Learn to sculpt the human face
During this course, students will learn what makes the face look as it does—the underlying structures of the skull, muscles, fat tissue, and other structures such as glands which create and affect the forms of the face. Without a base mesh, but starting from scratch to get a better understanding of all the layers laid on top of each other. Once that knowledge is established, we will go deeper into what makes the portrait alive and tell a story.
Registration Now Open
Registration Period
Oct 09, 2024 -
Jan 30, 2025
Course Start
Jan 24, 2025
Course Format
Standard
Skills Level
Intermediate
Duration
10 weeks
Q&A
Once a week
Feedback
Individual recordings
Lecture Type
Pre-recorded
Assignment
Due each week. Expect to spend 10-20 hrs/wk viewing lectures, Q&A, and assignments
PREREQUISITES
Intermediate sculpting or drawing knowledge. Course Pre-req: Intro to Production Modeling, Zbrush for Concept & Iteration, and Anatomy for Production
MATERIALS
Zbrush, a graphics tablet with a digital pen — no mice allowed :)
The more you know, the better.
Week #1
Skeleton
Introduction | Going over anatomical references of the skull and neck bones, and explaining the benefits of learning what is “under the hood”
Week #2
Cartilage, Eyes, and Glands
Further examining anatomical references of cartilage, eyes, glands
Week #3
Head & Neck Muscles and Fat Compartments
Adding muscles to the scene, and fat tissue
Week #4
Skin
Building a generic face by laying the skin layer on top of the previously created layers
Week #5
Portrait
To get a better understanding of portrait sculpting, one portrait won’t cut it, so we will create a new one.
Week #6
Retopology
Retopology of the bust and projecting back the details onto the new topology mesh. Clean topology will enable more efficient detailing, and later posing and expressions.
Week #7
Refinements and Detailing
Final touches and tweaks of the portrait
Week #8
Polypaint
Polypainting the color map
Week #9
Hair
Sculpting the hair (or fibermesh or xgen)
Week #10
Expression Sculpting and Pose — The Final Image
For this lesson, retopology will have a big impact, as the head will be much easier to pose. Rendering different passes in Zbrush and bringing them into Photoshop for compositing into a final image.
STUDENT GALLERY
Bringing out the best in talent
LECTURES BY
Dmitrij Leppee
Course Start: Jan 24, 2025
Coming from a traditional drawing and graphics background as well as classical animation, Dmitrij, discovered his interest in 3D (ZBrush in particular) 9 years ago, which he pursued on his own. For the majority of his professional career he has worked as a medical illustrator, but never abandoned his love for portraying people, only transferring it to a new medium. He has worked on all kinds of projects; models for print, animation, commercials, movies and games. He currently works as a Lead Character Artist at Digital Dimension.
Instructor's Gallery
PRICING SCHEDULE
Even though our courses are the most affordable for the quality of education, these finance options allow you to focus on your goals instead of the barriers that keep you from reaching them.
3x Payments
$332.67
2x Payments
$499
Full payment
$998
Winter TERM REGISTRATION
Now Open
Oct 09, 2024 -
Jan 27, 2025
COURSE BEGINS on Jan 24, 2025
What makes this learning experience unique?
PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
Receive personalized feedback on all assignments from the industry’s top professionals.
LIFETIME ACCESS
Enjoy lifetime access to the spectrum of course content, including lectures, live Q&As, and feedback sessions.
CERTIFICATION
Show off your Certification of Completion when you turn in 80% of course assignments.
FLEXIBLE LEARNING
Learn anywhere, anytime, and at your own pace with flexible, online course scheduling.
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