This 3D sculpt of an anglerfish showcases the fascinating structure and complex anatomy of, in my humble opinion, the deep sea's most interesting creature. Known for its bioluminescent lure and unique structural adaptations, the anglerfish provided the perfect opportunity for me to explore my skills in 3D sculpting, texturing, and material work.
The unique silhouette and detailed features of anglerfish presented an exciting opportunity to improve my skills in sculpting and texturing.
Working off of an initial sketch developed from referring to a variety of sources, I began building up the basic structure of the anglerfish in ZBrush. I added details gradually, retopologizing the sculpt when necessary.
Once I was happy with the sculpt, I imported the 3D model into Maya, where I lit and staged the scene. I used an intricate system of materials, lights, and backgrounds to bring the anglerfish to life. For the materials, I studied numerous visual references to create a skin material that was suitable for the anglerfish, whose colour varies considerably. I ultimately decided on a slightly warm colour, almost transluscent.
On Photoshop, I edited the images I had exported from Maya to increase visual interest and add any further details I felt were needed. I decided to use a cooler, more bluish recolouring scheme so as to better match the creature's native environment, the deep, dark depths of the ocean floor.
