When our 3rd-year students reinvent superheroes!

Our 3rd-year students took on a major challenge: imagining superheroes in concept art before transforming them into 3D models. From sketches to textures, every detail was carefully crafted to bring these iconic characters to life.

Creating a character isn’t just about giving them an appearance—it’s about giving them a personality, a story, and a presence. This year, 3rd-year students at the MoPA 3D animation school took on the challenge of reinterpreting iconic figures from the world of superheroes.

It all started with a concept art phase, a crucial step where they explored shapes, colors, and poses to lay the foundation for their creations. Then, they moved on to 3D modeling, turning their drawings into digital sculptures.

The students’ concept art

Before a character exists in 3D, it must first be envisioned and defined visually. Concept art is this essential first step, where the artist explores the character’s shapes, colors, attitude, and identity. It’s a visual research process that helps establish an artistic direction.

During this phase, students focused on several key aspects:

Silhouettes and poses: A superhero must have a striking posture. A strong and recognizable silhouette is essential for creating an iconic character.
Colors and textures: The chosen hues influence the hero’s identity. A costume with bright tones can convey bravery and optimism, while darker colors enhance mystery or menace.
Lighting and atmosphere: Even in drawings, lighting plays a crucial role. It highlights specific parts of the character and enhances their charisma.

Here’s a closer look at their creations and artistic vision:

Emilie ARGENCE
"I chose Homelander because he is an interesting antagonist and one of my favorites. He is constantly portrayed as the perfect superhero, while in reality, he is selfish, violent, and manipulative. That's why I decided to depict him in a poster that highlights him at the center, in a pose that conveys both power and innocence—somewhat like propaganda posters. At first glance, he appears as a tall and strong superhero, much like Superman, but upon closer inspection, one can gradually realize that he is not who he claims to be."

Nolwenn CHAUFOUR
"Vixen is an African-American superhero from DC Comics. Thanks to the Tantu Totem, a mystical amulet, she can communicate with animals and replicate their abilities. This character resonates with me because I share some of her values and her strong connection to wildlife and Africa, which became a source of inspiration for me after my trip. Since she is not widely known by the general public, I wanted to highlight her in my concept art."

Lino HERMELOUP
"When I chose to depict the Penguin, I wanted to immerse myself in the world of a character who is both complex, intriguing, and iconic. He is fascinating because of his ability to blend sophistication with savagery. Visually, I aimed to highlight the contrast between his refined exterior and the darkness of his intentions. The wild nature of the Penguin’s features and curves is mixed with a cozy and warm atmosphere. I wanted to reinterpret this well-known villain beyond the stereotypes in which he is often placed."

Camille MARCHAND
"She-Ra, Princess of Power, stands in a rigid yet elegant pose, commanding respect. She towers over us, with the rising sun behind her conveying a message of hope and renewal as she prepares to save her planet and people from annihilation. I chose this character because I admire the courage and determination of Adora, the young girl who decides to transform into a demi-goddess to defend the world from the Machiavellian figures who raised her. I wanted to depict her in a position of power, radiating confidence, with a smooth 3D style that makes her almost resemble a statue or a legendary being from ancient times. The camera angle is set in a low-angle shot to enhance her imposing presence and reinforce the sense of respect she commands."

Pauline NULLANS
"Flash is running down a skyscraper at full speed, generating lightning bolts as he moves. Behind him, Central City, the superhero’s home, stretches into the background. I chose to depict this superhero because he allows for dynamic and interesting poses. I also wanted to work on a character that would give me the opportunity to study a muscular body to better understand anatomy while also experimenting with lighting through the lightning bolts and reflections on the buildings."

From drawing to 3D

After this phase of visual research, it was time for 3D modeling.

The students first sculpted the volumes of their heroes, focusing on proportions and posture.

The next step was to add textures and materials to bring realism to the model. Skin, costume fabric, metallic elements—every detail was carefully crafted to enhance the visual rendering and give depth to the character.

Finally, just like in concept art, lighting plays a crucial role in 3D. It helps emphasize certain shapes, create an atmosphere, and add a cinematic touch to the scene.