Mandelbulb 3D & Photoshop: PAINT SCI-FI CITIES AND STRUCTURES

Jacek Pilarski reveals how he constructs futuristic cities, filling them with intriguing, complex structures using Mandelbulb 3D

- Jacek Pilarski

This workshop features an image from my personal sci-fi project, Fracton 8. My creative process involves Mandelbulb 3D (a greeble generator), 3D elements modelled and rendered in software such as Blender, and then Photoshop for finalising the composition.

Fracton 8 is set in the distant future of our planet, with no cities in the usual sense. People are gradually colonising outer space, building their new home on top of megastructures left behind by aliens.

In every piece I try to present human interaction with large-scale environments: flying vehicles, industrial lighting, TV screens and holograms. These elements helps to bring the cold steel structures to life, which are often seen from a person’s perspective – in a dark hotel room or behind reflective glass, say. Doing this adds another level of detail and scale.

Composition is the key to visualising an interesting story. That’s why I spend time choosing the best angle before tackling the details. For that process I usually use my own references. Being a photographer and matte painter means I’ve built up a massive photo library t hat I use both at work and in my personal art.

How I create… A CITY IN SPACE

1 Composition and rendering

I start by finding interesting shapes and angles generated by Mandelbulb 3D, before adjusting the lighting and camera focal length. I like wide angles and usually go for something around 24mm. Finally, I texture the generated structure with a tileable map.