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Hair Cards Program
Learn how to create believable hair styles for your characters
Art work by student
Nathan Gardner
Programs
Downloads
Blog
Contact us
Log in
Summer Term starts Aug, 1
Join the Program
Software
Zbrush
Maya
Xgen
Beginner
Intermediate
Skill level
Unlimited feedback from instructors and classmates via private Discord
Feedback
View the program
5 weeks
Duration
Due on weekly basis
Assignments
Bi-weekly sessions with instructors during 5 weeks
Live Q&A
5 weeks of live webinars covering all the tools and techniques
Full Process in HD video
Step-by-step guidance from ZBrush to Maya and XgenFull Process in HD video
Join the Program
Battle-proof Methodology for Stylized Characters
Program Overview
Program Instructor
We're proud to bring you the expertise of some of the best artists in the industry
Professional character artist, YouTuber, career adviser from Montreal, Canada.Annabelle has a great talent for telling and showing things in a simple and structured way.

Her sense of style and attention to detail allows her to create stunning pieces.
Join the Program
Program week-by-week
Artwork by
Terry Fischer
Week 1
Searching for references and analyzing them
  • Gather real hair images
  • Gather 3D references of hair goal
  • Identify the different clumps
  • Getting familiar with the hair scalp
  • Blocking out the hair in Zbrush
  • Use Zbrush to create the silouette of the hairIntroduction to Maya
  • Get familiar with the UI
  • Create Layers
  • Work with live
  • Set up short cut for shelf
  • Creating the scalp
Week 2
Creating the hair spline for Xgen
  • Using the paint effect
  • Convert paint effect to curve
  • Smooth curves
  • Snap to scalpIntroduction to XGen
  • Setting up the project
  • Scale the head
  • Making the hair descriptions in XGen
  • Create a description
  • Description vs Collection
  • setting up the hairs visuals
Week 3
Adding modifiers to the hair
  • Defining the clumps; cut; curl; noise etcConverting the hair spline to curves/ introducing curves to card mesh
  • Downloading free maya plugin
  • Convert splines to curves (2 methods)
  • Show different modifiers
  • Creating the hair cards
  • Using fibershop
Week 4
Hair base (cards) in Maya
  • Lesson 1: Shoulder plates
  • Lesson 2: Creating the weapon
  • Lesson 3: Building the kneepad
  • Lesson 4: Beauty pass
  • Lesson 5: Organizing the file
We're doing all the hard surface modeling in Zbrush, too. Hard surface details of the stylized character we chose for the program are not limited to a weapon, so you will see a variety of hard surface elements covered.
Week 5
Setting up materials and presentation
You will learn what makes a truly appealing character and know how to navigate:
  • Facial asymmetry
  • Perfect profile view
  • Proportions of the lips and the face
  • Character look and personality from different distances
Whether you are working on a female character or you're modeling a male character, you will know how to masterfully sculpt a face in Zbrush in a way that serves your character best.
Included with the PrograM
save
$1000+
on software and tools from Art Heroes partners
Get up to 15-50% off on tools and software like Marmoset toolbag, Substance Painter, ZBrush, 3D Scan Store and others.

Plus, enjoy our Student card to get access to much more.
Xanthe Sinclaire
Art work by student
You can revisit and watch the recordings any time to refresh your knowledge (or maybe - make another character following the same steps!)
Refresh your knowledge
03
Join special live Q&A sessions with your instructor every 2 weeks
Join Live Q&As
02
Join live webinars, complete weekly tasks, share progress files and get feedback in a special Discord channel
Watch and practice
01
Program Flow
Our students' feedback
– Art Heroes student
Marlon gave very good advice and the pace of the course was just right. I learned lots and faster way to learn than just looking around random Youtube by myself.
Momoko Okabe, Canada
– Art Heroes student
I learned a lot, so I think it is super recomendable. The workflow and the constant correction of the instructor has given me another view of my work process.
Julio Padula, Argentina
– Art Heroes student
The feeling of improvement the course gives to you - it's the best thing for me. Thanks to the overall organization and Marlon's human and technical skill the process of trial and error was not frustrating but funny and challenging. I've never stayed up so long at night having so much fun in "making 3D".
Francesco Gianfreda, Italy
– Art Heroes student
I loved the length of the videos, it covered enough for me and then let me go off and figure stuff out for myself. The character I had was not the same as in the videos and there was a lot of room to go my own way. For me that was good as I had done enough step by step courses and some things don't stick that way. But using what I was taught in the videos on my own character brought up new challenges and locked a few things into place.
Sean Olsen, Ireland
– Art Heroes student
The best part is the simple way that Marlon approaches a difficult character, and the way he breaks it into simple steps to achieve an awesome character! Because the course gives you exactly what it offers, you can learn a cool workflow and how to tackle a character from point A to Z.
Martin Carrillo, Ecuador
– Art Heroes student
I learn new techniques to create art from the instructor who is the expert. Also, I got a lot of feedback to help me improve from other instructors and fellow students.
Sebastian, Mexico
Our students' feedback
  • Martin Carrillo, Ecuador
    Art Heroes student
    The best part is the simple way that Marlon approaches a difficult character, and the way he breaks it into simple steps to achieve an awesome character! Because the course gives you exactly what it offers, you can learn a cool workflow and how to tackle a character from point A to Z.
  • Sebastian, Mexico
    Art Heroes student
    I learn new techniques to create art from the instructor who is the expert. Also, I got a lot of feedback to help me improve from other instructors and fellow students.
  • Julio Padula, Argentina
    Art Heroes student
    I learned a lot, so I think it is super recomendable. The workflow and the constant correction of the instructor has given me another view of my work process.
  • Momoko Okabe, Canada
    Art Heroes student
    Marlon gave very good advice and the pace of the course was just right. I learned lots and faster way to learn than just looking around random Youtube by myself.
  • Francesco Gianfreda, Italy
    Art Heroes student
    The feeling of improvement the course gives to you - it's the best thing for me. Thanks to the overall organization and Marlon's human and technical skill the process of trial and error was not frustrating but funny and challenging. I've never stayed up so long at night having so much fun in "making 3D".
  • Sean Olsen, Ireland
    Art Heroes student
    I loved the length of the videos, it covered enough for me and then let me go off and figure stuff out for myself. The character I had was not the same as in the videos and there was a lot of room to go my own way. For me that was good as I had done enough step by step courses and some things don't stick that way. But using what I was taught in the videos on my own character brought up new challenges and locked a few things into place.
Martin Carrillo, Ecuador
Art Heroes student
The best part is the simple way that Marlon approaches a difficult character, and the way he breaks it into simple steps to achieve an awesome character! Because the course gives you exactly what it offers, you can learn a cool workflow and how to tackle a character from point A to Z.
Sebastian, Mexico
Art Heroes student
I learn new techniques to create art from the instructor who is the expert. Also, I got a lot of feedback to help me improve from other instructors and fellow students.
Julio Padula, Argentina
Art Heroes student
I learned a lot, so I think it is super recomendable. The workflow and the constant correction of the instructor has given me another view of my work process.
Momoko Okabe, Canada
Art Heroes student
Marlon gave very good advice and the pace of the course was just right. I learned lots and faster way to learn than just looking around random Youtube by myself.
Francesco Gianfreda, Italy
Art Heroes student
The feeling of improvement the course gives to you - it's the best thing for me. Thanks to the overall organization and Marlon's human and technical skill the process of trial and error was not frustrating but funny and challenging. I've never stayed up so long at night having so much fun in "making 3D".
Sean Olsen, Ireland
Art Heroes student
I loved the length of the videos, it covered enough for me and then let me go off and figure stuff out for myself. The character I had was not the same as in the videos and there was a lot of room to go my own way. For me that was good as I had done enough step by step courses and some things don't stick that way. But using what I was taught in the videos on my own character brought up new challenges and locked a few things into place.
Our students work at
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or $99 x 6 months
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or $449 x 3 months
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Private mentorship sessions
Final project review with your instructor
Lifetime access to all materials
Program certificate
Private Discord Server access
Downloadable Tools
Daily feedback via private community
GROUP Q&A sessions
every 2 weeks
+All sessions recordings
14+ hrs of High-quality pre-recorded HD videos
Whats included?
Software Discounts
Bonus 1
LookDev mini-course
Bonus 2
Not sure if it's the right fit? Try the program risk-free for 14 days, and if something doesn't look the way you wanted, ask for a refund.
No questions asked.
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FAQs
When can I start?
As soon as you register, you will have access to community, pre-recorded videos, Q&A sessions and everything our ecosystem has for you.
Can I get a receipt or a business invoice for this program?
Yes. You will get an invoice as soon as you complete the checkout, and if you need a business invoice for reimbursement, email us and we'll be happy to provide this too
Is the course live or recorded?
The bulk of the program is offered as pre-recorded HD-quality videos. There's a private community of the program where you are able to get your questions answered, as well as live sessions that you can join.
How do I get feedback on my progress?
Feedback is offered in private community of the program OR via live sessions. You can post your WIPs as frequently as you want.
Is there a certificate at the end of the program?
Yes, you are eligible for a certificate upon course completion and submission of your final project.
How much time does it take to complete the program?
The program is split on 6 modules, and we estimate about 3-4 hours of workload per module.
We estimate one module per week, so it will take you 6-8 weeks to go through the course.
What software do I need for this course?
You will need ZBrush, Marmoset and Substance painter. As Art Heroes student you are eligible to free Substance Painter for 1 year, and discounts for both Marmoset and ZBrush.
How software discounts work?
For most of the softwares, you will be able to get a student discount (or a free academic version) by showing your attendance certificate. When you join, you can download this from your student area.
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