Learn To Create Your Next Portfolio Ready 3D Character
Discover A Professional Workflow That Will Give You The Skill To Develop Portfolio Ready Characters And Help You Standout
How It All Works!
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I've been privileged to have such an amazing career in Feature Animation of over 20 years and growing, and in that time I've also shared many years as an educator, helping the next wave of artists level up their skills. It was time for me to think of a way to broaden this reach and offer the many things I've learned back to this amazing community. So The Character Studio was born with that exact intent. My goal here at the Character Studio is to provide my workflow, my guidance, and my shared love for this craft.
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For anyone who has a passion for 3D character art and is looking to level up their skills. Whether you are a beginner, a bit more seasoned and on the cusp of breaking into the industry, or a working professional, I will be your usher on your path as we work closely together to strengthen your eye, build your artistic confidence, and fire up your creativity and skill.
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The Character Studio hosts 2 main ways to learn and develop your skills as a 3D Character Artists. The first option is to enroll in the 10 Week Mentorship. This one is a limited seat offering and ideal for those who thrive in a classroom setting with weekly lessons, critiques and goals. The second option is aimed at those who are most self-motivated and want to work at their pace with On-Demand lessons. With the On-Demand route, you get the same instruction, but without the close interaction and guidance with your instructor.
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The Mentorship is a way to work closely together through a 10 week program as you create a polished character from beginning to end. It's meant to be an intimate setting of just 10 students max, to ensure quality time for each student for critiques and a supportive format where you will feel the reward of staying on a schedule and hitting your goals. Some might join the mentorship with more experience than others, but that only presents great learning opportunities as we work through all the various challenges that come up organically when creating characters. We meet twice a week - One session for a live demo, and a second session dedicated to critique.
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Yes, the mentorship is open enrollment. In my years of teaching, I’ve always valued being a resource to help anyone of any skill level. That said, for those are more fresh to the 3D character space, you will learn a very solid process and workflow, that you can take with you as you continue to grow as an artist. For those that are more seasoned, I will challenge you to push yourself as we discover ways to enhance your skill.
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I treat the feedback as I would in a professional setting. I've been both a Modeling Supervisor for DreamWorks Animation, overseeing many characters for various productions over the years, to now serving as a Character Designer for Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, working on many upcoming projects. Taking that knowledge, I will guide you as I would any artist I would help in a studio environment. Utilizing sculpt-overs, draw-overs and verbal guidance, we walk through the challenges together to find the right solutions and make sure you are clear for your next steps.
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10 weeks is a good amount of time to create a polished portfolio piece, assuming you are putting in the work and keeping up with your weekly tasks. Keeping yourself accountable, and learning to time manage, is essential to preparing yourself for a studio environment, or just building discipline. Like with anything, if you put in the time, the results will follow. By the end of the 10 weeks, you will have a beautifully polished 3D character that is posed and presented professionally.
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To ensure a rewarding experience and to respect everyone's valuable time, limiting the amount of mentee's is essential. I want to ensure that each student receives the time that they need to keep them moving in the right direction. I also find, that the group setting of just a few, creates a very organic opportunity to learn from other's challenges. As you see other mentee's working towards their goal, you learn more through their challenges and also find encouragement and inspiration as you get to your own finish line.
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Well, your instructor is me, Charles :). And I can tell you that despite being a very busy working professional, I also balance being a father of 2, which is my most important job. But I always make it a point to be as available as I can via email and our discord throughout the week if you need the additional support. But our class time is where we hope to cover as much ground as we can.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
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The courses are created with the intention of providing a solid workflow and process - So topics covered range from beginner to advanced. But all are welcome as the lessons are meant to be a solid resource to return to. Here is a breakdown:
Zbrush - Surprisingly, I only use a small portion of Zbrush for what I need in my workflow and process, so the lessons will focus on how I use Zbrush, and not as a Zbrush Intro. But as I know some of you may be completely new to Zbrush, I offer pre-recorded lessons to get you up to speed that you can watch before the start of the Mentorship, so that you hit the ground running during the 1st class. These additional lessons are available and suggested only to those that are completely new to Zbrush. It offers a way for a newcomer to the tool to get familiar and comfortable. But during the Mentorship, the lessons advance weekly, and the principals and workflows can apply to anyone of any level.
Maya - When the lessons move over to Maya, it is assumed that you have a basic understanding of the tool already in place. Basic operations such as UI, navigation and fundamentals won't be covered so that the focus can be on specific topics that pertain to Character Development.
Substance Painter - The Lessons will focus on process, and although there will be a clear walkthrough, it is encouraged to at the least have a basic understanding of the tool
Photoshop - Basic knowledge is best.
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Each Mentee will be expected to hold themselves accountable for how they manage their time and keep up with the pace. I've drafted the 10 weeks to be as manageable as we can make it for the group. But in a very unforeseen or unique life circumstance, we can discuss option for postponed enrollment to the next term or a full refund if applicable.
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A computer with decent specs is completely fine, but it is highly encouraged to at the least have a drawing tablet, as a mouse won't be enough to support. Although the lessons take place on a Windows PC, Mac users can easily follow along in the same way.
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You have the option of full payment during enrollment or spreading out your payments over the course of 3, 6, or 12 months for those whom prefer the flexibility. If you choose the ‘Pay In Full’ or 3 month option, you receive the best value. The 6 month offers the best flexibility, but at a slightly higher overall cost.
What Students Are Saying
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"It’s often said there is no “wrong” approach to this art form, but Charles’s method somehow feels like the original and essential way to approach stylized characters. It has filled in the gaps of my workflow and has multiplied my confidence. The lessons are presented clearly as he puts on display the skill and sensibilities of a top industry artist. He also has an inviting sense of humour, which makes it easy to engage and ask questions, which he always invites us to do. He’s demonstrated his commitment to our class group in many surprising ways by doing extra demonstrations, handing out premium freebies, and involving us in exclusive industry experiences. As we come to the end of the 10th week, I find I’ve also grown fond of each of the characters being modelled and their respective artists as well. I’m excited to continue being a part of the community of artists Charles is creating with this class!"
— Robin Cho
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"Choosing to take the mentorship with Charles Ellison was the best professional choice of my entire life. With him and all the group I learned a lot and strengthened my fundamentals. Together we formed a united team, we helped each other, it was like a group of friends. Charles knew how to create a relaxed atmosphere where everybody could show their work stressless. What's more he is really understanding and he always seeks to find the best on each project to take them even further. He was always there for us, for both the class and our personal projects. Indeed, he did additional courses just for a specific case we had. To sum up, he's a really involved, benevolent and pedagogical teacher. I strongly recommend this mentorship. I thank a lot Charles and all the group for their kindness and their deep knowledge!"
— Clara Faissolle
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"The mentorship with Charles was a unique and incredibly enriching experience in many ways. Not to mention his warm and welcoming energy that makes you feel comfortable asking any questions you might have during class, while we all grew together and elevated our skills at the same time. Each session truly felt like a masterclass. An opportunity that, if you ask me, is one of a kind to learn one-on-one from a master of the industry. Highly recommended! You’ll genuinely level up by the end of this mentorship. Go for it!!!"
— Angel Corona
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"Being in this mentorship was one of the best decisions I've made this year. I've always been a huge fan of Charles's work, but this mentorship helped me learn new ways of working, achieve excellent results in such a short time, stay motivated, and most importantly, get to know Charles and see that he's not only one of the best at what he does, but also a great person, a great teacher always willing to help others, who always laughed at my GIFs, and best of all, create a community of artists that I can now call friends, who are always willing to help each other."
— Diego Veliz
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I’m not even joking when I say this mentorship with Charles Ellison was hands down the best experience of my life. From the very first session to the final wrap-up, it’s been an incredible journey. The way Charles breaks down complex info makes it accessible for everyone. He’s an incredibly patient and supportive teacher who genuinely cares about his students' growth. I’ve learned more than I ever thought possible, and the hands-on experience was invaluable.He is so attentive to every single student and was always there to help, no matter how many questions I threw at him (and trust me, there were a lot! 😅)he atmosphere was so comfortable and welcoming that it felt like a community from day one. Everyone was supporting each other, and that kind of environment is priceless. I’ve gained so much knowledge that I feel confident taking into my future projects. I’m honestly so sad it’s over already—it flew by way too fast! Thank you, Charles, for everything. This experience is something I’ll carry with me forever. ✨🙌 "
— Elizaveta Marshyna
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"Charles ’ Mentorship has to be one of the most amazing educational experiences I’ve ever had in my professional life. He has a way of always helping you push your project to its best potential and helping you grow as an artist. His feedback is always on point, super helpful, and supportive. Above all, since day one, you can feel Charles’s passion for teaching, his enjoyment of sharing his knowledge, and his commitment to helping artists improve their skills, inspiring everyone to reach their full potential, making the mentorship an amazing experience!"
— Javier Gonzalez
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"The course is incredible - I highly recommend it! Charles is a master of his craft who effectively condenses years of refined, professional experience into a logical three-month journey. You gain a complete understanding of how to create any character through a process that is simple, convenient, and flexible at every stage. He shares everything! While the course covers the full character creation pipeline, its core is deeply artistic. Charles teaches you to think like an artist, and once you adopt this mindset, you’ll be able to create much more personalized and expressive characters. While there were many professionals in the group, I’m writing this as someone exploring character art as a new challenge. I’m not new to the industry (I work as a game environment artist and have a formal art background), but character work was a fresh area for me. If you're worried about keeping up with the rest of the class, don't be! The pipeline is flexible enough that you can simplify technical steps, like swapping XGen for sculpted hair or skipping complex texturing, and still finish with the strongest piece in your portfolio. You’ll walk away with a rock-solid foundation and a clear understanding of the 'why' and 'how' behind every decision. This provides a professional roadmap for all your future projects. On top of that, during the course you also get a bit of that special warmth of our industry, and from Charles, that’s especially valuable. He’s a truly great mentor. I’m really glad I took this course, and I’m incredibly grateful to Charles for sharing his knowledge. You simply wouldn't achieve this much on your own in just three months - this kind of insight is hard to find anywhere else. Definitely go for it! 🔥"
— Julia Klevtsevich
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"This mentorship did a notably excellent job of breaking down the steps of the process into direct, small chunks. It refined several weak points in my personal workflow, including intelligent steps to take in evaluating my concept, knowledge of when to begin posing, when to begin surfacing, and the optimal way to add texture and hair. Charles was available for additional feedback regularly and his enthusiasm and commitment to teaching each of us was palpable. In my case, Charles correctly identified my main weak point and focused on pushing me to concentrate on shape language and further accentuating that which existed in the concept in my 3D interpretation. The energy in our meetings and in our private chats is palpable. This was an invaluable addition to my skillset and network and it was a pleasure to be a part of this experience."
— Emma Fulkerson
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"Taking this workshop with Charles has completely leveled up my character modeling. As a master of his field, his deep understanding and passion for the craft are incredibly inspiring. He is so knowledgeable, but he breaks things down in a way that makes everything come easy. The learning space itself is the best I have ever been a part of and provides a truly welcoming class environment. When I look at my progress, I can't believe how far my character sculpting has come. I am now so much more confident in my artistic abilities."
— Austin Salinas
Student Gallery
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Robin Cho
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Robin Cho
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Javier Gonzalez
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Javier Gonzalez
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Elizaveta Marshyna
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Elizaveta Marshyna
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Diego Veliz
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Diego Veliz
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- Clara Faissolle
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- Clara Faissolle
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- Austin Salinas
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- Austin Salinas
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- Angel Corona
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- Angel Corona
May Mentorship Sold Out!
Next Mentorship expected in the Fall - Sign up below to join the Waitlist to be one of the first to receive exclusive Enrollment dates and Early Bird Specials.
Let’s Get Started!
The Mentorship Class Offers These Key Features:
2 Weekly Live Classes - One for Demo and the other for critique
Each Class Is Recorded For Easy Review
Smaller Group Setting To Ensure Quality Individual Reviews
Access To Any Live Event Such As Livestreams Or Guest Speakers
Community Through Our Discord Channel
The Goal is to create a beautifully polished character to sit proudly in your portfolio. In the 10 weeks, I will guide you through my process, from sculpting and modeling, lookdev and groom, and lastly preparing our presentation. What you put in is what you get from it, so I will help you stay motivated, and accountable as we each inspire the other.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!! Only for first few seats before price goes back to regular admission. Begins 05/03/26 Each week begins on Sunday (9am PST) with a Live Demo which establishes the plan for the week, and concludes on Saturday (9am PST) for live Critique and Feedback. The classes are set up via a Zoom Meeting which is scheduled in advance for each session. Enrollment period is between 03/14/26 and 05/02/26 Limited Seats!
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!! Only for first few seats before price goes back to regular admission. Begins 05/03/26 Each week begins on Sunday (9am PST) with a Live Demo which establishes the plan for the week, and concludes on Saturday (9am PST) for live Critique and Feedback. The classes are set up via a Zoom Meeting which is scheduled in advance for each session. Enrollment period is between 03/14/26 and 05/02/26 Limited Seats!
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Week 1 - Creating Main Forms And Our Blockin
Week 2 - Establishing The Head And Face
Week 3 - Creating The Hands
Week 4 - Sculpting Hair
Week 5 - Creating Clothing
Week 6 - Posing Our Character
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Week 7 - Texturing In Substance Painter
Week 8 - Introducing Grooming To Our Character
Week 9 - Groom & Lookdev Continued
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Week 10 - Creating Final Render & Presentation
Other Offers Coming Soon!
On Demand, Self-Paced Courses
For Those More Interested In Self-Directed Learning
Work your way through carefully crafted lessons that take you step by step through a professional, Character creation workflow. The first Course, Sculpting & Modeling is where you'll establish your character in 3D, which then leads to LookDev & Grooming where you will learn how to take your sculpted character to the next level with rich texturing and groom.
*Lifetime Access With Purchase
*Project Files Included For Taking A Deep Dive
*Hours Of Content
Expected to launch late Summer/ early Fall 26!
In this course, you will establish the fundamentals of finding your primary forms, then Introduce secondary forms and details with excellent control. You will then learn to utilize Polypaint for painting your character sculpt and adding visual fidelity. You then move to learning how to create professional topology and UVs as you prep your character for posing and presentation Softwares Used: Maxon Zbrush, Autodesk Maya, Adobe Photoshop
Learn to prep your character for texturing in Substance Painter as we develop textures for skin, clothing and accessories. You will then prepare your shaders in Autodesk Maya using Arnold for look development. You will also take a deep dive into Xgen for hair creation, bringing exceptional quality and richness to you character. Software used: Adobe Substance Painter, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk Maya, Xgen in Maya, Arnold in Maya
Best Value For On-Demand Content!
Want To Stay Informed To Receive Enrollment Dates And Other Course Drops? Fill Out The Form Below For Any Inquiries!
Meet Charles
I am an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience in Feature Animation. For many of those years I served as a Modeling Artist and Modeling Supervisor, before transitioning into a 3D Character Designer. I've worked at some of the best studios in the world, such as DreamWorks Animation, Netflix Animation and now with Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. I've had the privilege to have worked on so many wonderful movies over the years and during that time I have developed my best practices and workflows for how I create my characters. I've also been an educator for over a decade and my goal with The Character Studio is to bring all of this knowledge to you in the most cohesive and engaging way. I look forward to meeting you and sharing your creative journey with you.
Upcoming Projects For Charles!
