3D Environment
For this diorama project I will be constructing a 3D interior connected to the Ancient Egyptian character I have been developing in the Animation Practice module. Here's a link to that research and development:
It's week two as I write this, so I have a fairly loose idea of how my character exists in the story I will flesh out further down the line. As it stands, I have designed an undead mummy whose misplaced jokes in the pharaoh's court lead to him being buried alive - only to reanimate in a modern day museum. I imagine him as a jester, ever present in the royal court, with perhaps a modest private quarters.
Just to get started, I have created an initial moodboard of general, grand Ancient Egyptian interiors. These images are a mix of film sets, animation backgrounds, illustrations and video game environments. Given our distance from the time period, we only have artists' impressions of Ancient Egypt in its golden age. I like to look for lighting and atmosphere to set mood for a sense of place, although I won't be lighting my diorama until much later on.
Virtual explorations
It occurred to me that I can explore a variety of period-accurate dwellings by using the video game Assassin's Creed: Origins, which is set in Ancient Egypt. The game was thoroughly researched, with egyptologists contributing to make the world as accurate and authentic as possible.
My experience with modern video games is very limited, and I am borrowing use of my partner's Xbox, so this kind of exploration is still novel to me. The last time I regularly used video games was when I had a PlayStation 2 in the early 2000s, so it's exciting to discover just how much detail is involved in games made today. The games industry is possibly something to consider for future career options, so it's good to familiarise myself with the aesthetics and potential of 3D modelling.
I am paying close attention to the objects, furniture and layout of the interiors available. It is very helpful to see a photorealistic rendering of such objects as they would have been used, as opposed to viewing a museum piece out of context and usually in poor condition. We are used to seeing mainly the lavish regal environments depicted in epic films, so it's refreshing to see a mix of more humble settings.
With the Pinterest board below, I am continuing to collect images of Egyptian interiors. Recognising the authentic kinds of furniture and wall patterns at this stage should help down the line in creating the right effect for my diorama.
Sketchbook
Drawing directly from the aforementioned influences, I started sketching out several rooms. I was looking for different layouts of furniture and overall floor plans, as I could then cherrypick my favourite parts to make my own design. It's a valuable exercise to experience various spaces through sketching. Merely looking at flat images can easily make you miss how an environment would feel three-dimensionally; sketching helps me to understand what it would be like to inhabit each space.
Concept painting
Using a selection of features from my preparatory sketches, I created this piece of concept art in pencil and gouache paint. I really benefited from collecting a variety of different images to find the right mix of objects and room layout. By the time I had begun sketching my final version, I already felt familiar with all of the individual pieces so it felt natural to invent a new space.
With this artwork to refer to going forward, I wanted to establish an inviting mood. The warm colour scheme comes from the suggestion of candlelight and the golden palette we associate with Ancient Egypt. I hope it also gives the sense of a cosy, lived-in space, which would be comfortable for my character to work in. I ultimately want a room that is rich in texture and specific homely details.
Inspirations
It keeps me motivated to have a character and story in mind as I develop my diorama, knowing that my concept drawings have a specific narrative meaning. Though it can be rewarding to create an environment for its own sake, I get much more from the notion that I am designing a set which could potentially be used for an animated story.
Shown here are a selection of pieces of 'apartment' concept art from Pixar, each developed for their respective films (Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc. and Ratatouille). Even if the final product comes in the shape of 3D modelling, evidently there is still great value in traditional art to explore ideas about setting. I find Pixar's concept art not just beautiful to look at but a great example of setting a scene to tell us something about the characters who live in the space.
Also, here's a Simpsons shot as a reminder to myself that sometimes it's best to keep it simple. I can tend to think that more details make for more impressive work, but you can lose something in clarity. There's a brilliant elegance in the design of the Simpsons house, perfectly suited for the characters.