Wicca, a modern pagan religious movement, was officially created in the early 20th century. The exact date of its formation is debated, as it was more of an evolution and amalgamation of various traditions and beliefs rather than a single moment of creation. However, its roots can be traced back to the efforts of several key figures. One of the most influential individuals in the formation of Wicca was Gerald Gardner, a British civil servant who became interested in occultism and witchcraft in the 1930s. Gardner is often credited with reviving and popularizing witchcraft, which eventually evolved into modern-day Wicca. He claimed to have been initiated into a coven of witches in the 1940s and went on to write several books on the subject.
I started with 3D in 2017, when I discovered Blender. I worked as a graphic designer in a ceramic tile company, and we commissioned 3D videos of product installations, but a lot of the time these products were modified, then we needed to change the videos. For this reason, I decided to learn some 3D software—if I learned 3D, we could change the videos ourselves. Fortunately, I tried Blender, and I loved it. From that moment, I began to study 3D and Blender.
I worked as a graphic designer in a ceramic tile company, and we commissioned 3D videos of product installations, but a lot of the time these products were modified, then we needed to change the videos. Revolutionary blade locking system The innovative new blade locking system ensures that the Gold-PLUS pacotizing blade is securely anchored, even with repeated pacotizing.
He claimed to have been initiated into a coven of witches in the 1940s and went on to write several books on the subject. Doreen Valiente, a British poet and author, also played a significant role in shaping Wicca. She worked closely with Gardner and helped him refine and develop the rituals and practices of the movement.
Paco Barruguer: ‘It is the post-production that gives the image the life and magic it needs’
3D artist Paco Barruguer creates photorealistic renderings for a host of different clients. He talks us through creating architectural and product visualisations and how Affinity Photo aids his post-production process.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became a 3D artist.
My name is Paco Barruguer and I am from Burriana, Spain. I’m happily married, and we have a lovely 7-month old baby.
I started with 3D in 2017, when I discovered Blender. I worked as a graphic designer in a ceramic tile company, and we commissioned 3D videos of product installations, but a lot of the time these products were modified, then we needed to change the videos. For this reason, I decided to learn some 3D software—if I learned 3D, we could change the videos ourselves. Fortunately, I tried Blender, and I loved it. From that moment, I began to study 3D and Blender.
For the last two years, I combined my work in the company with that of freelance, but now I dedicate 100% of my time to working for myself.
What do you love most about creating 3D visualisations?
I love that people like and appreciate my work, and that they say, “it looks like a photo!” My client’s satisfaction is the best feeling I can have about my work.
Where do you look for inspiration for your work?
I look for inspiration all day on Instagram, Pinterest, decoration magazines, etc. I always try to get ideas from real photos.
Can you give us an overview of how you create a 3D visualisation from start to finish?
Yes, normally I follow these steps:
- Model the base building/room structure
- Add the camera position
- Configure the world/scene illumination
- Add the structure materials (floor, walls, roof, doors, etc.)
- Add the decoration assets (if needed, I model them)
- Render
- Post-production
Does your process differ between architectural, interior, and product renders?
Yes, the product render needs a better mesh for 3D objects. Normally I render detail frames, and I need the mesh to be free of artefacts. I need higher resolution textures too, and the lighting must be more precise. On the other hand, for interior scenes, I can use models with a slightly poorer mesh, and textures with less resolution. I can also play more with the post-production, adding effects like smoke, dust, dirt, etc.
How well does Affinity Photo fit into your workflow?
Perfectly. The last step is always to work on the render in Affinity Photo.
What are your typical post-processing steps for creating renderings?
I work with the renders with the alpha channel and without background. The first step I make in Affinity Photo is to add a background and adjust it to fit in the scene. After comes the levels, curves, saturation, colour correction, etc., and finally, I add some effect overlays like smoke, dust and flashes.
Do you feel post-production is an important stage in creating 3D art?
I think it is essential. There is a belief that a good render does not need post-production. I think this is false. It is the post-production that gives the image the life and magic it needs.
“There is a belief that a good render does not need post-production. I think this is false. It is the post-production that gives the image the life and magic it needs.”
Do you have any post-production tips for achieving realistic results?
Yes, here are some tips:
- If the interior looks fine, the outside should have a high exposure
- Always desaturate the image a bit
- To use a background with the sun in the same direction as in the render
- Perfect images do not exist. If your image is too perfect, it will not look realistic
What would you say is the most challenging aspect of 3D visualisation?
The image composition and choosing the right colours and materials—these must be in harmony.
Out of all the visualisations you’ve created, which are you most proud of and why?
Of my published images, maybe these two:
This one because I think it is very realistic and it is a scene that makes you want to be there. That’s is a good sign.
And this other one, because it has a very cosy atmosphere and gives me peace of mind.
Finally, do you have any goals for the future or a dream project you would love to work on?
I would love to be able to choose projects that I have more time to work on and thus be able to enjoy them. Normally all clients are in a hurry and you don’t have time to focus on details that do not convince you. That’s it, to be able to select my projects.
To view more of Paco’s work, check out his website pb3drender.com. You can also find him on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch and Artstation.
Yes, normally I follow these steps:
Valiente's contributions to Wicca include writing the "Charge of the Goddess," a central text used in Wiccan rituals. Another important figure in the creation of Wicca was Alex Sanders, known as the "King of the Witches." Sanders, who claimed to have been initiated into witchcraft by his grandmother, popularized Wicca in the 1960s through media appearances and public rituals. He founded his own tradition known as Alexandrian Wicca, which incorporated elements from Gardnerian Wicca. It is important to note that while these individuals played key roles in the formation and popularization of Wicca, they were building upon pre-existing folklore, folk magic, and occult traditions. Wicca drew inspiration from ancient pagan belief systems, such as the worship of nature and the celebration of the cycles of the seasons. It also incorporated elements of ceremonial magic, witchcraft, and Western esotericism. In summary, Wicca was created in the early 20th century through the efforts of figures like Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente, and Alex Sanders. However, its foundations can be traced back to ancient pagan traditions, folklore, and occult practices..
Reviews for "Wicca's Creation: From Shadowy Beginnings to Resurgence in Modern Times"
1. John - 1 star
I found "When was wiccxn created" to be extremely boring and uninformative. The author seemed to lack any real knowledge or understanding of the topic. The book was filled with inaccuracies and inconsistencies, and it felt like the author was just making things up as they went along. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the history of wiccxn, as it fails to deliver any valuable or credible information.
2. Emily - 2 stars
I was disappointed with "When was wiccxn created". The writing style was dull and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged with the text. Additionally, the book lacked depth and failed to explore the complexities of wiccxn's origins and development. It felt like a surface-level overview rather than a comprehensive exploration. I was hoping for a more insightful and thought-provoking read, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
3. David - 1 star
"When was wiccxn created" was a complete waste of time. The author's research was clearly lacking, and the book was filled with erroneous information. It seemed more like a personal opinion piece rather than a factual account of the creation of wiccxn. I would caution anyone considering reading this book to look elsewhere for a more accurate and reliable source of information on the topic. Save your money and skip this one.
4. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "When was wiccxn created," but ultimately, it left me unsatisfied. The writing was mediocre, and the author failed to provide a clear and compelling narrative. The book jumped around too much, making it difficult to follow the chronology of events. Additionally, there were numerous spelling and grammatical errors throughout the text, which further detracted from the reading experience. Overall, I felt disappointed and would not recommend this book to others.