Hard Surface
Character Mastery
Character Mastery
Step-by-step program on creating a hard surface creature in Blender
Join now and get access immediately
Artwork by
Max Puliero
Skill level
Intermediate, Advanced
Course format
Self-paced course
Assignments
Due on weekly basis
Recordings
Lifetime access to all the recordings
Duration
10 weeks
Software
Blender
Maya
+
Unreal Engine
YOUR HARD SURFACE ARTIST JOURNEY IS JUST ABOUT TO GET STARTED
Versatile artists get most attention and opportunities
Over the course of 10 weeks, you will be taken through a full process of hard surface character creation.
You will start by working on a concept that excites you. Being your own art director, you will learn to make a judgement on aesthetics and mechanics.
Working with our mentors and your new professional community of other artists, you will be taking your piece to the next level, day by day.
We'll get you all the knowledge, pipeline and feedback you need to produce this absolutely best piece in your portfolio.
There are no secrets. The main one is structured knowledge and trusting the process. No matter what is your starting point, you'll be a hundred miles further by the end of the journey. You will model, texture, render and showcase a hard surface character you're proud of.
You will start by working on a concept that excites you. Being your own art director, you will learn to make a judgement on aesthetics and mechanics.
Working with our mentors and your new professional community of other artists, you will be taking your piece to the next level, day by day.
We'll get you all the knowledge, pipeline and feedback you need to produce this absolutely best piece in your portfolio.
There are no secrets. The main one is structured knowledge and trusting the process. No matter what is your starting point, you'll be a hundred miles further by the end of the journey. You will model, texture, render and showcase a hard surface character you're proud of.
Whether you're already confident with organic sculpting, environment, props or vehicles.
There is an opportunity you might be missing.
Maybe you are a hard surface modeler looking for a next step. We've got your back.
There is an opportunity you might be missing.
Maybe you are a hard surface modeler looking for a next step. We've got your back.
Hard Surface characters can do amazing things for your portfolio.
It's not just about helping you create your unique style.
It's not about teaching you how to concept in 3D.
It's not even making you excel at texturing and lookdev.
It's about showing you can master any piece with hard surface elements, and do it at a AAA-level.
It's not just about helping you create your unique style.
It's not about teaching you how to concept in 3D.
It's not even making you excel at texturing and lookdev.
It's about showing you can master any piece with hard surface elements, and do it at a AAA-level.
Whether you envision yourself creating robotic creatures, or hybrid characters equipped with armory, upgrading that final quality is essential to have your art noticed. That's our goal.
BECOME A HARD SURFACE MASTER IN 10 WEEKS - AND GET THE SKILLS YOU will use IN ANY PROJECT
JUNIOR ARTISTS
If you're starting out as a Junior 3D Artists, love hard surface creatures, we'd love to have you on board. This program requires basic Blender knowledge, but even if you are new to it, we'll help you close the gap.
3D PROFESSIONALS
Working on environments, vehicles, or anything else within 3D universe? Awesome, you've got a great platform to transition to hard surface characters and use this knowledge to level-up as an artist in general.
CHARACTER ARTISTS
Been mostly working on organic characters? Add more versatility to your skillset, get (even) more comfortable with blender and polish your techniques. Bonus: new opportunities from the overlap of organic and mechanical worlds.
IS IT THE RIGHT FIT FOR ME?
Artwork by
Max Pulliero
Max Pulliero
Program week-by-week
Set up Blender
An introduction to some functionality concepts
An introduction to some functionality concepts
We will use the sculpt tools in Blender combined with some boolean workflow and Grease Pencil.
We will see how mechanical articulations can affect the final design
Start with the high-poly. We will see when and how to retopologize or reconstruct the block-out geometry.
We will take a look at how the asset browser can be used to create and store redundant assets. Work with negative spaces, and add grids, pipes and cables to add some depth to the model.
We will set up EEVEE and we will create some basic material to start to visualize the model better
An introduction to the cloth modifier for hard-surface projects. Creation of decals and other maps to be used during the texturing.
Analyze the difference between real-time and pre-rendered models. Optimize the geometry for a modern AAA game production.
UV and Bake, a depth look at how to avoid common mistakes and a bit of theory about PBR. Paint the model in Blender and Substance 3D Painter.
We will learn how to export the model properly to Maya and Unreal Engine 5 and how to set up a flexible material in Unreal Engine 5
A hands-on approach from a professional artist to the hard surface modeling
Full Process in 10 weeks
Live classes and Q&A sessions covering all the tools and techniques
Program Instructor
We're proud to bring you the expertise of some of the best artists in the industry
Max is a professional artist with 15+ years of experience, owner of Gugen Studio inc. studio in Tokyo Japan working with major companies in Japan such as Konami, Square Enix, etc.
Max works on some of the most successful Japanese franchises such as the Metal Gear series and Dark Souls 3.
Max works on some of the most successful Japanese franchises such as the Metal Gear series and Dark Souls 3.
Instructor's gallery
02
Join Live Q&As
Join live group Q&A sessions with instructor every 2 weeks. The standard group is about 30 students. "Max's group" is up to 10.
03
Get a ready portfolio piece
You can revisit and watch the recordings any time to refresh your knowledge (or maybe - make another character following the same steps!)
Program Flow
01
Watch and practice
Join weekly live workshops (2h each 10 weeks) or watch the recordings, share progress files and get feedback on a special Discord channel.
Artwork by student
Max Puliero
Our students work at
Julio Padula, Argentina
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.
– Art Heroes student
Christopher Beese, the US
I drastically increased my skills in the time and the structure was fantastic for someone who is working long hours already.
– Art Heroes student
Josh Linao, Australia
The amount of knowledge and growth I experienced in my skill set has been exponential. Lots of learning material and detailed explanations. I literally went from zero to hero during the course.
– Art Heroes student
Our students' feedback
Roy Livne, Israel
It improves your skills in a relatively short period and teaches you a lot.
It was very comprehensive and there is a lot to learn.
It was very comprehensive and there is a lot to learn.
– Art Heroes student
Our students' feedback
It improves your skills in a relatively short period and teaches you a lot.
It was very comprehensive and there is a lot to learn.
It was very comprehensive and there is a lot to learn.
The amount of knowledge and growth I experienced in my skill set has been exponential. Lots of learning material and detailed explanations. I literally went from zero to hero during the course.
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.
I drastically increased my skills in the time and the structure was fantastic for someone who is working long hours already.
Prices and registration
Join today, places are limited
Choose a plan that's right for you.
Whats included?
Full Program step-by-step in High-quality HD videos
3-month access to Art Heroes Feedback Hub
Unlimited feedback via private community
Downloadable Tools
Private Discord Server access
Program certificate
Software Discounts valued at $1000
Lifetime access to all materials
Bonus 2
Career Launchpad Program
Lifetime access to regularly updating collection of workshops on building your portfolio, CV and career opportunities as a 3D Artist
Bonus 1
Software Discounts
FAQs
This program is self-taught, so you can join it anytime!
You will need Blender, Maya and Unreal Engine.
All live events will take place US evenings. If you can't join us live, all recordings will be available for you. Feedback over forum is given asynchronously - meaning, post your WIP or questions any time and get unlimited feedback.
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.
Feedback is offered in private community of the program and via monthly Group Sessions with your mentor. Everyone has access to forum feedback and you can post your WIPs as frequently as you want.
Yes, you are eligible for a certificate upon course completion and submission of your final project.
The program duration is 10 weeks, but you will have lifetime access to all the sessions recordings.
Join Stylized Program Wailist
Join the waitlist and make sure you don't miss any scholarships and early access to the next intake. We'll keep you updated.
By submitting my data I agree with Art Heroes Privacy Policy