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Accredited courses focused on specialized technical and artistic skills for the creative industries.
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Specialized industry pathways created by professionals to prepare learners with job-relevant skills.
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Short courses focused on establishing specialized,  fundamental skills for growth at any stage.
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Character Artist Specialization

Sculpt characters that hold up to studio standard, mentored by industry and academic experts.

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Overview

Advanced character art, shaped until it holds up.

This is advanced character and creature work for artists ready to specialise. Across the specialisation you'll build characters in ZBrush, Maya and Substance Painter, taking each one from block-in through high-poly detail, retopology and texturing to a render that holds up at studio standard. Your mentors, drawn from industry and academia, work over your files directly, point to the topology and silhouette problems you can't see yet, and push each asset further than you'd take it alone. You graduate with a portfolio of characters built to the bar studios actually hire from.

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Our Difference

Master Your Skills. Master Your Future.

Our mission is to ensure graduates are the best trained and best prepared for a successful career in their chosen field.

badge_mentor_bronze Industry Mentors Learn from the best! Our instructors are seasoned industry pros and bring real-world knowledge to the classroom, ensuring you're equipped with the skills that studios demand.  
badge_mastery_bronze Outcomes You train to studio standard from the first term. You graduate with the technical skill and the judgement to see where your work holds up, and what to lift when it doesn't.  
badge_community_bronze Community Join an active community and network with peers, mentors, and industry professionals. Our strong industry connections can help you access job opportunities post-graduation.  
Course Information

Everything You Need To Know

certificate-bronze-03 Qualification Industry certificate  
trimesters-bronze-02 Study Load

20hrs/week

  
calendar-bronze Program Length

9 months

  
online-bronze-01 Delivery Mode Online live classes
Custom video lectures
Personalised mentor feedback  
tuition-bronze-01 Skill Level

Intermediate to advanced
Completion of Creature and Hard Surface Modelling, or an equivalent portfolio

  
start-date-bronze-02 Start Dates
January 6, 2025 February 3, 2025 March 3, 2025
  

Your pathway to the film and games industry

The 9-month Specialization Course is the second half of our Career Track, preparing you for your first day in the industry. Your future awaits!

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Want to take your education higher?

Did you know that the subjects you complete in the career track courses can be used to apply for credit toward our accredited degrees and diplomas in the same discipline? 

The skills and knowledge you build in any industry-certificate course can be transferred into academic credits through our Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer process. So, if you decide to take your studies to the next level, know that your prior learning will be recognized.

Compare your options and find out which course is right for you.

GET STARTED
Term 1: 12 weeks

Advanced Character Modelling - Production

Takes students through the complete high-poly character production pipeline in ZBrush, from style breakdown and proportion studies through to final high-poly polish. Students build a full character from body blockout to head sculpt, covering cloth folds, hair masses, and surface detail using Dynamesh, extract tools, and alpha workflows. The subject concludes with a critique-ready high-poly presentation.
What You'll Learn
  • Create production-quality character models using ZBrush, Maya, and Substance Painter
  • Apply advanced retopology techniques for game-ready and film-ready characters
  • Develop detailed texturing and material workflows for characters
  • Build efficient production pipelines for character asset delivery
  • Present finished character work to industry standards
Weekly Breakdown
  1. Character Introduction and Style Breakdown
  2. Anatomy and Proportions
  3. Body Blockout in ZBrush
  4. Outfit and Asset Blockout
  5. High-Poly Body Refinement
  6. High-Poly Outfit Refinement
  7. Cloth Sculpting and Fold Design
  8. Head Sculpt Part 1
  9. Head Sculpt Part 2
  10. Hair Blockout and Sculpt
  11. Detail Pass and Surface Treatment
  12. High-Poly Final Polish
Term 2: 12 weeks

Advanced Character Modelling - Refining and Polishing

Covers the game-ready production pipeline from high-poly sculpt to portfolio-ready presentation. Students retopologise body, head, and outfit pieces, lay out UVs, bake maps, and complete three passes of stylised PBR texturing in Substance Painter. The subject closes with rigging for pose, a final storytelling pose, lighting and rendering, and a polished ArtStation-ready portfolio package.
What You'll Learn
  • Investigate retopology and UV unwrapping principles and their application to game-ready character production pipelines
  • Utilise sourced visual references and industry standards to inform texturing, material, and presentation decisions
  • Retopologise, UV unwrap, and bake maps for body, head, and outfit pieces to game-ready specifications
  • Apply multi-pass PBR texturing workflows in Substance Painter to develop production-quality character assets
  • Explain and justify creative and technical decisions with reference to character art production principles and peer/mentor feedback
  • Adhere to industry specific processes and practices and communicate creative concepts using written, oral, and visual presentation methods
Weekly Breakdown
  1. Retopology Planning
  2. Body and Head Retopology
  3. Outfit and Prop Retopology
  4. UV Layout
  5. Baking Character Maps
  6. Texturing Part 1: Base Materials
  7. Texturing Part 2: Material Polish
  8. Texturing Part 3: Face, Hair, and Final Pass
  9. Rigging and Pose Prep
  10. Posing and Storytelling
  11. Lighting and Rendering
  12. Portfolio Polish
Term 3: 12 weeks

3D Modelling Capstone

Synthesise your 3D modelling skills into a professional portfolio, refining work through iterative feedback and developing the presentation skills needed to impress employers.
What You'll Learn
  • Plan and develop a professional 3D art portfolio strategy
  • Refine and polish existing work to industry hiring standards
  • Seek and respond to peer and mentor feedback effectively
  • Present a cohesive body of work that demonstrates specialisation
  • Develop professional skills for portfolio presentation and job applications
Weekly Breakdown
  1. Developing Project Ideas
  2. Writing Project Proposals
  3. Planning Creative Projects
  4. Making the Most of Professional Feedback
  5. Research, Development, and Testing
  6. Preparing and Delivering Progress Presentations
  7. Rescoping Projects
  8. Responding to Critical Feedback
  9. Acquiring Feedback from Creative Communities
  10. Preparing Online Portfolio Content
  11. Presenting Completed Projects
  12. Professional and Creative Reflection

Download the Course Guide

Your creative journey begins here! Download our comprehensive course guide and discover the exciting educational opportunities that await you.
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Monthly
Upfront
SAVE 10%

Group Class

$1,222 USD/mo
$9,999 USD
CG Spectrum’s small group classes provide an ideal learning environment for aspiring artists to grow their skills and connect with peers. With a maximum of 4 students per class, the intimate setting ensures personalized attention from experienced industry mentors.

  4 students max class size

  Students are assigned mentor

  Group interaction & collaboration

Private 1:1

$1,711 USD/mo
$13,999 USD
Learning 1-on-1 with CG Spectrum provides personalized guidance from industry experts, tailored feedback, and flexible scheduling. This focused approach helps students master skills, build competitive portfolios, and prepare for careers in games, film, and animation.

  Private dedicated mentor

  Students choose their mentor


  More dedicated time per week

Don't Put Your Future On Hold

Financing shouldn't stand in the way of pursuing your dream career. No matter where you are in your creative learning journey, our financing options have been designed with you in mind.
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Mentors

Learn Directly From Film & Game Mentors

To be the best, it helps to learn from the best. All 3D modeling classes are taught by professional 3D modelers with years of experience.

Anna Beganskaya's Work
Firas Hosn
Anna Beganskaya

Since 2015, Anna has worked as a 3D character artist at Riot Games, Sirship Syndicate, and Blizzard, on titles including League of Legends (merch), Darksiders Genesis, Heroes of the Storm, and Ruined ...

Known for Heroes of the Storm

Matteo Sala's Work
Firas Hosn
Matteo Sala

Matteo is a Senior Character and Creature Modeler at Framestore, London. With a background in traditional sculpture and creature design, he can bring a character from the concept stage to a final, ...

Known for The Batman

Student Testimonials

Get The Education You Deserve

terminator-dark-fate

"I got a job offer at a major feature film studio before even graduating!

Studying at CG Spectrum gave me the opportunity to network with industry artists while I was learning, and coupled with the amazing course, I was able to secure a position in the industry. Now I'm working on amazing projects in my dream job!"

 

and-edirisingh 
Andi E  |  3D Modeling

  
inside-out-2-poster

"CG Spectrum seemed too good to be true. Looking back, it was the best decision.

Every mentor and staff member has been so hands-on and directly involved in my learning. Co-Directors of top box office movies and supervisors of major Netflix TV shows are giving me feedback on my projects. Students also have access to a strong community, and an awesome career class to prepare you for your dream job."

 

Stephanie-Soong-500x500 
Stephanie S |  3D Modeling

  
65-million-movie-poster

"Having unlimited access to industry experts offers a treasure trove of learning opportunities for aspiring artists.

Learning new or different software is not the hard part. What matters is making the most of whatever tools you know in the most effective manner. That is how my education helped me in my career, delivering results in the smartest way possible with whatever options available."

 

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Danish A  |  3D Modeling

  
overwatch-2-poster

"Having a mentor definitely helped! It was awesome to have someone I could reach out to when I was stuck.

Getting the weekly feedback also helped in terms of what to improve and what to focus on next. In Term 3, we learned Unreal Engine; I implemented the knowledge I gained in that course to my Advanced 3D Modeling Course to create some additional renders that demonstrated my understanding of using and integrating game-ready assets into an actual game engine.

 

benjamin oman 
Benjamin O  |  3D Modeling

  
ollie-world

"I highly recommend signing up with CG Spectrum!

I was looking for a final push to bump my skills and finally start applying for jobs as an artist. Shortly after finishing my Advanced 3D Modeling Course I landed my first job as Junior Environment Artist, which was my dream!"

 

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Kasia P  |  3D Modeling

  
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Join Our Alumni at World Class Studios

Our mission is to train highly skilled graduates ensuring they are prepared for a successful career.  Take the first step towards joining our alumni at world-class studios creating work that inspires.

FAQ's

Questions? We Have Answers

What are the prerequisites for this course?

This course builds on foundational 3D modelling skills. You can enrol by completing a foundation 3D modelling course, or by submitting a portfolio with an accompanying reel and resume.

Your portfolio should demonstrate experience or education in Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter, and evidence that you have modelled a humanoid character.

If you are unsure whether your skills are sufficient, send us your portfolio when you apply, and we'll arrange for the department head to review it and, depending on the circumstances, a student interview.

Age Minimum
The minimum age to enrol in our career track courses is 16. We require parent or guardian consent during the enrolment process for applicants under 18.

English Proficiency
We expect our students to have a good understanding of written and spoken English. There is no specific 'level'; however, you must be able to follow video tutorials in English (no subtitles) and speak with your mentor in English during your live Q&A session.

Computer Literacy
To be successful in this program, you will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).
What are the software and hardware requirements?

Software:

This course requires you to sign up for an educational licence for Autodesk Maya, Adobe Substance 3D Painter, and ZBrush.

Instructions for how to obtain an educational licence for this software will be provided upon enrolment.

Hardware:

You will need a dedicated graphics card and a computer that meets the minimum requirements for Autodesk Maya and Substance Painter. A minimum of 32GB RAM is ideal.

You will also require a compatible graphics tablet with a stylus (see Digital Art Equipment for some recommendations).

Please note: as the software we use is regularly updated, please check the specs against the latest available version at the time of enroling.
How does this Specialisation fit into the pathway?

The Character Artist Specialisation completes our career track and builds on foundational 3D modelling skills. It is designed for artists who are serious about a career in character art and want to explore character art and digital sculpting more deeply.

The course also dedicates an entire term to preparing you for the industry. You'll build the professional skills employers look for while developing your portfolio, with feedback from your mentor at every stage.
What skills should I brush up on before starting the Character Artist Specialisation?

Developing the following knowledge and skills before you start will be highly advantageous to your studies:

  • Good understanding of human anatomy and musculature
  • Solid box modelling skills
  • Solid UV mapping skills
  • Solid knowledge of 3D geometry: points, edges, vertices, UVs, faces, and surface normals
  • Intermediate knowledge of lighting and rendering
  • Intermediate knowledge of texturing and materials
What character art careers can I explore after graduating?

On completing the Character Artist Specialisation, you'll have greater confidence in your technical and creative abilities and a polished portfolio to show prospective employers.

You'll also have access to our career coach and personalised career services (including interview preparation, CV/resume assistance, and portfolio reviews), which can help when applying for junior roles such as:

The CG Spectrum community is another great resource. Through graduates and mentors already working in the industry, you can network and learn about relevant job vacancies.

Discover more about these character art roles, tips, and salary expectations on our careers page:

EXPLORE 3D MODELLING CAREERS
Will taking the specialisation course guarantee me a job?

While CG Spectrum's advanced students have a high job success rate, we cannot offer guaranteed employment. The film and game industry is competitive, and there is no way of knowing what the market will demand in terms of character art.

The students who experience the greatest success are those who take responsibility for their careers, put in the hard work to raise their skills to industry standards, draw on their mentor's expertise, and take advantage of every opportunity to excel.

To help students find employment, we have a range of career services and a dedicated career coach who regularly hosts career-focused webinars, Q&As, artist interviews, and workshops for CG Spectrum students and graduates.

The Specialisation course also dedicates a full term to career and industry preparation. With your mentor's guidance, you'll refine your professional portfolio, build essential job skills, and learn how to market yourself.

If you have any questions about our career services as they relate to your personal career goals, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
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