Tami Ferreira's Showcase

Portrait of Kaluane

Inspired by the cultural richness of Brazil, I followed an artistic endeavor of celebrating the indigenous heritage of my country. This project revolves around Kaluane, an imaginary yet captivating character representing the Kalapalo People, one of the seventeen tribes residing in the Xingu National Park. Through Kaluane's portrait, my aim is to depict her connection with nature and intricately capture her essence. I also choose to show her tribe's face paintings, which hold a special place in their tradition. In this project, I was responsible for the concept, layout, texturing, lookdev, grooming, and final editing. It holds great personal significance to me, and I will guide you through each step of its creation.

To ensure accuracy and authenticity, my first step was to gather a collection of images depicting the traditional face paintings used by the Kalapalo women. Ysani Kalapalo, shared valuable insights that highlighted the significance of these face paintings during important celebrations and ceremonies. I paid particular attention to the texture and visual impact that specific materials had on the skin, wanting to capture the essence of this cultural practice.

In addition, I conducted research on the physical characteristics of the people in this region. This knowledge allowed me to portray Kaluane in a manner that reflected her cultural heritage. I envisioned her as a serious and somewhat laconic individual, someone who keeps to herself. Consequently, I chose to limit her facial expressions, focusing on conveying her personality through the other visual elements.

With these considerations in mind, I sketched a preliminary concept, bringing together the elements I had gathered and imagined. This sketch served as a visual guide, helping me solidify the overall direction and aesthetics of the project.

In terms of the 3D modeling process, I opted to use a generator (Human Zbuilder) for the bust rather than creating the model from scratch. This decision allowed me to save time while still achieving the desired results. Once I obtained the base model, I imported it into Zbrush, where I focused on refining the model and adding intricate details to the character's skin. By leveraging the capabilities of Zbrush and working with a pre-existing model, I was able to effectively shape the character according to my envisioned concept

Grooming proved to be a significant challenge for me initially, as I lacked prior experience and struggled to make progress despite watching tutorials. Realizing the need for guidance, I sought help from grooming artist Jesus Fernandez and joined his community. Through this community, I gained valuable insights, support, and a better understanding of the grooming process. Interacting with fellow artists and receiving guidance enabled me to overcome obstacles, improve my skills, successfully groom Kaluane, and go on with the project.

During the texturing and look development phase, I paid attention to detail, striving to capture Kaluane's character authentically. Drawing from my research and references, I wanted to craft textures that accurately represented the materials used in the traditional face paintings of the Kalapalo People and how they sit on the skin’s surface. I tried two different ways to create the textures.

Regarding look development, I wanted to tune the materials, colors, and overall visual style, aiming to create a captivating and harmonious aesthetic. I experimented with shading techniques and adjustments, I wanted to achieve a sense of realism and visual impact that brings Kaluane to life. For example,  simulating the red tint of Urucum paint interaction with her skin and hair.

Then I took the textured mesh into various environments, exploring different settings to evoke a specific warm and humid atmosphere that complements her character.

For the lighting, I aimed for a natural daylight feel and placed the lights around the head to create a balanced and visually appealing illumination. The main light for highlights, the fill light to soften the shadows, and the backlight to add depth and separation.

Ivy, the Snail

On Ivy the Snail, I had the pleasure of collaborating with my dear friend Christi Chansri, who took charge of all the modeling and sculpting tasks, including the creation of the moss and textures. Meanwhile, my role involved handling the shading, lookdev and lighting aspects of the project.

Together, our goal was to create a whimsical, organic, and endearingly cute character. We brainstormed, look for references, and eventually came up with Ivy, a delightful little snail. As we were in our final months at Pixl Visn, this project presented both a fun and challenging opportunity for us to collaborate.

The shading process, particularly for the snail and the fruits, proved to be quite demanding. Looking back, I now realize that there are alternative approaches I could have taken to achieve even better results. However, the beauty of this experience lies in recognizing our limitations, learning from them, and continually striving for improvement.

Interior "Lightlapse"

For my third project, I wanted to create a cozy and intimate timelapse of a bedroom. You know, that special place that feels so personal and comforting to each individual. I focused on showcasing the transition from night to day and how the lighting affects the overall mood of the room.

I did not do the modeling or create textures from scratch. Instead, I found some cool models and textures on CG Trader and used those. My main goal was to play around with the lighting and create a sense of belonging for anyone watching the timelapse.

By tweaking the light and shadow in different ways, I wanted to capture how the room's vibe changes throughout the day. It was all about exploring the power of lighting to make you feel cozy and connected to the space. While I didn't delve much into the process of modeling or shading in this particular project, my emphasis on lighting as a means of engaging the viewer was at the forefront.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase these projects and eagerly anticipate receiving feedback and insights from the esteemed judges and fellow artists. I believe in the power of continuous learning and improvement, and I am grateful for any guidance that will help me refine my craft.

Participating in The Rookies Awards is not just about recognition but also about being part of a vibrant and supportive creative community. I am grateful for the chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share my passion and drive.