For a second-year specialist project I focused my studies on learning how to texture.
I chose the leaf-tailed gecko as the topic of interest; a fascinating species only found on the island of Madagascar.

My Roles

Modelling, Texturing, Rendering

Software used

Maya, Mari, Zbrush, Photoshop, UVLayout, MentalRay

My Roles

Modelling, Texturing, Rendering

Software used

Maya, Mari, Zbrush, Photoshop, UVLayout, MentalRay

Project Details

There are a few types of the gecko; each with a different style of natural camouflage.
After a render tests, I centred on recreating a ‘mossy’ flat-tailed gecko.

'Leafy' texture test: for leaf-disguised gecko.
Lizard texture test.
'Mossy' texture test: for moss-disguised gecko.
Additional texture test

I wanted to develop the creature with a ‘cartoony’ style, whilst recreating some convincing textures. The model was created in Maya and posed within Zbrush, which was then subdivided and sculpted. I altered the Zbrush displacement map in Photoshop to achieve the final result.

Eye render test with image-based lighting
Final eye with reflections
An initial test for combining image-generated displacement with sculpt displacement.

A still of the final result!

'Making of' video:

Disclaimer: I do not own the musical soundtrack or real-life flat-tailed gecko photographs and video footage used within this video. If the copyright holders wish for me to take down this video, please contact me and I will do so immediately. Music: ‘Sailor Village 2’ from Croc 2 (Argonaut games).

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