Hand-painted VR animation is not an entirely new concept, but the most recent piece by Matt Schaefer, entitled Alex's Sci-Fi, is a true VR art masterpiece. Created using an Oculous Rift and the 3D painting package Quill, Schaefer was able to create an amazingly animated world in a virtual space. The use of VR painting is a preferred method for Schaefer, who finds traditional animation tools to be inadequate to the handcrafted feel of VR painting and animating.
The animation in Alex's Sci-Fi revolves around a small but densely packed street in a multi-species planet. Aliens inhabit the street, surveillance cameras buzz overhead and neon lights flicked in the background. The colors are washed in beautiful shades of blue, green and pink, and the world carries with it a distinct aesthetic and feel. The loop is relatively short, but the level of detail is so intense that multiple viewings are a must to soak in everything in the piece.
Image Credit: Matt Schaefer
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Handcrafted VR Animation
- The use of VR painting and animating to create handcrafted virtual reality experiences offers immense artistic possibilities.
- Oculus Rift
- The use of Oculus Rift for creating immersive VR artwork opens up opportunities for artists to push the boundaries of traditional animation.
- 3D Painting
- The use of 3D painting tools like Quill allows artists to create detailed and visually stunning VR animations that can captivate audiences.
Where This Applies
- Virtual Reality
- The virtual reality industry can explore handcrafted VR animation as a new form of artistic expression and entertainment.
- Animation
- The animation industry can embrace the use of VR painting and animating to create unique and immersive experiences for viewers.
- Art and Design
- The art and design industry can utilize the combination of 3D painting tools and virtual reality technology to push the boundaries of traditional art forms and create innovative artwork.
