Tutorial: design and model a creature with scales
The Gnomon Workshop has released Designing & Modeling a Creature with Scales, a detailed guide to creating creatures for visual effects production pipelines, recorded by character artist Dan Weiss.
The workshop provides over 4.5 hours of video training in ZBrush and Maya.
Discover how to sculpt creatures for VFX pipelines in ZBrush and Maya
In the workshop, Weiss explores how to take a creature design from initial idea to production-ready asset.
Beginning with a simple idea – a hybrid chameleon/bat creature – Weiss sets out how to refine the design and block out the model based on real-life references, sculpting natural-looking shapes in ZBrush.
He then reveals his unique techniques for creating high-resolution scales and wrinkles, all sculpted by hand.
Finally, Weiss retopologises the model in Maya, to ready it for texturing and character rigging.
About the artist
Dan Weiss is a senior character artist at Emmy Award-nominated visual effects facility Untold Studios, having previously worked for other leading VFX studios including MPC, The Mill and Framestore.
He has worked on characters and creatures for movies, TV series and commercials, including Marvel’s Moon Knight and Watchmen.
Pricing and availability
Designing & Modeling a Creature with Scales is available via a subscription to The Gnomon Workshop, providing access to over 300 tutorials. Subscriptions cost $49/month or $490/year. Free trials are available.
Read more about Designing & Modeling a Creature with Scales on The Gnomon Workshop’s website
Full disclosure: CG Channel is owned by Gnomon.