gra4mac Posted March 8, 2004 Share Posted March 8, 2004 I'm working on ananime inspired head, and looking for some input. I have in mind that it will be a young girl, but I want to use the same head, with changes, to make other characters. I'm fairly happy with the face, but I'm not sure about the hair. I want it to render quickly and be easy to animate blowing in the wind. Any suggestions would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Rodney Posted March 8, 2004 Admin Share Posted March 8, 2004 Graham, There are many different "anime" styles so take the following as it's intended. For the hair I'd suggest using a lot of exageration... Thicken up the middle-give it some volume. If that doesn't fit the over all style you are going for... disregard. I prefer the cartoony "anime" versus the straight "anime" look but that' me. Looks like you are going for the straight look. Don't forget the anime eyebrows etc. Here are two pics from about 10 years ago. Ideas that I would like to revisit someday. Not necessarily good examples (of art or anatomy) but I see an opportunity to publish so I'm taking it... Looks like you are going for more of the 'realistic' look on the left... Looking forward to the approach *YOU* take! *Added: I'd also suggest simplifying the nose to get 'the anime look'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omoanime Posted March 8, 2004 Share Posted March 8, 2004 Hi Graham, The head looks like it is coming along nicely. It just so happens that I have been playing around with anime hairstyles lately. What I have noticed from the 1,000+ anime that I own and the anime drawing books I have is that anime style hair is a two-part process. First, there is the base "helmet." This is a close to the skull layer of "hair" that covers the scalp solidly and is colored with the hair's base color. The second part are the layered "fronds". These are the elongated V shaped strands/locks of hair. They are what moves and catches the highlights. Traditional pencil animators don't want to spend all their time rendering hair, so they judiciously place these in strategic places - as bangs or forelocks, over the ears, and by the eyes generally. This puts them where the strands movement will give them the most bang for the buck. If your girl has long hair, it will generally be one huge "frond" with a bow or clip at its base. The bow is important because that is the reference point for the movement. Here are a handful of shots of my attempt at anime hair. I used the free Gala model as my actress and gave her new eyes, eyebrows and hair. Apologies to her creator. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omoanime Posted March 8, 2004 Share Posted March 8, 2004 Hi Graham, First, I agree with Rodney. There is no one "right" way to do anime hair and I hope that I did not come across as sounding like it is my way or the highway. Two, here is a link to my anime website. Take a look at the quicktime preview. If you have quicktime pro, you can even save it to disc. It is on the small size to save bandwidth but the blue-haired girl has a few moments where her hair is in action. Observe how all the action is actually just one big wave of the long thick ponytail plus a few strategically place hairs by the eyes, forehead and ears. Gonzo is one of my favorite anime studios and they do a really nice job of balancing fluid motion and economy of drawing. Hope this helps and keep up the good work! Paul http://www.omoanime.com/reviews/animedetai...sso?id=1208&h=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gra4mac Posted March 9, 2004 Author Share Posted March 9, 2004 Thanks for the feedback Rodney and Paul. I need to work on the hair to get a more natural look. I'm using Voices of a Distant Star as my guide for the type of look I'm after, for the amazing backgrounds and the frugal characters. I have a ways to go yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omoanime Posted March 9, 2004 Share Posted March 9, 2004 Graham, I think Mao-Chan might be a great guide for you. The opening (which you can view at the link below) has three young girls who have nice, simple anime hair that would be pretty straightforward to animate. Plus Production I.G. has some very cool, well integrated 3D models in the opening - a tank, a harrier-style jet and a sub. Now all that is left is to to get them to use A:M exclusively http://www.omoanime.com/reviews/animedetai...sso?id=1306&h=1 Warning - the opening tune will embedded itself in your brain. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gra4mac Posted March 9, 2004 Author Share Posted March 9, 2004 I worked on the hair and like it better,although, I may change the colour. I stuck the head on a body so I can start animating her. I may change the clothing and the rig needs some work, but it's nice to see her pose. I don't know if there are styles for anime clothing, but I guess I'll have a look around. Still looking for comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Rodney Posted March 9, 2004 Admin Share Posted March 9, 2004 Looks Japanese Anime CG to me! All heads look better with a body. (Well, they do... and yours does too) ... now wondering what adventures he'll be embarking on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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