A cartoon contribution to Kent's exercise.
The plant shape is given by a roughly sculpted piece of geometry which isn't rendered. This has a hair system (also not rendered) which is used to define the positions of the branches.
A small cluster of leaves was modelled, and then attached to the hair system using the Particle Instance Modifier. (Been having a lot of fun with this modifier recently... it is great for animating geometry with the dynamic hair simulation).
Some interior branches were roughly sculpted, and have a fairly twisted hair system to show through the gaps, to give the interior some structure.
Used a photograph of a bay leaf for the leaf texture. (Held up to a light to get nice vibrant colour)
Don't think I'll be rushing the animation just yet. Have to reduce the render time first!
Cycles, 300 samples.
Blender compositor for all post processing.
