But with such an ability it can be very easy for our duplication to feel too perfect; to feel “CG” and fake. To achieve realism we must implement controlled randomization to break up our CG-ish repetition. Mr. Roman employs such intelligent repetition along with his top-notch rendering skills to mesmerize us with gorgeous complexity. In this course, I want to walk you through a fairly simple example of this idea. From start to finish I’ll show you how to create a realistic snapshot of vintage mailboxes!

What You Will Learn:
Modeling: An old-timey mailbox is a pretty simple object to build. Step by step you will see how poly-model each piece, using mirror modifiers wherever possible to save time.
Shading: Old grimy metal is one my favorite materials construct. We’ll use a single image texture to achieve our grime through a combination of glossiness, diffusion, and bump mapping.
Render Prep: After materials are done, we will implement “intelligent repetition” by duplicating a basic asset hierarchy that makes it easy for us to randomize our pieces.
Post Production: A little bit of compositing can go a long way in helping to reinforce and compliment our lighting and photographic appeal.

Homepage - http://cgcookie.com/blender/cgc-courses/creating-wall-mailboxes/