Vespa mandarinia (AKA Japanese Giant Hornet) Brooch

This is a commissioned piece I'm working on. My friend lived in Japan for a while and developed a strange affection for these giant, often maligned, hornets. In the US they started calling them "Murder Hornets". I think that's a bit unfair unless you call humans "Apocalypse Apes". I'm still tweaking the design but I am pleased do far. I'm rendering versions in Arnold for Maya, testing out what it might look like with stones. Moe soon...

Arnold render of the brooch model, experimenting with adding stones

Arnold render of the brooch model, experimenting with adding stones

Arnold render of the brooch model, experimenting with adding stones

Arnold render of the brooch model, experimenting with adding stones

Arnold render of the brooch model, experimenting with adding stones

Arnold render of the brooch model, experimenting with adding stones

Arnold render of the brooch model, experimenting with adding stones

Arnold render of the brooch model, experimenting with adding stones

Arnold render of the brooch model, experimenting with adding stones

Arnold render of the brooch model, experimenting with adding stones

Arnold render of the brooch model, sterling silver version

Arnold render of the brooch model, sterling silver version

Arnold render of the brooch model, sterling silver version

Arnold render of the brooch model, sterling silver version

Arnold render of the brooch model, sterling silver version

Arnold render of the brooch model, sterling silver version

Arnold render of the brooch model, sterling silver version

Arnold render of the brooch model, sterling silver version

test print of the brooch in grey resin

test print of the brooch in grey resin

test print of the brooch in grey resin

test print of the brooch in grey resin

test print of the brooch in grey resin

test print of the brooch in grey resin

ZBrush render of the brooch model

ZBrush render of the brooch model

ZBrush render of the brooch model

ZBrush render of the brooch model

ZBrush render of the brooch model

ZBrush render of the brooch model

ZBrush render of the brooch model

ZBrush render of the brooch model

ZBrush render of my original Japanese hornet model. Have to sculpt the insect first before making the jewelry design,

ZBrush render of my original Japanese hornet model. Have to sculpt the insect first before making the jewelry design,