Portrait of Kaluane
Project Overview
Inspired by Brazil's diverse culture, this project celebrates the indigenous heritage of my country. It introduces Kaluane, a fictional character representing the Kalapalo People, one of the tribes in Xingu National Park. Through Kaluane's portrait, I aim to reflect her connection to nature and her unique spirit, incorporating her tribe's traditional face paintings, which hold cultural significance.
I was responsible for the concept, layout, texturing, look development, grooming, and final editing. This project is very personal to me, and I'm excited to share the process.
Research and Representation
To capture the authenticity of Kalapalo culture, I started by collecting images of traditional face paintings used by Kalapalo women. Ysani Kalapalo provided valuable insights into the cultural significance of these paintings during celebrations and ceremonies. I focused on how specific materials interact with the skin to capture the true essence of this practice.
I also researched the physical characteristics of the Kalapalo people to accurately depict Kaluane’s cultural heritage. I imagined her as a serious, reserved individual and chose to reflect this through subtle facial expressions and other visual elements.
Sculpting, Texturing, and Grooming
For the 3D modeling, I used Human Zbuilder to create the base bust, then refined it in Zbrush. This approach saved time while allowing me to add intricate details and shape the character according to my vision.
Texturing and look development were crucial in bringing Kaluane to life. I focused on creating realistic skin textures and materials that accurately represent the Kalapalo people's appearance. This included carefully crafting the traditional face paintings and ensuring their cultural significance was portrayed authentically.
Grooming was initially a challenge due to my lack of experience. I sought help from grooming artist Jesus Fernandez and his community, where I received valuable insights and support. This collaboration helped me overcome obstacles and improve my skills.
Lighting and Final Touches
For the lighting, I aimed for a natural daylight feel with balanced illumination, I employed a three-point lighting setup, using highlights, fill light, and backlight to add depth and separation. I used Nuke to compose the scene with the background and apply the final touches.
Key Light
Fill Light
Rim light
Main Takeaways
When I completed this project, I was a recent graduate from PIXL VISN Media Arts Academy and looking forward to a fun project connected to my country, which is a significant part of who I am. It was nice to research and discover more about this aspect of Brazil’s culture, and it was also a good challenge. Through this project, I reinforced my appreciation for storytelling and character-centric design and art.
