Creating Clean Clothing in ZBrush

Most artists struggle with clothing because it feels complicated, folds, seams, layers, thickness, intersections. This tutorial breaks all of that down into a simple, clean workflow you can use on any character.

Whether you're sculpting stylized or semi-realistic characters, this 2-hour deep dive gives you the tools, concepts, and shortcuts to create clothing that looks intentional, clean, and production-ready.

 

What You’ll Learn

The Three Core Concepts for Clean Clothing

• Repurposing existing geometry to speed up your workflow
• Choosing when clothing should be watertight or one-sided
• Removing hidden layers so your mesh stays clean and efficient

These simple ideas save hours and help you avoid the most common beginner mistakes.

 

Level Up Your Clothing Workflow

Once the basics are clear, you'll move into more advanced techniques such as:

• Sculpting clean seams that add structure and detail
• Working with split parts for better control and simpler shapes
• Using Insert Multi Mesh brushes to quickly add buttons and repeating elements

These are the tools that help your clothing feel professional.

 

Bonus: Fold Sculpting & Dynamic Techniques

You’ll also get a bonus section pulled directly from my Loish Character Study, where we explore:

• How to sculpt folds that feel natural and believable
• When dynamic simulations help (and when they don’t)
• How to create “believable illusions” that suggest complexity without overworking your mesh

This section alone can transform the way you think about folds.

 

Who This Tutorial Is For

This tutorial is perfect for:

• Beginner and intermediate sculptors who want a reliable workflow
• Artists who struggle with messy folds or thick, bulky clothing
• Character sculptors who want to work cleaner and faster
• Anyone who wants their clothing to feel intentional and readable

If clothing has ever felt intimidating or unclear, this gives you the structure you need.