Cover for CCN #114 -- Front & Back by mmitchell_houston
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Description
If you look through my gallery, you will see an earlier version of this cover. I had shown it to the editor of the Collectors' Club (a small-press group focused on SF, comics, etc.) and he liked it, but then he asked a (seemingly) simple question: "This is 3D? Could you show what the room looks like from behind?" I had honestly never thought of this. The first image was created just for fun, and then I entered it in the monthly "Newbie" forum contest over at the Daz forums (since this was one of the first images where I was seriously trying to get usable results from the Iray renderer, I didn't feel too bad about joining a "newbie" contest): I was awarded 3rd place, by the way. I got some cool Iray leather shaders as my prize.
Anyway, the editor and I decided to do the front-and-back view of the magazine, and to rebrand the original image with a new Christmas theme. This had a LOT of technical issues. My computer kept crashing, I somehow imported TWO copies of the room, and then I deleted all the lights while trying to clean up that mess. Coupled with complications finding the right tree -- it took ages to get it done. I was actually a week past deadline (the editor was also running late, so I didn't hold up publication), so I was not able to fix many things that were wrong (such as the inexplicably black hourglass in the back cover).
The cover will be printed on a physical magazine, with the fold in the middle of the white space between the two images. The front cover is on the right. I've got to admit, I have mixed feelings about doing the reversed letters on the back cover, but it amused me to do so, even though I think it's a little cheesy. Still, I kinda like it, and hope you guys do, too.
Comments (12)
rayag
Very well done!!! Merry Christmas !!!
LivingPixels
Applause on this outstanding piece all the best over the holidays a Merry Xmas and a Happy new Year!!
ChristianSaintSavior
Nice: you edited your previous image to give it a more Christmas look and feel! Great work on this render! Good touch with the front and back views!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
ArtistKimberly
Fantastic Work,
Daddywolf
I like what you did! as for the hour glass I would not have noticed if you had not pointed it out you could rotate the dome so the light comes from the same position it was in the front view or you could use a separate lighting or just make the hourglass clear plane glass with no or little reflection
Richardphotos
I think you done a really fine render and the reverse. the pose on the man is outstanding. quite realistic
uncollared
Wonderful job, and happy holidays
mmitchell_houston
Daddywolf: At first (I must admit) that I dismissed your comment because this scene is almost entirely lit from mesh lights within a closed room. There is a little moonlight outside the room (in one earlier version, I thought about looking out through a window at a winter scene, but abandoned that approach). So, if all the light is coming from inside, then where could the blackness come from? Especially since the lighting did not change at all -- I just created a new camera behind them. Then it hit me: You were 100% right. It is the dome! You see, in order to get the scene framed the way I want it, I actually had to open the back doors (they are visible in the front cover next to the cowboy, visible in the back wall) and move the camera outside. It's like I'm standing just outside the door, aiming my camera into the room.
Withe door open, the hourglass is reflecting the great dark "nothing" that is outside the room. I would love to fix this, but I'm out of time. This is going to print ASAP, and I just need to move on to the next project. But thanks again (to all of you). I'm glad you enjoyed it.
UteBigSmile
Looks simply fantastic & very well done - Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Leije
Wonderful and clever front-and-back covers, excellent work !
Jean_C
A fantastic cover with both sides views, great work!
jif3d
The muted tones and lighting really makes the tree pop ! I'm also digging how there is a whole heap of action happening behind the cover page, great concept and the reversed the lettering works for me !
I'm sure you will make good use of your prize, neat work all around.
~Cheers~
mmitchell_houston
Thank you! I spent a long time finding the right tree, and then had to tweak the colors to get a nice, rich green.