Bathroom

3:12am. Driving through a deserted road, it’s pitch black outside, not a car in sight. You need gas, and see a flicker of light in the distance. As you pull up to the gas station, no one is around. The pump is broken, the convenience store entrance is slightly open and you peek in to see if anyone can help. The place is deserted, with wrappers littering the floor, spilled coffee on the register, and a pungent smell floating through the building. As you make it through the store, looking for someone, you wind up at the bathroom door. Pushing it open and seeing what’s inside sends chills down your spine. Blood. Why is there blood? You don’t have time to run away because you’re screaming “help” as a stranger from behind covers your eyes and pulls you away. Was stopping for gas worth it?

Short Story by Marina Knysheva

Process
About a year ago, I created a bathroom scene that, upon reflection, revealed several areas in need of improvement. Rather than a complete remake, I decided to infuse this new bathroom scene with a fresh style and narrative twist. My goal was to achieve a stylized look without going overboard.

I initiated the project by blocking out the scene in Maya and compiling a list of assets I wished to incorporate. Once the modeling phase was complete, the true challenge lay in selecting textures that would enhance the narrative I envisioned. Initially, the realism was far too pronounced and harsh for the style I was aiming for. After hours of research, I made the decision to delve deeper into the style of Valorant. Gathering references from the game's maps, I began the texturing process.

In addition, I took the opportunity to create graffiti designs on Procreate, ensuring that they appeared weathered and aged on the walls. I also ventured into drawing and modeling the scattered garbage on the floor, adding life to the scene.

Upon completion, my partner, Marina, suggested the idea of attaching a short story to the project. Given my awful writing skills, she graciously offered to contribute the narrative.

Overall, it's incredible to contemplate the extent of my growth over the course of a year and the wealth of experience I gained from reimagining this scene

You can find the old scene and other art not shown on my portfolio here on my Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf74eLuN8wi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==