ANATOMY & CHARACTER SCULPTURE
26.8.2021 - 25.11.2021 (Week 1 - Week 14)
Jodi Yip Mei Kei / 0340542 / BMC
Anatomy & Character Sculpture / Taylor's University
Exercises / Project 1 / Project 2 / Final Project
LECTURES/ TUTORIALS/ PRACTICALS
Week 1: Introduction & Fundamentals of Anatomy Drawing
Lecture: This week, we began with the usual briefing of assignments and what this class entails. Mr. Kannan, our lecturer, spoke to us about the programs we'll use: ZBrush & Photoshop. Although he uses Photoshop for his lessons, he mentioned that he doesn't mind whatever application we use to draw. However, the ZBrush application is a must-have for this class.
Mr. Kannan has also uploaded multiple books and references to read up on Microsoft Teams.
Tutorial/Practical: We were tasked to sketch out shapes according to reference pictures of multiple types of poses.
Week 2: Introduction to ZBrush
Lecture: In this week, we went more in-depth into ZBrush though I must say, I had to rewatch it as it was quite overwhelming to me. I took notes down as well as seen here:
Week 4: Skeletal Structure
Lecture/Tutorial/Practical: After revising our work, Mr. Kannan began teaching us the basics of skeleton structure and how muscles overlap based on our Week 1 exercise sketches.
Firstly, the bones. While that has been set, the tendon comes next. Most would think tendons are a kind of muscle but not really. We can think of them as "rubber-bans" that bind our movements, making them able to go back and forth. Once the tendon is formed, the muscles go on top or rather, around the tendon. Depending on the type of muscle (e.g tricep, bicep, inner thigh, etc). Muscles help move our joints while giving us strength. Both muscles and fats can be built. Underneath it all, our bones remain the same. They do not distort whatsoever.
Week 5: Skeletal Structure 2
Lecture/Tutorial/Practical: Following the previous week, we basically continued where we left off. Most of the learning came from the weekly works submitted by other students as well as myself.
We are halfway sculpting our body by now, just the upper half. I found it very difficult to place the deltoid as they determine how and where our arms would be. Hence, Mr. Kannan said that my arms needed more work. The face as well. I wanted to leave the face until the end where I have more time to focus on the details.
Week 6: Building Personality
Lecture/Tutorial/Practical: Similarly to last week, we continued for the lower half of the body including the feet. I changed the arms but Mr. Kannan said the positioning was wrong and dangerous when rigging later on. Hence, I needed to position it to be an A-Pose.
Week 7: Sculpting Details
Lecture/Tutorial/Practical: Today, he went through our characters for Project 1. Initially, I thought. of doing a Valkyrie-inspired character but I was worried that my skills of ZBrush will not do it any justice (I'm still worrying!). So I ended up going easy with a character inspired by the LAIKA-produced film: Coraline. I loved how Coraline and its universe are; eerie, unsettling yet fun altogether.
However, after looking at the students from BDCM, I told myself to challenge my skills further. Even if it may not be on par with these talented individuals, I should still try and do my best. So I revisited the Valkyrie idea and expanded on it. It wasn't the drawing part that was difficult, it's just. the ZBrush part I was worried about.
Next, Mr. Kannan then taught us how to sculpt our hands and fingers today which I hope I'll be able to do it well. He also touched a bit on sculpting the hair.
Week 8-10: Sculpting Details & Consultation
Lecture/Tutorial/Practical: From here on, it was very much on individual consultations before going on with the remainder of the class. We asked specific questions about our projects which enabled other students to also learn and implement them into their sculptures. When it came to my consultation, I was having a lot of trouble creating the skirt part of my character, so Mr. Kannan actually told me to take a look at Wonder Woman. I decided to rewatch both Wonder Woman movies starring Gal Gadot to analyse her costume and figure.
Fig 1.2 & 1.3
Mr. Kannan taught us how to add textures and paint onto our sculptures as well. Using the Alpha Brushes helped create a stronger depth and contrast in our work.
Unfortunately, this is where my ZBrush started to crash more often. I was worried that after all my hard work, it is going down the drain and I don't have any more time to restart. Luckily, Mr. Kannan reminded me to clear my ZBrush quicksave files while I also did some long-overdue spring cleaning on my files as well.
Week 10 Onwards:
Lecture/Tutorial/Practical: From now until the end of our semester, it is all focused on consultations and cleaning up loose ends.
Mr. Kannan taught me the step-by-step tutorial of how to make the Valkyrie helmet:
I had to rewatch the recording to make sure I understood what was being said in order to recreate my own version of the Valkyrie helmet:
Now it is time to submit my final project where my character will be rigged and posed in a poster. Mr. Kannan told me to focus on my detailing, especially on the creases in the boots, and polishing/refining the existing details.
I have changed my character's colour:
INSTRUCTIONS
EXERCISES
WEEK 1: FIGURE DRAWING
Research 10 positions for both males and females to understand how body figures work by using shape block outs.
Fig 2 - PDF Compilation with references
Fig 3 - PDF Compilation without references
WEEK 2: SKULL
WEEK 3: DEMON THING
WEEK 4: MUSCLE STUDIES
PROJECT 1
REFLECTIONS
Experience: This was by far the most difficult design module I've ever taken. I have no experience in 3D sculpting whatsoever. It took me a long time to accustom myself to view my projects in a 3D manner. Fortunately, I had a patient and kind lecturer who was willing to answer my questions despite having explained them earlier to the class.
I would classify myself as one of the weaker ones in class compared to my peers. They did extremely well and I have so much to learn and admire from them. I wish I could at least have half of their talent but I very much prefer illustrating to sculpting. Nonetheless, it was an eye-opening and fulfilling module as I got to venture out of my comfort zone, learn a whole new skill and I must say, not bad for a beginner in 14-weeks. But I still have a long way to go. Hopefully, I get the chance to further enhance my newfound skill in the communications industry.
Observation: It takes a lot of practice. As a final-year student, I found myself tripping over academically over time as assignments started to build momentum. After a few days of not touching ZBrush, I depend very much on my muscle memory to get myself back in. Due to that, I started writing down notes during class and while rewatching lecture videos. I often watch tutorials as well to help better guild my sculpting.
Findings: Sculpting, using digital software, is so similar yet so different than traditional sculpting. I'm just glad my laptop didn't crash as much as I thought it would, though just once or twice. I've learned many lessons while using ZBrush and one of them is patience. It took me a while to "perfect" the face before moving on to the body. Even though it wasn't perfect, I was happy with it. I spend hours fixing the face and as for a beginner, I would have to pat myself on the back for it. It's not easy and it comes with practice. Hence, I really have a newfound respect for all digital 3D sculptures out there.
FURTHER READING
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