your daily reminder that you can simulate the exact light transport for a 3d scene and not end up with something that looks realistic. realism is based on modelling, materials, and lighting. you can make something realistic using the blinn-phong model and some clever fakery. all that matters is that it looks good
even realism shouldn't be the end goal of a 3d artist, it should be your expression and development. you can make a hyperreal 3d scene that is boring to look at. you need visual interest. ultimately art is a way to communicate, and it's important to learn how best to get your message across. realism is just a tool for that goal
@SuricrasiaOnline One of our favorite examples of this is pointing at The Wind Waker, with its ultra-stylized cartoonish graphics, and comparing it to sports games of the same time period. The sports games look more realistic, but Wind Waker looks better in just about every way.
