3dartist,nganhoang Details
Intro
Class Intro
3D Artist, Ngan Hoang
"This is not just another 3D modeling class! We're going to add that "something special" to your model, making it both technically impressive & unique to you."
Bring Your Characters to Life from Concept to Final Render
Turn your ideas into breathtaking 3D characters with a step-by-step journey from moodboard to masterpiece. You’ll learn to design original concept art, sculpt lifelike anatomy, create detailed costumes, and master industry tools like ZBrush, Maya, and Substance Painter. Every stage is covered, so you can confidently bring your vision into the 3D world.
By the end, you won’t just have a technically polished model, you’ll have a character that tells a story. Through expert posing, lighting, and presentation techniques, you’ll give your creations personality and emotional impact that will make your portfolio unforgettable.
Class Preview
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06. Retopology and Remeshing
- Creating clean topology suitable for rigging
Class Perks
Special Gift from Ngan Hoang
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Perk 1Custom ZBrush Interface -
Perk 2Concept Art .psd File -
Perk 3Final Outcome .mp4
Recommendation
Who should take this class?
Character artists who want to take their 3D models to the next level with a touch of personal style
Intermediate artists who want to work more smoothly and efficiently
Learning artists who want to have an understanding of the 3D character workflow
Expert 3D Artist Ngan Hoang's Portfolio
Why Take This Class?
This class takes you through the full journey of creating a 3D character that feels believable and unique. You’ll start by collecting references and sketching original concepts designed to work beautifully in 3D. From there, you’ll sculpt your character from scratch in ZBrush, build accessories and background elements with efficient modeling techniques, and give your character a dynamic pose that captures attention.
Once the foundations are in place, you’ll dive into professional finishing touches. You’ll learn how to create realistic hair with XGen, texture your character with subtle story-driven details, and transform your final piece with shaders and lighting that make your work shine. By the end, you’ll have the skills and confidence to turn any character idea into a polished, portfolio-ready work of art.
15 Class Exercises
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Gathering References -
Drawing a Concept of Your Own -
Sculpting Your Head -
Creating a Cloth Simulation -
Practicing Poly-Modeling -
Getting Familiar with Advanced Skeleton
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Posing Your Character According to Your Needs -
Fixing Posing Artifacts -
Adding Details to a Sculpt -
UV Unwrapping the Head -
Setting up Your Xgen Groom -
Creating a Face Groom
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Refining an Existing Groom -
Refining Texture with Hand-Painted Details -
Setting up Your Skin Displacement
Final Product Example
1 Finalized 3D Character
*The above images are sample images for a better understanding.
Instructor
3D Artist
Ngan Hoang
"Hi, I’m Ngan. I’m a character artist and concept designer who loves bringing ideas to life in 3D.
I actually started out as a self-taught 2D artist using 3D here and there to help with my drawings. That changed the day I discovered Gnomon School of Visual Effects when I fell headfirst into the world of 3D and realized it wasn’t just a tool, it was a whole new way to tell stories."
In this class we will go step by step from your very first sketch all the way to a fully finished, polished render. You will learn how to sculpt anatomy, design costumes, groom hair, paint textures, and pose your character so they tell a story. By the end you will have a complete 3D character as well as the confidence and skills to bring any idea in your head into the 3D world.
3D Artist, Ngan Hoang
[Current]
Freelance 3D Artist
Projects & Awards
- 80 Level Article: Learn How to Create a Beautiful Dreamy Cyborg in 3D
- Rookie of the Year: Finalist - 3D Animation and Career Opportunities: INDG (Rookie Awards 2025)
- Rookie of the Year: Rank A - 3D Animation and Concept Art (Rookie Awards 2024)
- Gnomon School's Best of Term winner for 4 consecutive terms
- Application portfolio won Gnomon School Founder’s Award for Distinguished Artists
Highlights
Class Highlights
Turning a Moodboard Into Concept Art
Start by creating original concept art that defines your character’s design, style, and personality. This will serve as a clear guide for the entire 3D creation process, ensuring the final model captures the intended mood and details.
Sculpting Lifelike Character from Scratch
Beginning with simple shapes, you sculpt your character in 3D by carefully building anatomy, refining features, and adding details. The goal is to achieve a realistic and expressive model that brings your concept art to life with believable form and texture.
Presentation Techniques That Add Storytelling
By using thoughtful posing, lighting, and composition, you enhance your character’s narrative and emotional impact. These techniques help communicate your character’s personality and story clearly, making the final presentation more engaging and memorable.
Class Details
You'll Learn
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Creating Your Original ConceptGathering references effectively by categories and creating concept sketches that can work well in 3D. -
Sculpting Your CharacterStarting your character in ZBrush from scratch. How to achieve a dynamic pose that works with the shot. -
Modeling Accessories and Background AssetsFast and efficient modeling techniques.
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Hair GroomingSetting up an XGen groom and refining the groom for extra realism. -
Texturing Your CharacterProfessional character texturing workflows. Adding story and interest through subtle details. -
Rendering Your Final ArtworkTransform your artwork with shaders and lighting techniques.
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Interview with
3D Artist Ngan Hoang
Question.01
Is there a specific reason why you chose this specific topic/themes?
When I started learning 3D, I've always wanted to create my own artwork as opposed to copying from a tutorial. What I didn't know was how much planning and changes I had to make so that my 2D sketches and moodboards could work in 3D. It was also hard to find learning resources for each step. I created this series for artists who also want to make something of their own so that they can have a reference of the workflow, how it is normal to make changes, and how much personal touch they can add to the final artwork.
Question.02
What makes your class different from other classes?
My course offers a robust and professional workflow that reduces unnecessary time and technical issues. This way, artists can focus on refining the actual artwork through an iterative process. On top of that, by combining knowledge from having been both a 2D and 3D artist, my class will provide useful tips that can help elevate a CG artwork by giving it a the feel of a painting.
Question.03
Could you please share how you started your journey in the industry?
Before becoming a 3D artist, I was a freelance 2D artist for almost 6 years, doing mostly character concept art and illustrations. I first learned Blender to create simple 3D shapes and character poses to draw over. Then, I began to really push myself to learn other 3D software like Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, etc. when I decided to apply to Gnomon. Although it was a very challenging transition, the process taught me resilience, and my 2D art background became very useful later on.
Required Programs
This course will use
Clip Studio Paint (recommended), Maya, Blender, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Substance Designer, Vray
Please purchase and install these program(s) for an optimized chapter experience.
*These programs and/or materials will not be provided with the chapter.
