Beginner Stylized Character Modelling Tutorial in Blender

Introduction

This tutorial is designed for beginners looking to create stylized characters using Blender, a free 3D modeling application. In this guide, you will learn how to model unique face shapes and expressions through a simple method. By the end of this tutorial, you will have the skills to start your journey into 3D stylized character modeling.

Step 1: Setting Up Blender

• Download and install Blender from blender.org if you haven't already.
• Open Blender and familiarize yourself with the interface, focusing on the modeling workspace.
• Ensure you are using Blender version 3.5 for compatibility with this tutorial.

Step 2: Creating the Basic Shape

• Start with the default cube:
  • Select the cube and delete it by pressing the X key.
• Add a new mesh to begin modeling:
  • Press Shift + A, choose Mesh, and then select UV Sphere.
• Adjust the sphere's size:
  • Press S to scale the sphere to your desired size for the head.

Step 3: Shaping the Face

• Switch to Edit Mode:
  • Press Tab to enter Edit Mode.
• Select the top half of the sphere:
  • Use the B key for box selection or C for circle selection.
• Scale and move the vertices:
  • Press G to grab and move the selected vertices to create the forehead and cheekbone shapes.
• Add more detail:
  • Use the Ctrl + R key to loop cut and add more geometry where needed.

Step 4: Adding Facial Features

• Create eyes:
  • Add another UV Sphere for each eye.
  • Scale them down and position them within the face.
• Model the nose:
  • Use the extrude tool (E) on the vertices to pull out a nose shape.
• Shape the mouth:
  • Select vertices around the lower part of the face to extrude and shape the mouth.

Step 5: Adding Stylized Elements

• Use modifiers for stylization:
  • Add a Subdivision Surface modifier to smooth out the character.
  • Experiment with the proportion of the face to create exaggerated features.

Step 6: Texturing the Character

• Switch to the Shading workspace:
  • Create a new material for your character's skin.
• Adjust the color:
  • Use the Base Color property to set the skin tone.
• Add a texture:
  • Optionally, add a texture image for more detail in the material settings.

Step 7: Rigging the Character (Optional)

• Add an Armature:
  • Press Shift + A, select Armature, then Single Bone.
• Position the bone inside the character.
• Go to the Modifier tab and add an Armature modifier to the character mesh.
• Parent the mesh to the armature:
  • Select the mesh, then the armature, and press Ctrl + P to parent with automatic weights.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to model a stylized character in Blender, from basic shapes to adding facial features and texturing. You can continue exploring more advanced techniques or try creating different character designs. Experiment with various styles and features to develop your unique character modeling skills. Happy modeling!