Create your own Epic Game Character

Learn to create unique 3D character models that get you noticed!

Create a Character

Follow along step-by-step to create your next Character model together as a class

Project Files

Download the actual source files from the demo project to learn from or use in your own

Feedback & discussions

Access a community of your peers and professional artists for feedback and inspiration

On Demand

Learn at your own pace. With immediate on-demand access. No deadlines.

Improve as an Artist

Full Student Gallery

Skills You'll Learn

Plan Your Project

Choosing a strong concept
Building a Reference Board
Blocking out your character model
Setting up for Success

Create Your Character

Creating high poly models
Detailing the Skin
Modeling believable materials
Creating a Real-Time model

Present Your Work

Believable texturing
Lighting & Rendering in Unreal Engine
Customizing Materials
Creating a strong presentation

Class Features

Lesson Videos

70 lessons with commentary in 4k quality. Choosing the initial concept art to presenting the final model

Bonus Videos

24 Q&A's videos from previous groups. 19 pre recorded guest speakers.

Project Files

Downloadable References, Zbrush tool, Low Poly model, Substance Painter file, Unreal Project

Private Community

Access to our private class server with peers and professional character artists

Unreal Engine Project

downloadable project with master materials and a level ready to drag & drop your asset. Includes the class demo character

Closed Captions

English closed captions available on all lesson videos

Get feedback & community support

Submit your projects and receive feedback from a professional

Stay motivated and inspired with a community of your peers

Get all your questions answered no matter what

Meet Your Instructor

JHill

Hey, I'm J and I'll be your instructor for this class.

I will teach you everything I know about creating character art for games and share as much information as I can about being an artist in the games industry.

I have been a professional 3D character artist for video games for over 15 years. I've worked on characters for games like APEX Legends, Titanfall 2, Evolve, and Back 4 Blood.

I also have a YouTube channel where I post videos and share information about character creation and CG art in general. I absolutely love digital characters and computer graphics. I see what I do on YouTube and now in this class as an extension of all the things that are important to me.

I strive to continually grow as an artist, a teacher, and a video creator. My goal is to make this class the absolute best it can be for aspiring character artists.

My Portfolio

Class Schedule

View full list of lessons

Module 1

Tools & Techniques

An overview of the basic tools and techniques you'll need to start making awesome characters

Software Overview
Modeling Techniques
Basemeshes

Module 2

Planning Your Project

Preparation for the Project. The overview and general strategy to get the most out of your Project and what to look for and know before you begin.

Choosing a concept
References
Blocking out

Module 3

High Poly Modeling

Creating the detailed detailed high poly models of the character and costume with Zbrush and Maya.

Sculpting Leather
Sculpting Cloth
Metal Armor

Module 4

The Head

Deep dive into facial proportions and anatomy, guiding students in developing authentic faces in their 3D models. Proportions, utilizing references, and understanding age, gender, and ethnicity.

References
Proportions of the Face & Head
Sculpting the Head

Module 5

The Real-Time Model

creating the low poly real-time model. model preparation, retopology, low poly modeling, and UV mapping.

Retopology
Quad Draw
UV Mapping

Module 6

Texturing

Baking all the forms and details from the high poly source model and then adding textures and materials. Now the character starts to come to life. Basic texturing, materials, and ways to add story

Baking
Texturing the Costume
Texturing the Face

Bonus Section - Hair Module

Hair for Games

Learn to create real-time hair with expert .

Demos
Example Files
Unreal Engine Breakdown

Week 7

Rendering with Unreal Engine

Assembling the character model and textures in Unreal Engine, creating materials, lighting, and rendering.

Exporting to Unreal
Materials in Unreal
The Eyes

Module 8

The Final Presentation

Putting it all together and showcasing the character to maximise impact.

Posing
Rendering with Path tracing
Posting on ArtStation

Industry Experts

Interviews from Industry Experts from Major Games & Studios

Glauco Longhi

Lead Character Artist @ Sony Santa Monica

Frank Tzeng

Character Art Director @ Naughty Dog

Jamir Blanco

Character / Creature Artist @ Bizzard

Dan Crossland

Character Art Director @ Ninja Theory

Renaud Galand

Lead Character Artist on Overwatch

Vimal Kerketta

Lead Facial & Creature Artist @ Dneg

Sefki Ibrahim

Character Artist @ Epic & ILM

Hazel Brown

Lead Hair Artist for Games

Hanno Hagedorn

Lead Character Artist on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Marco Plouffe

Character Designer/Artist and Co-Founder at Keos Masons

Jared Chavez

Senior Character Artist @ Sony Santa Monica

Patrick 4D

3D Artist specializing in photorealism within the food and product space.

Justin Holt

Texture Art Director @ Epic Games

Chris Gillett

Character Outsource Lead @ Epic Games

Colleen Larson

Senior Character Artist @ Naughty Dog

Gary Huang

Character Art Director @ Respawn

Peter Zoppi

Lead Character Artist @ Treyarch

Amanda Irani