The Gnomon Workshop has released Sculpting the Planes of the Head, a guide to figurative sculpting techniques recorded by sculptor and practical effects artist John Brown.

As well as covering physical sculpting, the training includes a bonus section on creating a digital model of the head through photogrammetry then cleaning up the scanned data in ZBrush.

An essential guide to facial anatomy and practical sculpting techniques
During three and a half hours of video training, Brown discusses the fundamentals of creating a successful head sculpture, breaking down a life-size male head into a series of planes and facets.

In doing so, he explores how to establish the landmarks for the facial features, and how the shadows they cast help to define the form of the head.

He also discusses how to create a lightweight full-scale armature for the sculpture, how to use templates, how to translate a 2D drawing to 3D, symmetry tricks, and how to model a hard surface.

Supplementary videos visit 3D scanning bureau 3DScanLA and reveal how to create a digital model through photogrammetry, including how to clean up the scanned data in ZBrush to create a print-ready asset.

About the artist
John Brown is a figurative sculptor whose work features in private collections throughout the US.

He has also worked creating special effects make-up for major movies including Alien Resurrection, Jumanji, The X-Files, Mars Attacks, The Cell and Planet of the Apes.

More of his tutorials on practical sculpting, including creating full-body armatures and clay and bronze sculpting techniques, are available through The Gnomon Workshop.

Pricing and availability
Sculpting the Planes of the Head is available via an online subscription to The Gnomon Workshop, giving you access to over 300 tutorials. Subscriptions cost $49/month or $499/year.

Read more about Sculpting the Planes of the Head on The Gnomon Workshop’s website

 
Full disclosure: CG Channel is owned by Gnomon.

Tags: 3D scanning, anatomy, cleaning up scan data, Gnomon, John Brown, male head, Photogrammetry, practical sculpting, sculpting, sculpting in clay, sculpting the human head, Sculpting the Planes of the Head, techniques, The Gnomon Workshop, Training, tutorial, video, workflow, ZBrush