Beastly Abstraction

Submission proposal for Single project

Proposal Title: The Beastly Abstraction

Brief overview of project:

The idea of this project is to develop further skills in modelling, texturing and lighting and to briefly touch on animation within a 3D environment using Maya. This project will be a development idea in experimental 3D which I am undertaking as a personal benefit piece but will ultimately be useful in the future towards a portfolio of work to demonstrate conceptual versatility.
Rather than stick to more regular modelling rules and concepts, this project delves into the world of abstract art taking ideas and influence from Picasso.
The project intentionally steers away from Pixaresque cute, cuddly cartoon animal representations, in order to explore another dimension to modelling and texturing. The finalised project is not necessarily going to be aesthetically pleasing in the conventional sense of the word.

Research thesis subject area

The research will delve in to the background of one of the world most respected and influential artist, Picasso. Looking at his time line of work to find out how he worked to towards producing some of the world's best known art work. Seeing how he was influenced, what his life experiences were. Was his art work always abstract or was there a slow development towards that way of thinking? Particular interest will be concentrated on his work called Guernica, it will be essential as there is a vast array of sketches that Picasso produced before completing the final piece, effectively a way of following in his footsteps and showing the flow of his works.
A look at Picasso's presentation of work specifically his ideas about framing/positioning and lighting a piece.
The majority of the pictures and research material will be found in two books called Picasso Part I (1890-1936) and Picasso Part II (1937-1973) by Carlsten-Peter Warncke & Ingo F. Walther. Websites such as Wikipedia will also be used and have a lot of links to resources relating to Picasso.

Proposed schedule

Weeks 1-3:
Set up blog space on-line for demonstrating working practices.
Prepare research, look into Picasso.
Make notes and collect pictures of abstract works of interest.

Weeks 4-5:
Start sketching abstract animal ideas.
Using pencil for the early rough ideas.
Pick favourites and develop with different colouring and texture ideas.
Modelling in plasticine and photographing the outcome of various models to save time in Maya.
In order to get the best possible result early on.
Finalise two of the sketches in ink with a front, side and plan views.
Scan finalised drawings into the computer ready for modelling in Maya.

Weeks 6-7:
Model the animals in Maya in 3D

Week 8:
Find a suitable rig on the internet, one that can be adapted or rig the character from scratch.

Week 9:
Work on colouring and texturing the model. Look into lighting techniques.

Week 10:
Animate the character. Work on the disfunctionality of the abstract ideas. The disjointed movement of the limbs.

Week 11:
Render the animation.

Week 12:
Edit final work if necessary using a composition software such as After Effects and/or Premier.
Add sound as necessary.
Add final polish, including clear titling and naming of the piece.
Prepare selling package and picture.

Week 13:
Room for error and finalising paperwork.

Week 14:
Submit all elements on data disc or DVD including blog URL.