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My favourite tattoo trend right now is the embroidery tattoo that looks like it's been sewn into your skin. The artists go so far as to ink the torn seams of the thread to create that illusion. 3D tattoos have existed for a while but this redefines realism by the way tattoos are experienced. Appealing to our senses, an important one of which is touch, the embroidery tattoo possess a visceral quality. In the back of our minds we picture both the ridges of embroidery that we've all felt on textiles to the gory process of what it'd be like to have threads pierced through your skin. The modality behind the allure of this tattoo is also something contemporary 3D artists in India are practicing.
3D art today is highly experiential. It has transcended the linear dimensionality of how 'real' something is, and expanded into textural territories - each creating a new sensorial experience. Beyond what they feel like, these artworks are also infused with narratives derived from artists' personal expression. As the name suggests 3D art still has photorealistic qualities but that's not what defines it. Instead, it's used as a means to create depth and intrigue. Artists also employ lighting and composition in their work to convey a distinct visual language or mood that defines their style.
For Bangalore-based visual artist, Prateek Vatash, lighting is the most important factor in achieving photorealism, whether it's natural light or a mix of highly saturated coloured spotlights. Prateek chooses to use the three dimensions selectively through abstract and minimal shapes which elevates the overall composition of the artwork. He also hand draws with digital airbrush and pencils on a 3D render based introducing texture, grain and typographic elements to bring it closer to what he envisioned.
Prateek's designs feature a neon-infused, cyberpunk colour palette which is very reminiscent of the 80s. But they're also a popular stylistic choice in portraying the future. This push and pull between different time periods has always fascinated Prateek which is why he enjoys using chrome a lot as well. On his process he notes, "I usually start compositions with basic shapes like spheres, cubes and cylinders, then eventually shape them around and compose the layout, while adding details where necessary. It’s become a very intuitive and enjoyable process, where I don’t generally rely on a sketch before, so there is fluidity in the way the artworks shape up. It feels more organic and allows ample room for experimentation without being bound to an existing framework."
Known for his Toy faces series, 3D illustrator Amrit Pal Singh doesn't fully subscribe to realism in terms of how an object looks or behaves but when it comes to lighting, it does influence his work. Because that's how people believe in the artwork. "Even though it's a human or character made of plastic, they would believe it can exist because of the lighting, the textures and the environment that it's in," he explains. However the purpose of lighting in Amrit's art is less for realism and more about creating a mood. He uses a mix of warm and cold lighting, varying in temperature and degree, with some scenes overblown and others rather dark. According to the artist in storytelling through illustrations and animations, lighting plays a major role in setting through mood.
Amrit's toy faces are reminiscent of wooden toys found in regional India, and that's probably because their style was was evolved from physical toys. Both as a child and a grown up, art toys and collectible toys, their materials and the legacies they hold have been obsession for Amrit. "It started with pop culture toys, cartoon and Disney toys. Teenage was more about Marvel or DC and then my interest evolved into art toys - a movement that started in Japan," he shares. Toy culture is huge in the US and other Asian countries compared to India and Amrit has been travelling around the world collecting and being inspired by them. That being said, the artist is also working on turning his digital toys into physical one coming full circle into their original inspiration. He's also doing a series called' Adventures of the Toy Maker' a semi-autobiographical narrative that involves a lot of world building. This will be supplemented with a book and short animations that Amrit wants to explore the art toy space in India through.
For 3D artists Vidya Vinnakota, the creator of Kinky Ranis crypto collectibles, her style is rooted in self-expression and fantasy. Apart from tools like lighting and composition, she also makes use of nostalgic sound in her artwork that take the viewers back in time. Her work speaks to the experiences of women of colour , reflecting who she is as well as who she aspires to be.
Even the slight rotation of a shot or a subtle change in a hue of a colour are important elements for Vidya that can add depth to a story. She elaborates, "Elements like jasmine flowers in the hair and gold jewelry evoke deep cultural roots, while the modern touches of headphones, sneakers and sunglasses represent how we carry those roots into the contemporary world topped with a layer of erotica and sexual freedom. This fusion is where my obsessions and passion to create reside."
Vidya's Kinky Ranis have a strong identity. They have become an iconographic symbol of a contemporary South Asia for the same reason. Now, the artist is embarking on a new chapter that will weave together the depth of ancient Indian history and modern storytelling with elements of fantasy, creating a space where narratives can truly come to life. She's also passionate about expanding opportunities for women of colour in animation and art and uplifting their voices through this journey.
Setu Chaudhary, a Bangalore-based 3D artist designs organic forms that feel like extraterrestrial flora. Captivated by the interplay of the familiar and the unfamiliar, crafting visuals that evoke a sense of something almost edible yet distinctly other worldly. "Early in his journey, working with organic and abstract forms felt intuitive, with the real world serving as my creative playground. My work often centers on abstract imagery, where lighting is a crucial element in bringing these concepts to life. I sometimes draw inspiration from films that allow me to explore soothing lighting and composition," he recounts.
Setu's 3D works use photorealism to stimulate other senses of the viewer; inspired by Earth's ecosystem, he is able to evoke a sense of life within his stills aiming to make them feel dynamic, as though they possess the ability to move and communicate. If you look long enough they just might!
