bring your design to life

From rough ideas fully rendered image, here’s how to visualise your fantasy beasts

A Experiment in 3D

A rough CG model is a helpful way to study your design from any angle. Using a 3D program makes this process simpler and more precise than a traditional 2D turnaround sheet. Focus on powerful and interesting shapes so that the design works well from all angles.

B Adjust lighting and environment

Next, choose the best point of view and lighting for your creature, and then transfer the CG model into Photoshop. When exporting the CG file, it helps to save it as a layered PSD file so that the creature model is on its own layer. This will enable you to easily insert an environment.

C Work up your creature concept

Start to layer colour schemes, skin textures and patterns. Drop shadows that will help your design pop and stand out. The main focus should be on strong forms, photo-real surface textures and a powerful colour scheme. This is the beauty shot that will sell the entire idea of your design in a single view.