Sculpting Anatomy: From Animal to Creature

A 10-week course using anatomy foundations and design principles to model animals and create creatures

OVERVIEW

INSTRUCTORS

GALLERY

COURSE OVERVIEW

Understand creature anatomy

In this course, students will create their own animal anatomy study in ZBrush. They will learn how to construct a model from the inside out, starting by building the skeletal system and adding muscles and skin later on. This course will also focus on portfolio by covering how to light and render a beautiful study in Maya and Photoshop. In the second part of the course, students will jump from the study to the creation process by learning how to build up their own creatures. They will create the anatomy of their own dragon and discover the workflows to sculpt details and paint accurate skin colors in ZBrush.

Course Format:

Standard

Duration:

10 weeks

Materials:

Zbrush, Maya, & Photoshop (or equivalent software)

Lecture Type:

Pre-recorded

Assignment:

Deadlines each week

Skills Level:

Intermediate

Feedback:

Individual recordings

Q&A:

Once a week

Prerequisites:

Knowledge of ZBrush and digital sculpting strongly recommended; basic knowledge of Maya and ZBrush is required; basic knowledge of Photoshop strongly recommended; course pre-reqs include Anatomy for Production

Course Format:

Standard

Duration:

10 weeks

Materials:

Zbrush, Maya, & Photoshop (or equivalent software)

Lecture Type:

Pre-recorded

Assignment:

Deadlines each week

Skills Level:

Intermediate

Feedback:

Individual recordings

Q&A:

Once a week

Prerequisites:

Course Format:

Standard

Duration:

10 weeks

Materials:

Zbrush, Maya, & Photoshop (or equivalent software)

Lecture Type:

Pre-recorded

Assignment:

Deadlines each week

Skills Level:

Intermediate

Feedback:

Individual recordings

Q&A:

Once a week

Prerequisites:

COURSE OVERVIEW

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

EXPAND ALL COLLAPSE ALL

The more you know, the better.

Week 1 | Introduction to Animal Anatomy: Understanding the Principle of Motion

Hierarchy of animal anatomy | Motion: skeleton, muscles, articulation, direction | Basic understanding of design: carnivore vs. herbivore | From design to study | Anatomy study and paint-over in Photoshop

Week 2 | Anatomy of the Skull: Understanding the Notion Behind Bones

Introduction to animal face anatomy | Description of the face | Skull sculpting

Week 3 | The Center of Everything: Understanding the Spinal Column and Rib Cage

Basic understanding of the body structure and connection | Deeper understanding of the anatomy of the spine | From the scapula to the fingers | Standing on the legs | Creating the base of our animal in ZBrush

Week 4| Pull to Motion: Understanding the Function of a Muscle

Understanding the role of a muscle | Description of the head anatomy | The spinal column muscles | ZBrush sculpting

Week 5 | From the Écorché to the Living Creature: the Fat and the Skin

Fat presence on the body | The skin’s appearance | The écorché in ZBrush | Understanding the anatomy of fur

Week 6 | Between Study and Art: the Motion in Action

Put motion into practice | The photographic look of an animal anatomy study | The clay material | Create a pose in ZBrush | Setting up our studio in 3D

Week 7 | From Study to Creation: How to Translate Anatomy From one Species to Another

Interpreting anatomy | Introduction to the dragon project | Creating the base in ZBrush

Week 8 | More Limbs: What Does it Take to Be a Dragon?

Dragon skeleton draw-over | Study from Avatar’s creatures | Building our dragon’s écorché in ZBrush | Adding the wings

Week 9 | The Beauty Behind the Details: How to Create High-Detailed Sculpts

Creating details in ZBrush | Using Photoshop to create details | Posing our dragons

Week 10 | From Study to Production: Putting a Model Into a Production Environment

Understanding production needs | Colorize your creature | From 3D to illustration

Sculpting Anatomy: From Animal to Creature

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Instructor

Taking your skills to the next level

Tan Bi

/Industrial Light & Magic

LECTURES BY Gael Kerchenbaum

Tan Bi is a digital sculptor / 3D artist passionate about traditional art. Currently, he is working with the Industrial Light & Magic, Anatomytools, and teaching at the Academy of Art University. He has a deep understanding of both human and animal anatomy. In the past few years, he has focused on sculpting realistic characters and creatures for feature films and physical output.

INSTRUCTOR'S GALLERY:

REQUEST SYLLABUS

STUDENT GALLERY

Sculpting Anatomy: From Animal to Creature

Student Gallery

STUDENT INTERVIEWS

Serval Anatomy Sculpt

Interview with Jess O'Neill

Serval Anatomy Sculpt

Interview with Jess O'Neill

Antelope & Dragon Studies

Interview with Nicole Jackson

Antelope & Dragon Studies

Interview with Nicole Jackson

Canine Anatomy Study

Interview with Tsvetelina Zdraveva

Canine Anatomy Study

Interview with Tsvetelina Zdraveva

Building a Bovine Skeleton & Muscle System

Interview with Denis Udalov

Building a Bovine Skeleton & Muscle System

Interview with Denis Udalov

Animal Anatomy Production Guide

Interview with Phu Nguyen

Animal Anatomy Production Guide

Interview with Phu Nguyen

Sculpting a Dragon in ZBrush from Skeleton to Skin

Interview with Chara Taliadorou

Sculpting a Dragon in ZBrush from Skeleton to Skin

Interview with Chara Taliadorou

The Youngest Dragon: Sculpting Creature Anatomy and Details

Interview with Tjeu Pubbe

The Youngest Dragon: Sculpting Creature Anatomy and Details

Interview with Tjeu Pubbe

WINTER TERM REGISTRATION

Oct 18, 2021 - Jan 31, 2022

ONLY

$998

COURSE BEGINS

January 26th

PRICING SCHEDULE

Even though our courses are the most affordable for the quality of education.

These FINANCE OPTIONS allow you to focus on your goals instead of the barriers that keep you from reaching them.

EMPLOYER
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ANIMATION GUILD
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PAYMENT
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”

Annika Trautwein

It helped me gain a deeper understanding of anatomy, and taught me a workflow that is now very useful to me.

”

Michka Mouret

Best instructor ever!

”

Khaldoun Jreisat

Amazing, phenomenal instructor. This is the best CGMA fundamentals course, and I believe it is the single most important for 3D Character Artists.

”

Diego Rodriguez

Gael is a great teacher, he explained his workflow in great detail and provided even more information in the Q&A sessions. He also encouraged us to help each other, creating a great rapport between the students. I really enjoyed the course.

”

Jesse Pruitt

Gael was knowledgeable and passionate about anatomy, and conveyed that knowledge clearly at an appropriate level.

COMPANIES THAT HIRE OUR STUDENTS