LEVEL UP YOUR CHARACTERS WITH BLENDSHAPES
START DATE:
20 MAYÂ 2026Â
DURATION:Â
10 WEEKS TOTAL
LIVE SESSIONS:
WEDNESDAYS AT 3 PM PT
ENROLL
TAKE YOUR CHARACTERS TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN 10 WEEKS
Â
START DATE:Â
20 MAY 2026
DURATION:Â
10 WEEKS
LIVE SESSIONS:
WEDNESDAYS AT 3 PM PT
SKILL LEVEL:
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
SIGN UPTHIS COURSE IS FOR YOU IF...
YOU WANT TO BREAK INTO THE GAME OR FILM INDUSTRYÂ
Learn the full process for creating production-ready facial blendshapes, and build the skills and portfolio needed to break into character art.
YOUÂ WANT TO EXPAND YOUR SKILLS AS A CHARACTER ARTIST
Take your character work to the next level by mastering facial anatomy, expressions, and FACS-based workflows to create more believable and dynamic performances.
YOUÂ WORK IN GAMES OR FILM AND WANT TO SPECIALIZE IN FACIAL RIGGING
If you already have experience in character art but want to focus on blendshapes, this course will teach you sculpting workflows in ZBrush and implementation in Autodesk Maya, helping you create high-quality, production-ready facial systems with guidance from an industry expert.
YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Bring Your Characters to Life
Facial expression is what transforms a character from static to believable. In this course, you’ll learn how to create expressive, production-ready blendshapes that give your characters real emotion, personality, and performance.
Master facial anatomy and FACS-based workflows as you sculpt high-quality shapes in ZBrush, then bring them into Autodesk Maya to build fully functional facial systems used in real-time and cinematic pipelines.
This is hands-on, practical training focused on doing the work, so you don’t just understand blendshapes, you can actually create them at a production level.
Learn directly from Crystal Bretz, Lead Modeler at Framestore.
Crystal will walk you through the exact workflows used in professional environments, helping you refine both your artistic eye and technical execution.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a polished set of facial blendshapes that showcase your ability to create believable, expressive characters.
WHAT YOU'LL DO DURING THEÂ PROGRAM
HANDS-ON BLENDSHAPE PROJECTS
Â
Bring your characters to life through practical exercises focused on facial expressions and deformation. You’ll sculpt blendshapes in ZBrush, build shape networks in Autodesk Maya, and learn how to create production-ready facial systems used in games and film.
Â
EXPERT-LED WORKSHOPS
Learn directly from Crystal Bretz (Lead Modeler at Framestore) through live sessions, demos, and guided breakdowns of real-world facial workflows. Gain insights into FACS-based techniques, anatomy-driven sculpting, and best practices for creating believable character expressions.
PORTFOLIO-BUILDING EXPERIENCE
Develop high-quality facial blendshapes and expression sets that showcase both your artistic and technical skills. Receive personalized feedback to refine your work and build a standout portfolio for roles in character art, facial rigging, and technical art.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
CRYSTALÂ
BRETZ
LEADÂ MODELERÂ ATÂ FRAMESTORE
Brings over 11 years of expertise in the industry
Projects she has worked on include Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Black Panther, and The Willoughbys.
Crystal’s expertise in character and creature modeling, along with her experience across film, TV, and real-time projects, has made her a highly respected industry professional.
In the Blendshape Workshop, she will share her hands-on knowledge of facial anatomy, sculpting, and production workflows to help artists create expressive, high-quality blendshapes and build a standout portfolio for careers in character art and technical art.
WORKSHOPÂ SYLLABUS
REQUIRED WORKSHOP SOFTWARE: ZBrush and Autodesk Maya
LESSON 1
Understanding Blendshapes / Reference gathering
LESSON 1
Understanding Blendshapes / Reference gathering
LESSON 2
Eye Shapes - Zbrush
LESSON 2
Eye Shapes - Zbrush
LESSON 3
Brow Shapes - Zbrush
LESSON 3
Brow Shapes - Zbrush
LESSON 4
Mouth Shapes Part 1 - Zbrush
LESSON 4
Mouth Shapes Part 1 - Zbrush
LESSON 5
Mouth Shapes Part 2 -Zbrush
LESSON 5
Mouth Shapes Part 2 -Zbrush
LESSON 6
Nose Shapes - Zbrush
LESSON 6
Nose Shapes - Zbrush
LESSON 7
Additional Shapes - Zbrush
LESSON 7
Additional Shapes - Zbrush
LESSON 8
Exporting Key Shapes to Maya and Creating Combo Shapes
LESSON 8
Exporting Key Shapes to Maya and Creating Combo Shapes
LESSON 9
Using Shapes to Create Expressions in Maya
LESSON 9
Using Shapes to Create Expressions in Maya
LESSON 10
Applying Human Shape Logic to a Creature
LESSON 10
Applying Human Shape Logic to a Creature
What's the cost?
Pay in installments or pay in full
Those in the USA can select Pay in full to pay in 4 interest-free payments through Klarna or Afterpay.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are there any live lessons?
Are there any live lessons?
What software and hardware do I need?
What software and hardware do I need?
What is the refund policy?
What is the refund policy?
How long will I have access to the intensive?
How long will I have access to the intensive?
How do I receive project feedback?
How do I receive project feedback?
Do I get a certificate of completion?
Do I get a certificate of completion?
NEED MORE INFO?
We're happy to answer any questions you may have! To schedule a call with a team member, please submit the form below.