3D Character Modeling for Organic and Hard Surfaces

A course by Andrew Entwistle , 3D digital artist

3D digital artist. Manchester, United Kingdom.
Joined November 2021
100% positive reviews (18)
1,430 students
Audio: English
English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian

Learn to create your own unique fantasy creature with this 3D character modelling course using Zbrush.

Unleash your creativity and master the art of digital character sculpting with Andrew Entwistle, a renowned 3D digital artist. With his expertise in the video game industry and a passion for realistic character design, Andrew will guide you through the process of digitally sculpting captivating characters with a focus on both organic and hard surfaces.

In this online course, you'll embark on a fascinating journey into the world of Zbrush, a powerful software used by professionals to bring their 3D creations to life. Andrew will take you step-by-step, from the fundamentals to advanced techniques, providing you with the knowledge and skills to develop high-quality, hyper-realistic characters.

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What will you learn in this online course?

23 lessons & 19 downloads

  • 100% positive reviews (18)
  • 1,430 students
  • 23 lessons (5h 13m)
  • 19 additional resources (6 files)
  • Online and at your own pace
  • Available on the app
  • Audio: English
  • English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Unlimited access forever

What is this course's project?

In this course, your final project will be to create a 3D cinematic-style character modelled as a headshot, with a high level of fidelity. Guided by Andrew, you'll start from a sphere and progress through the fundamental stages to bring your unique character to life. Throughout the process, you'll apply the techniques and workflow you've learned, refining forms, adding details, and sculpting with precision.

Who is this online course for?

This course is designed for advanced Zbrush users with a solid understanding of anatomy, who are eager to enhance their skills and delve into a more realistic modeling process. It is perfect for digital artists who want to push their boundaries and challenge their thought processes to create unique characters. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an experienced Zbrush user looking to take your skills to the next level, this course will provide you with the tools and knowledge to excel in digital character sculpting.

Requirements and materials

To fully benefit from this course, it is recommended to have an intermediate proficiency with Zbrush and a solid understanding of anatomy. Familiarity with the software's workspace and basic tools will enable you to dive deeper into the course material and progress efficiently. Additionally, having a strong desire to create something unique and an unwavering passion for digital sculpting will greatly enhance your learning experience.


Reviews

1,430 Students
18 Reviews

Andrew Entwistle

Andrew Entwistle
A course by Andrew Entwistle

Teacher Plus
3D digital artist

Andrew Entwistle is a highly skilled and accomplished 3D digital artist with a passion for creating unique characters. With a background in industrial design and extensive experience in the video game industry, Andrew's expertise spans various CG disciplines. As a seasoned professional, he has worked on independent and large-scale projects, pushing the boundaries of creativity and design.

Andrew believes in the importance of studying form, structure, and proportions, even in the virtual realm. With a deep understanding of industry-standard software and a mastery of Zbrush, Andrew shares his knowledge and techniques as he believes in empowering students to develop their own process and style, encouraging them to think creatively and produce unique and compelling characters.


Content

  • U1

    Introduction

    • About Me
    • Influences
  • U2

    Getting Started with the Character

    • What Makes a Good Project?
    • Research, Backstory and Mood Board
    • ZBrush: Setup and Tools
    • Blocking Out the Character: The Skull 1
    • Blocking Out the Character: The Skull 2
    • Blocking Out the Character: Ears, Shoulders, and Eyes 1
    • Blocking Out the Character: Ears, Shoulders, and Eyes 2
  • U3

    Sculpting the Character

    • Adding Characterisation and Secondary Shapes 1
    • Adding Characterisation and Secondary Shapes 2
    • Creating Brushes
    • Skin Folds 1
    • Skin Folds 2
    • Adding the Armour Panels 1
    • Adding the Armour Panels 2
    • Breaking the Symmetry 1
    • Breaking the Symmetry 2
    • The Interim Design Review
  • U4

    Polishing the Character

    • Skin Detail Pass 1
    • Skin Detail Pass 2
    • Skin Detail Pass 3
    • Critiquing the Design
  • FP

    Final project

    • 3D Character Modeling for Organic and Hard Surfaces

What to expect from a Domestika course

  • Learn at your own pace

    Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.

  • Learn from the best professionals

    Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.

  • Meet expert teachers

    Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.

  • Certificates
    Plus

    If you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.

  • Get front-row seats

    Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.

  • Share knowledge and ideas

    Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.

  • Connect with a global creative community

    The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.

  • Watch professionally produced courses

    Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.


FAQs

Yes, this course is designed for intermediate-level artists who have some experience with digital sculpting and want to advance their character and prop creation skills.

You will need ZBrush, Maya, Marvelous Designer, Substance Painter, and PureRef. Basic familiarity with these programs is recommended to follow along with the lessons.

You’ll learn advanced digital sculpting, texturing, costume and armor design, 3D printing workflows, interface customization, and how to blend organic and technical forms for game and cinematic characters.

Yes, the course includes step-by-step guidance on preparing digital models for 3D printing, from mesh optimization to physical prototyping.

Absolutely. The course teaches you how to design, sculpt, and texture detailed costumes and armor, including medieval styles and animal-inspired elements.

Yes, you’ll learn how to customize the ZBrush interface, create custom brushes, map hotkeys, and optimize your sculpting workflow for greater efficiency.

Yes, it covers building character backstories, using references, and integrating narrative elements to create compelling and believable designs.

Information about the course and certificate

3D Character Modeling for Organic and Hard Surfaces. 3D, and Animation course by Andrew Entwistle

3D Character Modeling for Organic and Hard Surfaces

A course by Andrew Entwistle
3D digital artist. Manchester, United Kingdom.
Joined November 2021
  • 100% positive reviews (18)
  • 1,430 students