Zbrush startup and learning

[jivartsstudio]

Just starting to learn Zbrush would like to share my learning processes to get any valuable feed back from brush pros and veterans! so here is the step by step skull I have done so far from the 3.5 tutorials let me know what you think and any tips and pointers! Cheers

[Lateralus86]

Hey, not a bad start. It does look a little lumpy in some areas, and that can often be fixed by smoothing and using the flat brush to add in some definitive shapes and planes. It looks better in the front view than in the side. You might try refining the shape of the nasal bone so that it looks more refined in the profile view. Also try sculpting it with another mat cap. The red wax material is great for initial blocking in of forms and proportions, but I find its best to switch to a basic mat cap near the end and move the light around so that you can really model with light and shade to give some emphasis to your form.

[jivartsstudio]

will checkout all your sugestion,

I will post the results when done, thank you

Hey, not a bad start. It does look a little lumpy in some areas, and that can often be fixed by smoothing and using the flat brush to add in some definitive shapes and planes. It looks better in the front view than in the side. You might try refining the shape of the nasal bone so that it looks more refined in the profile view. Also try sculpting it with another mat cap. The red wax material is great for initial blocking in of forms and proportions, but I find its best to switch to a basic mat cap near the end and move the light around so that you can really model with light and shade to give some emphasis to your form.

[jivartsstudio]

I ahd to put Zbrush away for 2 months a s i had to finish 2 commission Sculptures of. But I am doing nothing else but Zbrush training for the next 4 months!

Here is the latest!

[jivartsstudio]

Just building out the muscles and playing with the Met Cap

[jivartsstudio]

Just a question, I am following the ZB 3.5 tutorial guide that comes with zBrush Ive come to a point where on the head where I am to optimise the Zsketch turn the polyFrame on and the Push Group Visible. But when coming to group Visable the action is not high lighted and is not an option. Can some one help me understand what steps are missing?

[Yumme]

Hey mate!

First, about your question.. I am not sure that I understand what you're saying but I wanted to reply since my first thought went to Unified skin.. Did you go there and fixed everything? Because as far as I know, you should transform the ZS into a mesh first and than make poly grps.. I mean I am not familiar with the 3.5 version... And I didn't try Z Sketching a lot.. but I watched some intro to Zbrush tutorials so I know the basics of it.
Now.. The other question I had.. Why are you taking this approach to learning? I mean, why Z Sketch? It looks nice, mostly the last couple of sculpts but why? Anyway, what I am trying to say is that I am in a similar situation and I just wanted to share this with you: Scott Spencer and his Anatomy book, followed by the Creature Design book and, if you can, start with his Introduction to Zbrush 4.0 from Gnomon.. I know that this can total a decent amount of money but believe me, you will not regret it... I started with his introduction and now I will move on and start his Anatomy book. Give it a try and see how it goes... And let us know if you solved that issue with Z Sketching..

[jivartsstudio]

Thanks mate for the advice, to answer your questions

Yes you are right you have to transfer it into a mesh first funny thing it doesn't say that in the tutorials.

why, I just saw that the Tutorial that came with Zbrush 4r4 so I thought it a good place to start learning, then I was planing to do the on line coarse with Scott eaton after I got some basic in. but Thank you for directing me to Gnomon I will probably do both coarse now
I am learning a lot from zsketch its probably not the best way to sculpt in Zbrush but I would still like to no everything I possibly can know!

i am signing up now to Gnomon if I sign up mid year does my year start from now?

Hey mate!

First, about your question.. I am not sure that I understand what you're saying but I wanted to reply since my first thought went to Unified skin.. Did you go there and fixed everything? Because as far as I know, you should transform the ZS into a mesh first and than make poly grps.. I mean I am not familiar with the 3.5 version... And I didn't try Z Sketching a lot.. but I watched some intro to Zbrush tutorials so I know the basics of it.
Now.. The other question I had.. Why are you taking this approach to learning? I mean, why Z Sketch? It looks nice, mostly the last couple of sculpts but why? Anyway, what I am trying to say is that I am in a similar situation and I just wanted to share this with you: Scott Spencer and his Anatomy book, followed by the Creature Design book and, if you can, start with his Introduction to Zbrush 4.0 from Gnomon.. I know that this can total a decent amount of money but believe me, you will not regret it... I started with his introduction and now I will move on and start his Anatomy book. Give it a try and see how it goes... And let us know if you solved that issue with Z Sketching..

[Yumme]

Yea, I guess they count the 365 days and not the calendaristic year. I just wanted to make you aware that you do not have to subscribe for an entire year if you don't plan to use lots of videos for them. You can buy only the DVDs that you are interested in. My decision was to buy that dvd from Gnomon and go with monthly subscription to Digital Tutors so I can be able to stop the subscription once I'm done with the tutorials I need from them.. Now for example, I am not subscribed to them any more because I bought Scott Spencer books and DVDs (from Amazon) and I will have plenty to work for the next couple of months. So, under these circumstances I have no reason to pay a subscription somewhere.

[jivartsstudio]

Thank you for guiding me to some good starting places I appreciate all your help!!!

Yea, I guess they count the 365 days and not the calendaristic year. I just wanted to make you aware that you do not have to subscribe for an entire year if you don't plan to use lots of videos for them. You can buy only the DVDs that you are interested in. My decision was to buy that dvd from Gnomon and go with monthly subscription to Digital Tutors so I can be able to stop the subscription once I'm done with the tutorials I need from them.. Now for example, I am not subscribed to them any more because I bought Scott Spencer books and DVDs (from Amazon) and I will have plenty to work for the next couple of months. So, under these circumstances I have no reason to pay a subscription somewhere.

[jivartsstudio]

Ok Still work on understanding all the different Brushes, so many to use here is the latest I am nearly there

[Yumme]

Try to smooth more often when you build form so you can keep it more under control (see the lumpy areas around the skull). Also be very careful with brushes like Inflate or even Standard which tend to create that lumpiness rather quick... So work with low intensity, smooth often and don't hesitate to go down the subdiv lvls and smooth large areas in order to get the form right.. Don't forget that everything is directly dependent on how well you build your structure. So try to move steady from bone structure up to muscles and finally to skin and fat tissue.

[jivartsstudio]

Thanks Yumme for your help

I am leaving this piece for now until I learn more bout alphas,texturing and poly paint but I m happy with where it is at for now! I am enrolled in scott Eaton school for anatomy for artist so hopefully any weak points he will help me pick up on it!