So this is my first 3d project in a few years and I’m trying to get used to all the new stuff in Blender (as well as remember how to do it all in the first place). Last time I used it, it was 2.49.
Overall I’m pretty happy with how this has turned out but I feel something is missing especially in the liquid of the bottle, the cup liquid, and the ice. Feels like I should be seeing the ice more but I’m not sure. Looking for any advice or critiques.
Try increasing the number of light paths. Perhaps even go Full Global Illumination, and work down from there. Also, ensure that caustics are enabled.
Added: I agree with Will (below) - it looks great. I especially like the lighting set up. The advice above would be to address the dark spots (like the rim of the glass and the edges of the bottle). Also, I used Blender Guru’s beer tutorial as a guide to make a series of liquor bottles and glasses a few months ago (https://imanartist.artstation.com/projects/dOkV0e and https://imanartist.artstation.com/projects/2xvZlx). Most notably, he suggested that the liquid object should overlap the glass object. Perhaps it will help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbc3KMIOuKM
Looks great. I think you really nailed the lighting and the background. My only critique would be, like you said, the actual whiskey material. I’ve had trouble in the past with refractive materials inside of other refractive materials so perhaps Blender doesn’t handle these situations very well.
