How this artist turned a view he sees every day into a futuristic sci-fi scene

01. Reference photo and inspiration

This is the real-life photo of the view I wanted to capture. The focal point of the scene is an old apartment block featuring messy, improvised extensions.

While these structures appear somewhat chaotic and unsafe, they possess a unique architectural character that’s very specific to the heart of Hanoi.

02. Initial rough sketch

Don’t worry about whether your lines look “good” or “bad.” Many artists feel pressured to be perfect, but at this stage, focus only on the camera angle and composition. The most important thing is setting the horizon line and the ratio between sky and ground.

Cleanliness doesn’t matter at this point; just focus on capturing the vision in your head.

03. Blocking and shape design

Next, I refine the lines and focus on large-scale shape design. I adjust the proportions of the main elements to ensure they have enough cohesion while remaining distinct. I also start visualising elements I will add later.

This helps establish a sense of depth and distance through relative scale, showing how big or small objects are compared to each other.

04. Light setting

I determine a light source and define the boundary between light and shadow. By limiting the values to a range of three to five tones, I can effectively establish the overall atmosphere and highlight the primary and secondary focal points.

This simplified lighting scheme ensures the composition remains clear and helps guide the viewer’s eye to the most important areas.

05. Colour palette and tones

The original scene already has a harmonious palette, with yellow as the dominant colour, accented by red and green against a pale-blue sky. My main focus here is deciding whether to exaggerate the warm and cool contrast between the light and dark sides of the main building.

I want to see if heightening the difference between the sunlit surfaces and the shaded areas will make the atmosphere more dynamic and engaging.

06. Adding foreground details

Typically, the background is detailed first to define the environment around the main subject. However, as my focal point is the apartment block in the distance, I start with the foreground instead.

This helps establish a solid sense of space and acts as a foundation for the more detailed elements I will imagine and integrate in the following steps.

07. Defining the main building

With the foreground set, I define the apartment blocks’ shapes. I repeat box structures with varying proportions and add green and yellow accents. I introduce a second vanishing point far to the right for upcoming details.

Although it doesn’t perfectly match the foreground’s perspective, the large spatial gap between planes allows me to “get away” with this slight inconsistency.

08. Colour adjustment and forms

I add details to the main building. After evaluating the progress, I abandon the blue tints on the building’s shadow sides. Instead, I unify everything with a warm yellow tone to capture the essence of a sunny day.

This emphasises the humid yet vibrant tropical atmosphere characteristic of Hanoi’s old apartment blocks

09. Designing focal point highlights

With the atmosphere set, I detail the focal point by integrating playful, imaginative elements into the original structure. These “fantasy” additions transform the familiar apartment block into something more unusual, provoking contrast while seeking unity.

My goal is to preserve the authentic character and “organised mess” that defines the soul of these iconic Hanoi apartments.

10. Planning compositional flow

I step back to review the compositional plan one more time. This diagram illustrates how I try to arrange transition areas and leading movements to guide the viewer’s eye. I hope the audience may discover the story and details in the specific order I intended.

11. Balancing light and colour

Both the foreground and central block share a dominant yellow tone, but the foreground sits in shadow to remain less prominent. In contrast, the apartment block receives direct sunlight, creating the high contrast and vitality needed for a focal point.

Splashes of green and red add variety, while the overall yellow and brown scheme keeps the composition unified.

12. Refining key elements

A strange figure on the façade? A couple on a fancy sport bike waiting for an old lady and her cat to cross the street? I hope these details create some contrast and curiosity to make viewers search for a hidden story.

I’m never quite sure if these subtle touches are effective, or even noticeable, but for me they’re the essential sparks of imagination that bring the scene to life.

13. A second focal point

The real-life scene featured a Thai restaurant with a traditional curved roof. I wanted to keep this reference, but pushed the design further by adding eyes and hands in a prayer-like gesture.

This transforms the building into a “hybrid” creature – a fusion of architecture and living being – unlike the Mohawk character, a strange boy “sitting” on the building.

14. Building technical systems

I handle the mechanical sections underneath, which enable the structure to “float” in mid-air. I keep these details subtle, using just enough silhouette to suggest a massive machinery system hidden below the building’s foundation.

This addition is enough to spark the imagination of a sci-fi world where traffic and residential districts exist high in the sky.

15. Final touches

I give the scene a final review, focusing on atmosphere and edge management. This helps separate overlapping layers that are physically far apart in the 3D space. Finally, I add micro-details like windows, AC units, and windowsill plants.

These small touches make the building look believable and “lived-in”, showing how each resident has uniquely personalised their own living space.