John Bauer Fairy Tale Rocks
Scene a

Scene a

Scene b, trying some eerie lighting

Scene b, trying some eerie lighting

Reference

Reference

Diffuse lighting

Diffuse lighting

ao|height|albedo

ao|height|albedo

Came across this photo on flickr that reminded me of something from the old Swedish illustrator John Bauer's (1882–1918) work. I was especially fascinated by how someone built this perfect wall of river rocks, and how the vines follow the negative space between the rocks. I felt inspired to recreate it in Substance Designer, obviously had to cut some corners to make it into a useful tiling texture. 100% Substance Designer, rendered in Marmoset Toolbag.

More about John Bauer:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bauer_(illustrator)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bauer_(illustrator)#/media/File:John_Bauer_-_Princess_Tuvstarr_gazing_down_into_the_dark_waters_of_the_forest_tarn._-_Google_Art_Project.jpg