Barry the kobold, initial block out

Since the kobold creature references involves overall proportions that I've never modelled or sculpted before, I decided to start the initial modelling process by Using Z-Spheres in Z-Brush. Not too much time was spent here as it didn't need to be perfect since the brush tools could be used to add or subtract dynamesh and polyclay later on. As long as the basic nature of the overall shape needed was in place, there was a base to build upon.

After converting the Z-Spheres to an adaptive skin with enough geometry to keep things rough, I started the sculpting by blocking in the major primary forms and landmarks of the anatomy derived from the visual refences. This is a process to be followed throughout the project in terms of getting the basics down and building upon it.

This turnaround shows the piece in it's current state as a dynamesh that includes primary forms, major anatomical landmark and some secondary details of the torso, upper arms and neck. I decided to go this far without starting on the head so that There was something to go by in terms of proportion so that the head could be compared to what already exists to ensure that the proportions can be balanced further into the work.

Although I'd got something sculpted out before starting on the head as a guide to proportions it became clear that too much had been built up. The visual references do show the large and long head of a kobold but I think I went too far in some areas. Before continuing there needs to be changes to the size of the head in places otherwise committing further would cause more problems resulting in more work than necessary.

Another thing that has been taken into account before including eyes, teeth and a tongue is the Polypainting. Before getting everything down and sculpting or apply any kind of tertiary details for the textures, I think it would be best to research Polypainting further to learn how to paint in such a way that could compliment tertiary details.