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Workshop

Sculpting Miniatures for Boardgames Using ZBrush

A Workshop
by Francesco Orru

From 2D concept to 3D Miniature Sculpt Using ZBrush & KeyShot With Francesco Orru

intermediate
4h 12m 39s
8 Lessons
A Workshop
by Francesco Orru
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Learn how to translate a 2D concept into a 3D miniature using ZBrush and KeyShot in this 4-hour workshop by Digital Sculptor Francesco Orru. This tutorial is intended for artists who already have some knowledge of digital sculpting in ZBrush and are ready to delve into the world of creating miniatures from concept art.


The workshop covers the entire process of sculpting for miniatures, from considering the initial scales to using DynaMesh, ZRemesher, Transpose Master, ZModeller, and lastly, KeyShot for rendering.


When resin printing miniatures, consideration needs to be given to the level of detail to be included in the model, which all depends on the scale, proportions, volumes, the interpretation of shapes — and you need to know which liberties you can take while sculpting.


As well as sharing his workflow, Francesco discusses how to optimize your work to save time when sculpting, and shares his tips for developing good communication with art directors in order to receive feedback early on during the process. He talks about how to work under certain limits including time and resources, and stresses why it’s important to be open to reworking models — and never falling in love with your first attempts.


By completing this workshop, you’ll have a solid understanding of the full pipeline when working from a 2D concept to create a 3D miniature using ZBrush. You’ll also discover how to present your work to an art director.


The final prototype featured in this workshop was printed by Valkyrx Gaming in the UK.


Provided as a downloadable resource with this workshop are the STL of the decimated high poly model, the ZTL of the T-pose with all the Subtools, plus the ZTL of the final posed model with Subtools.

8 Lessons

01Sculpting the LegsFree

Francesco Orro’s workshop shows that successful miniature creation relies more on organization and a methodical approach than on complex tools. By breaking projects into smaller steps and focusing on efficiency, artists can handle even the most detailed designs. Francesco emphasizes the use of basic tools and fundamental techniques, showing that a strong foundation is more important than specialized resources.

Duration: 1h 2m 39s

Sculpting the Legs
02Sculpting the Torso

This workflow highlights a hybrid approach to miniature sculpting that blends organic shapes with technical design. Francesco focuses on establishing clear visual guides and proportions early on to create a consistent but flexible process. By using standard digital tools creatively, he makes high-quality production results achievable without requiring overly complex software features.

Duration: 37m 33s

Sculpting the Torso
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03Sculpting the Arms

This lesson explains that successful character sculpting is more about smart design choices and efficient workflows than mastering every tool. Francesco shows that basic techniques, like working symmetrically and checking forms from every angle, are what really matter. When moving from a 2D sketch to a 3D model, clear communication and sound decision-making lead to better results than strictly adhering to a rigid concept.

Duration: 45m 31s

Sculpting the Arms
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04Sculpting the Head

Francesco demonstrates that great 3D work requires strong artistic judgment when turning 2D designs into three-dimensional objects. Throughout the process, keeping the workspace organized and performing regular cleanups is just as vital as the actual sculpting.

Duration: 23m 1s

Sculpting the Head
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05Sculpting the Weapon

This lesson focuses on a step-by-step approach to sculpting miniatures' weapons, balancing artistic style with the technical requirements of 3D printing. Francesco shows that successful design requires constant attention to the silhouette and making sure parts are thick enough for production. The techniques used here can be adjusted for different miniature sizes depending on how they will be manufactured.

Duration: 31m 14s

Sculpting the Weapon
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06Posing the Miniature

This lesson covers how to pose characters effectively for the miniature industry. Francesco demonstrates how to balance a dynamic look with a clear view of the model's details. By combining careful anatomical posing with time-saving tricks such as mirroring completed parts, artists can quickly prepare professional models for the final rendering stage.

Duration: 19m 39s

Posing the Miniature
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07Rendering with KeyShot

In this lesson, Francesco advocates for a fast, simple workflow that prioritizes sculpting over complex rendering. By organizing the model with clear color-coding and separated parts, artists can get great results without getting stuck in technical settings. This approach is especially useful for client work that requires fast previews and changes.

Duration: 12m 38s

Rendering with KeyShot
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08Final Deliverables

The final lesson in this workshop stresses the importance of managing the entire production process, from the first sculpt to the final files. Francesco shows that paying attention to detail and getting early feedback results in high-quality, printable miniatures. His honest look at his own work and technical choices provides valuable insight into the professional world of tabletop game design.

Duration: 20m 24s

Final Deliverables
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Primary tools

For this workshop you’ll need:

KeyShot
ZBrush

* Note that these programs and materials will not be supplied with the course.

Project Files

When you download the workshop files, you'll gain access to Francesco's sci-fi character project files covering the full workflow from sculpting to final output. Inside, you'll find:


  • ZBrush project files (.zpr, .ztl) – Complete character sculpts in both T-pose and final posed versions, plus a retopologized model ready for rendering
    - 3D printable models (.stl) - High-resolution character and base files optimized for physical printing
    - ZBrush tool files - Individual character components and a prototype version for experimenting with different approaches

Skills Covered

Who’s this Workshop for?

This workshop is designed for digital artists with foundational ZBrush experience who want to specialize in miniature creation. It’s ideal for sculptors, game artists, and designers ready to transition from 2D concept art into professional 3D miniature production.


Freelance artists, studio professionals, and tabletop gaming enthusiasts will gain valuable industry insight into miniature-specific sculpting techniques. Francesco Orru also shares essential communication skills for collaborating effectively with art directors, along with practical optimization strategies for meeting tight production deadlines and resource constraints.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the workshop, artists will have mastered the complete pipeline for translating 2D concepts into production-ready 3D miniatures using professional ZBrush and KeyShot workflows.


Key skills include:

  • How to analyze concept art and determine appropriate scale for miniature production.
  • How to utilize DynaMesh, ZRemesher, and Transpose Master effectively for miniature sculpting workflows.
  • How to optimize detail levels based on scale, proportions, and resin printing limitations.
  • How to communicate effectively with art directors and incorporate feedback during development phases.
  • How to work efficiently under time and resource constraints while maintaining quality standards.
  • How to present finished miniature models professionally using KeyShot rendering techniques.
  • How to prepare models for 3D printing with proper decimation and file management.
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Workshop
Sculpting Miniatures for Boardgames Using ZBrush
From 2D concept to 3D Miniature Sculpt Using ZBrush & KeyShot With Francesco Orru
A Workshop by Francesco OrruFreelance Digital Sculptor
intermediate
4h 12m
8 Lessons
Instructor Francesco OrruFreelance Digital Sculptor

Francesco Orru is a Freelance Digital Sculptor and Co-Founder at Swarm Sculpts LTDA, working across 3D printing, boardgame miniatures, collectibles, and games. He is currently freelancing for clients including NECA, Valkyrx Gaming, and Draco Studios, among many others.


Francesco graduated from University of Bologna and completed an MA in Computer Animation at Kingston University part-time while working in 3D printing production, indie games, and wargame miniatures. His professional journey combines academic training with hands-on industry experience, shaping his expertise in digital sculpting for physical and interactive media.

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  • Francesco has been sculpting outstanding miniatures for several years for some of the best in the industry. Both his technical knowledge and creativity make him a desirable artist to work with as well as an excellent source to learn from!

    - James Cain
    Assistant Art Director at XM Studios

  • Francesco is an amazing 3D artist and sculptor. His attention to detail and his work ethic is of the highest caliber. His understanding of anatomy and how it translates from 2D concepts to 3D sculpture is simply magnificent. Those watching his Gnomon Workshop tutorial are in for a fantastic lesson!

    - JP Targete
    Freelance Concept Artist / Art Director / Illustrator

  • I’ve worked with Francesco many times as both a concept artist and an art director, and his sculptures always make me smile with awe and admiration. Francesco is an Artist and Craftsman in the truest sense of the words. He understands that sculpting from a concept isn’t simply about a dutiful reproduction in three dimensions; it’s about understanding form, anatomy, weight distribution, the attitude and posture of the subject, and so much more. Francesco embraces these nuances through his skills, and the end results are nothing short of fantastic.

    - Thomas W. Babbey
    Art Director & Concept Artist

  • Francesco has been sculpting outstanding miniatures for several years for some of the best in the industry. Both his technical knowledge and creativity make him a desirable artist to work with as well as an excellent source to learn from!

    - James W Cain
    Art Director at Mindworks

  • I’ve worked with Francesco many times as a concept artist and an art director; his sculptures always make me smile with admiration. Francesco is an artist and craftsman in the truest sense of the words: He understands that sculpting from a concept isn’t about a dutiful reproduction in three dimensions; it’s about understanding form, anatomy, weight distribution, the attitude and posture of the subject, and much more. Francesco embraces these nuances through his skills, and the end results are fantastic.

    - Thomas Babbey
    Art Director for Draco Studios

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