3D Character Artist and digital sculptor Surajit Sen shares his experience of character development by sharing one of his fantastic character “Narendra Modi”. Checkout his thought process behind character development.
3D Character Artist and digital sculptor Surajit Sen shares his experience of character development by sharing one of his fantastic character “Narendra Modi”. Checkout his thought process behind character development.
Surajit Sen started his career as a Graphic Designer in Kolkata and later he shifted as 3D Artist in Ahmedabad and finally settled in Mumbai. He has extensive background in the traditional arts and teaching classes. Worked on several Hollywood - Bollywood Movies and Advertisement projects including Award Winning Motion Capture Movies under direction of International / National Award winning Directors.
We discussed with him about the concept of 3d Modeling and Digital Sculpting in depth. He shared with us simple valuable ideas of becoming a good character Artist.
1- How and when you started 3D modeling?
I am always passionate with traditional sculpting. Due my Art Background I always love to see my thoughts in a form of character, it may be in traditional or digital medium. In the starting days I tried to do character modelling in a simple way. Then slowly I started the complicated characters. But I always focused on to be a Character modeler and Digital Sculptor.
2- Most important thing in 3D modeling?
3D Modeling, as I am a Character Modeler I believe the most important thing is Anatomy. Softwares, plugins are just used as supporting tools to build up a model in more accurate and perfect way. But main thing is anatomy knowledge which improves the skill of modeling. Except anatomy observation is also an important point in our work.
3- As a modeler what aspects you look before starting modelling a character?
Before starting a character I study the character’s appeal and anatomical information. Collect lots of references/information of the characters. A basic idea should be clear regarding the character before building it up. Sometimes I take a short interview of my virtual character. I always create a basic blocking before I start the character modelings. If possible sometimes I create clay blocking in traditional way. Then step by step I go ahead.
4- What is most challenging part of modelling?
I believe to give LIFE in a character is the most challenging part of modelling.
5- Importance of character expression from your point of view.
Without expression a character feels like Stoney. Expression is an essential part of life. So when I put life in my character, expression is the primary need. Even if the character is in neutral/default pose character, it should be expressive. For that only one way is study the character’s basic information before starting to model the character.
I tried to create a likeness CG Character of our Respected Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi. It was a very challenging creation for me. First one is Character’s appeal and second one is character’s hair-moustache and beard. But good thing is that lots of references are available on Internet. So first I collected lots of references and video clipping and then start blocking.
Reference Images
Model / Sculpted in Maya / ZBrush
Added little more details to resemble character with real life character
For hair and beard I used Zbrush fibermesh.
For Texture painting I used Mari. Arnold for render and Rendered in Arnold Comp-Photoshop
All images are Copyright of Surajit Sen | check his more fantastic artworks at surajitsen3d.blogspot.in
Thank you Surajit for sharing this process of 3D character development with us.
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