Thalian Singing Bettle Face Render

Just a render test before bed.

additional renders

Working out the anaomy of solenopsis (stinger not included in these images). I tried to get the post petiole correct based on reference from books and the interent, possibly I dodn't have quite the right scale or maybe it is to closely attached to the abdomen:

here' is a link to one of the image I used for reference:

http://www.mississippientomologicalmuseum.org.msstate.edu/images/antphotos/Solenopsis_invicta_side.jpg

Here is a close up of the face of my model (needs hair still):

I think I need to round the top of the head more, may have gotten a little exaggerated during sculpting

Here is one of the reference image I used:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Solenopsis_invicta_casent0005804_head_1.jpg

Wasp animation

I created an animation using the wasp I designed for my Gnomon DVD on hyper realistic insect design:

Wasp Animation from Eric Keller on Vimeo.

Sound Design created by Neal Keller. Models created in ZBrush, animated in Maya rendered in VRay and comped in Nuke.

Bulldog Ant

This is a model I originally started in Sculptris 2 years ago! I finally touched her up in ZBrush and rendered in Maya/mental ray 2014. I think she works as a chef in a teeny tiny ant version of Benihana. She has hair but it came out a little too thin I think. still a work in progress.

Solenopsis Invicta

Here's my ZBrush model of Solenopsis Invicta. I love to say "Solenopsis Invicta" and try to work it into every conversation. You know her as the feisty fire ant worker. She still need hair and you can see her legs don't quite join up with her body.  Also I'm working on her stinger. I made this a while back but thought it was time for an update. Rendered in mental ray for Maya 2014.

Invicta = invincible!

leafCutter (Acromyrmex) Models

Here are some mental ray renders of a leaf cutter. This is a model I started in ZBrush a yera go. There's a video of me sculpting this on my Vimeo site: acromyrmex model session. leg proportions on this gal are tricky and she will certainly be getting some hair soon!

Thalian Singing Beetle WIP

This is a new beetle model I'm playing with, a  top and bottom view in ZBrush and a test render in Maya/mental ray. Still trying to work out the color patterns and I'm in the process of adding wings. Naturally there will be some hair added eventually.