Sculpting a Mermaid Character with Dynamesh - ZBrush Creature Design: Creating Dynamic Concept Imagery for Film and Games - page 403

5. We will now add the torso. Rather than try to stretch the neck into a torso shape, we will simply use
Insert Sphere to add a sphere. This is the best approach since the torso will take on an egg form from the
ribcage and it simply makes good sense to add a primitive sphere form and then shape that into the torso
mass. From the Brush menu, select the Insert Sphere brush
6. Insert a sphere into the mesh and then switch to the Move brush. Shift the sphere into an egg form.
Using the Move brush, I suggest the hollow area in the ribs known as the thoracic arch. Dynamesh to
merge the pieces into one mesh ( Figure 7-24 ).
When making this ribcage, I am trying to keep in mind this is intended to be a feminine creature. This
should be reflected in the shape of the ribcage. As we saw earlier, the male ribcage is larger and wider
set—the thoracic arch is more open, while on the female ribcage the arch is narrower and the overall size
of the mass is smaller (Figure 7-21). The ratio of size between the ribcage-shoulders and hips will all help
to immediately lead the viewer to ascribe feminine traits to the character even if she has several over-
whelming ichthyoid qualities as well.
7. Using the Mesh Insert brush, draw two spheres for the shoulders ( Figure 7-25 ). With the Move brush,
shape them to help create the scapulas from behind and the trapezius muscles from the front ( Figure 7-26 ) .
8. Dynamesh to combine the shapes into one ( Figure 7-27 ).
9. Rotate to a side view and with the Move brush, check the gesture of the neck. I adjust this slightly to
give a more graceful curve from the head to the shoulders. As I work, even at this early stage, I am trying
to remain aware of the need to maintain graceful feminine forms ( Figure 7-28 ) .
Figure 7-24: Create an egg shape for the torso.