Posted on February 11, 2014

Is it too early to start thinking about spring? I’ve added “Rite of Spring (2014)” to the Members Gallery this morning. This one is an update to one of my favorite renders from 2002.

Whereas I used Lightwave to create the clouds in the original, I wanted to see what I could do with Vue’s built-in clouds this time. They’ve come a long way since 2002. The first version was a bit on the dark side (before the storm) so I thought for this version I would make it a bit brighter and more hopeful (after the storm).

There are still some aspects here that I would like to tweak, but I think this version is interesting enough to share as is. Let me know what you think!

I am going to set this one aside for a bit and finish my update to “Amazed” now…

Posted on February 2, 2014

I’ve added my “final” version of “Receptor” this morning. Why did I change what was already a pretty good wallpaper (the second version was quite highly rated)? Well, I sort of cheated with v.2 and posted a Photoshop composite about about 3 different renders.

I couldn’t replicate those component pieces because I had saved over my files with every iteration. That means no multiscreen version and no print-res. Also v.2 had too much grain because I used renders that weren’t as refined as they could have been.

Anyway, the second version will remain available in the Pickle Jar for folks who prefer it. I personally prefer this final version, but I would love to hear your thoughts!

PS: To Ken F — I hope your daughter likes the new version!

Posted on February 1, 2014

I’ve added a “portal” page for my wallpapers as part of an effort to get rid of the “dropdown” menus on the top of my site. The “Membership” and “Site” headings will go to new pages shortly. Members please free to comment here!

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…