###### tags: `Uni work` `Whimsical Worlds` `Colabs 5`
# <19096503>1J6Z1071_2324_9F_journal
(https://hackmd.io/@JunoFBX/HJoTf2_La)
### Co-Labs 5: Whimsical Worlds Prompt (1J6Z1071)
### Games Art BA(HONS) L6
### Junaid Sheikh

# Introduction
I was presented with multiple themes for fantasy-based projects and chose to explore Whimsical Worlds for Co-labs 5 which stood out for our collective group. We were tasked with exploring this theme collectively, concepting a presentable idea for a ‘whimsical world’ which would display fantasy-based designs for an environment, characters, or creature concept designs.

After various conversations with my group, I decided to work collaboratively with Jack and Alex to create creatures and environments for a fantasy realm. We would work on producing a scene of military soldiers opening a portal and getting attacked by various alien creatures.

---
# Initial Research
I decided to create some research based on insects that currently exist and study their anatomy to understand the anatomical construct of various insect creatures. I chose to look at various insects such as wasps, specifically looking at Tarantula Hawks that prey on Tarantulas for food. The tarantula hawk has referred to as one of the most painful stings on the Schmidt's sting pain index, beaten by the South American bullet ant. As I had a concept for a very dangerous creature, I chose to base my creature concept off this insect, and took further inspiration from other animals such as octopi for their barbed tendrils and at various horned mammals for their horns.


---
# Modelling process
I began to immediately work on ZBrush, learning how to sculpt insectoid creatures with anatomically correct features. Looking at the Tarantula Hawk for inspiration, I made sure to model the correct amount of forearms and legs whilst taking creative freedom on some of the additional features that this creature would have.

The initial concept for my creature in our fantasy world was a wasp that had plated chitinous armour, with a luminescent, glowing poison sac that creates a sense of danger. Below is are some screenshots of my model, showing the steps for my modelling process and how I created each component towards producing the final model.

*Initial Head and Thorax model, showing an outline of the shape of the main body.*
*Initial Head, Thorax and Abdomen model, showing an outline of the shape of the main body, stinger and spinal extrusion.*
*Initial Head, Thorax and Abdomen model, with additional detail to the Thorax, and mantis forearms.*
*Initial Head, Thorax and Abdomen model, with legs added to the Thorax.*
*Initial Head, Thorax and Abdomen model, with all necessary base components for the anatomical model.*

---
# Modelling: High Poly Detail
After producing my model, I began to work on adding more detail. I wanted to add depth to the creature, which could be achieved by using various brushes such as the DamStandard brush, Slash brush and Inflate tool for components like the armour scales, spikes on the forearms, details to the head and to the abdomen stinger. I was able to consult during this process with various other game artists in my colabs group for more realistic ways of attempting to create different features of the creature in more detail.

*Adding a coloured mesh to the base texture and adding divisions to slowly build up details in the head and thorax of the creature.*
*Adding details to the plated armour on the thorax by adding cuts, divisions and pulling components for sharp edges.*
*Completed the armour plating extracts for the creature, adding more character and depth to the model.*
*Process of creating the spinal extrusions on the abdomen that connects the thorax to the poisonous barb on the tail.*

---
# Final Model
Below are some screenshots of the final model from different viewpoints and further detail being added to the thorax and limbs of the creature to further emphasise the deadly capabilities of the creature.

*Side view of the creature, showing the forearms, legs and armour plating on the creature.*
*Front view of the creature, showing a frontal perspective view.*
*Side view of the creature, showing the details in all sections of the creature and the posing of its anatomy.
*Back view of the creature, highlighting the texturing on the armour plates and abdomen stinger.*

---
# Texturing

Whilst collaborating with Alex, another team member, I was able to get textures for the final bug model that would be used in the rendered model.

---
# Extra linked content

Turntable video:
https://youtu.be/x6PJp1ayAL8

Creature timelapse video:
https://youtu.be/4dE_1-7EfJo