ZBrush: Sculpting Portraits

2h 42mIntermediate2014-12-11

Authors

Ryan Kittleson

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

Course details

Join digital sculptor Ryan Kittleson as he shares his approach to sculpting realistic faces in ZBrush. By combining traditional anatomy with observation and digital techniques, this course provides a foundation for sculpting engaging human portraits. Ryan will show you how to interpret a photo reference, build the basic facial structures, achieve the likeness of the subject, sculpt facial expressions, and much more.

Learning objectives
Working with a photo reference
Blocking out the proportions
Blocking out the ears
Aligning the model with the photos
Shaping the eyelids, nose, and mouth
Making teeth
Sculpting and styling hair

Skills covered

3D SculptingZBrushPixologicVisualization and Real-TimeAnimation and IllustrationDeep Dive (X:Y)

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome
02 - What you should know before watching this course
03 - Using the exercise files
04 - Installing the custom brushes

1. Working with a Photo Reference

05 - Understanding the limits of a photo reference
06 - Taking your own photos for reference
07 - Preparing photos for use as references

2. Starting to Sculpt

08 - How I approach digital sculpture
09 - Blocking out the proportions
10 - Establishing the underlying structure
11 - Blocking out the ears
12 - Making the mouth cavity
13 - Taking a second look at proportions
14 - Placing reference photos on the grid
15 - Aligning the sculpt with the photos

3. Working on the Midrange Details

16 - Placing the eyeballs in the sculpture
17 - Working on the lower eyelids
18 - Making the upper eyelids
19 - Sculpting the basic ear structures
20 - Working on the nose
21 - Shaping the mouth
22 - Using ZRemesher to create new topology
23 - Projecting detail to a remeshed model
24 - Organizing the mesh with PolyGroups
25 - Using transparency with reference photos

4. Making Teeth

26 - Making the gums
27 - Extracting the teeth
28 - Sculpting the teeth
29 - Finishing the teeth

5. Sculpting the Hair

30 - Masking the scalp
31 - Creating the hair volume
32 - Styling the hair
33 - Detailing the hair

6. Refining the Details

34 - Breaking symmetry
35 - Sculpting small details
36 - Making fine wrinkles and pores
37 - Detailing around the eyes
38 - Creating a facial expression
39 - Adjusting the pose with Transpose Master
40 - Finishing the sculpture

Conclusion

41 - Next steps