Class Catalog

Class Details

Summer 2026:

TERM DATES: Jul 5, 2026 - Sep 19, 2026
LEVEL: Advanced
COURSE PREREQUISITES:Intermediate ZBrush Modeling, Introduction to 3D Modeling, Introduction to Rigging

Advanced Production Modeling

$1620

Advanced Production Modeling students learn how to create a portfolio-level character model. Students are guided through the process from selecting an approved stylized character design and using Maya's polygon modeling tools to create a character model with proper topology and edge flow that could be rigged and used in an animation production. Students learn professional techniques for modeling an entire character in a default and hero pose, searching for appeal as well as technical integrity. Through iterations and direction from the instructor, the students refine the shapes for maximum likeness to the design, appeal and usability. Concepts such as normals, UV texture projections, and smoothing are discussed. Students can use their ZBrush knowledge from the ZBrush class and work in conjunction with Maya, or model from scratch in Maya, depending on their preference.
- Character design selection
- Body blocking and modeling
- Hands and feet
- Head Modeling
- Neutralizing and posing Characters
- Clothing and prop modeling
- Rendering turntables
Critique Time * Class Time Instructor Notes
Monday 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Friday 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Craig Dowsett
Friday 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Nina Tarasova

ABOUT INSTRUCTORS

Craig Dowsett

United States Flag United States

Craig Dowsett is a Senior Modeler at DreamWorks Animation with additional experience at Laika, Marvel, Nickelodeon, Sony, and more. Projects he has worked on include Kung Fu Panda 4, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Puss in Boots 2, The Bad Guys, Black Panther, How To Train Your Dragon 2, ParaNorman, Coraline and others. Craig was nominated for a Visual Effects Society award in 2010 for his work on the film Coraline. He was also recognized for his contributions during the 2016 Oscars Sci-Tech awards acceptance speech.
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Nina Tarasova

United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom

Nina is a Character Artist with experience in the animation and game industry. She is a former Animschool graduate. Nina landed her first gig right after graduation on a high budget TV show for Disney+ and worked on several main characters for the show. After that she started working freelance for various clients based in Europe and the US. She has recently contributed as a Character and Lookdev Artist for Supercell’s Clash of Clan, Clash Royale, BoomBeach and Space Ape’s BoomBeach Frontline games. Nina has been a prize winner at several modeling and rendering competitions and had her work featured in 3D Artist magazine.
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