Vincent Joyal
Expert Environment Artist - Ubisoft Berlin
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The Seven Sisters

Hello, I hope everyone is well. The following image is my interpretation of the sketch “Castle in the Mountains” by artist Raphael Lacoste. A few years ago, I told Raphael I would make an image for him as a “Collab”. The following image was completed end of 2021 and was given as a 50cmx70cm print at Raphael’s Cottage June 2022. Raphael’s been a big inspiration in my career and I hope this image honors the initial vision he had for this art piece. If you ask me, this I what art is all about, making images with friends, for friends, giving prints to beloved family members and spreading joy through art. Even though, there are many things I would have done differently for this image, I still hope you all enjoy this image as much as I loved creating it. Special thanks to my wife and daughter for their support!

Find me on Instagram: vincentjoyalart

Here is Raphael Lacoste’s Artstation:
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/Q45aB

and you can find Raphael’s awesome book entitled “Worlds” at editions Caurette here:
https://caurette.com/en/art-books/worlds-raphael-lacoste/

Tech Details:
• The image has 20 depth layers.
• The entire image/3D was done by me in 3DS Max. (No purchased Kitbashs)
• Rendering was done with Arnold Renderer
• Composition in Photoshop
• The textures are all simple old-school Tillable textures.
• 42 million triangles for the entire scene (split in 3 max files)
• Image Scale 13666px X 9610px 72dpi (482cm X 339cm)

Additional Details:
• 109 Unique citizens
• 293 Layers (In Photoshop)
• Colors Inspired by Architecture from Sana’a (Yemen) and by Jaipur (India)
• Almost every Arch in the Towers were modelled from scratch to get a different flavor on each floor.
• I was inspired by the huge highly detailed images/paintings from artists such as Hieronymus Bosch and wanted to create a gigantic image that you can zoom in and see many smaller details such as people doing various activities.

PS: (There is NO Waldo hidden in one of the below images *wink wink*)

The Seven Sisters – I always wanted to do a gigantic image that you can zoom into, something similar to Hieronymus Bosch paintings. I went for a nice subtle contrast of Blue and Orange.

The Seven Sisters – I always wanted to do a gigantic image that you can zoom into, something similar to Hieronymus Bosch paintings. I went for a nice subtle contrast of Blue and Orange.

Click to Zoom. The Towers were sculpted out of gigantic stone pillars. The numerous sculptors made up their own designs and created different arches for each floor. Sometimes you can hear music coming from a musician playing the Ravanahatha.

Click to Zoom. The Towers were sculpted out of gigantic stone pillars. The numerous sculptors made up their own designs and created different arches for each floor. Sometimes you can hear music coming from a musician playing the Ravanahatha.

Zoom. Pilgrims and citizens arriving to the city using alternate routes. The people in the background go about their life. Shopping, chatting, welcoming visitors, and admiring the scenery are amongst the favorite past-times here. Life is simple and quiet.

Zoom. Pilgrims and citizens arriving to the city using alternate routes. The people in the background go about their life. Shopping, chatting, welcoming visitors, and admiring the scenery are amongst the favorite past-times here. Life is simple and quiet.

2 female travelers confirm the tales of the existence of this legendary city. The port’s buzzling with workers transporting foreign goods freshly arrived by boat. The sounds of the seagulls and waterfalls are constantly heard by port workers.

2 female travelers confirm the tales of the existence of this legendary city. The port’s buzzling with workers transporting foreign goods freshly arrived by boat. The sounds of the seagulls and waterfalls are constantly heard by port workers.

Making Of – Showcasing the several Geometry and Fog Layers that make-up this scene.

Making Of – Showcasing the several Geometry and Fog Layers that make-up this scene.

Grayscale rendering of the 3D Modeling.

Grayscale rendering of the 3D Modeling.

I was studying the possibility of using another angle for the Final image, but I decided to follow Raphael’s original idea, I just felt too much depth was lost using the above angle. But it would have been Epic for sure!

I was studying the possibility of using another angle for the Final image, but I decided to follow Raphael’s original idea, I just felt too much depth was lost using the above angle. But it would have been Epic for sure!

This sums up what what I was going for with this image. 13666px X 9610px is alot of work.

This sums up what what I was going for with this image. 13666px X 9610px is alot of work.

Original Artwork "Castle in the Mountains" by Raphael Lacoste. The image can also be found in Raphael's book "Lignes".

Original Artwork "Castle in the Mountains" by Raphael Lacoste. The image can also be found in Raphael's book "Lignes".

Finally, in June 2022 I went to Raphael’s cottage and gave him 4 different prints. As I was signing, I could not help myself but to think of my next projects and I felt very excited by the endless possibilities and ideas I have… La Fin/ The End.

Finally, in June 2022 I went to Raphael’s cottage and gave him 4 different prints. As I was signing, I could not help myself but to think of my next projects and I felt very excited by the endless possibilities and ideas I have… La Fin/ The End.

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