Easy way to make the 3D model of a face using a reference image

Introduction

Creating the 3D model of a face can be a challenging task, especially when we’re just getting started in the 3D world. In this article we will see an easy and practical way to make a 3D face with a well-achieved geometry in Blender, but the technique can be applied in any 3d design software.

Timelapse of the modeling process of a 3D face

In the following video I use this process to make the 3D model of a Venetian mask. The textures were made using Substance Painter.

The video above is one of dozens of video tutorials on my channel
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Topology

Topology is the discipline that studies objects and their geometric properties. In 3D models it refers to the set of vertices, edges and faces and their interrelation.

It’s very important that our 3D models have a good topology, that way the modifiers, proportional deformation, texture painting and other functions will have better results.

We achieve this by using 4 vertex faces (quads) and creating edge loops that fit the natural curves of the object we want to model. In the figure 1 we see those faces and how they are distributed in the 3d model.

*Fig. 1:* Reference image for 3d face topology.
Source: *Blender Artist*.

If we use this kind of images as reference for our modeling procces we will achieve a 3D model of a face with a correct topology.

Reuse of the 3D model for a character

Marittie is a chibi character I made from a drawing my girlfriend made some time ago.

conceptual chibi anime image for 3d design — *Fig. 2:* Reference image for the Marittie 3D model.

At the time, I had a year’s experience with Blender and was not yet familiar with the concept of topology. However, I managed to make a model and at that time I liked it very much.

model 3d made in blender of anime achibi, girl with lenses, blue hair and red jacket — *Fig. 3:* Render of Marittie’s old model.

The topology of course was not good. The model had a very high number of polygons, triangles, quads and n-gons, very badly optimized.

The animation was of course difficult to achieve. There were irregularities that were difficult to correct.

As time went by I learned to improve the geometry and it was time to remake the 3D model.

I had made the 3D model of the Venetian mask, so I thought why not use this 3D model as a starting point for my character design?

I made a copy of the mask and started applying proportional deformations. As the topology of the face was good, it was easy to transform the Venetian mask into Marittie’s new face.

model 3d made in blender of anime chibi, girl with lenses, blue hair and red jacket — *Fig. 5:* Render of the new model.

Comparison of the old 3d model and the new model. — *Fig. 7:* Comparison of the old model and the new model.

Conclusion

It is important to achieve a good topology in our 3D models, because that means we can apply transformations to that mesh and it will respond appropriately.

The improved topology of the new model makes animation easier. The proportional deformation tool has better results and also the seam marking and UV unwrapping will be easier.