Calia Animation Background Process (Patreon)

Here's a fun bonus showing the process of how I made the background for the upcoming animation. I have some experience making more elaborate background art, but for my animations I try to strike a balance between quality and efficiency. I'm still working at it, but I'm figuring out a method to efficiently create backgrounds in the same software that I make the animations. To achieve this, I usually start with blocking out the major forms, then use gradients and layer effects to quickly make believable textures, and then use filters and more layer effects to light the scene. I love to have motion in the backgrounds as well, so I usually add stuff like candlelight, pulsing light, or dust particles to make the scene more believable.