Anastasia Kukosh

The Fox's Den

(Time Spent: 1 month)

This is my first big project. I'm really thrilled about this incredible concept I discovered from artist Alex AXL Calieux. The moment I laid my eyes on it, I was completely smitten. The Japanese pagoda, adorned with exquisite accessories and brimming with fascinating elements, stood out against a backdrop of stunning colors. The warm wood tones and the blue shirt beautifully emphasized the fox's presence. It was love at first sight, and I knew I had to bring this concept to life. So, armed with determination and enthusiasm, I embarked on a month-long journey into the 3D world.

Concept and Composition

My goal was to capture the concept's essence and recreate it from the same angle of view while breaking the traditional rules of perspective. I envisioned creating a visually striking composition that would be perfect for cover images or banners in films and games. It was an exciting challenge to manipulate perspective in a way that would be imperceptible to the viewer.

Block out and Sculpting 

To bring my vision to life, I started by creating a block out and refining it meticulously. This served as the foundation for the entire project. But I didn't stop there. I carefully selected specific elements, such as the enchanting fox character, and imported them into Zbrush for intricate sculpting. Using the concept image as a background provided me with a comfortable reference point, allowing me to sculpt with ease and precision.

Texturing

Since I was focused on a single-frame render, I didn't obsess over pristine UV layouts. However, I did pay extra attention to the parts visible to the camera, ensuring better texturing results. With the help of Substance Painter, I separated different materials and aligned the UVs in the same direction. This ensured that the applied materials adhered flawlessly to all meshes, maintaining consistency throughout the scene.

Shining a Light on the Scene

Lighting played a pivotal role in recreating the concept faithfully. I meticulously positioned numerous light rectangles, aiming to capture the ambiance of the original artwork. However, as with any creative pursuit, I faced a minor setback. The initial render turned out darker than anticipated. But fear not! I rendered separate passes for lights and shadows, allowing me to fine-tune them in Photoshop without compromising the overall image quality.

The Final Touches

To add a personal touch and enhance the artwork, I indulged in a bit of digital painting on top of the render. Certain parts of the image called for my artistic intuition, and I gladly obliged. This final step elevated the artwork, infusing it with my unique creative flair.

Concept Compare

Leather Backpack

I recently completed a project that I'm excited to share with you all! Introducing my realistic leather backpack—a labor of love where I challenged myself to achieve an authentic look.

Embarking on a new challenge, I delved into the world of realism with my first attempt at creating a leather backpack. To ensure accuracy and capture the essence of a truly stunning backpack, I drew inspiration from the remarkable craftsmanship of Nikita Suetin, a master in the field. Here are the references I used.

To bring my vision to life, I began by creating the basic shape of the backpack in Maya. Then, taking a leap of faith, I decided to explore the world of Substance Painter for the first time to streamline the texturing process. It was a thrilling experience, pushing my boundaries and opening up new avenues for creativity. Despite my prior experience with Mari, Substance Painter offered new possibilities and versatility. I also incorporated subsurface scattering material to enhance the leather's appearance.

When it came to UVs, I made a conscious decision to divide the backpack into three distinct sections, each with its material applied to different UDems. This allowed me to highlight the intricate details and create a more dynamic and visually appealing result.

Throughout this project, I embraced the challenges, learned valuable lessons, and continuously pushed myself to deliver a realistic and captivating leather backpack. I can't wait to embark on new adventures in 3D art and further refine my skills.

Stay tuned for more exciting projects in the future!