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WORKING ON HIGHPOLY:

Hi there!

Here I show you some updates with new High Poly renders of Pelayo Molero shoes.

I worked on Damendorf Shoes, a very beautiful and ancient shoe design, commonly used by Germanic (Goths) warriors. Initially, I did extensive research and found a real pattern to simulate in Marvelous Designer.

Here I will share with you some References and MD shoots where you can see the pattern and the first look before exporting to ZBrush.

(References)

(Winingas Base Simulation)

And finally, I will show you some ZBrush screenshots:

Well, that's all updates today and I hope you have enjoyed it. If you haven't seen my old entries, here is Pelayo Molero Story and HighRes Sword!

Stay safe, and have a great week!

PHOTOBASHING:

Important Note: I used an illustration by artist Angus McBride, taken from the Osprey book to work on my conceptual ref sheet.

(Original Design by Angus McBride)

ABOUT REFERENCES:

I added new elements related to Visigoths in the 9th century, such as a Norman helmet fused with a Germanic Spangenhelm design, a metal knight mask with a Christian cross to protect the face, and a large chainmail/coif. 

I looked for many detailed references to complement the concept. There, we can see references for:

1. Helmet w/ Mask and Nasal protection.

2. HorseTail

3. Coif / Chainmail

4. Body Chainmail

5. Neck Christian Cross

6. Leather Jacket

7. Belt & Props

8. Tunic

11. Thorsberg Trousers

12. Weningas

13. Damendorf Shoes

BLOCKMESH:

I worked on a very simple and quick blockmesh to start modeling. I have a very clear idea of what I want to work on the character, which allows me to focus directly on the High-res.

At first glance, it seems very simple, but that's the first idea. The design will be improved by working on the details and realism to make a difference.

* In the next post I'll be uploading the High Res Shoes.

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ABOUT HIGHPOLY:

Hi there, welcome again!

I share with you here new updates and some High Poly renders of the Pelayo Molero sword. I've used a lot of high-res references to make it as close to the real thing as possible.

The sword design has different Germanic/Visigoths elements and ornamentation, we can also find on the Grip and Pommel different symbolism about that. Do you remember the "Romantic Languages" or "Vulgar Latin"? Well, that can also be found on these parts. (In my previous blog post you can see the Blockmesh and something more info about that). 

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(Front - Side- Back Perspective View)

"Nil Volentibus Arduum"

"Nothing is impossible for those who have the will"

LATIN LANGUAGE:

In the Iberian Peninsula, the Visigoths have mainly used two different languages, their native Gothic language known as "Gutisko Razda" and the Vulgar Latin incorporated on their way through the Roman Empire. 

I worked on the font of the sword using "Moon Runes Font" as a base and editing it in Photoshop, then I applied it by UV projection in ZBrush.

(Close up Pommel view)

(Top perspective view)

INSIDE THE 3D:

To work on the blade, I used Fusion 360 to get an exact precision in measurements and proportions. After that, I did a very quick retopology in Topogun 3.

(Working in Fusion 360) 

Blade Lenght: 788 mm

Blade Base: Width 50 mm / Thickness 5 mm

20 mm From Tip:  Width 18 mm / Thickness 2 mm

The rest of the other pieces were worked on ZBrush and Maya.

(Pelayo Molero Sword and Ring screenshot in ZBrush)

  Well, thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy it as I do. In the next post, I'll be working on the Nordic helmet and shield. After that, I'll work on the Character Blockmesh. All the best! :D

CONCEPT AND HISTORY:

The Visigoths were a Germanic tribe, which after settling within the Roman Empire, they accepted the Christian God within their religion. By the IX century, they had also changed almost entirely from their native Gothic language (Gutisko Razda) to Vulgar Latin. This change within civilization is clearly seen in each element of the Visigoth armor, the mix of the gods, and the ornamentation of their arts. 

Pelayo Molero was a knight who had a beautiful Germanic sword, decorated with traditional and organic elements of his Gothic ancestors and new elements referring to the Christian god.

STARTING WITH PROPORTIONS:

Around the V to IX century, the Germanic swords were handled one-handed, with a total size not exceeding 100 cm in length.

BLOCKMESH:

About Blockmesh, I started with primitive geometry to shape it in ZBrush, and to get better precision on the proportions I used Maya. In the image below, we can see the Blockmesh with and without SubDynamic.

* In the next post I'll be uploading the High Res Sword.

Hi everyone!

Here I will share with you all the latest updates on my new 3D personal project. But first, to understand what I mean, I invite you to discover a fantastic story between a great King and a noble Visigothic Knight. And says...

History tells us that in the middle of the IX century when the troops of Bjorn son of Ragnar Lodbrok approached and tried to land on the Cantabrian coasts. After several battles, a new Christian sovereign immediately ended with the pagan plans. That lord was called "Rey Don Ramiro I de Asturias", he was a wise and compassionate King who had earned the love, admiration, and respect of the people.

But the most exciting story begins shortly after the Viking's attacks, I'm talking about a period that became known as "La Reconquista", marking the beginning of the holy wars and the first crusades against the Arab Emirate, a stronger and more dangerous enemy, which had invaded almost all lands of the Iberian Peninsula.

To do that, the kingdom had to take the best warriors with it to war. Among those Asturian troops, a great knight was at his side, his name was Pelayo Molero, he was an experimented and distinguished Visigoth Knight. He came from one of the oldest families in the Peninsula, noble and loyal to the kingdom, becoming the first on his linage inside The Reconquest campaign.

Such was the nobility, that according to legend, to symbolize loyalty between them, the King gave him a gift before going to the bloody battles. King "Don Ramiro I" gave him a pure gold ring with his initials "PM" and a new wooden warrior shield, covered in leather but with a special change in the central boss, the shield had been built with a stone-boss instead of a metal-boss like the others. That stone was shaped like a "Muela de Molino", a millstone that represented the origin of the Molero surname. That was such an honorable gift, that the Knight would carry the ring with him for the rest of his life.

Pelayo Molero was a faithful servant of the king. With his help, courage, and his captivating blade, the Christian troops succeeded in attacking and defeating their Muslim enemies, finally liberating Hispania from the Moorish invaders.