TJ CREATES ANOTHER HEAD TURNER FOR CREATIVE REVIEW26/05/10

TJ is proud today to have its latest creative exploration gracing the June cover of Creative Review. A collaborative CGI piece between Taylor James’ Creative Lead, Ed Taylor, and esteemed illustrator and artist, Von, for the magazine’s eagerly anticipated CGI issue. The venture aimed to demonstrate the creative capabilities of CGI outside of photorealism…

Reputed for both technical expertise and creative vision, we were ever so pleased when the lovely people at Creative Review invited us to participate in their annual CGI issue. The magazine has more traditionally approached artists and designers who work in a more hand-crafted and 2D style and was keen to explore the capabilities of incorporating CG skills with that of a designer or illustrator and how the combination could alter the outcome. The full version image forms part of a special six page feature, including other artistic collaborations.

Given the editorial time constraints, a previously completed piece of Von’s work was selected from his website, www.hellovon.com as inspiration. Von had seen Taylor James’ step by step guides of projects on our website and liked the juxtaposition between photos taken and the 3D/CG elements being added before the image was fully rendered. Von explained “we went with a drawing of an Owl I did in 2008 because it already had a very angular 3D feel which provided a great starting block for Taylor James to do their magic.”

Ed Taylor explains the creative development process: “I wanted to make the original image come out at you by introducing some subtle but dramatic lighting but without making it too over the top. I didn’t want the piece to be typically 3D i.e. with highly convincing form and shading…and I certainly didn’t want it to be a demonstration of “fancy shaders” chromes, HDRI reflections, or any kind of gimmicks.”

With the introduction of subtle 3D elements and delicate lighting and shadows, the abstract forms in the original have been embellished with translucent feathers. Two final versions have been published, a de-saturated tonal image, true to Von’s original and a bolder colour version with brilliant eyes.

“We are proud of the outcome of this creative collaboration, it respects Von’s work as inspiration and showcases our abilities at Taylor James” concludes Ed Taylor. The striking digital images of an owl can be seen in the June issue of Creative Review and at www.taylorjames.com.

Leave a Comment