The Great Drift-off

3D scene

Art and Process

The goal was to create an artbook, from early sketches to finished scenes, using a mix of 3D and paint-over techniques. I worked mainly in Blender, alongside both traditional and digital sketching in Photoshop.

Throughout the project I developed moodboards, reference boards, and value studies to define the visual direction, explore compositions, and establish the atmosphere of the world. These guided the transition from rough concepts to polished 3D renders.

For this school project we received a base story and had to develop our own world and continuation of it. I used this opportunity to focus on improving my 3D skills and to combine 3D with illustration and storytelling.

Story Summary

The story follows Matthieu Maustache, a young inventor living in The Vast, a community that survived the Great Drift Off. After discovering old sailboat blueprints in the village ruins, he secretly builds his own boat to explore the world.
During his journey he is caught in a storm and rescued by a mysterious submarine—piloted by his grandfather Jacques, who disappeared 13 years earlier. Together they return home, inspiring the people of The Vast to start exploring again.