Kitbash3d.com Mission to Minerva Entry Drew Spence

Kitbash3d.com has a global art challenge where they have released a free kit and artists are able to use the kit in an animated (motion) or 2D (still) piece. Submit the piece to the contest by tagging Kitbash3D.com (#KB3Dchallenge on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Artstation). Details of the contest rules and prizes are on the site. https://kitbash3d.com/pages/minerva

I discovered Kitbash3d years ago. They were offering high quality model kits that were mostly aimed at high-end 3D users, artists, VFX and concept/story board illustrators. The packages come in different software formats. [3DS Max, Blender, Cinema4D, FBX + OBJ, Houdini, MAYA, Unity, Unreal]. My main software is Daz Studio so I usually download the Unreal or Blender version and export to OBJ+ Texture files. At around $199 USD it’s a solid deal for the amount and variety of pieces that come with any set. For me, there was no hesitation with jumping in on this contest. Their kits were already part of my asset library and the Mission to Minerva offering would be an easy addition.

The follow-up story to the graphic novel The God of Fury took place at an army-like basecamp. I found the overall layout inspirational and some of the elements, like the radar towers, figure prominently in the story. The Transport and Rover are key vehicles. I need a lot of functionality from the assets I use for my comics. Kitbash3d does a wonderful job of supplying models that look great up close and they have now implemented texture sizes as a choice. I’ll be sharing my comic book entry across all my social media profiles. Thank you for your support.

You can read the full comic book here.

Drew Spence is a graphic comic writer and illustrator

from the United States. He creates under the title of

The Dynamic Universe, which published the digital comics

Force Six The Annihilators and Killer Butterfly. He has

combined his music and video into several works including

Mark of the Griffin, which is both a graphic novel and web

series. These comics are available in digital format on

Amazon Kindle and in print from Indy Planet. He is part of

the instrumental group Fallout Shelter which provides

the soundtrack.

Drew Spence is a graduate of Stony Brook University with

a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art and holds various

certificates – from graphic arts to web design.

He currently lives on Long Island, New York and

produces his work from the aptly named Fallout

Shelter Studios, where he crafts crafty and clever

comics using CGI and photorealistic image manipulation.

The Social Behaviors.  

https://www.TheDynamicUniverse.com

The Dynamic Universe can be engaged on the various networks.

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/TheDynamicUniverse

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheDynamicUniverse/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dynamicamusic/

Twitter

Tweets by DynamicaMusic

YouTube

http://www.Youtube.com/DynamicaMusic

We are The Dynamic Universe. We create graphic comics. They sit between traditional strips and a 3-D style of photorealistic drama. Enjoy the science-fantasy action adventure with terrific tints, great graphics and compelling story-telling. Read the comic and enjoy the soundtrack. Story and art by Drew Spence.

Sci-Fi Special Effects Webinars Saturday & Sunday June 1 and 2nd

Creating an astounding science fiction universe requires numerous special effects. Want to know how to add laser swords, energy bolts, explosions, starship jets and contrails to give your visuals extra dynamics? Drew Spence takes you on a step by step journey to help you create some sci-fi vitality in your story world. He’ll use Photoshop to demonstrate the best techniques and brushes as well as other must-have resources to help you build your sci-fi universe.

Sci-fi special effects webinar entry

$55.00

Sci-fi special effects webinar entry. Includes HD webinar recording and any materials that the presenter includes for class members.

Part 1 : Sci-fi weapons

Date: Saturday 1st May

Duration: 1.5+ hours.

Laser swords : “An elegant weapon for a more civilized age.”

• Laser sword effects
• Laser sword trails
• Sabre locks : laser swords clashing
• Cutting and slashing effects
• Recommended lighting for laser sword effects
• Best laser sword related products

Laser Blasters : “Sorry about the mess.”

• Laser blaster effects
• Sci-fi muzzle flash
• Blaster explosions
• Blaster scoring effects
• Shattered glass
• Streaming phaser beam
• Best blaster/laser/scoring brushes and products

Part 2 : Sci-fi Starships

Date: Sunday 2nd May

Duration: 1.5+ hours.

Spaceship jets, contrails and damage : “I’ve outrun Imperial starships, not the local bulk-cruisers, mind you…”

• Jet effects – using authentic lighting
• Jet engine trails and high energy plasma exhaust
• Space warp/jump effect including star trails
• Battle damage : dirtying up a spacecraft in a laser battle
• Colors for jets – what works?
• Best brushes and resources for jets and contrails
• Bonus : Must-have – three incredible resources – surprising source of special effects you wouldn’t expect.

Inside a Spaceship : “Would it help if I got out and pushed?”

• Plasma tubes
• Classic Sci-fi corridors – dressing and lighting for different scenes
• Sci-fi control panels : from kit bash to a graphic dashboard

Postwork help

During the webinars (If there’s time) or afterwards in the FB Digital Art Live community group…

• We’ll assist you with your own sci-fi/fantasy scenes to give you feedback on adding/adjusting special effects

You can find other series that Drew Spence has created with Digital Art Live for purchase in the Daz Store. https://www.daz3d.com/digital-art-live You can take classes, watch tutorials and attend webinars and much more https://digitalartlive.com/events/

Panel Page and Word Balloons

Podcast Panel Page and Word Balloons Demon Division Study

Drew Spence takes a look at Demon Division’s use of panel and page layout. It’s a composition challenge to arrange the characters and their speech balloons.

This is comic is free to read on…

Line Webtoon

https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/demon-division/cover/viewer?title_no=213646&episode_no=1

ComicFury

http://demondivision.thecomicseries.com/comics/first/

Drew Spence created a workshop set of tutorials for Digital Art Live that are available in the Daz Store.

https://www.daz3d.com/comic-book-creation–foundation-course-part-1

https://www.daz3d.com/comic-book-creation–foundation-course-part-2

And Postwork-themed webinars

https://www.daz3d.com/daz-studio-postwork-clinic

https://www.daz3d.com/prime-postwork

Kit-bashing Tips & tricks and more

https://www.daz3d.com/digital-kit-bashing–easily-create-innovative-props-and-scenes

https://www.daz3d.com/digital-kit-bashing–cities-landscapes-and-structures

https://www.daz3d.com/digital-kit-bashing–space-and-spaceships

You can follow the Dynamic Universe and Drew Spence on Social Media.

https://www.facebook.com/TheDynamicUniverse/

His leading comic series can be found on comiXology

https://www.comixology.com/The-Dynamic-Universe/comics-publisher/12027-0

And Patreon. Thank you for your support.

https://www.patreon.com/TheDynamicUniverse

Podcast Comic Review Demon Division + Postwork Demo

Demon Division look in The Dynamic Universe

Drew Spence form The Dynamic Universe looks at the CGI-powered comic Demon Division. Written by BeeMKay and Lara

The story and world:

The Division is up to its neck protecting mankind from Dark Mages – and the other way around. A new generation of Dark Mages is forced into service by the Division, and Seth Caelen tries his best to ease them into their new jobs. But his mission gets sabotaged when an over 60 year old, home-made problem surfaces and threatens the existence of mankind: the return of the Demons. Warnings: Occasional harsh language and swearing, some blood and combat violence.

This is comic is free to read on…

Line Webtoon

https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/demon-division/cover/viewer?title_no=213646&episode_no=1

ComicFury

http://demondivision.thecomicseries.com/comics/first/

Dealing with the Boring Parts of Your Comic

Dealing with the Boring Parts of Your Comic

Wild in the Fallout Shelter. Drew Spence, the creator of the Force Six and Killer Butterfly comic series, speaks on the ‘boring’ parts of your comic. There’s a desire to rush past the lulls and jump straight to the action. He speaks as a creative and suggests the pauses are necessary to prime the reader for the action – to give meaning to the melee.  The Panel previews are from Force Six season III episode 24 The Misused Muse. Don’t forget to subscribe and activate those notifications.

You can find the more technical webinars based on 3D and comic art at the Daz Store under the Digital Art Live Magazine vendor.

https://www.daz3d.com/digital-art-live

And read the digital comics, based on his creative vision.

https://www.comixology.com/The-Dynamic-Universe/comics-publisher/12027-0

Or follow The Dynamic Universe on social Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and activate the notifications.

Twitter and Instagram @DynamicMusic
Support our art

https://www.patreon.com/TheDynamicUniverse

Getting Out of Your Own Way Part II

Getting Out of Your Own Way

Drew Spence from the Dynamic Universe speaks on Getting Out of Your Own Way and what it means to overcome certain obstacles- standing in the way of your ultimate success. This is a creative discussion or a discussion for creatives.

You can find the more technical webinars based on 3D and comic art at the Daz Store under the Digital Art Live Magazine vendor.

https://www.daz3d.com/digital-art-live

And read the digital comics, based on his creative vision.

https://www.comixology.com/The-Dynamic-Universe/comics-publisher/12027-0

Or follow The Dynamic Universe on social Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and activate the notifications.

@DynamicMusic
Support our art

https://www.patreon.com/TheDynamicUniverse

Getting Out of Your Own Way

Drew Spence from the Dynamic Universe speaks on Getting Out of Your Own Way and what it means to overcome certain obstacles- standing in the way of your ultimate success. This is a creative discussion or a discussion for creatives.

You can find the more technical webinars based on 3D and comic art at the Daz Store under the Digital Art Live Magazine vendor.

https://www.daz3d.com/digital-art-live

And read the digital comics, based on his creative vision.

https://www.comixology.com/The-Dynamic-Universe/comics-publisher/12027-0

Or follow The Dynamic Universe on social Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and activate the notifications.

@DynamicMusic
Support our art

https://www.patreon.com/TheDynamicUniverse

So I see this advice a lot, but I’m sure what all the platitudes that follow mean. Like, the big question is HOW. It’s great advice, but what do you mean exactly and HOW do I beat this? So here is a bunch of items. I struggle with this too.

1) Planning your success. Or forcing an exact plan forward. It must ONLY happen in the way you choose for yourself. You can’t choose how you’ll win; all you’ll do is stop or avoid successes pathways that are NOT in your plans.

2) Creating a plan that has no guaranteed victory. Like what will happen if every step fails. Usually involves, I’ll put up the money or do it myself.—that should be the last resort. If all else fails, I will WIN by doing XYZ.

3) Creating a plan that requires steps or people beyond your control or influence. I hear plans that say “When I do this, they’ll do this”  “After they do this, I’ll do this” or …

4) You don’t know until you know.  I was going to use sex a metaphor, but The Dynamic Universe says different. So instead, let’s talk about a house and how you can only know so much by looking at the outside. You have to enter the front door to talk about the living room. You have to get past the living room to speak about the kitchen and you can’t really talk about the bathroom until you use it. I find THAT is how many of these doors work. While your idea is an idea, it’s only an idea. When you execute it, then you can now envision the next step. This really speaks to experience and how, until you have an experience, it’s hard to gauge the next step.

5) Worry about WHAT you need to worry about. I see artists who haven’t completed a work, worry about advanced issues. What if my readers..? And you don’t have any. I see artists without a portfolio or completed work railing against fantasy restrictions from Marvel and DC – as if there’s some imagined pressure from companies and people who never heard of you and have no reason to care what you do. That’s a waste of brain energy and gets in the way of being productive.

6) The voices in your head.

                a) This other person is BETTER. I said styles make fights and there’s enough content that even second place means victory. It’s not the BEST or else fail. People read more than one book. I’ve felt the pressure to make enough content -or you think they ONLY read your work.

                b) You’re a hack. Training leads us to trust our instincts and make use of the heightened awareness. If you feel that you are cruising and NOT putting in enough work, that’s a warning that it’s become too easy and you are not challenging yourself. You are not experimenting and pushing yourself. I mentioned the paradox of spending money and watching tutorials and learning /studying enough to make the craft easier. If that pays off, you reach a point where you should be working hard and your art shouldn’t be HARD WORK. If creating your art is “hard work” then you haven’t mastered your tools or technique. Art should be something you work hard at, not hard work.

                c) The time isn’t right or you are not ready. Waiting for that perfect moment. I gave you the answer to the question of WHEN you should start releasing your work in a wider manner. If people suggest shares, like you should put your work on social media – or have you shown this to anyone? Those are clues that it’s time to get out there. When they mention money and compensating you for your efforts; it’s time to turn pro and go commercial.

                d) Next one will be better. “My next album will do it.” and you have no other, different plan than ‘more of the same- just better’. It’s the business/promotional part of your plan that failed, not the quality of the product. There’s a difference between re-working something that was sub-par and doing it again, but better. So to add clarity, there’s someth9ing out there that’s doing well, that you think is trash. The fact that it “sucks” and is winning means that your artistic opinion is NOT the sole reason it works or doesn’t work,. And once you see something that you think is garbage making way and making people successful, it’s time to let go of the notion that the quality of you art or creative pursuit is the main factor between success or failure. This boils down to business decisions, and that’s beyond our scope so we’ll save that for another day.

In the end, the voices in your head are a warning signal and show you where you need to place concentration. They are the subconscious fears that all artists have. The point is to listen and DO something about them. The voices in your head are important and are linked to a survival instinct. They warn us of danger and should be a reason to move forward and act and NOT to sit still and worry. No problem was ever solved from worrying. You need a plan of action to deal with those voices. Listening to them and then being paralyzed (be them) is another obstacle to overcome. They will always be there. What you do about them is what counts.

                7) Having a good idea versus being a thing that generates good ideas. I’ve seen artists who have hung on to a good idea for so long it becomes an obstacle. They can’t move beyond the fantasy that this ONE great idea is what they will build their ultimate success.  Have more than one good idea. Sometimes the solution is to get that (first/big) idea out — Write it down or record it, dictate it so that the idea exists and allow your mind to work on the next part or idea.  You have an album that contains all your best songs to date. Well, imagine that album came out. What comes after that? I have a superhero team that does ABC and that should shake things up… Well, what happens after that?

All these thoughts and more as we explore Thoughts an ideas about being a creative.- all from The Dynamic Universe. Thank you for watching.

The Value of Art (Video)

Artists, Critics and Fans

What gives the Art value?https://youtu.be/Fs40sri51K8

The Value of Art

Drew Spence discusses the connection between the Artist, the Critic and Fans and their relationship with the Value of Art. Dropped from The Dynamic Universe. You can read his Digital Comics on comiXology and ISSUU https://www.comixology.com/The-Dynami… and attend his CGI webinars or buy them in the Daz Store. https://www.daz3d.com/comic-book-crea…https://www.facebook.com/TheDynamicUn…

Depth of Field tutorial Daz Studio

New tutorial video is live on You Tube

An expansion of material I covered in my Webinar series for making comics for Digital Art Live and the Daz Store. Depth of Field came up and I went over it. Here, I expand on that segment. My webinar series is for sale here: https://www.daz3d.com/digital-art-live My comics are here: https://www.comixology.com/The-Dynami…

Happy New Year 2019

Thank you for all the support.

  It’s been an awesome year with a lot of changes and growth. When I year starts we never have a full idea of how it will end. You write resolutions and plan to be productive and see where the creative energies takes us. 2018 added the Digital Art Live webinar series and finds a selection of my presentations in the Daz Store. We launched the Killer Butterfly comic as a second series, behind the flagship Force Six, The Annihilators, which wrapped a 3rd Season. We had a huge year of hardware upgrades and built a new CGI rig. We also added a vast array of new software and apps to add to the graphic palette. All in all, it’s been a great 2018 and we hope 2019 continues in the same bold direction. Thank you for your support and valued readership. -Drew Spence, The Dynamic Universe.

P.S. These covers don;t really follow the months, but it does look cool.