Noodle
This is a character model I made in my Advanced 3D Modeling class, based on the character Noodle from the Gorillaz band!
My main goal with this project was to experiment with techniques for modeling character faces. This was my first time with the ZBrush to Maya workflow, as well as retopologizing! I'm especially proud of how the face turned out - one of the primary challenges I faced was trying to build a 3D version of the 2D Gorillaz art of Noode. Despite not having 3D references, I think the facial structure of the end model mimics Noodle's face quite well, which I was very happy about.
Maya
ZBrush
Process
I created Noodle by first sculpting her head in ZBrush so I could build up the features on her face. This allowed me to mold shapes so I could work and rework more difficult features like the eyes, nose, and mouth.
I then imported the ZBrush model into Maya and began retopologizing the face. Using Quad Draw to form a cast on the surface of the face, I created a low poly version of the head. This gives a cleaner and more stylized, cartoon look, which is how she's drawn in Gorillaz art.
To the right is a screenshot of this part of my process. The model on the right is the original ZBrush head, and the model on the left is a duplicate, with half of the cast created. I mirrored the cast so that the face would be perfectly symmetrical, which helped to achieve the cartoon look of Noodle!
After, I modeled a basic body and extruded faces on the body to mimic clothing. Then, through a series of mesh transformations, I shaped the mesh to look like the dress that Noodle wears. The legs and shoes were also made similarly, with all of this done in Maya.
Below are some screenshots of the process and the resulting retopologized head.
