Thanks Daniel! The typical prints size is 20"x30" but there will be a large size of 30"x45" and one 36"x54". I try to maintain around 250 to 300 dpi so the final render will be a bit more.

I test render at this size because it's really the only way to see if small details such as rivet bump maps look right. They are so dependent on scale. If you render at say 3000x2000 to test, you can be sure it won't look right at 9000x6000. It renders pretty fast in this case. About 15 minutes for the Spitfire so it's not a big deal. If I have a lot of volumetrics that have to be integrated (sometimes they just can't be rendered on a separate layer because of the need for shadows and reflections of the particles in the scene) it can be a very different story.

The ground is a matte painting, the clouds are good old SI volume particles, the motion blur is added with 3Delight, the light rays are SI volume lights rendered as separate elements and comped with Photoshop. For the Spitfire I used the carpaint shader this time since I don't think there's a big difference between car paint and AC paint, except it's intentionally a lot less shiny in this case.

In the next step I render separate layers with the Spitfire all dirty, and one all shiny metal. Then I put those under the clean layer and start chipping away at the paint (much like real life) in Photoshop to get a worn look.

Thank you ActionArt for the little peek into your process. It's very much appreciated.

Cheers!

Looking good already...
One question: are these works commissioned beforehand in any way
or are they just part of your own on-going "pet project" and sold after you're done?

Thanks Hirazi,

These ones are not commissioned, they're my own projects and sold when done. I've done a few commissions but it's way better business to do my own projects and market them over time. It takes longer initially and some capital up front but the return is many times better. I don't really look for commissions anymore. I'll do them if it's an interesting project and may lead to something more but not otherwise.

Here's the latest. I think it's about done (I hope). I will be seeing the pilot next week to have him check over a print test. Might need a little more wear and a wee bit of motion blur on the Spitfire itself.

Some minor updates for this one.

Very impressive...
I just hope you've added the zoomed-in details for our viewing benefit, because the topmost image in your last post looks way better (as a composition) than the two images below that. But that's highly "IMHO", obviously...

Oh yes, that's just to see the Spitfire detail. The whole image that will be printed is the top one.

Thanks