topography

                               Introduction

Topography of the face is a concept I had to grasp this week. What exactly is this? Well, when making character models you have to understand how the face flows, and how the face might bend. This is especially important when animating a character or you could possibly see edges and faces go into each other in a weird way. I had to understand the idea that major parts of the face that moves in animation (mouths and eyes) have to have flowed around the mouth. Also, the face is a separate part of the head. 

Inspiration

There wasn't necessarily a single artist I like for topography. I have watched a few videos and looked on google for topography maps to see how the face flows. The first video result on google for me was Daniel Kreuter and his 11-minute video really helped me understand what exactly was topography. He also was the one to explain how the faces work in relation to real-life faces such as how wrinkles look or when someone smirks how their face and lips fold.

Brainstorming

I'll be honest. I was just flowing along in my tutorial brainlessly, but as I work and make edge loops I start to understand it a bit more. And how exactly the flow is around the eyes. I also started to understand the tips on how it's all polygon with 3-5 sides shapes, and how quads would be the best which lucky most of my polygons are.

Experimental

My experiment was making the flow, my quads are there my topography is there. But it's just not as clean as everyone else's. My polygon is 4 sides, but they are NOT squares more like trapezoids. I tried to make them more pleasing and even, but for some reason, I feel as if I would mess it up more and more if I move it. 

Process

The lines are not as smooth as I want them to be. It looks straight but very rocky. I had little to no 3 or 5 sides only 4 sided polygons!!

Reflection

Honestly, I feel like I learned a lot from this week's investigation since I kind of had no prior knowledge. I understand how it works and I honestly believe if I make another character I could possibly make it work out a tutorial and understand how the face works.

Work Log:

Monday: 11/8/21 I started to understand how the face works and followed Shonzo's tutorial. I worked 2x as faster as before. 

Tuesday: 11/9/21 Finished the eye part and understand how making faces work.

Wednesday: 11/10/21 One by one selected vertexes to make faces for my face. I know there was probably a faster way, but I DID NOT want to risk redoing the face again for like the 4th time.

Thursday: 11/11/21 Finished selecting vertexes finished the face YAYY. 

Friday:  11/12/21 Started the neck working slow, but I want to make this as perfect as possible.