By: Dave Koss
In this exclusive Octane Artist Spotlight, we sit down with Patrick Foley, the artist behind the “Patrick 4D” brand, known for his stunningly realistic and delicious-looking digital food renders. From stylized character work to food that looks good enough to eat, Patrick’s journey is a testament to the power of Octane and his relentless drive to experiment in the 3D space.
A Cinematic Start
Patrick’s journey began in film. He attended SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) in Atlanta, where he developed skills in lighting, composition, and camera techniques. “I went to SCAD Atlanta for film and television originally,” he explains, and he credits this background with helping him achieve the lifelike qualities in his 3D renders. After discovering Cinema 4D, he began experimenting in the 3D realm, moving on to Octane Render, which he found essential in bringing photorealistic renders to life without waiting hours for previews.
Building a Brand Around Food
Though he initially explored abstract 3D and stylized character models, Patrick’s reputation grew as he began creating food renders. “I was originally doing, like, really warped characters from shows,” he shares, but this soon evolved. “I realized pretty fast that…they were actually looking delicious and somewhat commercial already,” he says, describing his transition to creating realistic food renders.
Patrick’s workflow is straightforward, often using one or two area lights and custom HDRIs for a cohesive studio look across his scenes. This consistent lighting setup has become a signature of his work, allowing viewers to focus entirely on the subject.
The Octane Advantage
Octane is Patrick’s render engine of choice, valued for its real-time capabilities and powerful node system. “When I saw some of [Beeple’s] works…I was just like, ‘whoa,’” he recalls, citing Octane’s speed and quality as what first drew him in. Patrick explains how Octane’s efficiency supports his productivity, especially when working on his dailies. “I really wouldn’t be able to do the dailies…if I didn’t have, like, a real engine,” he notes, highlighting how Octane has supported his creative journey.
Mastering Materials and Lighting
One of Patrick’s techniques involves using subsurface scattering to make food textures appear soft and realistic. “Most foods that I’m working on have some level of subsurface scattering,” he explains. This effect lets light penetrate textures, mimicking the look of real materials like caramel or chocolate. For Patrick, this process is about making each element feel authentic and appetizing, which is why he takes time to adjust lighting and texturing with Octane’s node-based system until the look is just right.
Bringing His Workflow to Life
Through his daily live streams on Discord, Patrick gives fans and fellow artists a window into his workflow. “My dailies only take like an hour or two max,” he says, crediting Octane’s speed for allowing him to create realistic renders with quick turnaround times. His community can watch him sculpt and adjust textures in real time, often providing feedback and ideas as he works.
The Future of Food in 3D
Patrick’s recent venture into commercial packaging work with brands like Pop-Tarts and Starbucks has opened new doors. He’s thrilled by the transition, noting, “It’s different when you walk into a grocery store and you’re seeing your stuff just, like, front and center.” For him, the experience of seeing his renders on physical packaging, rather than just online, is a new and exciting validation of his work.
With Octane’s support and Patrick’s dedication, his digital food journey is only beginning. To keep up with his latest projects, check out his Discord channel or follow him on Instagram. His work is proof that, with the right tools and a bit of inspiration, digital food can be just as enticing as the real thing.
Dave Koss is a Motion Graphics Artist in Dallas, TX
