Sunday, April 3rd, 2022 Posted by Jim Thacker

Master creature modelling with ZBrush and Marmoset Toolbag


The Gnomon Workshop has released Creature Modeling With ZBrush & Marmoset Toolbag, a guide to modelling an ultra-realistic praying mantis recorded by industry veteran Eric Keller.

The workshop, which comprises over five hours of video training for ZBrush, Maya, and Marmoset’s Toolbag renderer, is aimed at artists looking to work in scientific visualisation as well as create games or VFX assets.

Master practical creature modelling workflows for entertainment or visualisation work
In the videos, Keller explores how to use ZBrush to create a detailed model of an orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus): a beautiful, but deadly – to butterflies, at least – tropical insect.

The workshop is aimed at intermediate-to-advanced artists, and highlights many of the new features added in recent versions of the software.

Beginning with simple ZSpheres, Keller blocks out the initial shape following photo references and anatomical diagrams, before refining each part of the mantis step by step.

He then applies colour to the model using ZBrush’s PolyPaint toolset before exporting the model and textures into Toolbag for final texturing and rendering.

As well as the training videos themselves, viewers of the workshop can download Keller’s project files, including his personal reference images, ZBrush files, and final Toolbag scene.

About the artist
Eric Keller has been working as a CG artist since 1998. His credits include work on 10 Cloverfield Lane and Star Trek Beyond, and models for the title sequences of Aquaman and Swamp Thing.

As well as his other training videos for The Gnomon Workshop, he has also taught the Introduction to Maya and Introduction to Digital Sculpting courses at the Gnomon school itself.

Pricing and availability
Creature Modeling With ZBrush & Marmoset Toolbag is available via an online subscription to The Gnomon Workshop, providing access to over 300 detailed tutorials. Subscriptions cost $49/month or $490/year.

Read more about Creature Modeling With ZBrush & Marmoset Toolbag


Full disclosure: CG Channel is owned by Gnomon.