Making of The Showstopper

Once i've decided what i want, i create the concept sketch. This covers the story & basic style of the character, but without the rough color pass.

I proceed with the main model, tracing out the shapes with the pen tool and then shading them with the dodge and burn tool in order to get soft highlights and darker tones.

Now I show You how to create a basic reflections on picture. Please follow these steps:

Here's the summary
a) My color process changes / varies with different projects, it all depends on the approach, in this piece i decided to first work on grey tones and then later overlay the colors in a different layer with the help of blending modes. Here, the 'multiply' blending mode works best. although you can experiment with the other modes to get more results ;)
b) For the reflections, which is obviously not accurate but then again to 'mimic' the effect, this can be pretty fun to do :) use the HDR file of your choice to get the best results, you can go without desaturating the file and see how the colors mix or you can retain the actual base color and just use the 'linear dodge' blending mode to get the little specs of reflection on the surface.
c) Keep in mind that, toward the end of the project, there will be changes for it to look much better than it was earlier. Sometimes certain elements will have to go just to bring the whole image together. So, just be flexible and go with the flow. Believe me, it works!
d) I was deeply inspired by the 'StarCraft' cinematic from Blizzard entertainment. I kept playing the video over and over again, carefully observing the paint, reflections and dirt, not to forget the lighting. I even saved specific screenshots for reference which proved to be extremely helpful! this was the target! this was what i had to accomplish but without the use of any 3d software.

moving on...

I now continue with the other parts of the model, following the same technique.

As you can see, the face on the right (more of an oriental look) is a little bit more appealing than the face on the left. I felt it was a good idea not to add the lips, nose, eyebrows etc. It look's better this way ;)


The warp treatment for the face and forearm...


Next, i used the Liquify tool to get the reflections to 'bend' or flow across those tricky face contours (otherwise not possible with the 'WARP' tool). Direction is very important here, you can end up doing this for hours! :) but, well worth it! also keep in mind about the 'brush pressure' , increasing it's value will distort the image very quickly! ... slow down ... keep the value at a minimum level, you'll get pretty cool, interesting warps.


And here it is, after the Liquify treatment!


color pass screenshot along with reflections...

Celine :)...

Reference images for the background setup, followed by the flat color block and final grey shading with the runway light effects. coloring is yet to be done ;)

Proceeding with the other robots gazing at Celine!
I stuck with the same technique for the color process, only this time, the little robots won't have any reflections.

Followed by eye glows, a little bit of bounce light and floor reflection.

Though i didn't have any reference image, i quickly sketched out a simple concept keeping in mind about the overall style. So, here he is...the next one to join the bandwagon! :) ... as shown, concept sketch > overlay > grey shading > colors.

Creating this robot wasn't difficult at all, i found a fine reference image... yup! she's from grey's anatomy ;) though i can't seem to remember her name, bummer... :(

I had to be very selective about the title...again, in regard to the overall style. As for the company sponsors, their names actually do convey different messages ;) in other words, they're all part of the story.

This is how it all looks like ;)...i relied on the reference image, mainly for the model's reflection on the floor. Very helpful indeed!...

Somehow i wasn't satisfied with the background's monochromatic look :( plus lack of design detail. These color falloffs and robot outlines did just the trick! ;) not to mention the extra lighting.

I finally added some more details for all the robots! :) the extra gloss was necessary, especially when i decided not to add any reflections for the robot crowd.

Background complete! ... however, since there will be a depth of field treatment, most of the details will be lost :( ... i bet you all must be thinking ; all that for nothing?!! ... let's put it this way > some sacrifices have to be made ;) it's either this or that :) i had to bring Celine forward and not let her dissolve right into the background.

Have a look at this page from www.dofpro.com; you'll most certainly get a basic idea about the depth map i created.
https://www.dofpro.com/photogallery.htm


Here are the settings for Depth of field generator pro...


Working on a resolution of 2744 x 3750 proved to be pretty hard and fun the same time :) ... it did take a while for the depth of field effect, but it was worth it all the way! ;)

These are examples of the many types of dirt, grunge and splatter brushes i used for Celine's de-glamorized look :) all credit goes to spiritcoda and garfcore splatter pack for this fine collection!


As you can see, i prefer using 'multiply' blending mode, with a creamish ivory color. This darkens/burns the brush sample over the surface.


After the all the brush work...


FINAL IMAGE

Bringing it all together! i present to you 'The showstopper'