November/December 2015 Challenge: Larb's commission - Umi No Toride

[J.Edward]

It looks like Larb and I have worked out the commissions and so will be starting soon... which is good.
She challenged me to create a fort or fortress out in the sea, but not on an island, that was far enough out so one must take a boat to reach it.
She wanted a side view and plan view. It was up in the air as to whether it would be scifi or fantasy... and then it solidified into something that would fit L5R, so oriental fantasy.
Thus it will be Umi No Toride, the Sea Fort... maybe fortress if time permits it to be that big.
So I have my work cut out for me. Hopefully I'll get some sketching done today between work and can post something tonight.

[J.Edward]

I did up a quick sketch of the tentative layout.
I was trying to go for that really confusing round about way that Japanese castles run so they can't be attacked directly.
I like it, basically, thought I would like some areas with more open space, so maybe some editing on layout.
Umi No Toride sketch 01a.jpg

[joaodafi]

I'm curious to see how will be the side view.

[J.Edward]

I'm curious to see how will be the side view.

I haven't decided yet which direction I will be looking at it from.
I might lay it out in sketchup to get a better feel for how it will look from different angles.

[Larb]

The long winding path up to the main keep is perfect. \o/

[J.Edward]

The long winding path up to the main keep is perfect. \o/

That's good. It took a couple resketches to get it right.
So a bit of an update.. some 3d goodness to show.
This is basically the layout I think. No roofs yet on the model.
Loads more to do. Not sure if I'm going to also have multiple levels in there.
I guess time will determine how much I can do.
Umi No Toride 01a WIP1crop.jpg
Remember, this is just a rough model to help me with the perspective.
This is just a quick test render. Not necessarily the view I'll use.

[J.Edward]

Got a bit more modeling done. Got some roofs and wall caps in there.
I think it's probably enough for a perspective reference now.
Will update as I have more.
Umi No Toride 01a WIP2crop.jpg Umi No Toride 01a WIP3crop.jpg Umi No Toride 01a WIP4crop.jpg
Hope this is working in the direction you want Larb.
This is going to be fun drawing and all.

[Diamond]

Borat voice: I like!

[J.Edward]

Now I'm sittin here trying to think... how would that sound..

[joaodafi]

As always your creativity is inspiring J.Edward.
Cool design, it would be interesting put a watchtower on the north or northeast side.