Open Source Alternative to Poser.

I hadn't put this one on the blog earlier, as I had thought it was more a 3D animation tool. But as it can be linked to a renderer and the final images can be used in picture bashes. I thought it would make sense to tell you all about it.

This is MakeHuman.

It is a relatively easy program that allows you to build and render 3D models of humans of any age and build. Using it along with the recommended rendering software Aqsis, an artist can develop realistic looking Characters to add to picture bashes. The dragon rider girl and the old wizards face were made this way. I have been playing with MakeHuman for years and although its not as versatile as Poser, if you want a human model or human render quickly, I recommend it for the Freeware Illustrator.

A couple of new picture bashes.

These were created for magazine illustrations. The dragon rider is my favorite. All done using open source software on a free computer using The Gimp, Krita and MyPaint.

The results speak for themselves.

 

I am really liking this new loose style.

These two were roughed out while on the bus. I am trying to do things in a more spontaneous way these days. Form and colour are my key driving factors.

New Styles For Me

I have been playing with a looser style by using Inkscape and Mypaint. I am really roughly sketching up an image in Inkscape then exporting it into Mypaint as a layer. I then slosh some water colour around as a very loose offset fill. The finished result is saved without editing to keep a more spontaneous feel to it.

Animation and Poetry ( I love this idea )

I was just emailed a kickstarter update on gmail. I joined the kickstarter program because I wanted to trial it to fund some ideas I have. I believe in community funding art in this way. it encourages avant guard ways of creativity. The Animation and Poetry angle of this idea is exciting and realistic.
Short poetry pieces illustrated with incredible artworks.

The Bash So Far

So this is the almost finished Bash. I just need to add some small details and Elephoot is finished. After collecting a bunch of high res images and throwing them together using the Gimp, Paint.net and Paintshop. I have a finished critter. I am still going to create a scene for this little guy to live in. I also want to make a few diagrammatic representations showing internal organs etc...It should be fun.

Pic Bash Concept Refinement.

On the way to a finished image I will render black and white images and refine my ideas. In this case I have sketched on some extra details and considered creating a rear view of the creature. In the final image I may include some diagrams of how the creature moves, eats or defends itself.