Face It: A Visual Reference for Multi-Ethnic Facial Modeling

Face It provides you with the resources that you need to ensure an accurate character model. By examining the skulls of people of different ages, ethnicities, and geographical areas, authors Patricia Beckmann-Wells and Scott Wells showcase the intricacies of the human head and face and show you how to apply that to your models.

Dr. Patricia Beckmann-Wells is a researcher and creative director whose research for ’Face It!’ has led to roles as a consultant for the Epic Games Unreal Metahuman project and speaking engagements with Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and SIGGRAPH on Informed Identity in character design.

Dr. Beckmann Wells’ career includes executive leadership roles at Dreamworks SKG and Walt Disney Animation Studios responsible for art asset pipeline development and international training, and artist roles at Warner Brothers Digital, Film Roman, ITE Denmark, and her studio as a content creator. Patricia was a frequent Chair of SIGGRAPH’, founding the ’FJORG!’ animation marathon. She also founded the animation department at the Savannah College of Art and Design and consulted on the first bachelor’s degree at the Gnomon School of Visual Arts. She chose to enter education as a professor to pursue her creative work and motivate diverse student populations to create their authentic voice.

Her animated films and projection mapping have received international acclaim in over 200 festivals, premiering at venues like Slamdance, the Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Art (LACMA), CERN, Supernova Digital Animation Festival, and Anima Zagreb among others. Her current film ’Mombomb, part 1’ is winning awards internationally for visual effects, story, and short film categories. Patricia was chosen for Lunafest, sponsored by Luna bars, and her film ’Family Tale’ traveled with Lunafest raising money for Breast Cancer. Her film ’Propolis, part 7’ premiered at Slamdance in Park City, UT, and she continues with the festival as a Judge for Series Shorts and DIG (Digital, Interactive, Gaming).

Furthermore, the Interactive Media Arts program she founded at IVC is awarded a Commendation from the City of Irvine for its outstanding. Dr. Patricia Beckmann Wells also received the Greater Irvine Chamber Distinguished Educator Award

Scott Wells is a digital character artist and traditional sculptor with over 30 years experience in games, film, and television.

Scott is a Lead Character Artist at Treyarch on the Call of Duty Black Ops franchise where he oversees character portrait, hair authoring, facial shape capture as well as talent casting, facial rig development and performance solving. Previously, he was a Senior Artist on the Character Body Art Team. His projects at Treyarch are Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War, COD: Black Ops 1-4 and 007: Quantum of Solace.

Scott has been a guest lecturer at Pixar, taught as an adjunct professor of Digital Media at SCAD and as an Advanced Modeling instructor at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Hollywood, CA. He has also acted as a professional adviser for students at the Academy of Art San Francisco and Cal State LA.

Scott has been recognized individually for his work with 2 Emmy nominations, a Telly award and a MIMC Award.