Release Year: 2025
Creator: Fred Arsenault
Creator’s Website: https://www.artstation.com/marketplace/p/LmObn/complete-stylized-character-tutorial
Author: Fred Arsenault
Duration: ~90 hours
Material Type: Video Tutorial
Language: English
- 56.58 GB
Description: This course covers the entire pipeline for creating a stylized character: from concept and sculpting in ZBrush to retopology, UV unwrapping, texturing in Substance Painter, and final presentation in Marmoset Toolbag. The content spans over 90 hours of real-time video.
Who this course is for
Intermediate to advanced artists specializing in stylized characters.
Those who want a comprehensive understanding of the entire character creation pipeline.
Students, indie developers, and professionals looking to elevate the quality of their work.
The basic version includes narrated videos, a custom ZBrush UI and brushes, and the author’s personal scripts. The “Full Bundle” version additionally includes project files for hands-on practice.
Content:
Take your stylized character art to the next level with this fully detailed, start-to-finish tutorial series. Drawing on nearly a decade of experience in the AAA gaming industry, this course will show you exactly how a professional character artist creates a game-ready stylized character from scratch.
💤 COMPLETE Stylized Character Tutorial – 90+ Hours of Real-Time Content + Additional Project Files
Take your stylized character art to the next level with this fully detailed, start-to-finish tutorial series. Drawing on nearly a decade of experience in the AAA gaming industry, this course will show you exactly how a professional character artist creates a game-ready stylized character from scratch.
Chapter 01: Introduction. Course overview, goals, and expectations. A brief overview of what to expect: how a professional AAA artist creates a game-ready character from scratch.
Chapter 02: Tools & Resources. An overview of software (ZBrush, Maya/Blender, Substance Painter, Marmoset Toolbag, Photoshop), hardware recommendations, and workflow tips.
Chapter 03: Planning. Working with the concept: how to develop the character’s personality, silhouette, and expressiveness.
Chapter 04: Initial Blockout. The first step in 3D—creating a rough base. You will learn to build up large forms and primary lines without getting bogged down in fine details right away.
Chapter 05: Stylized Sculpting in ZBrush. A key stage: working with proportions, creating expressive shapes, and sculpting hair and stylized details.
Chapter 06: Retopology & UV Mapping. After sculpting, the model must be prepared for the game. You will master creating efficient topology and professional UV layouts.
Chapter 07: Texturing with PBR (Spec/Gloss). Here, you will learn to hand-paint textures and create materials in Substance Painter, focusing on a realistic stylized look (Specular/Gloss workflow).
Chapter 08: Rendering in Marmoset Toolbag. The final stage: setting up stylized lighting and materials for a professional render. This ensures an impressive presentation of the finished character.
Chapter 09: Pro Tips & Industry Insights. At the end of the course, the instructor shares practical tips and tricks, such as time-saving techniques and workflows used in real-world projects. Other important details
This is a comprehensive course featuring over 90 hours of narrated, real-time video. It comes in two versions:
Base Tier — videos only; no project files included.
Full Bundle — includes everything from the Base Tier plus ready-made assets: the final high-poly sculpt, low- and high-resolution meshes, baked texture maps, a Substance Painter project file, and a Marmoset Toolbag scene setup. The second version is ideal if you want to follow the steps precisely or use the finished models as reference.
Example files: Included
Video format: MP4
Video: AVC1, 1920×1080, 16:9, 30 fps, ~934 kbps
Audio: AAC, 44.1 kHz, 162 kbps, 2 ch
Software Used:
ZBrush
Maya / Blender (workflow is adaptable to either)
Substance Painter
Marmoset Toolbag
Photoshop
