Character Modelling

Once the head is complete, it must be sewed onto the characters body mesh. This is done the same way in which the arms and legs where stitched together. Join the key points on the neck together and add geometry to make more definition for the neck and shoulders.

Here is what the model should look like once a basic head is sewn onto the model. A neck created from the reference should be creating and geometry added to make smooth geometry leading down from the shoulders.

At this point if u have followed all of the guidelines you should have a pretty clean and smooth character model. Now you can begin adding detail and extra geometry to the model. Remember that a character (unless robot or mineral etc.) is organic and therefore will not look natural if it is perfectly twinned on both halves. Bare this in mind when adding form to your model and try not to overcomplicate it as this will make the mesh appear messy.

Here is an image of a professionally made model. The definition is smooth, there is a lot of character and the model is properly scaled and proportioned. The models flow is perfect and there are subtle differences on the two halves such as more definition on the mesh’s left leg and different size shoulder blade muscles. This makes the model much more organic and successful as a mesh.

This is a bad example of character detail. In this image, the modeller is trying to create a smooth abdominal area however the geometry is very rough and untidy. Reference has not been observed and random size squares have been extruded to create the desired shape. This is very bad practice for adding detail and geometry.