Modeling an Ear of Corn

In this tutorial we go through the steps of how to model an ear of corn within Blender 2.58 and then touch lightly how to texture the husk and set up the material for the fibrous hairs of the corn. To start, we go through how to use the array modifier to create the cob of the corn, we then use some curves to create the leaves, and hairs to create the fibers.

Purposes and History of Blender: Video

What is the purpose and function of the Blender Foundation? What is the difference between the Blender Foundation and Institute? What is the History of Blender? Well in this quick video I talk about these questions and have fun while doing so.

Porter Nielsen Artist Portfolio

Well, funny story really, I have never created an official portfolio until today. The reasoning was very quite simple, it was a lot funner (yes I say "funner") to compile personalized portfolio pieces on a per client basis... okay that was a lie. I was just lazy, and my artistic mind seems to thrive on clutter. But today I final said enough was enough, bit the bullet and made an official portfolio. Now, it is still a work in progress mind you, riddled with typos, and I still need to gather a few more pieces, but it is definitively a step in the right direction.


So what prompted me to do this now instead of several years back when I should have? Well, ever since I did the tutorial up at Blender Cookie some of my other webpages have been getting hits from people googling "Porter Nielsen Artist". The only problem was the websites these individuals were being directed to had nothing to do with me as an artist. So in hopes these "googlers" could actually find what they were looking for I created a portfolio; hence the title of this post.

So what are you to learn from all this. Well first, Porter Nielsen is such a pathetic artist that it took a big name like Blender Cookie to give him any street cred. Thanks Blender Cookie. Second, despite what conventional wisdom says; you actual can get jobs and succeed as an artist without a formal portfolio. It is just a painful, painful, painful process in which you waist a lot of time and loose a lot of clients.

So there you go, I hope you all don't judge me for my complete and utter gaff in freelancing 101; but I am making progress in the right direction, and that's what matters... right? ... RIGHT?!?

The Whys and Hows of UV Mapping

I have been recieving a lot of emails in regards to UV maps and unwrapping; and most of the questions seem to revolve around a fundemental misunderstanding of what UV maps are and what seams are. So in this video I show and explain in depth what UV maps are and how the computer unwraps models so you can predict what you map will look like before you even unwrap it. Now that is power.

Here is the blend if you want to follow along at home.

In Depth Review: Vehicle Modeling Series

In this video I review the video training series"Vehicle Modeling Series" by Jonathan Williamson, which is a video training series that covers how to make a very high detailed vehicle based off of reference images.

For a short time (Until July 31st 2011) Blender Cookie actually has a sale on the training, so now is the time to look into it.

On the video I state Jonathan is "an" owner of Blender Cookie, implying he is a co-owner; but it sounds as if I say "the" owner, which isn't the case; so please understand that going into the video.

Blender Cookie Tutorial Now Live

It isn't everyday that you get to check something off your bucket list; but today I got a tutorial posted up on Blendercookie.com Please show them support and go give it a look. It runs about an hour long and covers how to texture and create a grungy brick wall all within Blender.

Here is the link:
Creating a Grungy Brick Wall