Author: Ant Mercer

Classic Computers

Ant Mercer Illustration, Previsualisation , , , , ,

Functional Modelling

BBCMicro & Acorn Electron.

This project features 3D models of two iconic machines from the early days of home computing: the BBC Micro and the Acorn Electron.

Originally created for the book Acorn – A World in Pixels (published by Idesine), the models were developed using detailed photographic references, original manuals, and archival technical drawings to ensure accuracy and fidelity.

The models were built, textured, and rendered in Blender, and were first used to produce both wireframe illustrations and realistic renders for the extended second edition of the book. 

Acorn – A World in Pixels 

Published by IDESINE: £34.99

Order HERE

In addition to the main machines, I also modelled a Cub monitor to accompany the set.

This model is currently available via Superhive (formally BlenderMarket,) with the Acorn Electron model to follow.. 

 

 

All assets are available for personal or professional use with appropriate credit (& $9.)

VirtualBeeb project.

Since then, they’ve taken on a life of their own—most notably as part of virtual.bbcmic.ro, an ambitious project developed by Dominic Pajak to recreate a working BBC Micro computer entirely in the browser. 

The models were adapted and integrated to support a fully interactive user experience, allowing visitors to explore and use the virtual machine in real time. It’s a great example of how technically accurate assets can extend beyond static images and become part of a dynamic digital tool.

Virtualbeeb – beta 0.01 

An interactive 3D model of the BBC Micro (1981). Choose from 100s of games and experience the sights and sounds of the original hardware. Retrocomputing for the metaverse! 

Created by Dominic Pajak. Emulator: Matt Godbolt, Shaders: Paul Malin, Models: Ant Mercer 
Click here

Dawn of the Dead

Ant Mercer Drawing

I had a very quick turnaround on a storyboard project (here) which was a mix of live action and an animation sequence so I had to make sure that there was a distinct difference between the live action scenes and the animation. Due to the rapid turnaround and that the animation was still in the process of designing the characters, I had to wing it.

..and I accidentally came up with a couple of nice Kevin Dart-esque looking boards which I was quite pleased with. Colour shapes with quick suggestions of expressions and clothing and whatnot.

So I thought I’d try it out in a sketch that I had loitering on my desktop. I’d been playing around with Krita – a new release and the brushes are amazing. I was doing a full painting, but quickly pivoted to trying out the same techinique and figured I’d use the creepiest zombie from DOTD that Hare Krishna guy who goes after Galen Ross in the back room.

And an old picture from DOTD for good measure.

“Ye Olde New England” Concept paintings.

Ant Mercer Illustration, Storyboards

Ye Olde New England.

This series of concept paintings was created to support a pitch deck for an animated project set in a post-apocalyptic, fantasy-driven world. The work focuses on key moments from the script—capturing characters, environments, and fragments of story around a mad king and the fractured realm he rules.

The brief called for expressive scene-setting to help visualise the world during early development. I produced a mixture of character illustrations, background paintings, and atmospheric scenes, designed to give a strong sense of tone and possibility without locking the narrative into a fixed visual style.