Battle Barbery! In-Game Customization and Other Distractions!

 
Chaotic evil dragons rampaging through a town? Ancient necromancer just declare an unholy war on all mortals? 

With so many pressing matters to attend to, sounds like a perfect time to get your hair looking juuust right!

Indie Fest 2012!

I'm proud to announce "The Infernal Machine" has been awarded an Award of Merit for Animation at Indie Fest 2011!

http://www.theindiefest.com/

Now we get to put those little laurels next to screenings! For real this time! Like this!

Quest Rewards! Practical Female Armor & The Mankini of Justice

Because a world filled with slimes, bandits and power-hungry tyrant princes from the Ether Realms has no place for a bared midriff. 

Unless, of course, you're growing a +5 Majestic Beard, in which case there are no earthly rules that can apply to you.

Also, Happy New Year folks!

Garden of the Martini Vines!

I've always enjoyed the idea of gardening. Though, if plants grew glasses of martini, I'd have a far greener thumb.

Been real busy with work lately so this had to be done on and off for about 2 weeks. I tried pushing the values a little more this time compared to the previous one, just so I could create something a little more dramatic.

Please enjoy responsibly.

Ancient Mysteries!

Been watching a tonne of 'Ancient Aliens' and studying Mucha this week.

Been playing around with a different workflow this time, where I skip laying down the values and head straight to colouring.

I need to be a little more careful but it's a whole lot more spontaneous and saves me some time!

Den Of The Pinata Dragon!

Strips of paper, sweeties and more,  
just follow the smell of candy, 

Don't forget all the loot that's in store, 
and keep your weapon handy!

It's boss time as our heroes find themselves face to face with the sneaky sweet-tooth - The Pinata Dragon! 

About a weeks worth of work from end to end, finding the right colours took quite a while. Lessons learned: Establish my flow, palette and composition right at the start!

Please enjoy responsibly.

  

Very bare bones line art when I scanned it in. Lines were primarily done digitally this time around.

 

The Gassypoof - Now in 3D!

Here's the Gassypoof, in 3D! Enjoy!

The Infernal Machine in 3D World!

The Infernal Machine's made it into issue #151 of 3D World's Short Cuts!

Go on then, treat yourself! You know you want to!

The Gassypoof

Here's another creature concept! It's a mix between a pufferfish, a lobster, a spider and a jellyfish that I like to call a Gassypoof.

Found primarily in tropical climates, the stretchy membrane along its back inflates with naturally occurring gases which it uses to float off the ground. The toxic barbs along the surface serve as a deterrent for would be predators.

The Gassypoof shoots out jets of gas to control its movements mid-air and drags its tentacles along the ground to search for and paralyze potential prey.

Evilpaca - The Demon Bunchie

I thought I might try my hand at creature design so I came up with a kind of evil alpaca, spawned from pained and tormented souls. 

It wears a mask, which is really just a muzzle for the little mandibles which augment its weak humanoid teeth. With its flesh melded to heavy, restrictive armor barely supported by its tiny hooves, the Evilpaca exists as a form of punishment for an unfortunate denizen of the Underworld.

Mysteries Of The Item Shop!

 Have you ever wondered why item shops tend to buy anything, including obscure monster bits? Or why shopkeepers feel the need to charge heroes even though they're tasked with saving the shop/town/world?

These are just a few of the mysterious mysteries that abound in the humble item shop! Please enjoy responsibly.

And for those workflow connoisseurs..

Anatomy Studies!

I've been working on some rough anatomy modelling this week. Planning to do some intensive foundational studies next week to see what I come up with. 

Evenings At The Tavern! (Coloured)

Alcohol always tastes better with colour!

Ladies Of The Season!

On the latest anniversary of my nascency, my romantic conquest gifted me a most delicious book about Alphonse Mucha which was filled with his works relating to the seasons, elements and solstices. One day, I will consume his essence.

Here's my take on the seasons, in my own style.

SPRING

I wanted Spring to be somewhat of a free spirit, the mistress of the carnival bursting through the icy snow. Ecclectic, sensual and welcoming, like a rose without thorns. 

SUMMER 

 

I went in a decided sexier direction for Summer, which I likened to the women of Brazil's Carnivale. Suitably dressed for the weather, I wanted her to portray the energy and wild abandon of the season.

AUTUMN

Autumn's more understated as the cycle of seasons draws to a close. A shedding of leaves so to speak, as Nature's kiss turns the once green leaves golden.

WINTER

Meant as a stylized portrayal of the Inuit women folk, Winter dons a heavily padded suit of segmented armor. Introverted and defensive, there is no warmth or solace to be found in the bite of her harsh winds.

Here're the ladies side by side! Please enjoy responsibly.

Evenings At The Tavern!

After a day of questing and saving princesses, sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name!

Demoreel 2012

It's a fresh new year, and I've decided to take a decidedly more fun approach to my demoreel this time!

I'm trying to get a few more pieces in, maybe something more realistic, though I'm really liking the simplicity of this one.

Please enjoy responsibly.

MA Project 2011 - The Infernal Machine

Its finally here! "The Infernal Machine" is the product of 3 months worth of blood, sweat and many, many orders of chinese takeout and cider. The story follows 2 demons trying to fix a machine in Hell, with hilarious results!

Realized at Bournemouth University's Media School in the summer of 2011, 3 students armed with nothing but gumptious moxy joined forces to create a short that they hope might win them some food money one day.

CREDITS

Harold Cheng – Art Direction, Character Design, Modeller, Texturer, Compositor (harold_cwl@hotmail.com)

Lai Yeow Kuang – Storyboarder, Animatics and Layout, Animator (mail_yeowkuang@yahoo.com.sg)

Chua Han Xiang – R&D, Rigging, Animator (han_chua83@hotmail.com)

Teo Wei Yong – Music, Sound Effects (teo@audivarius.com)

Check out our production blog!

http://tareloaded.blogspot.com/

Group Project 2011 - Mobile Mayhem

This is "Mobile Mayhem: Things They Don't Want You To Know", a short and sweet animation that we did for the Group Project module in Bournemouth University. It's about 2 robots and their dastardly plans to sabotage the products of rival companies.

CREDITS

Ruha Merchant – Rigger, VFX (ruha.imin@gmail.com)

Harold Cheng – Modeller, Lighter, Compositor (harold_cwl@hotmail.com)

Lai Yeow Kuang – Storyboarder, Animatics, Animator (mail_yeowkuang@yahoo.com.sg)

Chua Han Xiang – Character Design, Sound, Animator (han_chua83@hotmail.com)

MY RESUME

Harold Cheng | Modeller, 3D Generalist, Illustrator

harold_cwl@hotmail.com
 

SUMMARY

Driven and ambitious, I continuously seek to hone and update my skills and learn from the guidance of my colleagues and my own mistakes. I hope to one day truly master my craft as an emotional engineer and make my mark in the industry.

SPECIALTIES

- Modeling / UV Layout 

- Illustration

- 3D Generalist

- Texturing

- Traditional art skills (Color Theory, Illustration. Life Drawing)

-Software proficiencies include: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, Autodesk Softimage, Nuke.

- Troubleshooting/ Problem solving

EXPERIENCE

CG Artist
Tecmo Koei Singapore
Video Game Industry

2012 – present

Tasked with various bits of modelling and texturing based on designs from headquarters.- primarily weapons and characters (sans head and hands). Also, polygon reduction.  

Freelancer 
WINKtoLEARN.com
E-Learning industry

2008 – 2011 (3 years)

As and when needed from 2008 to 2011:

- Created assets and animated 22 songs for an educational children's DVD. (SINGtoLEARN Chinese DVD (Vol 3))

- Created assets and animated brief sequences for a series of 6 educational DVDs. (Encyclopedic Animal DVD 1-6)

- Created assets and animated 32 stories for an educational children's DVD. (Unreleased)

Freelancer
Peach Blossom Media
Animation industry

March 2007 – May 2007 (3 months)

Jobs ranged from background touchups, to producing fully designed and coloured backgrounds.

Intern
Peach Blossom Media
Animation industry

January 2006 – April 2006 (4 months)

Jobs ranged from lip synching, character design to post production on Flash animations. Exposures include 'Kika and Bob' and 'Growing Up Creepie'.

EDUCATION

Bournemouth University
MA, 3D Computer Animation
2010 – 2011

Nanyang Polytechnic
Diploma, Digital Media and Design
2005 – 2008

HONORS AND AWARDS

- Mediacorp Silver Award (Media Corp)

- Gold Award - 3D Model (Asia Inspires ME Competition, Motion Elements)

- Commendation Prize (Budget 2008 Video Competition, Ministry of Finance)

- AUTODESK Media & Entertainment Award for the animation ‘POISON’ (e-magiciens Festival 2007, Valenciennes)

- 3rd Place (DIGICON Regionals 2011 for 'The Infernal Machine')

- Award of Merit (The Indie Fest 2012 for 'The Infernal Machine')