Maya butterfly model

The last butterfly was made in 3Dsmax. Rather than import to Maya I thought I'd go on and make a new model from scratch as the max model made about 3 years ago actually has a list of issues (her expressions were limited, her eye blinks were more of an editing trick, the cloth was more a stroke of luck to get it to work, and so on).  Now with more knowledge I was able to make a new model and fully rig her in about 4 days.  This model has many improvements I love compared to the other.  a switch for the wings, and facial controls for the left and right so she can raise a brow and smirk unlike the last one.  I'm noticing that as time goes by my 3D characters are becoming toonier.  Wonder where they'll be in a year.

Patrick Byrnes

This is the first render of Patrick Byrnes, the father of the main character Gertrude Byrnes.  The model is fully rigged and ready for animation.  the second Grim short will show how protective Patrick is of Gertrude due to the dangerous environment and events from the first short.

Gertrude and Dana

Having some fun with renders and I thought I'd do one with Gertrude from the Grim along with Dana from Suicide Friends.

Dana model complete

The Suicides Friend's model Dana is complete, along with all her variations of clothing.  I've been posing her to work out any issues and I believe I've fixed all of them.  Now she's ready for animation.  Next I'm making co-star characters (of which there's only one) and then sets and props.

Gertrude Poses

Here are more poses of the Grim's red riding hood, Gertude Byrnes. The cloth physics of her cloak and skirt are following her moves with no issues so far. Now it's on to co starring characters and then props.

New Gertrude model complete.

The model for the second Grim short is complete.  I've been testing the rig by posing her.  I believe I've ironed out all the issues the last model had.  This one is simpler to move and I've also changed her hand controls from being buttons on the side to controls attached to the finger joints.  This way I can get up close to the fingers to get them in position much like a stop motion puppet, which I'm far more used to.  It also gives me a wider range of hand position (she can make shadow puppets...maybe I'll render a photo of that).

sound effects completed

Sound effects have been completed by Clemens Wijers and applied to the first short of the Grim.  Now all that's needed is music!  a copy of the film with completed sound effects has been sent to composer Ego Plum.

Dana t-shirt and Pajamas design.

gertrude texture test

testing out subsurface scattering on Gertrude's skin.

Gertrude clothing test

A quick test of cloth dynamics on Gertrude's clothing and to see if it can follow her movements.

Dana cloth test

A quick test of the cloth dynamics on Dana's day clothes.  these dynamics will be applied to all of Dana's clothing.

Sample page

A sample page for Broken down ballerina.  With funding I plan to create more elaborate set pieces to really capture the mood of the story.  http://kck.st/S9vSBN

The base Crystal model

here's a look at the sculpture that all the Crystal are and will be based on.  each time I resculpt her I keep the middle model close by to make sure I get the same look.

Dana evening wear

Dana has a few changes in outfits, but as much as I can I try to keep her in autumn colors.  All of her clothing has been textured.

Textured cabin

A look at the cabin with textures.  Some work still needs to be done but it's on its way.  taking the time of season the story takes place, I plan to add a little frost to the windows.

First Grim short is nearly to completion

Clemens Wijers has started work on the sound for the first Grim short today!

There's no place like home.

Here's a look at the cabin set (Gertrude's home) for the second Grim short.  A lot of care has been taken to make this set look functional.  There are even hinges on the door.

Dana Clothing completed

Dana's pajamas were the last bit of clothing she needed.  now it's on to adjusting one much smaller character (who fortunately doesn't need different models or clothing) and also props and sets!

Gertrude clothing models completed

With the completion of the cloak model, Gertrude's clothing only needs texture and she's ready for animation.  after this it's on to secondary characters (or at least characters that don't need separate models and clothing changes) sets, and props.