Origins

A few weeks ago I was finishing up a few smaller 3D projects and I wanted to start a new one that would be challenging but also be one I could spread out over a few months to ease the workload. I'd started watching season 1 of Prison Break again and was again fascinated by the tattoo. I originally thought "well I'll just draw out the tattoo" but that quickly changed to "why not do everything?".

Aims

My final aim for this project is to have a complete, as good as photoreal, reconstruction of Michael Scofield in full 3D. Once this is done in theory I should be able to create a variety of images with only my imagination as the limit. The one idea I did have was to do some 'promo' type shots for season 3.

How I'm doing it...

To create the model and textures as well the final images I will be using the following software:

- Autodesk 3d studio max 8
- Skymatter Mudbox
- Adobe Photoshop CS2
- Corel Painter IX
- Paint Shop Pro 8

For the model it is a case of finding good reference pictures (front and side) and then modeling away in 3ds max until you get something roughly looking like the person in question. For example this is a Han Solo model I did recently:

Reference images for the face

Progression to the rough base mesh

Once you get it to that stage it can be taken into Mudbox and scultped just like clay, I use a Wacom tablet to do this as it gives better control than my mouse. Once its done in Mudbox it comes out like this:

Finished Han Solo head

Now thats a pretty simplified explanation, as there's no need to really go into great detail on the process at this stage. For Michael the process will be similar although I will be modelling the whole body at once instead of just the face, and the hair won't be 'sculpted in' as it is with Han.

From there I'll need to start texturing it and that will involve recreating all the tattoo's on him (current as of 2.22 Sona) and applying them to the model so that they sit correctly. I believe that of all the things this will be the hardest step (and as such it gets a whole section to itself...lol). I've got about 170 different reference pics of the tattoo and am slowly piecing it all together.

In Closing

It'll be a challenge that's for sure, but if I can get it done (and I will) it'll be something to be proud of for sure. I'll go into more details with the process as I go along doing updates but for now I hope this makes some sense...lol.