Fox Renderfarm has the honour to interview 3D artist Bhoomika Saran (aka 'Mika'), who won first place in the August "Gadgets" CGandWe Challenge. As the CG industry's leading cloud rendering service provider and render farm, Fox Renderfarm has been a long-time partner of CGandWE and remains committed to promoting the CG community.
Let's get started with the interview and learn more about Mika and his award-winning work.
Fox Renderfarm: Hi Mika! Thank you so much for accepting our interview! Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Mika: Hi everyone! My name is Bhoomika Saran, but I go by Mika. I'm from India, and I'm majoring in 3D design.
Fox Renderfarm: Congratulations on winning 1st place in the August "Gadgets" CGandWe Challenge! How do you feel about it?
Mika: I felt great when I learned that I got first place, especially since it was my first time participating in the CGandWE challenge. Although I've been a part of their community for sometime now, this was my first-ever submission in the competition.
Fox Renderfarm: Where did you draw inspiration from for "The Magician's Telescope" submission?
The Magician's Telescope © Mika
Inspiration of Mika
Mika: I got the inspiration for this artwork while suggesting gadget ideas to a friend who was also participating in the same competition. I suddenly thought about a telescope, as it's a beautiful device that allows us to see the stars, which I love. Here are some refrences I found on the web.
Fox Renderfarm: What software did you use and was there anything different you did for this project?
Mika: I used 3ds Max for modeling, Substance Painter for texturing, and Twinmotion for rendering. Using these software tools together was a lot of fun, as it allowed me to integrate multiple programs into a single project rather than relying on just one. Each software brought its own strengths to the table, making the process both diverse and rewarding.
Fox Renderfarm: Before diving into the visual design, how much planning and pre-production work do you typically do?
Mika: I typically don’t do extensive planning or pre-production unless it's for a character or something that originates from my imagination. I spend quite a bit of time searching for references, browsing the internet, scrolling through Pinterest, ArtStation, or using AI tools to find inspiration that aligns with my style. Once I discover something that resonates with me, I incorporate my own ideas to enhance and personalize it.
Fox Renderfarm: Could you please tell us about your pipeline for this work? And how long did it take you?
Mika: After gathering all the information and visualizing the design in my mind, I began modeling in 3ds Max. Once the modeling was complete, I unwrapped it in Autodesk Maya, as I find unwrapping in Maya to be more efficient. Next, I focused on texturing. For this part, I created and used a variety of ornament brushes to add detailed decorations to the telescope, as I felt the ornaments were crucial for enhancing its appearance. Once texturing was finished, I imported the telescope into Twinmotion, where I placed objects like books, maps, a compass, an old chair, and a table to create an atmospheric, vintage setting. This entire process took me around 15 to 20 days.
Fox Renderfarm: Are there any challenges that you encountered during the process of creation?
Mika: I did encounter some challenges while sourcing and creating the ornaments for the telescope during the texturing phase. Aside from that, I didn't face any significant difficulties during the project
Fox Renderfarm: Are there any moments you enjoyed during the creation process?
Mika: The most enjoyable moment was receiving the final render and starting the post-processing.
However, the entire creation process was equally enjoyable, culminating in the final submission. The CGandWE challenge is always a fun and rewarding experience.
Fox Renderfarm: Can you describe the most rewarding project you’ve worked on so far?
© Mika
Mika: It’s been only a few months since I started using 3D software, and it’s safe to say that I’m still learning and getting to know these tools better. I would say the most rewarding project so far was the one I created for the previous CGandWE challenge-024 (Medicine). Although I couldn’t submit it due to time constraints, I was determined to complete it. I created a healing potion, which presented its own set of challenges, particularly with modeling the glass. Despite the difficulties, it was rewarding because the final result turned out just as I envisioned.
Fox Renderfarm: Any artists or works that have influenced your style and approach?
Mika: I’m inspired by a lot of artists, especially my friend who’s also a 3D artist. He’s been a huge help with every challenge I face and is a big inspiration because I admire his work ethic and talent. I don’t have one particular artist I follow, but I love exploring the work of various artists. It helps me see different styles and approaches, and it keeps me motivated to improve my own skills.
Fox Renderfarm: Have you tried Fox Renderfarm’s services before? If so, how do you feel about Fox Renderfarm’s cloud rendering services?
Mika: I've never used Fox Renderfarm's services before, but now that I've won the vouchers, I’m looking forward to trying them out in the future.
Fox Renderfarm: Do you have any ongoing projects or future plans at the moment?
Mika: Right now, I’m working on creating a character named Mavis Dracula from Hotel Transylvania in 3ds Max. I love her style, and since this is my first time creating a character, there’s a lot for me to learn.
Mika's Social Media:
- Instagram- bhoomika._.20
- Artstation - https://bhoomika_saran.artstation.com/
