Timeplan and first block outs

With the referencing part pretty much finished, I wanted to create a time-plan for myself so I can track my progress and always know where I am at. I have a deadline and I have a journey leading up to that, so I exactly know how I'm doing.

Week 1

- Complete the main block out of the scene
- Create everything from the asset list and possibly add more if needed.

Week 2

- develop textures
- develop lighting
- create multiple test renders/iterate and play with the settings to achieve a final look

Week 3

- animate
- optimize the scene for animation rendering
- create final tests
- render required passes
- composite/post-process in After Effects

Here are some of the earliest blockouts where the aim was to try and match the scale and proportions of my concept. The very first test render showed that I did not understand a thing or two about the layout, so it was good to see some errors pop up at this stage and not later when I`m already in the detailing stages. Making global changes could have been very destructive.

Color theory tests

In order to further my understanding on how color affects the perception of my environmental work, I started studying the book "The Color Start" by Johannes Itten.

The book goes into the fundamental basics and characteristics of each color and its affect on the viewer.
For example, some colors stir different emotions and feelings like anxiety, relaxation or danger.

Green color conjures feelings of balance, relaxation, harmony. On the opposite side, the colors of amber (yellow, orange, red) stimulate nervousness, unsettled and mixed emotions.

To put these theories to the test, I`ve decided to change the color palette of some of my earlier work.
The still images I have created in the past had specific color palettes to convey a desired mood.

I`ve decided to fundamentally alter their colors to achieve all sorts of different atmospheres and moods.

Haunted House - original image:

The original image has a cool, horror kind of feel to it. I`ve aimed for a picture with a sense of mystery and danger.

Changed:

I've tried bringing warm colors of red, yellow and orangy colors to create a calmer atmosphere.	I play around mostly with the shades of green. Green brings a sense of relaxation to the image.
This one is similar to the first version, but I wanted to experiment on how contrast affects the final outcome.	Shades of violet stimulates the viewer, conjuring imagination and bringing a sense of beauty to the image.

Old House - original image:

Colors used here are warm and soft. The aim was to create a pleasant
environment, presenting a sunny day in a rustic house.

Changed:

It is really fantastic how you can change the entire mood of an image by just adjusting the color palette. The version where I have mainly used red tones create a completely different sensation to the one where mostly bright blues play part.

Telegraph - Original image:

Tried to simulate an interior scene with a fairly sunny day outside.
There is a balance between light grey colors and orangy, brown shades
of the furniture. I have added a hint of deep red to the pen to break up
the dull orange colors a bit and add further contrast.

Changed:

Again, totally different perceptions of the image because of the color change.

I will definitely benefit from this new knowledge and will play closer attention to the colors right from the planning stage.
I will alter my workflow and implement a thorough color research to define a specific color palette before starting to delve into the technical stages. I feel this will grant me a better understanding on what I am actually creating and will bring me more confidence and control over my work.

Freelance work - Photoshop

I`ve received an offer that I could take on due to my Generalist skills.

The client provided photographs of various arm watches. These watches were shot at a certain angle and the request was to recreate them from a perfect front view.
At first it did not seem like a huge task, but the quality needed was very high, so I couldn`t just use the Transformation tools to re-orient the watches as the interior had to be perfectly aligned as well.

Here are some the reference provided (I had to re-create a total of 6 watches, I`m going to show 3 of these):

Watch nr. 1:

Watch nr. 2:

Watch nr. 3:

The final pictures I need to create need to be completely front facing and as the viewer shifts between the different version of a model, everything has to be consistent. If I scroll through the reference images sent, I can see that for example the interior part keep moving around. This is because it is not aligned properly.

The colors of the handles and numerous other elements change as well, so a basic color adjustment would not do the job.

I had to completely redraw the interior of the watches, piece by piece in order to have full control over them.
I took one version, rebuild it and then change its colors afterwards to re-create the grey and yellow version of it.

The sent images did not have an alpha, so the background color was blended together with the watch. I had to separate the background and make it transparent. The images will be used on a website and have to let its design visible around the watch.

This is very good Photoshop practice for me. I`ve bumped into quite a lot of issues and had to rethink my workflow. For my environmental work, I use Photoshop a lot of texture painting and post-production work. Becoming more familiar and fluent with the software makes texturing all the more easier and allow me to focus on applying the theories of color, tone, shade rather than being limited technically.

The workflow was pretty much the same with all of the watches: redrawing the necessary elements with the Pen tool mostly and using the guides to match things up perfectly.

The task proved not being as simple as just making the watches front facing. The client, almost on a pixel level, spotted every little irregularity. If there was a slight reflection somewhere, I had to go in and remove it, or if the texture had a bit of different shading in a certain area, that had to be removed as well.
It was a lot of retouching as well, and I was debating whether to rebuild the objects in 3DSMax to get a perfect, clean control over everything.
In the end, that did not seem like the most efficient way to go about the project, so I remained with Photoshop and retouched every little element.
It is a good learning process as you become aware of what to usually look out for when working for a client. There usually are no shortcuts, you have to do things properly and very professionally.

I had one week to finish the job and just like with the Jewelry one , I kept updating the client frequently and asking for feedback so I know I am on the right track and they feel that their project is in "good hands".

I've met the deadline, client was happy and I've already managed to build some credibility for further possible assignments.

Here are some of the final images:

Watch nr.1 - finished:

Watch nr. 2 - finished:

Watch nr. 3 - finished:

Perspective drawing

I have acquired the book Basic Perspective Drawing - A Visual Approach by John Montague. This was to further my studies in understanding perspective and how it is perceived by the viewer. This will help me better understand the rules of space and give me a better idea on what kind of camera angles I should use in my work.

Camera angles can make all the difference when it comes to visualizing. A very boring, straight on camera angle can kill off even the most beautiful scene. One must thrive to use very interesting, artistic angles to keep the viewer engaged and feel as if they are watching something new, not copied. Camera angles can give that hint of uniqueness to your work.

Freelance: Jewelry animation - testing, refining

Here are the very first test renders with textures and lighting:

There are several issue with this one, although this was created 1 day after I`ve gotten the project, so it is a good swift test so I know where I`m at. Right now, the colors need to be adjusted as they don't completely match those of the reference, the material is a bit off as well.
The ground plane is too yelow/brownish as well and the bow on the right box is too thin and lifeless.

After multiple discussions with the client, the final animation was approved, which then got showcased on their website as well.
Final animation: