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Character Asset Creation for Cinematics: Vol. 1

ZBrush, Maya & Marvelous Designer Techniques with Amy Ash

Description

Learn how to create a realistic fantasy character model for animation in this in-depth tutorial covering all stages of the modeling process. Amy Ash takes you through how to creatively and technically create convincing characters, drawing on her 20-plus years of experience in the industry to help give you the tools to elevate your own projects.


This workshop is aimed at anyone looking to learn a professional and efficient way to create compelling and believable character assets. Basic software knowledge is advised, but every process is explained in detail, so artists of any level can follow along.


Amy will show you how to creatively interpret a concept, build a reference board, and create a blockout in ZBrush for locking down proportions. She’ll then detail how to create the rough head sculpt before moving into Marvelous Designer to create realistic clothing. Amy then heads back into Maya for the retopologizing work, and walks through the process of poly modeling all other parts of the character, before finally returning to ZBrush for the final refinements and detailing.


Along the way, Any shows you her tips and tricks for navigating various challenges and explains her philosophy for using story to inform the decisions she makes, sharing how this can elevate your own work. By completing this workshop, you will have a better understanding of the entire process of character modeling for cinematics, and how to work within an animation pipeline.


This workshop uses the Texturing.XYZ VFace pack and 3D Scan Store’s Female Base Mesh.


Duration: 8h 12m

Format: HD 1920x1080

Amy Ash

Freelance Character Supervisor/Art Director

Amy Ash is an Expert Character Artist at CD PROJEKT RED with over 25 years of experience creating high-quality characters across advertising, television, and game cinematics. Known for her versatility, she excels in a wide range of artistic styles, combining technical skill with a strong sense of design and storytelling to bring compelling characters to life.


Amy has contributed to leading studios including Zaratan Studios, New3dge, Netflix, Axis Studios, and Goodbye Kansas Studios. Since joining Axis Studios in 2018, she has led character teams on projects, including Riot’s Tales of Runeterra series, the Love Death and Robots episode The Tall Grass for Netflix, and the launch trailer for Diablo Immortal.

  • Amy Ash is an artist with impeccable taste, skill and technique. Over the years, we've had a chance to bring many AAA game cinematics to life at Axis Studios, where Amy supervised character creation as head of department spanning a vast range of projects, from sci-fi to fantasy, and everything in between. I hope students will be able to pick up not just amazing character creation techniques, but also many insights into the animation industry from Amy’s experience!

    - Sava Zivkovic
    Co-Supervising Director at Blur Studio

  • Amy has such brilliant artistic sensibilities and I always relish the chance to work alongside her. In her role as Head of Characters at Axis, she fosters a brilliant atmosphere of high artistic and technical attainment, and has been involved with the creation of many of the best visual moments for our studio. Students will gain access to an incredible level of experience, talent, and vision. I would personally jump at the chance to learn from her!

    - Jake Gumbleton
    Freelance Art Director