ZBrush: Modeling a Cartoon Character

2h 57mIntermediate2020-02-20

Authors

Ryan Kittleson

CG Artist who teaches 3D modeling, sculpting, and printing

Course details

Explore sculpting, painting, and posing a 3D cartoon character using ZBrush. Author Ryan Kittleson demonstrates how to set up reference images, build a character from primitive shapes, fuse the shapes into a smooth surface, refine the anatomy and design, and color the model. Plus, learn how to render the character with a pose for presentation.

Topics include:
- Setting up reference images
- Creating the basic body shape
- Making the facial shapes
- Refining the anatomy
- Modeling cartoon props
- Adding eyes and teeth
- Merging the body parts
- Retopologizing the model for posing
- Texturing and posing the model

Skills covered

ZBrushPixologicCharacter AnimationAnimation and IllustrationDeep Dive (X:Y)

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Modeling a cartoon character

1. Blocking Out the Character

02 - Setting up reference images
03 - Making the basic forms with primitives
04 - Using primitives to make the facial features
05 - Tapering the limbs
06 - Sculpting the body
07 - Adjusting the facial features
08 - Refining the teeth
09 - Refining the ears and nose

2. Finishing the Character s T Pose

10 - Preparing to fuse body parts
11 - Fusing the body parts
12 - Sculpting organic forms
13 - Creating a poseable mesh with ZRemsher
14 - Projecting detail onto the remeshed model

3. Painting and Texturing

15 - Filling color and material
16 - Painting color details

4. Creating the Guitar

17 - Starting the guitar body
18 - Modeling the strings
19 - Making leaves on the tuning keys
20 - Painting the guitar
21 - Texturing the strings

5. Posing the Character

22 - Starting the pose
23 - Posing multiple subtools together
24 - Posing the tail with deformers
25 - Posing the arms
26 - Positioning the strings under the fingers
27 - Refining the pose

6. Rendering and Presentation

28 - Setting up presentation renders

Conclusion

29 - Next steps