Anatomy & Character Sculpture - Full Compilation

[Ng Jia Xuan / 0375273 ]

[Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media]

[Anatomy & Character Sculpture ]

[ Full Compilation ]

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Instructions
2. Progress
3. Final Outcome
4. Feedback
5. Reflection

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1. INSTRUCTIONS

2. PROGRESS

A head start for ZBRUSH: 

Before starting: Turn of the floor + Change Focal lane 85

Shortcut: 

B: Library of brushes

Rotation: Press + hold & rotate

Panning: Alt + Hold

Zoom in/Out: Release Alt + Hold

M: Move Brush

Right Click: Adjust the size of the brush

Negative: Alt + Draw

Demstandard: Negative input (Default)

X: Symmetry 

Option: Smooth Out

MacBook:

Turning the workplace- right click + move

Zoom- ctrl + slide

Move item- W 

Brush size- S

Negative input- Option

Save: Save As - Ztools - Name it

Mask:

Masking: Ctrl

Masking curve: Press option to let it curve, Press option twice to make it sharp

Selection tools:

Selection: Crtl + Shift drag

Selection (Invert): Press Option

Bring everything back: Ctrl + Shift tap

EXERCISE 1: 

In this task we are assign to create a character for our 3D character sculpting that we will do for later project. 

I am having an idea of creating a character that is related to nature so I gather some mood board to make my ideation more solid.

Fig 2.1: Character Design Mood Board

After that, I try to attempt some sketches along with the color & outfit exploration. I also did some thumbnail sketches to explore the poses that will be apply in the final character design.

To complete my character, we are required to write a short story/description about our character. 

Below is my character description:

Chu Xi is a 16-year-old girl who lives in Hai Shou Zhen, a village in the east of the Kingdom. She dreams of becoming a great chief like her father, who is the current chief of the village, and she shows great potential to be an excellent leader. Chu Xi is the youngest among her three brothers, and her loving family has shaped her into a kind, extroverted, and playful girl who is always willing to help others. Her favourite color represents her personality well, bright and radiant, like sunshine yellow. Though she seems like a perfect girl, she actually feels insecure about her height, so she always wears thick, high boots to fulfill her wish of being taller. She is also a picky eater, which is one reason her height is not as she desires (she loves to eat anything except vegetables). According to their tradition, turning sixteen marks the beginning of adulthood, and children must leave their village for a year to learn independence. Now, Chu Xi is ready to begin her journey, exploring the kingdom on her own.

Fig 2.2: Color & Outfit Exploration

Fig 2.3: Thumbnail Sketches

Fig 2.4: Final Character Design (Clean Ver)

I decided to choose a pose that is more lively to represent her bubbly personality. After choosing a certain pose, I apply to my final design with background. For the background, since she lives in the wood, I decided to put my character in a wood and the background is her small cottage.

Fig 2.5: Final Character Design (With Background)

SKULL EXERCISE:

In this task, we are required to build and sculpt a skull in ZBRUSH.

Attempt #1

Below is my first attempt for the skull. After, sir introduce and brief about the task, I try to sculpt the skull in ZBURSH.

Fig 2.6: Skull Attempt #1 Progression 1

Fig 2.7: Skull Attempt #1 Progression 2

However, my skull was a bit wonky and I can't do the teeth part, so I consult with sir and I decided to redo another skull starting with a solid block out.

Attempt #2

Fig 2.8: Skull Reference

Fig 2.9: Skull Attempt #2 Blocking Stage

Fig 2.10: Skull Attempt #2 Blocking Stage (A bit of refining)

Fig 2.11: Skull Attempt #2 Working on the teeth

Basically it's the same progress, block out and slowly refining it. For the teeth, I consult with sir before moving on the final detailing as I wasn't sure with the teeth and sir give me some feedback.

Sir Feedback:

The mouth part it's popping too much, you can adjust a bit.

Fig 2.12: Skull Attempt #2 Final Detailing

Based on sir feedback, I refine the teeth part and refine the final details for my skull (where should I push in, the bones structure etc).

PROJECT 1: 

In this task, we are required to start our character sculpture, building a basic character (without outfit & props).

Similar to the skull, I start up with a basic blocking for my character before proceeding the refining detail stage.

Fig 2.13: Character Blocking Stage

Fig 2.14: Character Blocking Stage (A bit of refining)

I start to work with the hair and body details (just a bit), planning out the bangs, other pieces that form the lantern hairstyles and the fingers etc.

Fig 2.15: Character Detail Refining Stage #1

This is my first detailing attempt and sir suggest me to refine the detail more (especially the face) & fix my proportion, it seems a bit off now.

*Below is my refinement throughout the following weeks, I already proceeds to other project but sir allows us to keep refining the anatomy, so I am going to record the process at here to make the body refinement continuos.

Fig 2.16: Character Detail Refining Stage #2

I refine the shoulder that connect the arm muscle a bit, so as the muscle at the arm. But now, I think the arm is a bit too long and sir suggest me to fix the way my character lay out her arm, perhaps let the arm swing a bit backwards.

Fig 2.17: Character Detail Refining Stage #3

Fig 2.18: Character Detail Refining Stage #4 (Final Adjustment)

Based on sir feedback, I start to fix my arm by adjusting the angle using the side view. Other than fixing the arm proportion, I also refine the hair and face details more.

PROJECT 2:

In this task we are required to color & build up the outfit & props for our character.

For the color palette, I am using my original color scheme from my exercise 1 and my props will be my accessories & the small pouch on the waist.

Before starting the progress of making the outfit, sir teach us how to do the outfit and below is my practice in class.

Steps to do outfit for the character:

1. Mask lasso select area

2. ⁠Subtool - Sxtract - Accept 

3. ⁠Ctrl + Shift select the front outfit 

4. ⁠Display properties - Double

5. ⁠Geometry - Modify topology - Delete hidden 

6. ⁠Geometry - Zremesher 

7. ⁠Color

Fig 2.19: Practice in class (How to make the cloth)

After the practice let's move on to the progress of making the outfit & props for my character.

Fig 2.20: Coloring & Outfit, Props Making

First, I use the method that sir teach us to do the basic outfit and refine it to smooth it out. To change the material of each accessories/outfit, we can apply this method:

Choose "M" - Choose the material - Fill up the layer

Besides that, I also try to apply some wrinkles on the outfit, but sir suggest me to add more and make it more detailed. 

Fig 2.21: Comparison Coloring & Outfit, Props Making (Before & After Adjustment)

Fig 2.22: Close Up Comparison Coloring & Outfit, Props Making (Before & After Adjustment)

Fig 2.23: Close Up Comparison Coloring & Outfit, Props Making (Before & After Adjustment)

Fig 2.24: Close Up Comparison Coloring & Outfit, Props Making (Before & After Adjustment)

Here are some comparison before and after adjustment.

In summary:

1. Colored the outfit & props with more color by using brush

2. Refine and add more wrinkles to the outfit & props

3. Add more detail to the face and hair 

Fig 2.25: Coloring & Outfit, Props Making (Final Refinement)

Fig 2.26: Close Up Coloring & Outfit, Props Making (Final Refinement)

For the final refinement, I add doll eyes glaze (suggested by sir) to make the eyes more realistic and I add the face paint, along some makeup for my character face.

PROJECT 3: 

We are required to finish a posing charater and compile all of the project and exercise that we did previously.

First, I start with the posing. I have two posing that I want to try so I did 2 attempts, below are my attempts:

POSING ATTEMPT #1

Fig 2.28: Posing Attempt #1 Progression 1

For the first posing, I use the pose that I apply in my exercise 1, a running pose.I think this pose able to present her characteristic which is playful and fun, like a little girl running happily. However, this pose is a bit difficult for me, as beginner the movement is hard to capture, I am not really satisfied with it.

Fig 2.29: Posing Attempt #1 Progression 2

After consulting with sir, he suggest me to change a facial expression. I also did some adjustment on the leg, the front leg is landing on the heels and the angle is more tilted (as I observe some reference, the center of gravity will shift when running or landing so I adjust a bit to make the pressure shift to the heels).

POSING ATTEMPT #2

Fig 2.31: Posing Attempt #2

For the second pose, I find a more simple but cheeky pose to present her fun personality. Similar to the previous attempt, I try a new facia expression which is wink, I think this facial is cuter and present her bubbly & playful characteristic. A little lift on the right leg it's more girly and cute.

Sir is ok with both poses, but in the end I choose the 2nd pose as my final.

PPT COMPILATION

Moving on to the compilation, I use the orginal templete that I submit but sir suggest me to refine a bit so I tweak the layout and color.

Fig 2.32: The original tenplete

Fig 2.33: The tenplete after adjusting

A3 PROGRESSION  COMPILATION

Similar to the previous compilation, sir also suggest me to refine the layout buut the content is good, just refine the layout a bit.

Fig 2.34: The original layout

Fig 2.35: The layout after adjusting

I clean out the background to make it cleaner and label the title to make it easier to read. I also adjust the layout, making sure it's consistence and easy to read.

[The whole character - Turntable - Detail]

A3 CONCEPT ART ILLUSTRATION

For the illustration, I am going to reuse the back ground from exercise 1 and tweak it a bit, as I want to make it potrait instead of landscape.

Fig 2.36: Concept Art Attempt #1

Personally, I am a fan of using light and shadow contrast so I apply it on the illustration and follow the original artwork from exercise 1. However, it look kind of scary and it's a bit off and not suitable for my character. During consultation sir also said the same thing so I decided to tweak the color a bit.

Fig 2.37: Concept Art Attempt #2

For this attempt I tone down the contrast a bit and make the overall artwork lighter (not that spooky).

3. FINAL OUTCOME

EXERCISE 1: 

Fig 3.1: Final Exercise 1 

Fig 3.2: Final Exercise 1 

SKULL EXERCISE:

Fig 3.3: Final Skull Exercise 

PROJECT 1: 

Fig 3.4: Final Project 1 

Fig 3.5: Final Project 1 (Turntable) 

PROJECT 2:

Fig 3.6: Final Project 2

Fig 3.7: Final Project 2 (Turntable) 

PROJECT 3: 

Fig 3.8: Final Project 3 

Fig 3.9: Final Project 3 (Turntable) 

Fig 3.10: Final Concept Art Illustration 

FINAL COMPILATION:

4. FEEDBACK

EXERCISE 1: 

1. Good, hope that you can present well in the 3D.

SKULL EXERCISE:

1. In the first attempt, the blocking was a bit off and you proceed to refine the details without a solid base (which is not good).

2. The mouth part is popping out a bit too much, can adjust that a bit.

PROJECT 1: 

1. The arms proportion was a bit off, can work on that. Adjust the arm angle fold a bit and stretch backwards.

2. The feet proportion is a bit off too, if the character is wearing a shoes a clean block up will do, don't have to refine too much details.

3. For the face, refine more too, it can be more detailed. The eye socket, nose bridge etc.

PROJECT 2:

1. The wrinkles can be more detail, refer to the video that I provide and find reference online.

PROJECT 3: 

1. Both poses are fine.

2. The layout design can be better.

3. The turntable is a bit small, make it bigger.

4. The concept art composition can refine a bit and the theme doesn't really suit but good attempt.

5. REFLECTION

EXPERIENCE:

It's quite overwhelming at first, as it is my first attempt in making a character in 3D. It is really different from drawing, learning the structure of a skeleton and human muscle is very crucial in this module. So a lot refinement has been going on throughout this module. Everything is fresh and hard at the same time. Zbrush panel and shortkeys are really different from the software that I use, so I spend some time to get used with new system. i enjoy when doing the outfit, personally I love doing wrinkles, it's so satisfying haha and a good wrinkles affect the quality a lot (looking at the comparison figure). Overall, it is a stressful and new module for me, but I did learn a lot and get more familiar with Zbrush!!

OBSERVATION:

When I was doing the coloring, I observe that color really makes things pop out. Sir did mention about it when we are in project 2, he told us coloring is one of the tip to improve and enhance the surface (it can be muscle, material etc). If you know makeup, coloring it's similar to that contour and highlight the right plaee will make the overall more appealing and highlight the muscle!

FINDINGS:

As this module require some study about the muscle, I found out that every muscle make sense. When you move your muscle are affecting each other, I found out this during the posing, when doing the default pose we only observe the non moving muscle but when moving the muscle will change depend on the pose. I try two poses and one of them it's a dynamic pose, the way my character lean, lift her leg, the arm movement etc needs to be analyzed. It is quite challeging to make the movement look natural and not stiff.