Composition sketches helped visualize color palette options.
I created a Photoshop collage from open-source images to digitally render the composition. I finished the collage in Illustrator, tailoring a foreground where I warped mandalas to create vines and uploaded vector illustrations of coral specimens.
To prepare the file for laser cutting, I separated layers to cutting and engraving specifications. Red strokes represent cutting and black strokes represent engraving. Engraved areas assisted in the physical painting process. I also cut holes in hidden areas for bolts.