All of my instincts tell me not post until I've finished my model. It scares me to post this because then it becomes real. Then I HAVE to finish it rather then just quietly give up and move on to a new project when I hit a bump. This is my base sculpt of Celebi. I never really learned the basics of sculpting. I jumped in feet first trying out the HUMAN course. (I can make it all the way to the Oscar Statue.) Other than that though, I don't have a lot of experience using sculpt mode. Guess this will force me to actually learn the basics. Gotta learn em all!
Looks like a great start. You have a great attitude about the challenge. Looking forward to seeing the completed render.
Exactly Wendy! Gotta learn em all!
The best way to learn is to try, if you don't try you can't learn.
You made a great start, and by posting the WIP thread the rest of us are here to support you, offer advice, tips and tricks.
My first tip if you are unsure about sculpting,
have a look at this old course introduction-to-character-modeling , chapter one covers the base shapes using the skin modifier, which is a great way to start. I find it easier than trying to sculpt using the hook and grab brushes to pull out limbs or tentacles for example.
Chapter 2 covers modeling the face and hands using Dyntopo, but I suggest using the method Jonathan uses to sculpt the clothes with the multi-resolution modifier.
Retopology is not really necessary for this challenge, no animation is required, and you could use procedural shaders for texturing this character.
Hope this helps, and good luck,
and don't give up, just ask for help if you need it.
Oh my gosh, you guys!🥺 Ya’ll are seriously bringing tears to my eyes cuz you‘re so supportive. None of my friends are into Blender so it’s nice to find to people who understand my love of Blender but also my challenges. Thank you so much for you’re support! 😄
wendy10698 You're most welcome, Wendy. I can definitely relate. Creating amazing content in 3D, brightens my spirit every time. Only those with a passion for art such as yours would understand your happiness. Looking forward to your work. Good luck, Wendy.
Nice start, there is indeed already a lot of cuteness in your model. Love to see it evolve!
Hi wendy10698 looks like a great start! Looking forward to seeing what you create here! 👍
I'm making myself post this. 😖
This is my new base for Celebi. I used the character modeling method I've been learning from those videos you recommended @adrian23. (Thanks so much! 😄) It really helped me with the body. I still ended up doing some sculpting on the head. 🤔Now I need to figure out how to color it and pose it. and also make a nice enviroment. Any thoughts or comments are welcome. 😬I'd like to improve it more if I can. My goal is to win the challenge but I also know there are way better modelers out there. 😅So we'll see.
Hi wendy10698 Your character is really taking great shape so far and for someone that doesn't have a lot of sculpting experience I honestly think that you're killing it. Never think that your work is not good enough. Yes, there are indeed better artists out there but do not be intimidated. Instead be inspired, learn and adapt. I can say this much in my own experience...I never give up. One day you'll look back at this little guy you created and think to yourself...Why was I so hard on myself? Great progress, keep it up.
Great advice bc_griffin ,
Be positive wendy10698 , I honestly think at this stage from what I have seen so far, you have as much chance of being a top 4 pick as much as anyone.
And remember, this is not so much a competition, but an opportunity to challenge yourself and improve your skills,
and Bennie is right, your killing it.
That's definitely happening! This is a challenge for me. Even if I don't win it was worth it just to participate. I'm not only learning new stuff but applying it. And the pressure of a time sensitive project is forcing me to work on it regularly rather than just casually. Thanks so much for your support! I really appreciate it! bc_griffin and @adrian2301 (Good. I think I got the tags to work right this time.)
Looking good so far Wendy! I think we all feel apprehensive about posting WIPs for the world to see - it does always feel a bit scary! Definitely a good way to keep motivated and see your own development though!
Regarding your question about colouring - you could always just use vertex paint on a character like this I think. That way you would avoid retopology and UV unwrapping if you are not that comfortable with it just yet.
For the background you could import a nice forest picture as a plane behind your model, and just use depth of field settings with the camera to blur it out. Again I think that could work well on a project like this! 👍
Went back to basics on Celebi and fixed some of the topology that was bugging me.
Looking great already Wendy (now I have to think about Peter Pan...)!
Maybe think about if you want the legs to body connection more like this perhaps:
But that's all up to you of course:)
Keep going!
Just thought I'd put a close up shot of the area we are discussing. 
