How to Create a Render That Will Hit the Top on ArtStation

Contents:

• What's wrong with my work?
• Neil Blevins and his approach
• Let's summarize

During the Blender Conference 2017, Gleb Alexandrov, a renowned Belarusian 3D artist and active member of the Blender community, presented a talk on the secrets of successful rendering, known to the best artists on the ArtStation platform. In this material, we share the key aspects of his talk, which will help you improve your rendering skills and achieve high results in 3D modeling. These tips and techniques will be useful for both beginners and experienced professionals looking to improve the quality of their work and attract audience attention.

What's wrong with my work?

When exploring work on ArtStation, aspiring artists often notice that some renders receive a large number of likes and comments, while others remain in the shadows. These invisible works seem to fall into a gray area: they are neither praised nor criticized. What is behind this phenomenon? It is important to understand that the success of renders on the platform depends on many factors, including the quality of execution, the originality of the idea, and the appeal of the visual. A competent analysis of these aspects can help artists improve their work and increase their visibility in the community.

After completing a model or render, 3D artists are sometimes dissatisfied with the final result. Often unable to independently identify the problem, they turn to colleagues or friends on social media for advice. In response, they receive a variety of and often contradictory advice: "not enough detail," "minimalism is better," "bad color palette," "try other references," and, of course, the popular "revise the composition." For beginning artists, compositional issues often become a stumbling block, but it's not always easy to identify exactly what needs to be corrected. To improve your skills, it's important to study the basics of composition, analyze the work of experienced colleagues, and accept constructive criticism. This will not only help you improve the quality of your projects but also develop your personal style.

Neil Blevins and His Approach

There is a theory of composition that helps artists understand the reasons for failures in their work and avoid similar mistakes in the future. This is a kind of secret known to professionals from major studios such as Activision Blizzard, Dreamworks, Industrial Light & Magic, and Pixar. Also among the holders of this information are specialists well-known in the CG industry, such as Daniel Bystedt, Jerry Perkins, Vitaly Bulgarov, and Neil Blevins. Understanding this theory significantly improves the quality of artwork and contributes to professional growth in the field of computer graphics.

Neil Blevins is a professional A 3D artist with years of experience, specializing in robots, aliens, and sci-fi landscapes. He collaborates with renowned studios such as Pixar, Blur Studio, and Monolith, and maintains a blog where he shares valuable lessons for artists, particularly on composition. One of his popular tutorials caught the attention of artist Gleb, who conducted some research and discovered the effectiveness of the Blevins Method. This method centers on the use of primary, secondary, and tertiary forms in composition. Proper placement of large, medium, and small details in a render allows for a more harmonious and aesthetically pleasing image. This technique can significantly improve the quality of 3D artists' work and help them create visually appealing projects.

Analysis of rated artwork using color-coded shapes reveals certain patterns. In Gleb's presentation, these areas are represented in different colors, helping to visually highlight key elements and their relationships.

• primary shapes (large details) — red;
• secondary Shapes (medium details) - blue;
• Tertiary shapes (small details) - yellow.

Primary shapes are the large rendering elements that form the basis of the model. These shapes are easily perceived in the image and play a key role in determining the position of other components. Correct use of primary forms helps to create harmonious and realistic visualizations, and also improves the overall readability of the model.

Secondary forms represent These are medium-sized details that are positioned on the surface of primary forms. They play an important role in creating smooth transitions between large and small details, ensuring a harmonious connection between the elements. Correct use of secondary forms can improve the aesthetic characteristics of a product and enhance its functionality.

Tertiary forms represent the finest details, which play a key role in artistic composition. With their help, the artist accentuates important elements of the work, creating harmony and depth. The use of tertiary forms allows us not only to emphasize the significance of individual parts, but also to add expressiveness to the overall picture, which makes the work more holistic and exciting.

All of the above-mentioned gradations of form are present in successful works. The key is their balance. Balance in a render can be likened to music: if certain frequencies are turned off in a favorite composition, the overall sound will lose its harmony. It is important to understand that it is this harmony that creates a holistic perception of the work, allowing the viewer to truly appreciate its aesthetics and depth.

A common rendering error is related to imbalance and the absence of key details. For example, a large wall with small bricks can look unnatural if the intermediate forms are not taken into account. Similarly, a robot model devoid of design accents loses its expressiveness. It is important to remember that details play a critical role in creating a harmonious and attractive render.

It is important for artists to find the right balance of forms, taking their sizes into account. However, generally accepted standards like the golden ratio do not exist due to the individuality of each artist. The style, scale of the project, references, and other factors influence the choice of proportions. However, certain patterns can be noticed in the works presented on the ArtStation platform. According to Gleb, the size ratio of the three types of forms typically ranges from 1:5 to 1:10. This means that secondary forms are 5-10 times smaller than primary forms and 5-10 times larger than tertiary forms. Correct use of these proportions can significantly improve the composition and perception of a work of art.

It should be noted that this recommendation is not a universal norm. It is only a guideline for ratios that Gleb developed based on his analysis of the work of other artists.

Understanding the principles of form balance is key to creating a harmonious composition. It is important to carefully distribute all elements to achieve visual unity and aesthetic appeal. Each component must be in its place to create a cohesive and balanced look. Optimal placement of details will help to highlight key points and improve the perception of the entire composition.

The image above illustrates the distribution of shapes in the works of James Miller. Looking at the diagram on the right, you can see that the arrangement of details appears more natural and somewhat unpredictable. This occurs because the eye is subconsciously drawn to an interesting composition of shapes rather than to a standard and easily recognizable one. This effect can be illustrated in the following example.

The presented diagram shows that three secondary forms are evenly distributed on the primary form of the stone, on which, in turn, three secondary forms are also evenly distributed Tertiary forms. This creates excessive visual clutter, making it difficult to perceive. This arrangement of details prevents focus on key elements and is not varied enough to engage the viewer. In contrast, the following render produces a completely different impression.

Such The distribution of shapes is visually more appealing. Instead of numerous small blocks arranged in a row, there are highly detailed areas and empty spaces, creating a harmonious combination. This variability adds dynamism to the rendering and attracts attention. It can be compared to music: people are more likely to choose tracks with an original rhythmic pattern, as they are more interesting and memorable than monotonous melodies. This approach to design helps create a more engaging and memorable visual experience.

It is important to consider the distribution of empty space in a composition. Experienced artists use it to emphasize small details and reduce the visual burden of individual elements. Alternating empty spaces with highly detailed areas promotes better perception and helps avoid information overload, making the work more harmonious and pleasing to the viewer. Effective use of white space not only improves aesthetics but also creates a balance that draws attention and holds interest.

The key point is that if every section of the image has the same intensity, the final render becomes illegible. This can be compared to a situation where musicians from an orchestra start playing their parts simultaneously at maximum volume—the result is cacophony. To achieve harmony in visual perception, variety in intensity is necessary, which allows you to create a clearer and more attractive image.

Expert Advice

Professional advice from experts is an important source of information and can significantly influence decision making. Experts have deep knowledge and experience in their field, which allows them to provide valuable advice. It is important to consider the opinions of specialists, as they can help avoid common mistakes and optimize processes. When consulting experts, it is important to be critical and compare different opinions to form your own informed opinion. Using expert advice can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your work.

The render of the dinosaur shown above looks poor. The reason lies not only in the uniform intensity of the forms, but also in the lack of large details. The middle elements of the model blend into background objects, such as cars, which leads to a blurry composition. This emphasizes the importance of the environment in the render: it should highlight the character. This effect can be achieved by blurring the background, choosing the right angle, and choosing the right lighting. Proper use of these techniques creates a harmonious image and enhances the perception of the model.

Kirill Reznicenko is the CEO of RainStyle Games. Under his leadership, the company has achieved significant success in the gaming industry, offering innovative solutions and unique gaming products. Reznicenko actively contributes to the team's development, focusing on creating engaging and high-quality games that resonate with players worldwide. With his experience and strategic thinking, RainStyle Games continues to strengthen its position in the market, introducing new technologies and approaches to game development.

From the three previous points, we can conclude that rendering creates unique clusters of details of varying sizes. This leads to a key feature of a high-quality render—the merging of groups of shapes. This phenomenon is universal and applies to all forms of visual art, from pixel art to photography. It's important to consider two aspects: first, the merging of shapes helps create a harmonious composition, and second, it improves the viewer's perception of the image. High-quality rendering requires attention to detail and the ability to work with forms, which ultimately affects the overall result and the aesthetic value of the work.

• Points of interest will improve the composition;
• Grouping elements or objects by 3, 5, 7, 9 helps organize space more effectively and contributes to better perception.

Human vision is designed in such a way that we tend to combine small details into larger objects. This fusion of elements in the render is perceived by the brain more easily, which makes the art more aesthetically pleasing to the viewer. Analyzing the best works on ArtStation, you can notice that this pattern is present in each of them. The use of harmonious forms and compositional solutions allows you to create visually appealing images that are memorable and evoke emotions. The aesthetics of such works is the result of a meticulous approach to detail and an overall concept, which emphasizes the importance of composition in contemporary art.

Let's summarize

To achieve high-quality rendering, it is necessary to consider several key aspects. First, it's important to choose the right software that suits your needs and objectives. Second, pay attention to lighting settings, as they significantly affect the realism of the image. Third, texturing objects is crucial, as it's crucial to use high-quality textures that match the materials. Finally, don't forget about post-processing, which allows you to improve the final result and add any necessary effects. By paying attention to these aspects, you can achieve impressive rendering results.

• Use all three types of shapes: large, medium, and small;
• Make sure these shapes are roughly proportional;
• Distribute them throughout the composition in a non-uniform and unpredictable manner;
• Alternate areas of detail with empty space and divide shapes into separate groups.

Expert advice is an essential tool for obtaining professional opinions and recommendations in various fields. Experts have deep knowledge and experience, which allows them to provide relevant and valuable advice. When seeking expert advice, it's important to clearly formulate your questions and expectations to ensure you receive the most relevant and helpful answers. By relying on expert advice, you can make more informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls. It's also important to keep in mind that advice may vary depending on individual circumstances, so it's always worth analyzing the information received in the context of your situation.

To make a render the center of attention, an artist must master three key aspects. First, it's crucial to understand the basic principles of composition, which will help highlight the main elements of the work. Second, it's crucial to pay attention to lighting and color palette, as they significantly impact the perception of the render. Third, it's essential to develop skills in working with textures and detailing to add depth and realism to the render. These three elements combined will help create impressive and memorable visual content.

Kirill Reznicenko, CEO of RainStyle Games, leads his team in developing unique games that capture the attention of players worldwide. Under his leadership, RainStyle Games successfully implements innovative projects focused on high quality and engaging gameplay. Kirill's strategic thinking allows the company to remain competitive in the video game market, and his experience in management and development helps create exciting game worlds that can engage even the most demanding users.