While working on a new set of tutorials I decided to record a little of what I was making. This on is just a coffee cup and saucer with some compositing work. Maybe you will find something that is useful to you in it. Especially for new Blender users.
Help support my work and more tutorials! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KarlBeiler
Please like, comment, and subscribe!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlenderForge
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blenderforge/
With the goal of visualizing concepts, visions, and events described in the Bible I have created this series of prints and posters based on Ephesians 6:10-17 where the Apostle Paul lays out a sort of visual aide to convey the idea of the Christian being involved in a spiritual war.
I decided to model the articles of armor or equipment after Roman armor of the first century. There were a few reasons for this. First, it is what the original audience would have had in mind when hearing words like helmet and breast plate. Secondarily, I wanted a realistic look. This is easiest the achieve when the subject is based on a thing that the viewer is already familiar with, as well as having plenty of reference material to go off of.
"...having put on the breastplate of righteousness..."
I started with the breast plate because it was obvious to me ahead of time how I might create it. I employed simple low poly shapes, added some thickness, and raised the edges. Done. I followed the same process for the helmet. Real Roman armor would be fastened front and back with a string crossing through loops on each piece like a shoe lace. I opted for belt like leather straps simply because it looked stronger and more practical.
"...take the helmet of salvation..."
I followed the same process for the helmet as the breast plate. The ornament on top was created using a hair particle system that was set to be fairly stiff. I chose this shade of red because it seemed to convey royalty to me.
"Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth..."
The belt was a bit of a struggle to come up with a final design and presentation. I was going for a sort of gladiatorial belt that had some heft to it. I gave it this spiral sort of form for the presentation after seeing that just showing it as a a buckled belt was rather boring. The fir was added as a way to contrast all that leather with another material for visual interest.
"...as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace..."
While the words shoes or boots are not mentioned in the passage, the phrase "...with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace..." is referring to footwear as the analogy. I based these particular "boots" mostly on costume pieces and a pair of women's sandals that I thought looked pretty cool. These were modeled in much the same way as the breast plate and helmet, but with a shrink wrap modifier targeting a foot and calf model.
"...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one..."
The shield was probably the greatest challenge of the lot. It is such a plane shape that it was just boring to look at. Modeled after a roman soldier's scutum which is essentially a curved rectangle, it was lacking in visual appeal. I spent quite a bit of time creating and scuffing up the cross pattern and adding damage to the over all shape to come up with what you see here.
Some of the design ideas that just did not make the cut
"...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...
This was modeled almost directly after a Roman sword. The Tassel is my own touch. The Tassel also helps tie the sword in with the set by resembling the helmet ornament.
The scriptural source for this project can be found in Ephesians chapter six, verses 10-17 of the Christian Bible.
"10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..."
-ESV Translation
I've edited some progress renders of the Watch Tower project into a time-lapse video. I hope you like it. Leave a comment!
Where is the third and final part of the scroll tutorial you ask? The short answer is... It's coming. I had to start all over!
