Creature Maquette Sculpting for Entertainment – Jordu Schell

In this course, veteran industry creature sculptor Jordu Schell (Planet of the Apes, Avatar, Starship Troopers) shares his approach to designing entertainment design sculptures from imagination. You will begin by learning how to sculpt a head without a reference. Next Jordu will teach you how to push these concepts to create a monster head. Finally, you will learn how to create a full creature maquette including how to design, block-in, model, resolve and paint your figurine.

1. Sculpting a Head from Imagination With Jordu Schell

In this lesson, world-renowned sculptor and concept artist Jordu Schell demonstrates his process of sculpting a human head entirely from imagination. In his clear-cut, approachable teaching style, Jordu will share with you every step of his process from applying the first layers of clay to the armature, to blocking in major forms, to adding finer.

2. Sculpting a Monster Head from Imagination With Jordu Schell

In this demonstration, world-class sculptor and concept artist Jordu Schell will use water-based clay to create a monster head entirely from imagination. Jordu focuses this lesson on the importance of building form in your sculptures and using your hands as your main tool.

3. Sculpting a Monster Maquette | Part 1 With Jordu Schell

Experience the entire workflow of Hollywood creature designer Jordu Schell as he makes a monster maquette from imagination. In this lesson, you’ll learn all the materials and supplies needed to build an armature, basic clay application techniques, the importance of choosing a pose, and tips for sculpting hands, head, and tail.

4. Sculpting a Monster Maquette | Part 2 With Jordu Schell

Experience the entire workflow of Hollywood creature designer Jordu Schell as he sculpts a monster maquette from imagination. In this lesson, the second part of the series, he refines the major forms of the sculpture with a wire brush, adds details like muscle striations, veins, and texture.

5. Sculpting a Monster Maquette | Part 3 With Jordu Schell

Experience the entire workflow of Hollywood creature designer Jordu Schell as he sculpts a monster maquette from imagination. In the final part of the series, it’s time to color the monster! Jordu’s technique involves applying a base coat of opaque watercolor, adding color for the details of the features like veins, mouth, and horns, and finishing with soft air-brushed colors. Finally, he bakes and carefully places small teeth for the monster out of Sculpey clay. We hope to have Jordu back soon!