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Fine Arts · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Digital Sculptor

This is a studio-intensive course dedicated to high-resolution organic modeling. Using tools like ZBrush, students focus purely on form, silhouette, and artistic anatomy without the constraints of topology. The course covers creature design, likeness sculpting (portraits), and the preparation of digital sculptures for 3D printing and manufacturing.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Master advanced ZBrush workflows: DynaMesh, ZRemesher, and Sculptris Pro
  2. Sculpt realistic human likenesses with attention to tertiary details (pores/wrinkles)
  3. Design original creatures using "Kitbashing" and insert-mesh brushes
  4. Prepare models for physical production (Watertight meshes for 3D Printing)
  5. Utilize Polypainting for concept presentation
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01The Digital Clay Studio: Interface Mastery
  2. 02Blocking Forms: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
  3. 03Advanced Anatomy: Muscles & Bone Landmarks
  4. 04The Portrait: Skull Structure & Planes
  5. 05The Portrait: Features (Eyes, Nose, Mouth)
  6. 06Micro-Detailing: Alphas & Noise
  7. 07Clothing & Drapery Sculpting
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Creature Design: Silhouette & Anatomy
  10. 10Kitbashing: Using Pre-made Parts
  11. 11Hard Surface Sculpting in ZBrush
  12. 12Posing the Sculpt: Transpose Master
  13. 13FiberMesh: Creating Hair & Fur
  14. 14Decimation & Optimization
  15. 15Prep for 3D Print: Keying & Slicing
  16. 16Final Project: The Masterpiece Sculpt

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Masterpiece Sculpt

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. ZBrush Digital Sculpting Human Anatomy by Scott Spencer
  2. Anatomy for Sculptors by Uldis Zarins
  3. Beginner's Guide to ZBrush by 3dtotal Publishing
  4. Portrait Sculpting: Anatomy & Expressions in Clay (Reference) by Philippe Faraut
  5. Form of the Head and Neck by Uldis Zarins
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