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Iconic Creature Design Workflows

Last updated: Oct 17 2025

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Photobashing and ZBrush Techniques with Aaron Sims​

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This comprehensive workshop covers professional creature design workflows combining 2D photobashing in Photoshop and 3D sculpting in ZBrush, providing essential techniques for creating memorable character designs for film and TV.

Description​

Industry veteran Aaron Sims details two of his tried-and-trusted workflows for creating iconic concept designs for film and TV, using Photoshop and ZBrush. As well as guiding you through his production-proven techniques, Aaron shares his thoughts on the importance of conveying personality and character through designs and shares some of the key lessons he's learned over his 35-year career.

The workshop begins with a 2D workflow in Photoshop, where Aaron walks through his personal approach to visualizing a mutated character, using photo-bashing techniques that skillfully cut, splice, and warp multiple layers of human, creature, and organic elements to craft a completely unique design. The lecture details not only how to master photo manipulation for incredible results but also why the techniques and outcomes are his chosen workflows for likenesses, prosthetics, and digital augmentations.

The second part of the workshop dives into ZBrush to develop a fully realized and dimensionalized alien character. Aaron shares his ZBrush workflow, from base mesh to final bust, discussing the importance of anatomy, how to create points of interest in 3D designs, and how to push the envelope to create designs while still creating something an audience can relate to. The 3D workflow concludes with rendering techniques in KeyShot, before finalizing the design in Photoshop.

Key Features:​

  • Professional 2D photobashing techniques in Photoshop
  • Advanced 3D sculpting workflows in ZBrush
  • Character personality and storytelling through design
  • Industry-proven techniques from a 35-year veteran
  • Complete 2D-to-3D integration workflows
  • Anatomy principles for creature design

Technical Specifications:​

  • Duration: 2h 06m
  • Format: HD 1920x1080
  • Software: Photoshop, ZBrush, KeyShot

Lessons​

Lesson Overview​

    1. Preview
    1. Aaron Sims Background
    1. Why Design in 2D and why design in 3D
    1. Creature Designing in 2D
    1. Creature 3D Design Sculpting
    1. Creature 3D Design Texturing
    1. Creature 3D Design Rendering
    1. Conclusion

Instructor​

Aaron Sims - Art Director

Aaron Sims, the mind behind some of this generation's most unforgettable cinema creatures, began his career over three decades ago as a special effects artist working alongside industry icons Rick Baker and Stan Winston (Evil Dead, Gremlins 2, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Men In Black). His pioneering techniques in the world of visual effects influenced the face of character and creature design in Film, Television, Games, Previs, and VFX early on in their application (A.I., Constantine, War of the Worlds, Big Fish). In 2005, Aaron Sims Creative was formed in order to bring together a wide range of the world's most talented concept and visual effects artists and create memorable characters, creatures, VFX, costumes, and key scenes (I am Legend, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spiderman, Clash of the Titans, The Conjuring, Stranger Things). Aaron's unparalleled skill and dedication to consistently creating stunning content for all platforms of visual entertainment has led ASC to become the premiere boutique studio for creature and franchise design & development.

"Aaron Sims is the consummate industry professional in that he consistently marries his considerable artistic talent with the powerful technological tools of today, producing work that not only meets the demands of time-sensitive production schedules, but also never fails to impress."

Stan Winston, Stan Winston Studio

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link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbnNqs9RUA0