We are - InVitro Banana

We areInVitro Banana

InVitro Banana stands for a team of freelance artists which share the same passion for visual effects, model and prop making.

We areIllustrations

From photo manipulation to computer generated images. Magazines, book covers, DVDs or CDs – they all benefit from digital illustrations.

Even empty walls …

We areIllustrations

From photo manipulation to computer generated images. Magazines, book covers, DVDs or CDs – they all benefit from digital illustrations.

Even empty walls …

We areIllustrations

From photo manipulation to computer generated images. Magazines, book covers, DVDs or CDs – they all benefit from digital illustrations.

Even empty walls …

We areCustom models

Miniatures, Big-atures, props … call them what you want. But, beside computer generated images, custom models are still an important part of visual effects.

Check out our gallery to see some great models in studio quality.

We areModels for printing

Ever thought about holding your own prototypes in your hands to proof them? Well, 3D-printing seems to be your choice.

We areModels for printing

Ever thought about holding your own prototypes in your hands to proof them? Well, 3D-printing seems to be your choice.

Next Front Page Section What is InVitro Banana?

What is InVitro Banana?

Okay, you have found us. So, who is InVitro Banana?

There are, me – Christian – a passionate 3D artist and illustration artist. Then the model makers Jörg and Marco, the creative minds behind Katanga Models. And Daniel, founder of Craft Club and master of 3D printing and electronics.

We’re always looking for new friends and opportunities. So, if you want to join us or work with us, get in touch!

Main topics

main topic illustrations

Cover art
Concept art
Matte painting

main topics model building

Custom 3D sculpts
3D models

main topics 3D printing

Custom printed models
Proto-typing
Refined parts for model kits

Next Front Page Section Illustrations

Christian Schumann – InVitro Banana

Hi! I’m Christian. And I’m a 3D modelling artist and illustration artist.

I love to build large illustrations. Here I can combine two of my favorite interests, landscapes and science fiction. With an illustration you can create a whole world in a single image. Further I can use many techniques to get the result I want – 3D modelling, painting, photo manipulation, etc.

I don’t call myself a 3D generalist. I think, in this industry it is not possible not to specialize on something.

more artist profile

Illustrations for various projects

Rubber Ducks Convoy

A wrecked convoy, found in the middle of a desert close to a border gate. | 2021
M.P.V. Vagabond (High resolution model)

High resolution model with complete sub-division support. | 2021
ROAMER – High-polygon vehicle

ROAMER – High resolution vehicle | Hard-surface model | 2019
Agriculture | Modular Buildings

A modular building system, designed to build base material for complexe matte paintings | 2019
Finding a shelter

This was my entry for the 2017 Animago Award. Fully modelled as 3D-Elements. | 2019
Clear to dock

Illustration with 3D-elements and painted background | 2017
Illustration for SOLITUDE RAVENCROW – The Netherworld

Illustration for the apocalyptic folk band SOLITUDE RAVENCROW – build up from 3D-elements and digital painting | 2016
Tactical Outpost

Base for a digital matte painting, inspired by some 80s sci-fi movies like Outland or Dune … a small desert planet floating around a large sun … or something like that 🙂 | 2016
Forerunner Base

Whatever this place powers up, it does it since thousands of years. | 2015
Ursa Major

They stand at your command, and give their life to protect | 2015

more illustrations in the gallery …

Modelling and sculpting

Cordyceps Proto Lifeform – Codename “Exploded cat”

Result of a new test session with Blender’s sculpting tools. This is a bit inspired by the game The Last of Us and the idea, that the Cordyceps fungus can also infect mammals. It’s some kind of proto lifeform created by the fungus as new step in his evolution. | 2018
Hover-Drone – Clay render rear

Hard-surface model for a sci-fi drone concept. | 2018
Hover-Drone – Clay render front

Hard-surface model for a sci-fi drone concept. | 2018
Modular SMG

A modular concept for a sci-if prop weapon. All parts are changable. | 2017
ROAMER – High resolution vehicle | Close-up cargo optics

The sights of the ROAMER vehicle | 2017
ROAMER – High resolution vehicle | Close-up radar

The radar dome of the ROAMER vehicle | 2017
ROAMER – High resolution vehicle | Close-up cargo deck

Hard-surface model for my modelling demo reel 2017 | 2017
ROAMER – High resolution vehicle | Top

Hard-surface model for my modelling demo reel 2017 | 2017
ROAMER – High resolution vehicle | Front

Hard-surface model for my modelling demo reel 2017 | 2017

more models and sculpts in the gallery …

Next Front Page Section Model making

Jörg Herbst & Marco Mädler – Katanga Models

Jörg and Marco are very talented model makers and prop builders. With those guys, InVitro Banana came in contact with visual effects, you can touch.

As model maker for film, Jörg is specialized in large custom models. His portfolio ranges from out of the box model kits to full scratch built models in studio quality.

more artist profile »

Marcos portfolio contains highly detailed 3D models, illustrations as well as great custom miniatures – built from model kits, completely kitbashed or from scratch.

He won’t admit it. But, his talents reaches from well-founded modelling skills in 3D packages to great skills in model making. Every time with an eye for details at the right place and a feeling for interesting shapes.

His gallery show samples of both worlds – digital illustrations and manual model building.

more artist profile »

Scale models and Custom builds

Traptor

Custom scale model from Katanga Models | 2020
Taurus

Custom scale model by Katanga Models | 2020
Kowalski Cargo – replica from the German sci-fi movie “Die Sturzflieger”

Replica of the hero’s ship “Kowalski” from the German sci-fi movie “Die Sturzflieger” (released 1995). At a scale of 1/72 the miniature is fully functional with interior lights and flickering engines. | 2015
Suddenly our colonies went dark …

Miniature of the famous Battlestar Galactica from the same-named TV show with hand painted background | 2015
Billboard inspired by the German Movie “Die Sturzflieger”

This miniature is a replica of the FX model used for the German sci-fi movie “Die Sturzflieger”, realised using an digital 7″ photo frame for the changing ads, combined with a mounting on an asteroid base. The photo frame is fully functional to show image files stored on a SD-card. | 2015
Billboard inspired by the German Movie “Die Sturzflieger”

This miniature is a replica of the FX model used for the German sci-fi movie “Die Sturzflieger”, realised using an digital 7″ photo frame for the changing ads, combined with a mounting on an asteroid base. The photo frame is fully functional to show image files stored on a SD-card. | 2015
Battlestar Galactica (OST) Landram

The Battlestar Galactica (OST) Landram as fully functional model in studio scale and quality. | 2014
Battlestar Galactica (OST) Landram

The Battlestar Galactica (OST) Landram as fully functional model in studio scale and quality. | 2014

Show more miniatures in the gallery …

Next Front Page Section 3D Printing

Prop and model building with Daniel from CraftClub

If you are building 3D models for more than 20 years, the feeling to hold one of them literally in your hand is unimaginable.

In 2018 InVitro Banana finally arrived in the new century. We teamed up with Daniel from CraftClub Jößnitz to pull our virtual models into reality.

What sounds a bit emotional pushes us to a whole new level of model making. Daniel provides us with perfect 3D prints, whether large parts printed with FDM or highly detailed models via DLP.

Further, he’s some kind of electronic magician and the electric force is always with him.

The final 3D print as part of a larger prop build

Next Front Page Section News

News and Updates

We teamed up with CraftClub JössnitzJanuary 18, 2020
For common projects we teamed up with Daniel from CraftClub Jößnitz. He provides us with awesome 3D prints built up from custom 3D models.
New gallery entriesApril 26, 2018
I’ve uploaded some new images into the gallery.
Artstation account for InVitro BananaApril 26, 2018
For those who like to get in contact via Artstation I’ve set-up an account there. Feel free to comment on my artwork of leave a message. www.artstation.com/invitrobanana Also, I’ve created a short resume with my bio and skills so far: invitrobanana.artstation.com/resume
New gallery exhibition 01/2018January 4, 2018
From 12th to 28th January I’m presenting my best VFX and concept artwork along with some awesome miniatures from Jörg Herbst and Marco Mädler from Katanga Models at the Galerie Forum K | Plauen. So, if you are interested in visual effects, concept art and computer generated images, feel free to drop by, have a look and …a beer of couse 🙂
Happy New Year 2018!December 31, 2017
InVitro Banana wishes a happy new year and all the best for 2018! It was an incredible year for me with a bunch of awesome projects and a lot of new friendships. A special thanks goes to Jörg Herbst and Marco Mädler from Katanga Models, who invited me to join their exhibition at the German Space Travel Exhibition. Awesome work […]