This series of works started as a challenge to myself to create an environment with realistic lighting and textures. I also wanted to push myself to make the actual scene as large as possible, allowing for multiple viewpoints. I settled on an industrial wasteland with some sci-fi elements thrown in as stunning set pieces. When creating the scene, I prioritized visual worldbuilding as well as creating stunning vistas.
The general setting of this scene is envisioned to take place in a post- apocalyptic landscape that is now completely void of life. The remains of a highly advanced and industrial civilization cover the landscape, slowly rusting away. One major set piece of the scene is a large structure with a city on top. This city is long abandoned, and the structure is so weathered that an entire section of city has collapsed to ground, creating a large area of twisted metal, free-flowing oil rivers, and collapsed buildings below.
The landscape was envisioned as a drier version of the Southwestern United States. The large metal structures dotting the landscapes were modeled off of oil refineries. The standing and collapsed buildings were inspired off of the design of Louis Sullivan’s Prudential Guaranty Building and the principles of form follows function. The sci-fi aspects were inspired off of movies such as Mad Max, as well as video games such as the Final Fantasy 7 Remake.