Sculpting is not a linear process. In other words, various areas of the model are quickly sculpted moving from one area to another adjusting as needed. So, while this tutorial is organized in sequential sections, you should continuously look at the model from all angles and sculpt as needed. For now, keep things simple and small details to a minimum; all you are doing is sculpting general masses and forms. Keep in mind that while you are sculpting a heroic, muscular, humanoid creature, he still has skin and some fat. Avoid sculpting the muscles so detailed that the creature appears to have no skin or looks like an écorché.
Through out this tutorial, various sculpting tools will be suggested to complete each tasks. To build up general masses and sculpt forms, you will generally use a combination of the Wax, Sculpt, and Bulge tools set to about size 10-15 and strength set to 5-15. As you gain experience, you may either add other tools or use different tool settings. Use the Smooth tool to smooth and blend shapes as you sculpt. Use the Contrast and Pinch tools to refine structures such as divisions between muscles, skin folds or creases, and other details. The Grab tool is useful for repositioning and to push and pull on sections of the model. Mirroring will be used to model symmetrically through out most of this tutorial, so when working with the sculpting tools, make sure that Mirroring is enabled across the x axis in the Properties window. It is a challenging task to tell you which tool to use for each sculpting task because many of the sculpting tools overlap in what they do, and the tool settings along with how you use your graphics tablet will vary what a specific sculpting tool does. However, start with the tool suggestions made in the tutorial and then experiment to see what works for you (Figure 4.5).
FIG 4.5 Use Various Sculpting Tools Like the Sculpt and Wax Tools to Build Shapes, Then Use the Smooth Tool to Blend, and Finally Use the Contrast and Pinch Tools to Define Edges and Details.
