Anatomy and Character Sculpture | Projects

-

Gao Yuan Yi 0373945

DST60404 Anatomy and Character Sculpture / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Project 1 - Stylized Character Blockout

Project 2 - Character Detailing and Texturing

Final Project - Polishing and Dynamic Posture with Props

INSTRUCTIONS

Project 1 - Stylized Character Blockout

INSTRUCTION
In this project, we are required to utilize our character design to create a stylized character block-out where we have to demonstrate anatomy studies applied in our digital sculpting. Characters can be human, any form of biped creatures or hybrid, or quadrupeds. Sculpture should capture as the listed components below:
  • Proportion 
  • Character identity and believability (key features)
  • Theme 
  • Readable silhouette
  • Identical Landmarks
  • Initiated Style 
  • Muscle Flow
PROGRESS
In this project, I wanted to create a female character. 
She doesn't belong to a fantasy, anthropomorphic, or robotic category—she is just an ordinary human girl. 
Precisely because she doesn't have any special or flashy supernatural abilities, and her appearance doesn't differ from regular humans, I hoped to highlight her uniqueness through her clothing style and color scheme. 
So, I decided to use shades of red as the main color for her outfit and designed a tall, stylish girl with braided hair.

At first, my design looked like this, but I felt that it wasn't very distinctive and couldn't attract attention.

 
Fig.1.1.1 Character 2D Design Sketch

So I made some adjustments based on the original design. This is the final outfit for my character in the turnaround sheet.
For this draft, my lecturer gave a lot of feedback on the character's body structure and pose.
Over the next few weeks, while learning and practicing sculpting, I also continued revising the character turnaround design.

Fig.1.1.2 Final Character 2D Design

While working on the character turnaround design, I was also getting familiar with ZBrush and practicing head and body sculpting.
Since I had never tried 3D sculpting before this course, my progress was quite slow at first.
However, as the course went on, my proficiency with ZBrush gradually improved.

Fig.1.1.3 Project 1 Working Progresses

In the weekly tutorial, my lecturer would give feedback on my sculpting.
I would then make improvements to my sculpted models based on those suggestions.
By the end of Project 1, I had completed the rough structure of a female human body.
Fig.1.1.4 Project 1 Character Poster #1

Fig.1.1.5 Project 1 Character Poster #2

COMPILATION
Fig.1.2.1 Project 1 Presentation

Fig.1.2.2 Project 1 Final Compilation

  

Project 2 - Character Detailing and Texturing

INSTRUCTION
In this project, we are required to continue with the previous sculpt from Project 1 to further enhancement. we may add sufficient details and textures to the character sculpt by utiliziing thorough studies of anatomy principles in our sculpt. Details should uplift the character persona which will add visual narrative to the output produced. Below are the list of components to be achieved in this project:
  • Character Persona
  • Skin Details
  • Scars and bumps
  • Creases 
  • Color implementation
  • Light setup
  • FINAL RENDER
PROGRESS
In Project 2, I further developed the character sculpt by adding hair and clothing to the basic female body structure.
I also experimented with applying a basic solid color to each part of the model, which helped form the initial look of the character.

Fig.2.1.1 Project 2 3D Working Progresses

I also applied some simple rendering to the face, which gave the character a bit more liveliness.

Fig.2.1.2 Project 2 3D Face Detail

COMPILATION

Fig.2.2.1 Project 2 Presentation

Fig.2.2.2 Project 2 Final Compilation


Final Project - Polishing and Dynamic Posture with Props

INSTRUCTION
In this project, we are required to finally polish our character, Cleanup and retouch our sculpt accordingly with an appealing posture that represents character personality clearly. Character to have props that will further support characters persona and adds visual narrative of its nature. Sculpture should stand on a platform and retopoed. Lighting to be further enhanced and final renders to then be retouched in photoshop or ad digital painting tool. Below are the required breakdowns list:
  • Collective shots rendered to show components in details
  • Final render to be polished and presented on a potrait sized image. Printable high res. 
  • Final poster with appealing layout.
  • Baked texture sheet 
  • Projection to low-poly model 
  • Character turntable
PROGRESS
After Project 2 ended, I began refining the details of the body, clothing, and accessories.
My lecturer guided me to show the texture and flow of the hair to enhance realism, and to make sure the folds of the sleeves and skirt followed gravity with downward-facing patterns.

Fig.3.1.1 Before-and-after Comparison

After refining the textures and folds, my lecturer suggested adding color to the shirt and skirt instead of leaving them in a single flat tone.
The lecturer also recommended adding some shadows and highlights to the body to enhance its visual appeal.
Fig.3.1.2 Rendering progress

After that, since my character's color scheme was mainly off-white, red, and gold with a vintage style, my lecturer suggested adding golden patterns to the character's boots and weapon device.
This would enhance the character's sense of nobility and make her appear more like an aristocrat, further highlighting her unique traits and strengthening her personality.

Fig.3.1.3 Final 3D Character Rendering

I then began exploring different poses for the character.

Fig.3.1.4 Final 3D Character Posture

After finalizing the character's pose, I began designing the character poster.

Fig.3.1.5 3D Character with Background #1

Fig.3.1.6 3D Character with Background #2

Fig.3.1.7 Final 3D Character Poster with Background #1

Fig.3.1.8 Final 3D Character Poster with Background #2



COMPILATION

Fig.3.2.1 Final 3D Character Turntable Video

Fig.3.2.2 Final Project Presentation

Fig.3.2.3 Final Project Compilation

FEEDBACK

Week 3
The instructor pointed out that there are anatomical errors in the character's 2D design draft, which need to be corrected.

Week 4
The instructor noted anatomical issues in the sculpted human figure, which require adjustments.

Week 6
The instructor suggested that the character's waistline could be more clearly defined to highlight her sensual style.

Week 7
The instructor recommended that the lines of various parts of the sculpted figure should be more pronounced, as the current model is too smooth and fails to clearly express the anatomical structure.

Week 9
Regarding the sculpting of the character's costume, the instructor advised that the folds on the sleeves and hem of the skirt should follow the pull of gravity and show downward draping patterns.

Week 10
The instructor suggested adding shades of yellow and blue to the beige-colored parts of the character's outfit to enhance the overall depth of the sculpted design.

Week 12
The instructor recommended refining the skin texture by adding highlights and shadows to increase the realism and three-dimensionality of the sculpted character.

Week 13
The instructor suggested adding golden patterns to the character's costume to emphasize her sense of nobility and aristocratic presence.

REFLECTION

This semester's Anatomy and Character Sculpture course has been profoundly rewarding. Through systematic study, I've not only grasped fundamental principles of human anatomy but also significantly enhanced my practical skills in 3D character modeling, developing deeper insights into both realistic and stylized creations.

Key learning outcomes include:
1. Understanding Human Anatomy
  • Gained comprehensive knowledge of skeletal and muscular structures and their biomechanics, enabling more scientifically accurate character designs
  • Mastered the complete workflow from basic geometric construction to detailed refinement, substantially improving work efficiency
2. Digital Sculpting Techniques
  • Developed proficiency in layered sculpting methods using professional software like ZBrush
  • Acquired techniques for realistic light interaction with different materials (e.g., bones vs. soft tissues)
3. Artistic Exploration
  • Experimented with exaggerated stylization while maintaining anatomical accuracy
  • Cultivated the ability to balance scientific precision with artistic expression
Main challenges encountered:
  • Maintaining symmetry in dynamic poses
  • Effective time management during the creative process
Future plans:
  1. Continue anatomical studies through life drawing
  2. Explore more distinctive stylistic approaches
  3. Apply acquired skills to animation and game character design projects
This course has not only advanced my technical abilities but also fostered a rigorous creative approach. These achievements will undoubtedly serve as a solid foundation for my future artistic endeavors.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Design Principles | Task 1 Exploration

-
Image
3/2/2025 - 17/2/2025  Week 1 - Week 3 Gao Yuan Yi  0373945 GCD60804  Design Principles  / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University Task 1 Exploration Lecture Intro_Elements & Principles of Design 1. Elements of Design Point : The simplest element; repetition forms lines, and movement creates shapes. Line : Defines boundaries of shapes, expresses motion or emotion, and can depict light and shadow when grouped. Shape : A two-dimensional area, divided into geometric (regular) and organic (irregular) shapes. Form : Three-dimensional shapes, often used in sculpture and architecture. Texture : The tactile quality or visual representation of surfaces, divided into actual and simulated textures. Space : Can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional, divided into positive (filled) and negative (empty) space. Colour : Determined by light wavelengths, with three properties: hue, value, and saturation. 2. Principles of Design Contrast : Attracts attent...
Read more

Advanced Typography: Task 1 Exercises

-
Image
25/9/2024 - 16/10/2024  Week 1 - Week 3 Gao Yuan Yi 0373945 GCD61004  Advanced Typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University Task 1 Exercises - Typographic Systems & Type & Play LECTURES Lecture 1 AdTypo_1_Typographic Systems Shape Grammar: A set of shape rules that apply in a step-by-step way to generate a set, or language, of designs.  Axial System: All elements are organised to the left or right of a single axis.  Fig.1.1.1  Axial System Radial System: All elements are extended from a point of focus.  Fig.1. 1. 2  Radial System Dilatational System: All elements expand from a central point in a circular fashion.  Fig.1. 1. 3  Dilatational System Random System: Elements appear to have no specific pattern or relationship.  Fig.1. 1. 4  Random System Grid System: A system of vertical and horizontal divisions.  Fig.1. 1. 5  Grid System Transitional System: An informal system ...
Read more

Design Principles | Task 2 Visual Analysis

-
Image
17/2/2025 - 3/3/2025  Week 3 - Week 5 Gao Yuan Yi  0373945 GCD60804  Design Principles  / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University Task 2 Visual Analysis Task 2 In this task we are required to write a 300 - 350 word visual analysis of the artwork I selected from the art gallery, sketch 3 ideas on how the selected design can be improved and describe each idea and support it with a rationale in about 30-50 words. Selected Artwork Chosen Reason:  I feel a deep connection to the portrayal of women in art. I am not only drawn to external beauty and aesthetics but also eager to capture the inner strength and vitality of women through art. This preference aligns with the core ideas of many art movements and feminist theories. The 'charm and power' I perceive in women is actually a recognition of their complexity—they can be gentle yet strong, mysterious yet rebellious. My sense of power in art may come from my admiration for maternal stren...
Read more