The Sword - Idea Development and Concept

 After completing the Demon, I was more excited to work on a sword. And since I was now more confident to try on making unique shaped models, I wanted to make a sword that had a bit complex shape rather than plain realistic swords. This time I wanted to make a stylized sword that had fragments and ornaments in it. So far I had tried sculpting various shapes. I wanted to see if I could do better in hard surface modelling as well. So, I started to look for stylized swords that were complex looking. As I had finished the demon project a bit earlier than expected, I had more time to spare for the sword so I wasn't afraid to do something more complex.


After searching for a while, I selected a rather complex looking sword concept by Arthur Malagon on Art Station. This sword is part of a batch of sword concepts that he called "Swordtember". And the title of this particular concept is "Shattered". Probably because this sword looks shattered n fragments and held together by chains (and probably magic suggested by the glow around it).


For me, fragments meant I have to model each part separately. Again there is an advantage and a disadvantage to it. The disadvantage is that I have to model it in multiple layers which is time consuming, but at the end I think it will pay off to achieve the tiny details of the shatter. And I have more time to spare, so it's a win win situation. And the advantage is that it's a shattered sword. Meaning, I don't have to weld the parts at the end unlike the demon project. Every piece can stay separate till the very end of the production process. Especially because of the chain. Although the blade looks like it's in one piece, the handle and chains can be split into pieces. And since this is a magical object. It could possibly even have some cool magical animation if the animator wanted to.

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