Cycle - In Utero

In Utero - In the uterus. Before Birth.

A stage of life filled with magic and wonder. This is where life begins. 

I wanted to represent how nature supports the cycle of life with this piece. From the environment's essential aspects evolving to support the needs of the creatures living inside it, to the internal supports that our own bodies offer to help in the creation of new life, In Utero shows the care of life within and without.

I started with a quick sketch of my idea.

Then I researched some photos online. Since I couldn't find a photo of a spirit bear in the uterus, I found some photos of newborn spirit bears and a 3D photo of an unborn infant.

I redrew the idea in graphite referring to the research photos.

I wanted to recreate the same colours and textures found in the 3D photo of the uterus. I played around with layering the colour and erasing the highlights. It took some time, but, in the end, I was satisfied with the result.

I wanted the leaves to look like the light from the uterus was causing a bit of transparency. They are coloured and recoloured throughout the process.

Once I was satisfied with the leaves (I keep touching them up throughout the process), I moved down the piece, continuing the uterus and umbilical cord, often referring to the 3D image in my resource pictures.

Rendering the bear cub was a bigger challenge than I expected. I wanted him to be lit up with the new life he represents. But I found that keeping the colours light, even with a halo around his body (or maybe because of it) he always looked flat. 

I thought rendering the leaves around him, having the light reflect off of them, would help him pop out. It still wasn't enough for me.

So I added contrast. Some darker shadows to help the lighter brighter parts of him stand out. I then rendered the forest below, adding mom and cub enjoying a stroll. 

After a professional high definition scan at GPC labworks in Ottawa, here is a finished look at In Utero.

Next in the series, The Tree of Life.