Introduction
For a long time, I've wanted to create a stylized opening and closing for my demo reel that would reflect who I am as a person. This project is based on my cherished memories from the summers, when I visited my grandmother, Irina.
I value my relationship with her deeply—she is my best friend, mentor, and the person who gifted me my first digital tablet. If not for her and her support, I might never have been introduced to art.
Irina is an amazing gardener and loves her plants more than people, which I find totally valid. During my summer visits, one of my mandatory tasks was helping her care for the plants. Frankly, my favorite activity was interacting with her cherry trees and birdwatching.
Cherries are a symbolic fruit for me. Not only are they delicious, but I also find them visually delightful. They remind me of summer, my birthday, my favorite cake called 'drunken cherry,' and growing up.
Softwares used: Adobe Substance Painter, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Blender.
Creative Process
1. Sketch/Concept
As a compositional aid, I used the golden ratio curve to guide the shape of the tree trunk. I began composing directly in Blender, using Bezier curves that I adjusted until I was satisfied with the overall shape. Once the 3D draft was completed, I painted over it in Photoshop to mark the placement of details and to start planning the modeling process.
As a compositional aid, I used the golden ratio curve to guide the shape of the tree trunk. I began composing directly in Blender, using Bezier curves that I adjusted until I was satisfied with the overall shape. Once the 3D draft was completed, I painted over it in Photoshop to mark the placement of details and to start planning the modeling process.
My main objectives when building the scene were:
- Creating a designated space for my name and title
- Assembling the tree trunk in a way that could support various details (bird, cherries, leaves, branches) without making the scene overcrowded (though maybe just slightly overcrowded)
- Implementing non-destructive modeling practices, primarily using modifiers to keep the composition flexible for any future changes.
2. 3D Asset Modeling, Animation and Texturing
I have modeled a total of 4 reusable assets:
- Cherries which a combination of soft body simulation with box deformation.
- Leaves are subdivided, thickened, animated using surface deformation.
- Tree branches composed of Bezier curves and leaves, mentioned above.
Later these assets were instanced and populated across the scene.
The bird was sculpted in ZBrush and prepped for animation in Blender. I used blend shapes for subtle head and wings movements. Texturing was performed in Adobe Substance painter on the UV-unwrapped UDIMs.
3. 2D Assets for Adobe After Effects.
- Two crosshatching patterns.
- Png clouds
- Logo
4. Assembling everything together.
Thank you for your attention!
