Creating Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Part 1

by David Ward

In this Blender 2.6 tutorial, we start with a cube, and box-model out the head and face of a stylized cartoon reindeer, using the mirror modifier, sculpt tools, and various editing techniques to get the desired result. After reaching a stopping point on the head, we go on to start the body, which will be completed in Part 2.

Creating Rudolph<

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Discussion

58 Responses to “Creating Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Part 1”
  1. brandon Wolbers
    Posts: 15

    awesome ive been looking for a good cartoony style tutorial but never saw one, will watch and practice asap

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    1
     Dec 15, 2011 at 5:45 pm
  2. Steven Roquefort
    Posts: 2

    Second!!!!!

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    2
     Dec 15, 2011 at 5:57 pm
  3. Gregg Laney
    Posts: 33

    Wow! You guys are in overdrive! I can’t keep up. I just got done with my submission for the snowman contest and about to move on to the bunny-bot. Now you I’ve got a rudolph tutorial to get through. Well, at least I can’t complain about not having enough to do… Thanks guys :)

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    3
     Dec 15, 2011 at 6:16 pm
    • Jonathan Williamson
      Posts: 2963

      Good to know you’re enjoying everything! :)

      -Jonathan

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      3.1
       Dec 15, 2011 at 6:47 pm
      • Gregg Laney
        Posts: 33

        I am for sure. I have learned just about everything I know about blender from you guys. That’s why I became a citizen. :)

        You got a great thing going here and the least I can do is support it.

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        3.1.1
         Dec 15, 2011 at 6:56 pm
      • Jonathan Williamson
        Posts: 2963

        Fantastic! How are you liking Citizen? Anything we can do to improve it or increase the value?

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        3.1.2
         Dec 15, 2011 at 6:57 pm
      • Gregg Laney
        Posts: 33

        I think it’s great, and well worth it.

        I had an idea of maybe having a monthly vote for the next months citizen tutorial.Give us a few choices and the one that gets the most votes, you get to make :) It might feel a little more interactive, like we have a say on where our blender education is going.

        Just a thought.. thanks for listening.

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        3.1.3
         Dec 15, 2011 at 7:37 pm
    • Jeff Drew
      Posts: 23

      re: Krixxuss: “I had an idea of maybe having a monthly vote for the next months citizen tutorial. Give us a few choices and the one that gets the most votes…”

      I second that. I made that request a year ago. I’d love to see it come true.

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      3.2
       Dec 18, 2011 at 3:17 pm
      • Jonathan Williamson
        Posts: 2963

        Definitely something to think about! We’ll see if we can’t find some way to implement this. Would you like the voting to be on the site or would a weekly/bi-weekly Citizen newsletter be better?

        -Jonathan

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        3.2.1
         Dec 18, 2011 at 5:00 pm
      • Jeff Drew
        Posts: 23

        My request: Voting on site, with an email heads-up, and last chance notice. A newsletter seems it might take production time and effort away from your already busy production schedules. While a voting mechanism would ease the “interactiveness” some of the Citizen’s are desiring right now.

        Possibilities:

        (1) A Mid-Month Citizen Vote for the month-to-come.
        Vote Options:
        Citizens vote for 2-4 One-offs (“Minis”) or 1-2 Series (House Elf, Stylized Dragon, HighPoly Car, etc.)

        (2) The Vote:
        Have a 3-5 option radio button vote mechanism, 1-2x month.
        (Generated by you CGC guys, or the community at large.)

        (3) Have a separate Citizen “write in” suggestion followed by a vote-off 1x month.

        Additional Idea:
        This is a either or type of idea.
        Revealing the production schedule for the months ahead, would be a cool ability to feel “included” in the CGC Production Process. A thumbnail/teaser image, and a one sentence summary.

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        3.2.2
         Dec 18, 2011 at 5:20 pm
  4. Cristiana Serra
    Posts: 6

    Awwww, it’s so cute! Amazing job, David! :D

    When will the second part be uploaded?

    Thank you and Merry Christmas!

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    4
     Dec 15, 2011 at 6:19 pm
  5. thiago kolb
    Posts: 136

    Great Tutorial :D

    thx

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    5
     Dec 15, 2011 at 7:01 pm
  6. Jeremy Deighan
    Posts: 263

    You guys need a Holiday category under the Tutorials link. Lol

    Jeremy

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    6
     Dec 15, 2011 at 7:18 pm
  7. Ashleigh Xeltentat
    Posts: 37

    Welcome back Dave! And Thank You for the Lattice tutorial!!

    I was trying to figure out how you did that before when you made BC Baker, with weird results of my own try and error. That’s what I would like to see on Blender cookie, a practical use of each of the physics and modifiers.

    P.S. than maybe an “Character Animation Exercise” as well as “Game Exercise FPS and 3rd Person Shooter”

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    7
     Dec 15, 2011 at 8:20 pm
    • Ashleigh Xeltentat
      Posts: 37

      …to add; for a “practical use of each of the physics”, instead of a boring cup being filled with water shot. example: “Make a character like BC Baker walk over, pick up a cup and a teapot, than pour the liquid into the cup, than he takes a drink. Maybe do something funny, like the water spills out of the cup all over the character.” stuff like that would make a great “Character Animation Exercise” plus a “practical use of each of the physics”

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      7.1
       Dec 15, 2011 at 9:08 pm
  8. William McDonald
    Posts: 255

    I’m overwhelmed. So . . . my year citizenship is about up. Does it renew automatically?

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    8
     Dec 15, 2011 at 8:56 pm
    • Jonathan Williamson
      Posts: 2963

      Hi WIlliam, I just checked and yes, you have a yearly recurring subscription. Is there anything in particular with Blender you’re feeling overwhelmed with?

      -Jonathan

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      8.1
       Dec 15, 2011 at 9:57 pm
      • William McDonald
        Posts: 255

        Overwhelmed with happiness from all the great tutorials. Seriously–you guys are doing a fantastic job. And please, call me Will. Only my mom calls me William.

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        8.1.1
         Dec 16, 2011 at 12:13 am
  9. Troll
    Posts: 1

    Just so you know for future reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism
    You may have misused the word huministic.

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    9
     Dec 15, 2011 at 9:36 pm
  10. Chris Maltzan
    Posts: 9

    I would absolutely love it if you did the texturing and rendering with cycles!!!!

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    10
     Dec 15, 2011 at 9:42 pm
  11. Calvin Bittner
    Posts: 7

    Rudolph the red-nosed render.

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    11
     Dec 15, 2011 at 11:26 pm
  12. verticies
    Posts: 228

    The steps involved seemed similar to the dragon series and since that is my favorate tutorial of all times I am in.
    Thanks!!

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    12
     Dec 15, 2011 at 11:46 pm
  13. William Duncan
    Posts: 18

    Wow, this looks like fun. Great pick for the tutorial. I agree with Jeremy above, you guys need a holiday tutorial section, they are starting to build in number…though I think we will enjoy theme all the same.

    Will

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    13
     Dec 16, 2011 at 12:43 am
  14. Flibbity Flibb
    Posts: 17

    I’ve never been that good at the whole box modelling and sculpting so I normally stick with the artificial and plants, but this tutorial is so great I think I may just do a bit more box modelling :) Great tut

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    14
     Dec 16, 2011 at 6:45 am
    • Flibbity Flibb
      Posts: 17

      To add to that, perhaps we could have a few beginners’ box modelling tutorials modelling basic things like maybe bees or whatever :P I think at the moment all of the box modelling tutorials start a little ahead of some peoples’ skills.

      P.S. Maybe some Typography tuts as well? :)

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      14.1
       Dec 16, 2011 at 10:30 am
  15. Ghoti
    Posts: 4

    Do you know how funny that would of being if it was a citizen exclusive?

    THERE’S STILL A CHANCE.

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    15
     Dec 16, 2011 at 7:29 am
  16. Sam Young
    Posts: 44

    You guys are making tuorials like christmas presents!
    Fantastic!

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    16
     Dec 16, 2011 at 7:35 am
  17. Avarus
    Posts: 15

    Is that fur on the final result or is the body just lumpy? Are you covering fur at all? I like the nose glow :)

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    17
     Dec 16, 2011 at 11:39 am
    • David Ward
      Posts: 261

      it’s the fur :D yep, part 3 will go over the particle hair :)

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      17.1
       Dec 16, 2011 at 11:45 am
      • Avarus
        Posts: 15

        Thanks a lot for the reply. Keep up the good work.

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        17.1.1
         Dec 16, 2011 at 4:17 pm
      • Simon Hughes
        Posts: 2

        I love the commentary on the evolution of the archetypal reindeer and how children wouldn’t identify with a moose

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        17.1.2
         Jan 1, 2012 at 6:11 am
  18. Jacques van Dijk
    Posts: 2

    Awesome David ;-)

    part two part two……. ;-)

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    18
     Dec 16, 2011 at 11:51 am
  19. Calogero GIGANTE
    Posts: 11

    6 years ago, I was crying : it was very difficult to find some good tutorials for Blender on the net. Today, I’m still crying, but not for the same reason : you, guys, are creating so much interesting videos, that I don’t have even enough time to watch and study all of them ! Grrrr !!! ;o)

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    19
     Dec 16, 2011 at 1:31 pm
  21. Carlos Fernando Panganiban
    Posts: 144

    Come on Dave, admit it. You’re only teaching us some tricks, but not how to model the reindeer.

    Your just f*cking around saying… Extrude dat, extrude dis, we should make a mouth,
    YOURE BARELY TEACHING US HOW TO MODEL IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    21
     Dec 17, 2011 at 4:05 am
    • David Ward
      Posts: 261

      I’m showing you the technique of how I modeled it; I’m not sure what else you want me to do. By “extruding dat, extruding dis”, I AM showing you how to model it. I fail to understand your frustration; this tutorial is in the same format as all my previous ones, and from your user gallery, I see that you followed those just fine.

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      21.1
       Dec 18, 2011 at 4:34 pm
      • Mike Taylor
        Posts: 6

        Don’t listen to him Dave all of ur tut’s are great! I think that some people just get jealous of greatness!

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        21.1.1
         Dec 18, 2011 at 7:46 pm
      • Flibbity Flibb
        Posts: 17

        I think what he means is is that you teach things that require a lot of arty-instincts. Like if you look at Jonathan’s tutorials he does things that are less stylized and that you can copy from reference images. However you are a lot more artistic and I think to be honest he’s just having a go at you for being a lot more skilled than he his :P

        I personally think that it’s great that you have a combination of different modeling techniques, keep it up :D

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        21.1.2
         Dec 19, 2011 at 8:13 am
      • verticies
        Posts: 228

        Carlosfernp,
        If you have never used blender before I can sort of forgive your rudeness.

        Would you like to be told to select this vertex at x coordinance 89 and y coordinance 112. Then place your ungratefull little finger on the G button and ….

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        21.1.3
         Dec 20, 2011 at 12:33 am
      • verticies
        Posts: 228

        Sorry Carlosfernp. I just checked out your Gallery and anyone who can model like that couldn’t possibly be confused by this tutorial.
        I will assume your little sister made the comment while you were going potty :)

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        21.1.4
         Dec 20, 2011 at 12:39 am
  22. r2d5
    Posts: 3

    Thank you for this cute tutorial. realy intresting to see someone creating some cartony stuff. Cant wait for part 2. Will you animate, unwarp and texture it in part 2?

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    22
     Dec 17, 2011 at 6:44 pm
    • David Ward
      Posts: 261

      yep, part 2 finishes the modeling and goes on to unwrap UVs and texture paint :) no actual animation is covered, tho :/

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      22.1
       Dec 17, 2011 at 7:14 pm
  23. Saralx
    Posts: 1

    What carlos might mean is, you’re not going over every detail. I admit, i had some problems in the beginning too, but i guess its just my lack in experience. Once you hang yourself in there, it all starts to make sense.
    (“model a lip, yeah right..uhm..how does he..uhm..extrude—no, that looks crappy..he’s extruding..where the is that face he’s using…uhm…how am I..ah there..Holy, it looks like a lip! I made a lip!”)..something like that :)

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    23
     Dec 18, 2011 at 5:31 pm
  24. Gary Parkin
    Posts: 109

    Thank you David. This will be fun.

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    24
     Dec 19, 2011 at 7:05 am
  25. David de Best
    Posts: 31

    great tutorial David(my name is David too by the way),
    one question: when you pressed ctrl P for that lattice deform thing.. I pressed just P… And then whole blender went all crazy… can you tell my what i actually did? because i have to start from the last time i saved it….

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    25
     Dec 20, 2011 at 11:40 am
    • David Ward
      Posts: 261

      If you just press “P”, blender goes into Game Play mode (for if you’re developing a game), so I can imagine how that would be very confusing :P should be able to just press Escape to get out of it. :)

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      25.1
       Dec 20, 2011 at 12:47 pm
      • David de Best
        Posts: 31

        Thanks! it happened a few times so am im really happy i know how to solve it!:)

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        25.1.1
         Dec 20, 2011 at 1:12 pm
      • David de Best
        Posts: 31

        Awesome tutorial by the way!

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        25.1.2
         Dec 20, 2011 at 1:13 pm
  26. Joe Somerville
    Posts: 10

    I feel like such an animal modeler after seeing that…I have been following almost that exact same technique for several months. So I approve it because that’s the most successful technique I’ve ever come across (I’ve tried quite a lot.) However I have never been able to get the particles just right, so I’ll look at the next one.

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    26
     Dec 21, 2011 at 4:43 pm
  27. Marja Sterenborg
    Posts: 23

    Lovely tutorial, now the second part.

    Merry Christmas and a very Creative happy New Year.

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    27
     Dec 24, 2011 at 2:50 am
  28. Simon Hughes
    Posts: 2

    I love your monologue on the evolution of the archetypal cartoon reindeer and children’s inability to relate to a moose

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    28
     Jan 1, 2012 at 6:15 am
  29. Kayla Losch
    Posts: 1

    So I’m new to the whole Blender thing, but I really wanna learn, especially since I love using Photoshop and wouldn’t mind being able to do more with my PS creations. However, I blame my fiance’s brother (and my competitive side) for getting me into this without ever having done a modeling tutorial. I’m a bit lost right now and it’s only a few minutes in, or more so I’m lost on how you went from a box to a little indent on each side, but I’m sure I’ll get there. I’m too stubborn to give up and admit defeat >_>
    I’ll comment back later when (if) I get somewhere with poor Rudolph’s boxy head :P

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    29
     Jan 2, 2012 at 3:21 pm
  30. jefferson bezerra
    Posts: 5

    I ask your permission to make their statutes in Portuguese to my friends ask me for it but I’ll only make you their Permissions altoriza I do?
    porpoise and even all credits to the site

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    30
     Jan 4, 2012 at 10:13 am
  31. Jim
    Posts: 1

    I’m really falling in love with this website..

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    31
     Jan 13, 2012 at 11:52 am
  32. GUMMYBEARS!!!
    Posts: 4

    I was wondering if anyone could help me with a question i had because the mirror modifyer doesnt seem to want to work on my computer. Any suggestions?

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    32
     Jan 22, 2012 at 5:11 pm
  33. a
    Posts: 1

    Been thinking what to choose zbrush or blender, now without any doubts i choose blender.
    Good video, i really enjoyed it, gonna watch all 3 of these, awesome skills David, keep going.

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    33
     Jan 30, 2012 at 11:06 pm

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