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2DARTIST MAGAZINE | Fantasy fundamentals: FX
PRO TIPS
Knowing when to stop
Filling your image with effects can be a lot of fun but remember that they are there to enhance the story you are trying to tell, not hinder it.
Knowing when to stop is an important skill to have. You need to perpetually ask yourself “Does this make my piece better, and is my intent still
clear?” There have been many times where I’ve created an awesome effect but ultimately trashed it because it was too distracting.In the image, I’ve simulated a garish effect to show how it can ruin a scene. The sparkles were fun to add but the focus is no longer on the
skeleton’s coveted ruby eye, you instead wonder “Why is everything so shiny?”Subsurface scattering brings skin to life as it helps the viewer to better understand the material and its interaction with light