In The Clouds

*This was a pretty difficult image to write a story for as there’s so few elements to form a narrative around. Despite the apparent simplicity of the image it took an eternity to render because of the clouds, which I think turned out really well. I’ve also attached the original WIP that took 90 hours over Christmas to render in 4k. I wasn’t going to be around so I could let it run and see what it could do. Needless to say I didn’t put the settings that high again! I realised that the hair had really not worked and needed to be changed, and I decided to do away with the dress. I also played around with the materials of the clouds some more to make them look much more realistic. I worked through some different hair options which Big/Mega Boss tiers will be able to see, along with a couple of alternative angles.*

There was a ping as the fasten seatbelt sign illuminated. A male voice came in over the tannoy.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. I just wanted to give you a quick update as we begin our descent into Cancun. I would ask you to return to your seats as I have switched on the fasten seatbelt sign. The weather in Cancun is… Oh my god good heavens…” The voice broke from its practiced monotony and rose to a piercing screech. “ Banking! Everyone fasten your seatbelts now!”

The plane pitched violently. Several bodies flew across the cabin, thudding heavily against walls, seats, and other passengers. The tightly packed space was filled with screaming.

*

In the cockpit the captain watched slack jawed as the wall of tanned flesh seemed to fall both towards and away from them. Where before he had been looking at a continent of tanned flesh he could now see an eye - eyes - a face, smiling at them, at him. The gigantic pupil was focusing on them. He could see the rich brown muscles of the iris contract and expand as it looked for them, and then a beautiful smile broke out on the mountainside of face. He looked at the altimeter, they were still at ten thousand feet. This was impossible.

*

Anna grinned. There was a tiny dot approaching her. It had just popped out of a cloud and was heading directly for her chest. Cheekily she bent over to try to find it at eye level. It took a moment to locate such a tiny object but it seemed to move slowly through the air and the con trail helped her spy it.

“Awww, que lindo es. Ten cuidado o me golpearás.”

Playfully she opened her mouth for a moment before she giggled and stepped out of the way as the plane moved past her.