muscle groups prior to sculpting, I used the figure drawing book and copied down drawings in order to get a good grasp of the muscle groups.

Sketch and labeling:

Zbrush sculpts:

Torso and Neck Anatomy:

There are various classifications of these muscles. Torso muscles can be categorized as anterior, lateral, and posterior regions. They can also be categorized as abdominal, scapular, and pectoral regions. Finally, they can be categorized by the depth of the muscle: superficial, intermediate, or deep layer.

Arm Anatomy:

Arm muscles can be classified by the physiological function (flexors, extensors, pronators, supinators, abductors, and adductors.) Similar to torso muscles, they can also be classified by regions or compartments.

Leg Anatomy: 

Upper muscle groups include the gluteal group, quadriceps group, adductor group, and the hamstring group. The lower leg consists of the flexor group, the extensor group, and the peroneal group.

During my sculpting progress, I encountered a reoccurring issue of not being able to find good photographic references that displayed the body parts at all three angles. I mentioned this in class so Nick recommended this book to me:

https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Training-Anatomy-Frederic-Delavier/dp/0736092269/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdSHBhCdARIsAG6zhlV57UpMuKPGa-b5pvW7C7F8p4Ke6epzMnJHs5WGNk7lHLcetCswJugaAmTSEALw_wcB&hvadid=174205857968&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9011786&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=18123511592212806938&hvtargid=kwd-59389386&keywords=strength+training+anatomy&qid=1626721109&sr=8-1&asin=0736092269&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1 

According to Nick, this book has good references of muscles in action, and in various poses at multiple angles.

I came across Scott Eaton's courses online and now have a plan to sign up for the courses that begin in October 2021 since summer session is already in-progress. 

I reached out to a FIEA alumni student who also took all the Scott Eaton courses last fall to see if they were worth the cost. The alumni said that although the courses are pricey, they were the best courses she has taken in her art career. She took all three courses: Anatomy for Artists, Digital Figure Sculpture, and Portraiture & Facial Anatomy for Artists.

The courses were listed on the website: https://www.scott-eaton.com/courses

References:

Winslow, Valerie L. Classic Human Anatomy in Motion: The Artist's Guide to the Dynamics of Figure Drawing. Watson-Guptill, 2015.

Portfolio3 Week 3

  Week 3: Working on understanding leg anatomy. I started off with a quick sketch and label practice, then began the sculpt. I've been struggling with figuring out how to draw lines in the muscle groups so that they connect and flow naturally next to one another.

Portfolio 3 Week 2

 This week I focused on getting a good grasp of the human arm anatomy. I did a quick sketch and labeling practice and then a Zbrush sculpt study.

Grave of the Fireflies: Sprint 12

 For this sprint, I've been mainly focusing on finalizing character mesh textures since we are in the final stages of the project. We were able to get the final game res of Seita and Setsuko in Engine so that the character materials would be able to show up. Here are the characters in engine with the newly polished environment.

Portfolio 3 Week 1

 I will be focusing on muscle anatomy sculpting studies for my next portfolio piece. I'll be following an anatomy book I have for practice sketching out the body muscles first. Then, I will use online references for the Zbrush Sculpt

 My schedule for Portfolio 3:

Week 1: Torso Sculpt

Week 2: Arm + Hand Sculpt

Week 3: Leg + Feet sculpt

Week 4: Polish for Industry Review

Sketch + Labeling:

Zbrush Sculpt:

Portfolio 2 Week 4 Final Turn In

 This week I focused on finishing up texturing my first piece from the semester, I am currently still in the process of Wolf Girl texture.  

Grave of the Fireflies: Sprint 11

 For this week's assignment, I focused on texturing Seita to match the Ghibli anime style. I used curvature maps to add the "dusty" look on his clothing and body, and hand painted the colors and details.

Here is the Substance Painter Render of the final texture of Seita.