Modeling Realistic Characters In Blender

Instructor:
Kent Trammell

This course was originally created as a CG Cookie Workshop where registrants spent 6 focused weeks with the curriculum and 1-on-1 time with the instructor. We're now inducting the curriculum into the CGC education library! Homework assignments exist as exercises and streams aren't live but recorded from the workshop. So when you hear/see the word "workshop", "homework", or "live streams" you know where that's coming from :)

Building Character

This course delves deep into the art of character creation, blender human models, how to sculpt in blender, blender retopology, blender hair, and all the ins and outs on how to make a 3d model. Our work is inspired by the great character work from Blur Studios, Digic Pictures, and artists like Baldasseroni and Grassetti. You know, the kind of digital characters that make you think twice as to whether not it's a photo.

If you follow and apply this curriculum, by the end of the six-week schedule you'll have a realistic character model that you can be proud of! Furthermore, if you've ever wondered about zbrush vs blender, hopefully by the end, you'll get an answer.

Course Structure

This course is organized into 6 weeks of curriculum. Students are expected to have at least an intermediate knowledge of Blender’s interface and modeling tools, as taught in the Blender Basics course and Step by Step Blender Fundamentals Playlist. In other words, if you find yourself asking questions, such as how to extrude in blender or how to undo in blender, you might want to check the Fundamentals first.

What level of skill is best for this workshop?

Due to the complexity of 3D creation, it’s very difficult to teach beginners and advanced users with the same curriculum. Therefore, students will benefit most from this workshop if they come into it with at least an intermediate knowledge of 3D modeling with Blender.

Prerequisites?

This is a higher level of education with more emphasis on workflow and artistry rather than the tools. Therefore the student will get the most out of the workshop if they’ve watched the courses listed below and are well-versed in Blender’s modeling tools.

Student Example work:

Student Work from taking the class

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Awarded upon completion:
100xp +
Course Curriculum
1 Review
  • jammingammon ·

    This is a great course for anyone who wants to model a full character from start to finish. It is fairly advanced, and a bit old, so patience, perseverance, and the ability to do some googling / searching for solutions to some outdated material is required. There isn't a lot of hand-holding, so be prepared to apply the techniques that Kent touches on early as you progress through your project.

    I'd recommend checking out the Fundamentals of Sculpting and Intro to Character Modelling, as well as some basic modelling courses before jumping into this course. As you work through the anatomy sculpting section, I'd recommend referencing the Art of Sculpting, and HUMAN course for help with the hands and the head. I'd also recommend trying some simpler retopology before jumping into the retopology section. Retopologizing Pierro from the Pierro course, and following the head retopology on HUMAN was helpful to me.