My creative process usually begins with an image that flashes in my mind, often inspired by a scene from a movie or a game that I find particularly striking. To bring this particular piece to life, I first used the game development software Unreal Engine 5 to build the scene.
I arranged the bamboo forest to form a pathway and placed a procession of riders at specific directions and intervals. I then experimented with composition and lighting within UE5, adjusting until I found the most compelling setup.
Once the foundation was set, I moved the scene into Photoshop for refinement (see our guide to the best digital art software). There, I boldly modify lighting and other details to enhance the overall atmosphere.
My approach is to keep pushing creative boundaries at every stage. If the image doesn’t feel right, I keep refining it until it does.
How I created riders in a dark forest
01. Establish key words
I first select a few key words, such as bamboo forest, horse-riding warriors, and flower field. I believe these words can form an interesting scene. Then I use 3D assets to build the general effect.
This first step is mainly about determining the composition relationship. It’s the foundation of the scene and determines its characteristics.
02. Light and composition
Next, I design the lighting for the scene. I don’t want an ordinary bamboo forest, so I changed the original lighting to create an effect where the plants on the ground are the main light source.
When the flower field shimmers at night, and a group of warriors ride by with their horses’ bellies illuminated, it seems as if time has stood still.
03. Focus on details
The third step is to add some falling bamboo leaves to create a dynamic feeling. The light reflector at the bottom of the bamboo pole and leaves unifies the light, while the soldiers also undergo some detail processing.
The spatial relationship, hierarchy, and simple outline of the picture all help to make the details rich.
This article originally appeared in ImagineFX. Subscribe to ImagineFX to never miss an issue. Print and digital subscriptions are available.
