It’s super important to have a clear goal in mind and gather the right references to help you get there. I like to organize my PureRef into sections, for example: a main art style section (like Hades) with in-game models and artwork from other artists exploring a similar style, or a clothing section with references that match the concept, including real-life images.
I had to make sure to consciously analyze what I’m looking at, think about what I like, what I don’t, and why. Taking a few notes as we go can really help keep our ideas focused and intentional.
Concept Analysis
My favorite aspect of the 3D process is working in ZBrush (something I believe many character artists can relate to). For this project, I decided to do the entire character in ZBrush, including the texturing and rendering. It’s the main software I use for most of my projects, but up until now, I’ve only used it for sculpting, not for rendering or working on final textures. For this project, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and see if I could take a piece all the way to the final result using only ZBrush, it was both a challenge and a learning experience, and it pushed me to explore parts of the software I had never really touched before.
For me, the most important thing is capturing the vibe of the character, understanding why I like them, and what gives them their presence. When I looked at Ares, I noticed his design is built mostly around strong shape language (triangles and squares), which felt like a key part of his visual identity (and something that came in handy when designing the lower half of his body). The open chest plate revealing all the armor details, the way he looks straight at the viewer, how he holds his sword and helmet, all of it feels intentional. The immediate feeling I got from him was that he sees himself as above everyone else, intimidating, dominant, untouchable.
That’s also why I chose to move away from the concept in certain areas. Since the concept doesn’t show the full character, I wanted to push the God of War energy even further. I added blood on his hands and legs to show how powerful and brutal he is. It was all about amplifying that sense of chaos and strength.
