Wednesday, November 6th, 2013 Posted by Jim Thacker

Gnomon ships Realistic Skin with ZBrush and KeyShot

The Gnomon Workshop has released a new video tutorial from Blizzard character artist Dominic Qwek exploring how to sculpt and render realistic skin using ZBrush and Luxion’s KeyShot renderer.

In the tutorial, which lasts over two hours, Qwek explores how to use ZBrush to sculpt fine skin details such as wrinkles, moles and warts, then use its built-in Polypaint toolset to apply realistic skin tones.

The painted model is then imported into KeyShot via the GoZ plugin for lighting and shading. Qwek explains how to use KeyShot’s translucent shader and HDR lighting features to achieve photorealistic results.

Finally, Qwek explains his post-production workflow, importing the render into Photoshop to add the final touches.

KeyShot: not just for product visualisation
As well as providing technical tips any character artist will find useful, Realistic Skin with ZBrush and KeyShot is something of a first.

Although KeyShot has a strong following in the worlds of visualisation and product design, it’s still a cult phenomenon in DCC work: something the tutorial may redress.

In a recent interview with CG Channel, Qwek praised KeyShot for the ease with which it is possible to achieve photorealistic results using the software.

About the artist
Specialising in game art and 3D concept design, Dominic Qwek started his career as a 3D generalist at various post-production studios.

He currently works at Blizzard Entertainment as a senior cinematic artist, where his recent projects include titles such as Killzone 2, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty and Heart of the Swarm, Diablo III and Hearthstone. His work at Blizzard consists of real-time character and environment asset creation, as well as lighting for in-game cinematics.

Realistic Skin with ZBrush and KeyShot is available now from The Gnomon Workshop’s online store as a digital download, price $49. A DVD version will follow shortly.

Buy Realistic Skin with ZBrush and KeyShot from The Gnomon Workshop’s online store

Read our interview with Dominic Qwek about his character design workflow

Full disclosure: CG Channel is owned by the Gnomon School of Visual Effects.