The client, Haunt Holdings, wanted an image for their annual haunted house on the Lower East Side of New York. Their theme this time was Urban Myths and I had about two weeks to do it.

The concept was a zombie coming out New York City manhole.

The first order of business was research. What did a sewer cover look like? Although there are a variety of covers in New York, this one was pretty typical and easy enough to model.

The next step was to recreate this, first in 2D and then 3D.

Then I cut a pice of 1/2" MDF on my Shopbot

to create this...

Now some paint...

Now we composite in some background.

Unfortunately, the client wants a reshoot. So we summon up another zombie...