3D Characters that Look Like Illustrations | Making Stormfellers Part II

I’m making an Animated Series, and there’s 4 New Character Models, 4 New Characters, and 4 Questions to Answer.
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[@mattdoesstuff8987]

Announce Chris Pratt as the voice of Biko

[@rainpooper7088]

"It's been a lifelong dream of mine to become Biko."

[@thebiggerfish8976]

Biko? More like... He's so Bikool!

[@AWE-Nessy]

the models look great, and in terms of what i’d like to see more of is maybe a revision of older videos like updating the ones you think may not have aged as well or ones that you think you could do better with the art experience you have now

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Very much agreed!

[@thetimturnershow2883]

OMG Quilver looks SO GOOD in 3D!!! Can’t wait to see him fully animated. Keep up the great work!!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thanks so much, I’m really glad!

[@sylvanshroom]

I love seeing your process so much!! As an ADHD overly ambitious person I feel called out-- (half joking) You are becoming the beautiful banana you were always meant to be 😤 And wow I can't believe you got Brookes Eggleston as Glangor what a get!!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Im still nervous I’ll lose the part but I remain hopeful for now!!

[@4_seagull]

@@CharacterDesignForge wdym lose the part, aren't you directing it?

[@Beatumpop]

he is joking haha

[@4_seagull]

@@Beatumpop oh… oops

[@princess_sunny]

i also feel called out lol

[@SarahMaeBea]

The 3D models and textures look incredible! Looks like a huge amount of work going into it. Really well done.

[@deklanb.4992]

I would love to see more production design! You’re doing something really unique by starting your own studio, something that I think lots of people (myself included!) would love to do someday. Working on passion projects, hiring animation help, writing, illustrating, growing as an artist. I think just being able to see what’s going on, being ‘in the room where it happens’ so to speak, is really exciting and unique!! ❤

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Deeply appreciate that Deklan, thank you! 💜

[@Charely1925]

I think what I would love to see more of is your own project. I don't see a lot of creators putting as much effort into original 3D shows as you are. I'd love to see little things like an animation, rigging, or texturing session and hearing your own thoughts as you go through it. I think you have a real gem with this story and I'm always excited when I see an update on your story. Also, let us know if you need more animators so we can apply.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

I really appreciate it, thanks for the vote of confidence - as much as I love helping other people make things, I would really like to be able to make my own and share it as a means of helping on its own!

[@Charely1925]

​@@CharacterDesignForge I think you would do an amazing amount of good by doing just that. Along with your other videos, feel free to show us more and more of your project as you feel comfortable and share your progress. What ever you decide, I will be rooting for your creative endeavors. Keep it up man! You're doing great!

[@kakao-katze]

Seeing the main cast in 3d really sells that this was the best way for them to be presented. I love Glangor’s mouth, especially. I just… Really like how flexible it seems. Reminds me of when people try to emulate 2d animation techniques of off model frames in 3d. I love when there’s that nice balance between the two mediums. Makes me feel better that no major studios do 2d anymore. I digress… …But seriously! Disney seemed like they doomed 2d to fail when the 2000s rolled around and decided that films like “home on the range” failed because it was 2d and not due to any other contributing factor, I mean come ON! I mean, I may be getting my facts wrong or one sided with this, but STILL that doesn’t excuse the recent history of society being weirdly adversed to 2d animation. Or animation as an art form all together. Oh, and don’t get me STARTED on people calling it a “genre”. It’s like as Brad Bird said- Oops. Got on a little bit of a tangent there. Woopsie doodles! (But if anyone ever wants to ask me history, facts and strong opinions about the animated industry, I’m always here, ya know? Lol)

[@HeartlessReaperKun]

I am so excited to see what you do next with Stormfellers. The models are looking really great and I can wait to see the environments they'll be in. :D

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thank you Fayete!

[@AZUREPHOENIX777]

8:00 Yes, absolutely post them as youtube shorts.

[@geometricrobots.]

I reallly love how they're rendered in Blender. I've made a bunch of 3d models but have never controlled lighting and shadows on the models. (edit: I mistook the texture for rendering and got overly excited about it.)

[@CharacterDesignForge]

So glad! Will get wven more fine tuned from here!

[@ellachristineart]

I really enjoy your redesigning/redrawing other people’s characters series. It’s both entertaining and informative :)

[@daegan_ftw]

I think a really nice video idea would be one about how to troubleshoot your own work. We don't always have access to a fresh set of eyes or time to get away from a project so knowing how to diagnose one's own art problems would be a very valuable video.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Great suggestion!

[@bearbones7913]

Also i am really jealous, amazed and bedazzled at the quality of the models! Blew my mind and encouraged me to keep on working!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thank you thank you!!

[@arkanimation9833]

From the first announcement of this new frontier you were announcing I had a feeling you were going to get the animation obsession! I’m happy to see the family grow!👏👏🔥🔥

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Haha, Good call!

[@arkanimation9833]

@@CharacterDesignForge I love animating it’s hard, I appreciate your advice on character design because I realized late character design is a different educational path bc my school is really focused, and what I meant to say is glad to have another member to the animation family!

[@sisterdragonwithfeathers1654]

Honestly I love your videos the way you're already doing them. I've loved watching them evolve as you grew as an artist and shared your insights, grew as an editor and set up your videos with nice scenery and beautiful lighting (the lighting and close-up vibe on this one particularly were seriously just so great), and yet remained the same genuine, personable sort of creator throughout. Your genuine tone is the thing I think I've enjoyed the most about your youtube content, and I don't expect that's going anywhere, wherever your creative decisions take the presentation of your videos next. I absolutely agree with a few other commenters here about re-vamping old videos with new insight (and the other improvements to actual video style you've made along the way). I've found those really enlightening over the years.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

This comment completely makes my day, sincerely appreciate this!

[@chikinbee]

I have a few questions. They are: 1. Who could the Stormfellers meet on their journey? 2. What was the world like before the storm? 3. Will there be more characters in Stormfellers in the future? I’m sure the pilot could come sometime in mid or late 2023; if not, 2024. Even if it takes a long time for the pilot to be released, I’m sure the pilot will be worth all the waiting!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Fantastic questions! Thanks for the assurance, im hoping to be done as soon as i can!

[@josiedohrn9365]

I appreciate your updates on the process of your show and I would really enjoy learning your tips and tricks along the way! I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to create my own tv show, so having someone documenting the steps is really cool!

[@mr.funnyguy1164]

I would love to see you give more advice on the process of 3D art! ( like Blender :] ) More specifically about how you transitioned these super expressive 2D characters into 3D models. Like what techniques you used to essentially make your illustrations walk right out of the page and into Blender. A lot of beginner 3D modelers (myself included) have trouble properly transitioning their 2D illustrated characters into a 3D model, usually the model ends up looking like a robotic bootleg of itself. So hearing advice from you on that topic would be a huge help!

[@animated_being]

So exciting - Those rigs look crazy cool! It's amazing how many stages of production can be done in blender alone now. (also please don't call Glangor lame, I love him) 😢

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Oh he’s fine, I just hope his casting announcement isnt too lame 😆

[@conner121100]

I would love to work on something like this, it looks so freaking CUTE, Edit: I am a 3D animator btw, getting into creating my own characters specifically because I found your videos and I want to spread that kind of cartoony energy, I hope I can do something like this series for myself one day

[@deklanb.4992]

YES PLEASE POST THEM AS YT SHORTS ❤❤❤

[@AZUREPHOENIX777]

Stuff I'd like to see more of from you: Stormfellers Art stuff that's lacking? Hm...you've already covered so many topics it's tough to think of a new one. How to decide what to keep and what to toss when iterating on a character design? Nah, I'm pretty sure you've done that one already. I'll have to keep thinking. Stormfellers questions: * What's the family situation with each of the main cast? * Will Stormfellers have an actual villain? If so, any details you'd like to share? * Do the island or the storms have an origin myth of sorts that you're willing to talk about at this stage?

[@CharacterDesignForge]

There are definitely answers to all of those questions that I really want to get to post-pilot 👀👀👀

[@CharacterDesignForge]

But the first might get a little piece of an answer in the pilot!

[@AZUREPHOENIX777]

​@@CharacterDesignForge Oh, and do any of the characters have love interests?

[@BrentGalloway]

The 3D models look so good!!! I love getting to see a bit behind the scenes. So stoked about this series!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thanks so much Brent!

[@princess_sunny]

i wish i knew about this project earlier, but i’m super excited for the pilot!!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Awesome, I really appreciate it!! Thank you!

[@logosimian]

I think something people don't often consider is that mediums alter the story. Some stories are better suited to being comics; animation would weaken them. Some better as animations; being a comic will weaken them. This is not really a consideration for large media companies because the weaker version is still something they can sell to fans for extra cash, and they don't care as much about diluting a product. Independent creators should care more, but we have to weigh that against "well, what can I actually make with the resources, skills, and time I have?" Nevertheless, it's good to try and put the story into the medium its best for if you can.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Very true!

[@BHRaccoon]

"I didn't want to take the easy way out and draw a comic." Confirmed that comic artists are all pansies and lesser artists who just don't have the backbone to make an animated series! You heard it here first from Brookes! Nah, I get where you're coming from ;) I've definitely been in that boat of thinking I wasn't 'ready' for a project and either pushing it off or changing the medium rather than even trying to realistically engage with the dream. It's almost like a form of self-censorship. I'm glad that you're pushing through and making your dream into a reality! As for opinions on videos and what I'd like to see in the channel, I personally really like the videos that are instructive, but not *destructive* like most KZbin art videos in my feed seem to be. You rarely have a 'Never do this!' or "This is the WRONG way to draw and you should feel bad!' style of video or even thumbnail, and that's really encouraging. I like seeing more of the videos that go over character design principles that can be broadly applied so that I can better implement it in my own art and storytelling. Stuff like "Find your artistic voice" and even "Painting for people who hate painting" have been really uplifting and helpful to me. I'm personally less interested in some of the experimental stuff like when you tried to design a better Funko Pop style figure. The process and mindset was very interesting, but it felt less useful to me, so I've never really rewatched it like your other videos. Hopefully that helps. Good luck!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Yep, it seems like I cant make videos unless they’re exclusively useful to people, unfortunately.

[@BHRaccoon]

@@CharacterDesignForge It's not that you can't make them. It's more that videos that are more instructional are easier to want to rewatch and study, so it naturally leads to them being watched with a finer tooth comb and I enjoy that a bit more. I personally think stuff about your series here especially is very interesting and cool to watch! I wouldn't have picked up the Biko plush or watched the past videos that were exclusively about Stormfellers content if I didn't think it was worth engaging with that content.

[@lofiworkshop]

This is really inspiring to see. You've also got some great advice to share. Your repurposed character is a fantastic example of growth as an artist and storyteller. Thanks for the great video, and keep sharing your journey.

[@dissonanceparadiddle]

Wow those rigs look great and the materials and textures really look like a painting!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thank you very much!

[@landonj7863]

My favorite videos on this channel right now...are these! 😄 I'm just excited to see more Stormfellers :) The models look so polished and expressive - these designs seriously look awesome in 3D. I know the rendering isn't done but the shaders are already looking beautiful! It makes me wish I knew more 3D animation so I could work on it 😅

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thank you so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying them!

[@blakespangler3111]

Just saw this video on my feed and immediately had to click on it. I love your stuff Brookes!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

You the real MVP, thank you Blake!

[@Lushura]

Just discovered the channel throught the new procreate app and I discover that you're making a 3D animation show. As an animator i can say that your rigs looks really great and fun to animate with! Really excited to discover this animated :)

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thanks so much!

[@CrunchyCrumbles]

the new Cornelius Carlisle is so cool!!!

[@WindyDreams15]

Looks amazing so far, keep at it!😊 As for what I, personally, would like to see, I have SOME ideas: I would like to know about pitching an idea to "The Big Boys". What to know, what to expect, how complete an idea should be, how to market it in an appealing way etc. I'd also like to know how to work indie. So many cool people are doing well for themselves and I want to know the secrets! Next, how to make yourself consistently work even when you aren't motivated, how to make yourself start, how to pick up from where you left off etc.. Excecutive dysfunction is a bastard and I DESPISE it's existence! How to use social media to grow an audience. I have used social media UNsocially my whole life, I have NO IDEA how it works and at this point I'm too afraid to ask! And finally, how to stop being afraid in this business, whether the thing you're afraid is failure, the amount of work looming over you, and just... not being enough. I am like Luigi in this and I want to be better. You've probably made videos related to these topics before- and I'd appeciate links to those if you have! - but updated versions would be cool as well! Any help would be appreciated and thank you in advance!

[@metalstring8505]

Awesome video! I can't wait for this series to come out!! Also, how do you make your houses? I struggle so badly at drawing houses.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thanks so much! Good video idea right there

[@metalstring8505]

@@CharacterDesignForge Of course! Keep up the great work!

[@HangryAnimalsGame]

Love whatching your progress. Inspiring stuff. The finish on the 3D characters is beautiful.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thanks so much! They look even better now, cant wait to share

[@nonbihenry604]

Keep it going! You are doing great, it's very inspiring!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

That I’ll do, you rock!

[@lioedevon4275]

Omg! Yes Yes Yes! Very excited for this!!!!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Im so glad!

[@gijis02]

Thank you for sharing your process with us!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thanks for watching it!

[@dearqueen6795]

I have difficulty finding different and recognizable body shapes while still having my art style. Do you think you could do a video for that? You said you wanted ideas, I think that would be cool

[@Kyamusuku]

I love it when 3d art has a 2d look to it.

[@TeeKetch]

This is amazing dude, incredibly impressive!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thank you Teeg!

[@reachupandpickabean]

theres someone else exploring the island though, someone much more outgoing than carlisle, its kirby!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

😂

[@LARADEKA]

*_I see 3D committing 2D texturing._* *_I WANT THE SECRETS..._* But sculpting is likely gonna be my target of learning when I tackle once again with Blender and commit the fundamentals of "Hand-painting Textures" (UV Mapping is still suffering, and audio mixing is torture). Cel Shading is the usual 2D effect that gives 3D models their 2D style (Found in anime, a LOT). And I can't wait to see the world-building come to life in Blender.

[@adam7280]

I'm curious; why paint ambient occlusion if blender can do it automatically? is it to achieve a more stylised look?

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Yeah! You’ll see a lot of games specifically aiming for a handpainted look paint in their ambient occlusion- but especially with the shader setup I’m using, there isn’t any automatic AO- everything’s manual

[@bearbones7913]

I wish you luck and good fortune friend

[@interlock2.076]

when will this show will be out?

[@nancyovanbeek1010]

this is so amazing. wtf. i am woah

[@4_seagull]

4

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Storm4llers

[@pinkinkNZ]

where r u going to release ur show?

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Here on KZbin!

[@pinkinkNZ]

@@CharacterDesignForge oh really yay! lol

[@LocalPest]

Trying to imagine you as the voice of Glangor is a bit difficult, your voice just sounds too nice (like personality wise) Edit: why do guys have such good vocal range? Not Alex Hirsch voicing half his characters XD

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Hehe thank you- you can hear some of the scratch audio I did for him in part one 😄

[@pinkinkNZ]

yeah yt shorts!

[@salvidomum5287]

BANANA

[@salvidomum5287]

I can't believe stormfellers confirmed banana slugs have legs

[@CharacterDesignForge]

DK sounds intensify

[@dominoteodosio5682]

Who’s Quilver AS IN THE PERSON VOICING not the character

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Quilver

[@markguyton2868]

Yeah, 3D models are very obnoxious, especially when it comes to non-symmetrical modes like Glangor when you can't just mirror the model.

[@TrueJellyHawk]

There aren't a lot of in depth video critique on youtube.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Which kind do you mean?

[@TrueJellyHawk]

@@CharacterDesignForge Perhaps of old artwork or submitted artwork. These could be as long as 20 minutes on one specific piece or just quick pointers for a larger quantity of artwork which over ark a specific point you are trying to make.

[@awsumcreations7604]

i guess quillsilver is going to be mute

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Biko wishes

[@AZUREPHOENIX777]

You are becoming a better banana

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Peel ahead