The objective of this illustration was to digitally sculpt a complex organic form, retopologizing the sculpt and realistically rendering it in the subject’s natural environment. I chose the state insect of the state of New Mexico: the tarantula hawk wasp (P. grossa). Dr. Christopher Darling, Senior Curator of Insects at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), generously provided a tarantula hawk wasp specimen for this study. Additional reference photographs were taken from ROM exhibits and specimen collections.
Audience:
General
Date:
December 2019
Supervisor:
Prof. Nicholas Woolridge
Content Advisor:
Prof. Chris Darling
Media:
Pixologic ZBrush, Maxon Cinema 4D, Autodesk Arnold for Cinema 4D
Format:
Print
By examining the specimen using a dissecting microscope (loaned by Prof. Dave Mazierski of UTM BMC), I made plan elevation sketches which were used for digital modeling.
ZBrush was used for digital modeling/sculpting and retopologizing, after which the object was brought into Cinema 4D for coloring, rendering, environment construction and lighting.
References:
1. Harris, A. C. 1987: Pompilidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Fauna of New Zealand [no.] 12.