Realistic Modelling with ZBrush
A course by Rafa Zabala , Modeler and character designer
Learn to model and pose a realistic model in 3D

Learn to model and pose a realistic model in 3D
The experience of Rafa Zabala as a traditional sculptor has served him to carve out a brilliant career as a digital sculptor, designer and creator of 3D characters and creatures.
In this course, Rafa changes the clay, resin, marble and bronze for a computer and ZBrush to teach you to create a 3D modeling of a realistic character with final production quality from photographs, with special emphasis on anatomy and all the details to take into account when modeling a similar, a posed body and the creation of clothes.
What will you learn in this online course?
13 lessons & 15 downloads
- 2,738 students
- 13 lessons (2h 53m)
- 15 additional resources (6 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese
- Level: Advanced
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Rafa Zabala will show you how to model Mike Tyson in action in the ring when he was around 20 years old, paying special attention to his physical resemblance, anatomy, hair, folds of clothing, details of the skin and the pose final.
At the end of this course you should be able to shape your own character based on a familiar figure or create your own fictional character.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is aimed at modelers, designers and illustrators, curious, students and professionals interested in learning how to model advanced aspects of 3D characters.

Requirements and materials
It is recommended that you already have advanced knowledge of how to use the tools in ZBrush.
You will also need a computer with Zbrush 4R7 P3 and the ideal is to also have Maya. If not, do not worry, you can use other software such as 3Ds Max.


A course by Rafa Zabala
Rafa Zabala began his artistic career as a traditional sculptor in 1995 and during those years he developed his work in different countries such as England, Australia or Portugal.
In 2010 he decided to redirect his career towards digital modeling working at The Mill (London), Weta Digital (New Zealand) and Psyop (United States) as Lead modeller. His work can be found in advertising campaigns and events of brands such as Volkswagen, Audi or Super Ball; in cinematics for video games such as League of Legends or Clash of Clans and in famous films like the sequels of The Hobbit, The Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Ironman 3 or Man of Steel. Azog the defiler, the commander of the orcs, in The Hobbit; or Luca, the commander of the gorillas, in The Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, are his work.
Since 2016 he has lived in Valencia, his hometown, where he has founded his own studio, from where he works for international clients while making his activity compatible with the lectures and masters he teaches.
Content
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U1
Presentation
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Introduction
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Influences
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U2
Modeling the body and the head
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Configuration of the Zbrush interface for modeling
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Modeling Mike Tyson (Introduction)
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Topology, uvs of body and head. General proportions
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Secondary details
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Fine details
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Double digital V: Creating hair with FiberMesh inside Zbrush
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U3
Modeling clothes and accessories
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Boxing pants
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Boxing shoes 1
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Boxing shoes 2
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Boxing gloves
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U4
Landed
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Perched of the character
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FP
Final project
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Realistic modeling with ZBrush
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.
All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.
The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.