THE GOODEST BOI OF THEM ALL
Crafting Oatchi: the adorable space dog:
Creating Oatchi, the shepherd dog for the new game Pikmin 4, was a delightful endeavor in Blender. To achieve the plush and adorable look, I worked extensively on the felted wool texture using geometry nodes to give the fur a soft and cuddly appearance. This process allowed me to explore an old technique and expand my understanding of Blender's capabilities. Seeing Oatchi come to life with his plush side was a proud moment, and it showed me how much I've grown as an artist through my dedication to learning and experimenting.
Venturing into the underwater realm:
This project presented a new challenge for me, as it was my first attempt at an underwater scene. The desire to capture the essence of summer and the allure of underwater environments pushed me to explore procedural tricks in Blender. Achieving realistic caustics and transparency proved to be quite complex, and I had to rely on my problem-solving skills to find workarounds. Despite the challenges, the final result was satisfying, and it reminded me that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth and learning.
Inspiration from Nirvana
Throughout the creation process, I drew inspiration from the iconic album cover of Nirvana, featuring the baby reaching for a dollar bill. In my version, it's Oatchi reaching for a bone, capturing his playful and endearing nature. The inspiration from such a renowned artwork pushed me to create a scene that not only pays homage to the original but also reflects my artistic expression and vision.
To conclude
Crafting Oatchi and his underwater world in Blender has been a remarkable journey of growth and exploration. Learning to use geometry nodes for the felted wool texture and overcoming challenges in creating the underwater scene have expanded my artistic horizons. Drawing inspiration from Nirvana's album cover has allowed me to infuse my own creative touch into the project. As I continue my artistic pursuits, I am eager to keep embracing challenges, learning, and finding inspiration in unexpected places to create more captivating and heartfelt works of art.