Posted on January 29, 2014

On the plane back from Rustycon I had an idea to improve 2009’s lowest rated render. It’s always bugged me that I wasn’t able to make that one work. As soon as I got back to Bucephalus I fired up my trusty copy of Vue 11 and set about making a few improvements.

Here’s the version I am most pleased with at the moment. I’ve raised the water level a bit, added some snow the surrounding rocks (inspired by snowy vistas I recently flew over) and about a thousand other tweaks. I call it “The World Watches”.

Let me know what you think! This one is dedicated to my friends at Rustycon out in Seattle!

PS: I am also working on a “final” version of “Receptor” which Members can preview here.

Posted on January 24, 2014

When I need a break from Vue d’Esprit I always turn to my trusty copy of Lightwave 11. It is so refreshing to see renders in hours rather than days.

I started “Receptor” initially to create a piece inspired by our recent visit to the Chihuly Glass Museum in Seattle. I can guaranteee you, however, that I didn’t see anything like this in his collection. This one could be thought of as a successor to “Orthohedron“.

I have an alternate render of this from Vue d’Esprit that is very different. I may post it in the Pickle Jar eventually…

Posted on January 23, 2014

I’ve added versions of “Rosefingered” for dual and triple-monitors to the Members Gallery this evening. I actually think this turned out better than the single-screen. Let me know what you think!

Posted on January 15, 2014

I’ve added an updated version of “Rosefingered“. One of the elements I thought was lacking in the first version was actual dawn. I am still not 100% happy with the foreground here, but I am sharing it as is since we are heading out to Rustycon in the morning!

Improvement?

Posted on December 31, 2013

On behalf of Jessica, Ian and Jason I want to wish you all a happy and healthy 2014!

Thanks so much to everyone who took the plunge and become Members this year and to everyone who renewed. Your support helped me to create nearly 40 new renders this year!

I would have liked for it to be a round 40 but the new version of Vue hasn’t been cooperating lately 🙁

If all goes according to plan 2014 should be memorable one for DB.

Jan 17 – 19 Jessica and I will be attending our very first SFF convention in Seattle. I will be the Artist Guest of Honor and will be leading my first ever panels on digital art. I hope to show off a few of my tricks with my trusty mobile workhorse Asfaloth.

What else? One way or another I will have an iOS app before the end of the year. The groundwork has been laid now I just need to get it finished. That same groundwork may also result in upgrades to the DB site and the Android app, along with a number of 3rd party apps being compatible with my gallery.

There is also a possible corporate “partnership” that I have been working on for the past year. I am really crossing my fingers that it works out in 2014.

I have been working with the new version of Vue d’Esprit and the new “Plant Factory” over the past few weeks. I am learning that these programs can produce spectacular results, but I have to figure out how to optimize my scenes so that don’t take a week to render.

TL;DR — Enjoy “Campfires” as the newest free wallpaper and have a wonderful New Year!!