Crann Sidhe: Cinematic Render + Process Breakdown

Check out the full process breakdown on Youtube: https://youtu.be/oKSWL2GzWTw

"Crann Sídhe" render is an environment socket concept rooted in Celtic mythology and design. For the render in Unreal Engine 5.6, I focused on creation of a prop concept, of an apple. I sculpted the apple and the surrounding buds, anthers and stems in Blender 4.5, UV unwrapping in the same; bringing it into Substance 3D Painter, texturing and detailing the sculpt; finally taking it into Unreal Engine 5.6, adding in a Niagara system and using an extremely low focus and 1.2 aperture lens for a miniature photography look and low depth of field; to hammer down the idea of the point of view of faeries, beings that are so small that they reside inside an apple. I was inspired by artists who create intricate apple carvings, and the contrast created by the dark red skin of the apple and the inner pulp colour. The concept of faeries adapting to their environment, carving into the apple to make it their own unique abode was fascinating to me. For the shots, I included fast shots, emphasizing the details of the sculpt and texturing.