Matthias ‘Brachii’ – Unveiling Myths Through 3D Artistry

Set out on the creative journey of Matthias, often known as Brachii online. Matthias, a 29-year-old German native from Regensburg, has advanced quickly in the 3D industry despite having only 1.5 years of Blender experience. Audiences have been enthralled by his recent victory in Kaizen's Salvaged Space Challenge, which is sponsored by Fox Renderfarm, a leading cloud rendering services provider and render farm in the industry, with the piece "It's just a myth, they said...". The work transports spectators to the ethereal depths of the Forbidden Sea, where the intrepid Captain Matt Harbor discovers the fabled Heart of Poseidon among the haunting remnants of the Black Kraken. Matthias's artwork goes beyond simple pictures; it questions the veracity of nautical myths and demonstrates that there is a wealth of unknown tales waiting to be unearthed beneath the ocean's surface.

Join us as we dive into Matthias’s creative process, his inspirations from the deep blue, and his journey in the 3D industry that’s as mythical as his award-winning creation.

Fox Renderfarm: Hi Brachii! Thank you so much for accepting our interview! Could you please introduce yourself to our reader?

© Brachii

Brachii: Hey everyone! My name is Matthias, most people know me as Brachii or my Instagram, which is Maataverse. I’m 29 years old and I’m from Regensburg, Germany. I’ve been doing Blender/3D for about 1.5 years now.

Fox Renderfarm: Winning an award in the ‘Kaizen’s Salvaged Space Challenge’ is a significant achievement. What motivated you to participate, and how did you feel when you learned that your work had outperformed the others?

Brachii: Thank you! It’s still kinda crazy that I won! I found out about the challenge when I saw my friend Kv3D working on his render for it. The scene itself sparked my interest to participate as well. I was inspecting the template scene we were given and the pose of the character gave me the idea to create an underwater scene.

I was at work when Kaizen was live-streaming and judging. So I came home to a bunch of messages from my friends and my render on Kaizen’s discord as a winner. I’m pretty sure I was never that excited and enthusiastic in my life before at that moment! I was basically in disbelief the whole weekend afterward haha. 

Fox Renderfarm: Could you briefly summarize the project you submitted for the ‘Kaizen’s Salvaged Space Challenge’?

It’s just a myth, they said… © Brachii

Brachii: In my picture, a skilled diver embarks on an underwater expedition, delving into the depths of the ocean in search of adventure. As the diver explores the murky depths, they stumble upon a broken-down pirate ship, its once-grand structure now a haunting relic of the past. With a mixture of curiosity and excitement, the diver cautiously navigates through the wreckage, eventually uncovering the mystic treasure hidden within its confines. The discovery of this long-lost treasure sparks a rush of exhilaration, as the diver marvels at the beauty and significance of their find, a testament to the secrets buried beneath the ocean's surface.

Fox Renderfarm: Can you walk us through the creative process behind "It’s just a myth, they said…", from conceptualization to final execution? Do you have any standard working pipeline here?

Brachii: I started by inspecting the basic scene, and carefully examining each element to ensure coherence and detail. I focus on establishing a general sense of composition, considering factors such as the camera angle, composition guidelines, color palettes, and overall atmosphere. Next, I jot down specific details I want to include in the scene, dividing them into different parts like character design, environmental elements, and props. To enrich my understanding and inspiration, I gather references from various sources, mainly Pinterest, to enhance the authenticity and depth of my creation. Creating a reference board is a crucial step for me. Additionally, I invest time in watching instructional videos related to my projects and learning new techniques and approaches to bring my vision to life. Throughout the process, I actively seek feedback from friends and more skilled people than me, valuing their insights to refine and improve my work continuously.

Refboard © Brachii

First WIP © Brachii

Water & basic lighting done for the moment © Brachii

Creating the pirate ship/ hallway © Brachii

 

Creating a first version of the treasure & putting my environments together © Brachii

Making the treasure more interesting, adding foliage & other detail © Brachii

Replacing the character with diver model © Brachii

Final Render + Post Process in Lightroom © Brachii

Fox Renderfarm: Could you share the duration it took to bring this piece from concept to its final rendered form and highlight which aspect of the process consumed the most time? What contributed to this time investment?

Brachii: Over the course of about a week, I dedicate several hours each day to working on my project. The most time-consuming aspect often involves repeatedly making various changes to the scene, striving to achieve the perfect image. This process entails experimenting with lighting, adjusting volumes, and adding intricate details, all through a series of trial and error. Despite the challenges, I remain committed to refining my creation, knowing that each adjustment brings me closer to realizing my vision.

Fox Renderfarm: Were there any challenges you faced while depicting the azure depths of the Forbidden Sea, and how did you overcome them to achieve the desired effect?

Brachii: When I initially loaded all the different parts into the scene, I found myself dissatisfied as it didn't match my initial vision. The scene lacked the essence of what I had imagined. To address this, I began making changes to the lighting setup, focusing particularly on utilizing light linking, a new feature introduced in Blender 4.0. Through this process, I aimed to enhance the overall atmosphere and better align the scene with my creative vision.

Fox Renderfarm: What specific elements of the Forbidden Sea and the Black Kraken did you focus on to convey the sense of mystery and intrigue in your artwork?

Brachii: The most crucial aspect of my project was capturing the underwater ambiance effectively. I prioritized conveying this feeling throughout the scene to immerse viewers in the underwater world. Additionally, I focused on ensuring that the main element, the treasure, stood out prominently. It was essential to depict its allure and significance within the context of the submerged environment.

Fox Renderfarm: Were there specific AI-powered rendering techniques or tools that you incorporated into the creation of "It’s just a myth, they said…" to achieve the praised rendering quality? How did these tools contribute to the final visual appeal of the artwork?

Brachii: Although I didn't directly utilize AI tools myself, my creative journey involved references from platforms like Pinterest, which often utilize AI-generated images. Also, not sure if you want to count using the native Blender denoiser as a tool. However, the only instance where I employed AI directly was when generating the text for my submission post.

Fox Renderfarm: Can you describe a particularly memorable moment or breakthrough in the project's development?

Brachii: Throughout the process, I experienced continuous breakthroughs with every part I completed, gradually assembling the scene to align more closely with my vision. As I near the completion of this piece, I find immense satisfaction in the result—it stands as my best render to date. This sense of accomplishment underscores the realization that regardless of the outcome of any competition or placement, the hard work invested has undeniably paid off.

Fox Renderfarm: Can you share with us about your favorite projects or pieces you've worked on, and what made them particularly enjoyable or fulfilling for you?

Brachii: As a beginner, I find immense enjoyment in working on my projects, relishing the opportunity to learn something new with each render. Completing courses that I've invested in feels like a significant accomplishment every time, marking my progress along this creative journey. Engaging in one-hour challenges with friends on Discord and participating in weekly or monthly contests not only pushes my skills but also provides a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. 

If I were to choose, these would be my two other favorites, right after “It’s just a myth, they said...”

Probably because I also created everything myself in these scenes.

Christmas Scene © Brachii

Game Environment © Brachii

Fox Renderfarm: Are there specific cultural or natural elements that consistently inspire your work? How do these influences manifest in your creations?

Brachii: Guess the major influence is from playing video games for many years, haha. But in general, it's all about getting random thoughts for projects and feeling the urge to bring them to life.

Fox Renderfarm: Have you had any experience with Fox Renderfarm's cloud rendering services in the past? If you have, what is your opinion of our cloud rendering offerings? 

Brachii: I haven’t utilized any rendering services yet, but I'm definitely planning to use them with the prize I just received! It seems like a great solution, particularly if your hardware isn't up to par. Plus, it's a significant time-saver.

Fox Renderfarm: Finally, with the rapid advancement of technology, how do you envision the future trends in 3D art, especially considering your experience in winning an award in the ‘Kaizen’s Salvaged Space Challenge’?

Brachii: The advancements are certainly daunting. The competition is bound to grow even larger, almost like a race in some ways. Nevertheless, I'm determined to continue and aspire to work in the 3D field in the future. I'll persevere with passion and ensure that the fire within me doesn't diminish due to AI. The key, moving forward, is to stand out with our individuality. 

Thanks again to Brachii for accepting our interview! Wishing new heights in your professional career! Keep up with your great work.

Brachii’s social media:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maataverse/