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Recently I had the absolute pleasure of working with
@3dtotal
again on their new book, “Fundamentals of Creature Design”!
My design prompt was for an avian scavenger creature that has adapted to survive the harsh conditions of a post-climate-change urban desert. (1/?)
@3dtotal
again on their new book, “Fundamentals of Creature Design”!
My design prompt was for an avian scavenger creature that has adapted to survive the harsh conditions of a post-climate-change urban desert. (1/?)
I started out by thumbnailing some of the directions this creature could go in. Flying, flightless, tiny, giant....the goal in this stage is to show a diverse range of "solutions" to the brief at hand. (2/?)
Design nr.4 appealed to me most due to how different it was from what one would normally imagine an "avian scavenger" to look like (vulturine, flying).
Once I'd chosen a design, I went over it again and refined the anatomy/structure, especially that of the beak. (3/?)
Once I'd chosen a design, I went over it again and refined the anatomy/structure, especially that of the beak. (3/?)
Coloration was based on desert organisms and the kinds of colors & patterns they exhibit. Bare areas of skin not only dissipate heat, but also allow for pops of intense color (as you would see in birds). (4/?)
For the final, I chose a calm pose that shows the creature resting in a shaded area. Love the contrast that happens when you depict a 'dangerous' creature in a way that highlights a softer aspect of their personality. (5/?)
Lastly, I was also tasked with creating variations of this creature that have adapted to different environments: mountainous, insectoid, and tropical; in this case. These were super fun! 
The book features a whole truckload of amazing creature artists sharing insights into their process, so do pick it up if that’s your thing! You can order here: https://shop.3dtotal.com/fundamentals-of-creature-design
