Battle Bacon

8 Steps to create a realistic Pokémon with Wacom by Joshua Dunlop

By Wacom |
January 15, 2018

Joshua Dunlop is a concept artist well known for his ‘Pokémon Zoology’ series which went viral last year across various blogs and websites.
We’ve teamed up with him to bring you a tutorial in which he shows step-by-step how he creates his incredibly realistic Pokémon using ZBrush, Keyshot, and Photoshop.
You can watch Joshua´s tutorial in this video and he will be personally talking you through his process of creating his iconic work below.

Step 1, Reference

I start my process by creating mood boards full of reference material I can use as inspiration. This is an essential part and is incredibly important to making believable creatures.

Onix Moodboard

One of the moodboards to come up with Onix concepts

Step 2, Sketching

Next, I rough out my ideas, trying different looks, shapes, and textures. I always try to figure out how the creature moves and functions as a living animal, as it really helps sell it in the final image.

Onix roughs

Rouch concept sketches for Onix using the Wacom Cintiq 24HD

Step 3, Composition

Once I have a basic rough design that I’m happy with, I start to think about how it may fit into a scene, what environment it might live in and how to show off its best features.

Onix rough scenes

Sketching rough scenes with Onix using the Wacom Cintiq 24HD

Step 4, Zbrush

I then move into ZBrush, a 3D modeling program used by many in the industry, and begin to sculpt. I like to start with simple shapes to try and get a loose idea of proportions. I tend to use ZSpheres to build up the main shape of the body, this way I can figure out the right pose, before moving into any detail.

ZBrush

Sculpting Onix in ZBrush

Step 5, Detail

I use a combination of Alphas and Brushes to create details on my model. I generally build up a variety of different textures to get what I’m after, starting with large loose ones and finishing with tight detailed ones, layering them up like a painting. I’ll also sculpt textures by hand as alphas can sometimes be repetitive.

Detail

Giving detail to Onix in ZBrush

Step, 6, Colour

I Polypaint my models in ZBrush, starting with a simple base coat. This gives you a nice canvas to paint onto and gives an illusion of highlights and shadows.
I then move on to using Photo textures on a low opacity to get some realistic colors in there. This mainly works for things like stone, fur, and skin, but not so much for uniform things like scales or feathers.
Finally, I use cavity masks to get some colors into the cracks and crevices to really make those textures stand out.

Colour

Coloring Onix in ZBrush

Step 7, Keyshot

Using Keyshot Bridge, I transfer the model into Keyshot. This is a wonderful rendering software that allows you to create believable lighting and material effects in real time.
 

Keyshot

Onix in Keyshot


 
I start with playing with the materials, making sure that the stone reacts to light properly and doesn’t look like a plastic model.
Once the materials are done, I begin to light it using a combination of HDRi’s and Sphere lights.
I finally pose it, saving out a few camera angles until I find one I like. I then render out a variety of passes.
onyx passes

In order, Row1: AO pass, Chrome pass, and Shadow pass
Row2: Clown pass, Gloss pass, Rim Light pass

Step 8, Photoshop

I start by bringing all the render passes into Photoshop, adding them to a group, setting them to a variety of setting so it all blends together nicely and finally move it into a position that’s close to my composition sketches.
I then build up the background, making sure that its close to the light direction in the renders.
I’ll then begin to build up the foreground, using colour Balance to make sure it matches the scene.

Photoshop

Onix in Photoshop


Here I add in some of the detail. I wanted it to look like it had just lifted its head from beneath the sand, so I wanted sand falling from its back. A big rule for me is, don’t be precious. Don’t be afraid to cover up detail if it aids the overall scene. The great thing about models is you can reuse them over and over in other scenes in the future.
I then review the overall scene and figure out what needs to be added to balance and sell the image. So I add directional light and shadow to set it in the scene, a colour contrast in the background with the hills, some clouds to break up the sky, some elements in the foreground to show off its size and then use levels to balance the contrast.
Onix watermarked

Onix Final ArtWork

Thank you for reading

We hope you liked this short tutorial. Do follow Joshua on social media for more exciting artwork:
Artrage Youtube Twitter Instagram Tumblr Facebook
And follow Wacom for more tutorials:
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Website

Joshua Dunlop

Joshua in his studio with his Cintiq 24HD

Save on Cintiq Pro 24 Touch Pen Display

Related posts:

The complete guide to Adobe Photoshop brushes, Part 1: The toolbar

The complete guide to Adobe Photoshop brushes, Part 1: The toolbar

Fostering Success Together: Seven Ways to Engage Parents and Students in Digital Arts Career and Technical Education 

Fostering Success Together: Seven Ways to Engage Parents and Students in Digital Arts Career and Technical Education 

Educators: the information you need to get started using Wacom pen tablets in the classroom

Educators: the information you need to get started using Wacom pen tablets in the classroom

Costume Concept Artist Oksana Nedavniaya on her career journey, inspirations, and her upcoming sessions at Lightbox 2023

Costume Concept Artist Oksana Nedavniaya on her career journey, inspirations, and her upcoming sessions at Lightbox 2023

Connect with Wacom on social media

Bedtime stories by @nlanzillo 📚😴⁣
⁣
It’s so cool to see all you can do in 3D and animation using the #CintiqPro27 🚀⁣
⁣
#MadebyWacom in a #CintiqPro27
67 1
At @parasolisland , where innovation is key to provide professional excellence as a high end studio, the Cintiq Pro family stands out for its design & ergonomic excellence. 🚀

The Cintiq Pro’s adjustable design optimizes workspace, offering a productive workspace where professional creatives can improve their workflow . 🌟
Invest in the best tools for your team. 

Go to the link in bio to connect with our enterprise team.

#WacomCintiqPro #EfficientDesign #CreativeWorkspace
130 0
It’s not often that we find a poet making visual art. 

Enjoy this beautiful piece by the talented @mackboross

“Kids at Play”

We dance.
because we’re happy.
We dance because we’re free.
But when.
We dance together.
We are as happy.
As can be.

Follow @mackboross on Instagram to see more of this beautiful series and the rest of their work. 

#addictivescribbles #ArtistsOfInstagram #madewithwacom #WacomCintiq #madeinaffinity #Blender
168 9
We chat with @schmoedraws , a talented Visual development artist who has been working for the gaming industry in games like “A New Beginning” and the “Deponia” series at Daedalic Entertainment. 💡

Join us as Simone discusses her creative process and how Wacom products has been an indispensable tool for her work. Don’t miss this interview – it’s a must-watch! 🚀

#ArtistInterview #GameDevelopment #CharacterDesign
948 13
Let’s start the week with a creativity challenge 💡✍️

You have 5 minutes to draw something nature related 🍃

Time is ticking ⏰ Grab your Wacom One and see where it takes you!

#WacomOne #CreativeJourney #DrawingChallenge
693 10
Unbox your talent with your Wacom One 📦

Discover your passion and start your creative journey 💫

See where our display can take you in the link in bio!

#WacomOne #CreativeJourney
500 10
💡 Layers Hack: Customize your layer palette in @clipstudioofficial 

If you are more of a color person this tip may help you! Organize your layers in a funnier way. Did you know this tip? 👇

#Digitalarttips #creativeinspiration
323 7
💡New creative challenge unlocked: Let’s make an artwork together!

Only one rule: Draw something and pass the display to another person ✍️

Let’s see where the teamwork takes us 😉 Discover all about the Wacom One in our bio!

#MadewithWacom #CreativeChallenge #WacomOne
335 5