I had this idea of chaotic fuzz and blur with loosly defined splotches that would convey the experience of a rather nasty chemical when considered what it does. Somewhat inspired by Jackson Pollock but not as experimental. A bit broken and pixelated (sand and bokeh textures used with the smear painting tool).
To make the molecule model have something to relax ontop of; I figured smoother shapes and less chaos would create some contrast.
It was deliberate but not thought out exactly as the process is more about layering effects that would match somewhat with the intent of the idea - in this case portraying a neurotoxic sedative that just happens to be 'the cause and solution to all problems'.
If/when Side 7 get the tutorials section, I could share some of the things that SAI is rather unique in doing and how to "abstractify" like this.
Maybe you'd mentioned it before but for some reason I thought you'd posted one in this theme already. I loved the backdrop even before zooming in; is the pattern alluding to something specific, or is it messing around to find something that works?