Behind the Scenes - Drakefeller part 1 (Patreon)

Here is a 3 part Behind the scenes from Lustgard on how we solved the animation.
It was the most complex scene I have ever done until now.
Everything that was in motion and needed to be invented was staggering.

By fire be purged!

I had to find a good reference of a viking hall to keep it authentic, I have been to some here in Norway, but it was before my journey of Lustgard, so had little to no self taken reference photos. So internet would need to serve.

Then as I usually do, doodle around until I have something I like. Yes, paint...

Then posing of Njorijanna is always a challenge and fun part, various extra elements and props would need to be made by hand to fill the scene.

Then comes the lighting part, and it is still the most challenging in my opinion. To get it just right takes days, rest and fresh eyes.

After many days of various fire simulations tests, we was getting closer to acceptable results. We wanted that cozy, orange yet intense flames.

Various places near and far was tried to get the lighting of Njori's skin just perfect. Each time, the fire would have to be re-baked, since it was not a lamp like most have, this was THE lamp itself.

Later came rendering tests to see how it behaved animated, calulations like speed and movement would be further perfected now.

Issues like motion blur and artifacts for embers was always a challenge.

Speaking of embers, a separate simulation would have to be done with color grading and speed effectors as wind and turbulence was also needed to make it come alive. Careful now Njori, don't want all that fur and beautiful hair catching fire. 

Then there was the stars on the night sky simulation, not that it was very visible in the final render, it took great joy in making them dance and flicker on the night sky over Himeheim.

I have provided some videos in the attachments.