I always spend a lot of time studying how old games are made, I especially like those with hand painted textures, particularly PS2 games (like FFXII, using a free camera and flying around). I love drawing, but I also enjoy the depth that 3D offers. So I'm learning how to combine both.

My architecture style is directly inspired by the buildings in Belgium. Like many places here, my city's buildings are a mix of traditional and modern features. What I like is that laissez-faire vibe, where everything is so mixed up it feels unique 👇

Inspiration

I use Google Map to streamline my reference gathering process, eliminating the need to travel. I draw and paint each building's textures in my drawing software. Despite the diverse designs, these buildings often share a common structural base, with variations in details (brick or cement, colors, etc.) contributing to their distinct appearances (picture below).

Process

In 3D, I create a blockout of the street. Some shadows are painted directly onto the textures. I add a sunlight source to enhance the depth (though sometimes the light is painted too).

To transform my 2D drawings into 3D, I project my textures directly onto the 3D meshes and trim the parts I don't need. It's like drawing a house on paper and cutting out the shape.

I create edges around doors and windows, pushing them back to add depth. Since the camera doesn't move around, I don't need to be too precise.

The 2D and 3D software that I use isn't important because this approach can be applied in any editor.

That’s it for now. Thank you for reading!

Sincerely yours,

Reinhard.