Zbrush 3D Tutorials and News

This week The Gnomon Workshop announces the release of Introduction to Wax Carving with Josh Murray. This title breaks from the traditional clay sculpture titles, to introduce you the art of carving a working master in wax. In this DVD, Josh uses both modern and traditional techniques to develop a low-relief wax master, commonly used for casting jewelry and sculptures. Josh utilizes subtractive methods to accurately carve out detail, then, uses an additive method build up new elements on his master. Using his extensive experience, Josh also discusses the utilization of the tools he uses in his workflow, including common hand and power tools. This title will expose sculptors of all levels to a new set of techniques for working with a classic, yet flexible, medium like wax.

Read the Press Release
This title is available as digital download and is also featured in our training subscription plans.

Introduction to Wax Carving

This week, The Gnomon Workshop releases the first full length DVD lecture from renowned creature sculptor Cesar Dacol Jr. Titled Creating Wrinkles in ZBrush: Realistic Surface Anatomy, Cesar takes a software agnostic approach to describing the anatomy of a wrinkle. He discusses real world wrinkle form topics such as compression zones and anchor points, as well as tissue composition and other external environmental influences. The topics covered in this title make this a must have for not only ZBrush sculptors, but also for any digital or traditional sculptor looking to add that finished wrinkle pass to their arsenal.

“I count Cesar Dacol Jr. as one of my favorite artists working in the industry today. I’m always impressed by his gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations and his top-notch, believable creature designs.”

Kolby Jukes
Principal ArtistBioware

“Cesar Dacol Jr is one of the most creative and talented creature and character sculptors working today. His characters not only shine as exemplary studies in anatomy and form they also exude character and emotion. Cesar manages to give life and personality to all his creations which is one of the biggest and least addressed challenges to a character sculptor. Cesar’s characters always feel engaging to me because of his expert hand with form, keen eye for realistic levels of detail, and spot on painting skills. One can learn a lot from watching Cesar work. With his many years of experience as both a practical and digital effects artist Cesar is both a fantastically talented artist as well as a gifted teacher.”

Scott Spencer
Creature Designer – Weta Workshop

Read the Press Release
This title is available as digital download and is also featured in our training subscription plans.

Sculpting Wrinkles in ZBrush
Realistic Surface Anatomy with Cesar Dacol Jr.

Today, The Gnomon Workshop announces the second DVD title from acclaimed filmmaker Aristomenis (Meni) Tsirbas. This DVD, titled Camera Fundamentals for Layout: Digital Cinematography, provides a unique insight into the world of digital cinematography, cameras and staging, from the unique vantage point of the director. Meni breaks down one of his award-winning short films, dissecting sequences, demonstrating a wide range of concepts, including camera motion, zoom factor, and depth of field. He also addresses what is commonly referred to as the “digital curse” in relation to creating polished and realistic camera animations. This DVD will prove invaluable to any artist looking to give their shots and animations a professional look.

“Meni is a unique film-maker because he knows how to do everything on a project. He’s a true auteur, and that’s what allows him to use everything that’s necessary to creatively push a project and combine all the elements to tell the most concise and clear visual story possible.”

Shane Acker
Academy Award Nominated director and animator “9″

Read the Press Release
This title is available as digital download and is also featured in our training subscription plans.

Camera Fundamentals for Layout

This week, The Gnomon Workshop releases Drawing the Male Portrait, the first DVD in the series from acclaimed artist and instructor, Ron Lemen. Using his renowned instruction method, Ron systematically breaks down the process, beginning with a discussion on the use of traditional media. The discussion then progresses on to form analysis, feature and shape breakdown, and then final shading. Ron’s ability to communicate, both visually and verbally, the process of constructing a male portrait, will make this DVD a must have for artists of all disciplines and skill levels.

“Ron Lemen is one of the most gifted teachers in the field of entertainment. His art speaks for itself and his ability to educate runs just as deep. Ron is a passionate artist with an innate gift for communicating complex creative theory into easily understood theory. When I run into Ron’s students, the comments are always the same ‘Ron is the best teacher I’ve ever had.’ I witnessed Ron in action many times at the international art and design workshops and online. No doubt you too will learn a lot from him.”

Jason Manley
President www.theartdepartment.org
Founder conceptart.org and Massive Black Inc.

Read the Press Release
This title is available as digital download and is also featured in our training subscription plans.

Drawing the Male Portrait Construction and Abstraction Methods

The Gnomon Workshop releases the first two titles from renowned illustrator and concept designer Marc Gabbana. The first tltle, Traditional Visual Develpment, takes you through Marc’s process of developing a creative and unique robotic vehicle, aptly named the TribalBot, utilizing traditional mediums such as pencil, pen, and markers. His development process covers shading and perspective, but also stresses the importance of exploration of shape and form.

In his second title, Digital Rendering, Marc moves into the digital realm to refine and shade his creation. Using Adobe Photoshop, he adds tonal variations to his pen drawings, emphasizing the importance of value, composition and light in creating mood and drama in a scene. Pulling from his extensive creative and technical background, he delivers a fully rendered concept that can only come from the mind of Marc Gabbana.

“I met Marc the first time when my partner, Roger Servick and I were invited to Skywalker ranch for brunch. Marc was part of the amazing group who had just finished work on George Lucas’ Episode Two. Looking at Marc’s drawing skill, his technique and his enthusiasm for design and image creation I had no doubt he would continue on an ascending professional career. He stopped by our house in Hollywood on his way back to his then residence in Windsor, Ontario, Canada where I had more time to appreciate his creative skill. Now, years later I have the enjoyable opportunity to again reiterate my original assessment of his creative expertise, Marc has an ongoing bright future as a premiere creative talent. I wish him only the best and look forward to many years of enjoying his work.”

Syd Mead
Pasadena California

Read the Press Release
This title is available as digital download and is also featured in our training subscription plans.

Visual Development with Marc Gabbana Volume One
Traditional Techniques – Conceptualizing the TribalBot

Visual Development with Marc Gabbana Volume Two
Digital Rendering – Finalizing the TribalBot

The Gnomon Workshop releases the first two titles from the creative mind of Cameron Davis. In Character Design for Games and Animation Volumes 1 and 2, Cameron is sure to stir your creative juices as he walks you through his creative decision making process, from story and ideation, all the way to a fully rendered design. Along the way, Cameron discusses character design fundamentals including color and shape, and how these ideas directly impact  audience psychology. These concepts are then applied to his final design and out comes a wonderfully creative piece with story and purpose, unique to Cameron’s own style.

“Many people have tried to draw me but never where everything has come together in such a perfect way. So unbelievably recognizable. WOW!!”

King Diamond
Heavy Metal Musician

“Creating comedic, charismatic, crazy concoctions characterizing cool, Cameron. ;D !”

Daphne Yap
Concept Artist, Illustrator, Designer

Read the Press Release
This title is available as digital download and is also featured in our training subscription plans.

Character Design for Games and Animation Volume 1
Creating an Iconic Character with Cameron Davis

Character Design for Games and Animation Volume 2
Designing Digitally with Cameron Davis

Phil breaks down his process of creating a comic book cover/pinup in his own style, using a completely digital workflow. Using a combination of Adobe Photoshop for sketch and color, and Manga Studio for inking, Phil discusses the technical and artistic benefits of each application while highlighting key topics such as proportion, silhouette, color, and line weight.

“Noto’s art is an awesome mix of sensuality, archetypical imagery, and brilliant draftsmanship. It’s the coolest thing this side of Ian Fleming!”

Mark Chiarello
Art Director, DC Comics

Read the Press Release
This title is available as digital download and is also featured in our training subscription plans.

Comic Book Illustration with Phil Noto
Pinups and Covers

This week The Gnomon Workshop announces the release of Introduction to Character Modeling with Mark Dedecker. In this lecture, Mark breaks down the modeling pipeline, establishing an organized and effective method, simplifying the character modeling process. Relying on his years of production work in different pipelines, combined with his experience as an instructor, Mark is able to present a clear and intelligent approach to the character modeling pipeline, stressing the importance of organization, planning, and form analysis. Mark identifies and details many artistic and technical issues that arise in the character modeling pipeline which will dramatically speed up and enhance your workflow.

“I had the good luck to work with Mark Dedecker professionally for three years when we were both with Gentle Giant Studios. Mark is a great artist who brings so much character to all his sculpts. I am always thrilled by the sense of life and personality in each of his works. Mark is one of those digital sculptors who is just as happy sculpting the flexed heroic figure as the beautiful subtleties of the aged or corpulent form. His abilities to communicate humor and persona in a variety of different physiques was always fun to see. Mark is also gifted with the ability to break down and understand the sometimes highly technical process of bringing a character from sculpture into a game. Never losing sight of the art Mark always seems to bring the highest quality to each project we undertook. Mark was always able to seamlessly move from sculpting a lifelike dynamic character, to creating highly detailed costume and weapons, to taking all those beautiful assets and making them work inside someone else’s engine. I’m happy to have had the chance to work with Mark and I am excite for those who now have the chance to learn from his unique and powerful techniques.”

Scott Spencer
Creature Designer – Weta Workshop

Read the Press Release
This title is available as digital download and is also featured in our training subscription plans.

Introduction to Character Modeling
with Mark Dedecker