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Simulacrumble β Cthulhu
Published: 2014-07-05 20:35:11 +0000 UTC; Views: 1921; Favourites: 50; Downloads: 0
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Description
After being blown away with the awesome Cthulu sculpt byΒ Eric , I decided to purchase Dominic Quek`s tutorial over at gumroad. And what a bargain that was. A wealth of knowledge and help........So after a few hours today here is my attempt at "another" Cthulugumroad.com/dominicqwek
Zbrush for the modelling
Phoroshop for the texturing and post work!
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Comments: 16
I chose to do a critique of this because it is something I have mixed feelings about. I don't love it, but I don't hate it either.
What I Like:
It is well made. I use zBrush, so I can appreciate the time and effort that went into this.
I like the detailed textures you added, especially those on the tentacles in front, as well as the veiny things on his "ears."
I also like the unusual set of tentacles protruding from the back of his head, they give a sort of mystical feel.
What I Don't Like:
There are a few things I disagree with in this depiction of Cthulhu, based on the description of him in H.P. Lovecraft's story. Now, while I appreciate originality, and gave you extra stars for doing something different, I also prefer when new ideas are congruent with the original description. In this case, Cthulhu looks muscular, and his body looks too human, from what we can see.
The mouth seems out of place, too small and weak looking. I would prefer no mouth, or a mouth hidden amongst the tentacles. Again, it's original, but it doesn't seem right.
The eye looks flat somehow. I'm not sure if the eye is a separate component or not, but it appears to be the same material as the rest of his face. In any case, I would have used a shinier material for the eye.
The skin: Though I like the texture, it looks very dry and rubbery, like a Halloween mask. A wet appearance would improve the overall effect.
The result of all these factors makes it appear to be a very realistic human sized costume of an alien creature, rather than the Great Old One. In any case, I see a lot of potential here, and I will continue to watch your progress.
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I must admit, that was one hell of a fair critique and I really REALLY appreciate the time and effort.Β
It was my first time i have textured using only photoshop. i normally poly paint and then make several passes with different materials, then mix it all up for the final effect.Β
I am not sure how to respond to critique, you are the first, so i guess maybe i will talk about some of the points you have made which are all super helpful, as they make me think about the original design and make me ask questions as to why they are how they are - hope you dont think this is rude!!
The mouth , originally , there was going to be no mouth, just a mass of tentacles, but as the sculpt progressed, the way the forms were building it seemed only logical at the time that a mouth should be there, when i sculpt i generally have no idea in the direction it will go, i grab a sphere and pull out shapes, and it is only during that process , that ideas pop into the mind - for me anyway. This left me with a dilemma, Cthulhu should have giant tentacles, but i had given him a small mouth, 
The Eye, this was a separate sub-tool, but because , at my own detriment, Β very impatient, I forgot to apply a different material when rendering, so when it came to com-positing i was left with the same material to work with - my own fault, and i ended up grabbing an octopus eye of the internet, and trying my best to get it to look ok. - looking back i would defo have poly-painted the eye.
The skin - once again i am a victim of my own impatience, i failed to grab a nice specular pass, it didn't even occur to me at the time, and on almost every piece i do, i make a couple and try them out. I think with this i was toying with a new process of texturing within photoshop, and neglected the workflow which i have built up in zbrush.Β
And i really should research my subject matter more, i have even noticed i have spelled Cthulhu wrong in the title! :-P
Lovecraft would kick my ass for that i am sure!Β
Once again thanks and you have made me look back at my work, something which i rarely if ever do.
Peace
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Well, it was my first critique, so I definitely appreciate your feedback as well. Β I'm glad it was helpful, and you have also inspired me to try out zBrush again. Β It's one of those things I use, then forget about for a while, until the next update comes. Β
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Great and just critique. A dead honest opinion is a hard thing to come by on this site.
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Thank you, I pride myself on my honesty, and my ability to eat foolish adventures whole
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bouaAARglk... it is PERFECT
beautiful ugly textures and great atrocious shape. I'm fondly terrified by it.
Great taste in colors. The orange and blue/green works well.
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Great work!Β Β It would be great to see this model here in full 3d - you could upload it to Sketchfab, and then embed it in full 3D in your journal here on DA:Β sketchfab-3d.deviantart.com/joβ¦.
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Wow great sculpt and the textures and the textures are super good.
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no comments? not to be borne; as a Lovecraft fan, I fave
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