Sculpting in ZBrush by Tony Cipriano

Award-winning sculptor Tony Cipriano walks you through his entire digital sculpting workflow in ZBrush. With over 30 years in the industry working for Disney, Marvel, and Universal, he shares the practical tips and techniques that actually get used on professional projects. This isn’t theory—it’s real-world pipeline knowledge.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Navigate the ZBrush interface and customize your workspace
• Build a character in a “T-Pose” ready for animation and games
• Paint and add textures directly onto your model
• Refine your mesh for clean, production-ready topology
• Prepare your sculpt for 3D printing
• Work with an art director and handle revision notes

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic familiarity with 3D software and digital sculpting concepts
• Tools: A drawing tablet (Wacom or similar)
• Hardware: Minimum 16GB RAM, dedicated GPU

📝 Description

This course is built around real-time demonstrations. Tony doesn’t speed through the process—he shows you every brush stroke and decision. You’ll see how he approaches digital sculpting from start to finish, including a rare look at how he collaborates with a director to make revisions. That’s the kind of insight you can’t get from a typical tutorial.

The course covers the full pipeline: from blocking out a character in a T-Pose (ready for animation or games) to adding textures with Polypaint, and finally preparing the mesh for 3D printing. Tony shares the specific techniques he’s refined over decades of working on feature films, toys, and collectibles. You’re not just learning ZBrush—you’re learning how a professional thinks about form, design, and workflow.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Aspiring digital sculptors who want to learn from a seasoned industry professional
• Character artists looking to improve their ZBrush workflow for games or film
• Hobbyists interested in creating models for 3D printing
• Traditional sculptors transitioning to digital tools

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Tony Cipriano has been a professional artist for over 30 years. He has worked as an animator and sculptor for major studios including Disney, Marvel, Hasbro, and Sideshow Collectibles. His experience spans both digital and traditional sculpture, making him an expert in both mediums. He regularly teaches art and consults with companies worldwide.

🏁 Final Result

• A fully sculpted, textured character model ready for animation, games, or 3D printing
• A solid understanding of ZBrush’s core tools and professional workflow
• Practical experience with the revision process and working under art direction