Schematics for objects are really hard to come by, which is why we have to wing it. It’s like figure drawing. You look at the reference, block it in, check a few proportions, draw what you see or interpret it, and be creative. Once you get enough practice with it you can do that kind of design process in a 3D environment.

It’s kind of funny when you think about it actually. I often go from a 3D mock-up to 2D illustrations, and then Adam takes both of those to make a more refined 3D mock-up which we’ll then use to paint over again for the final illustrations for the comic. From 3D to 2D to 3D to 2D. I suppose that’s what happens when a bunch of people who want to do 3D animated shows decide to make a comic book.

Designing takes some time, sure, but once I know exactly what the final is supposed to look like (as I did with this truck) my next step is to put together a mockup so I will know what the basic shape will be and can visualize what it’s going to look like when finished. (this stage takes a bit of imagination but it’s very effictive)

Once the planning is done I just jump in and wing it mostly in one shot. I am no stranger to modeling, so the model above really didn’t take much time to throw together once the preliminary work was done. So no blueprints, no cad, no crazy measurements, I just jump in and wing it.

And boy do I enjoy every minute of it.

Jason