WIP -Stylized Katana Sword

robertvovk · Feb 21 2026

I found a concept art for a katana sword by IWSE Zhang that I really like because it has more of a comic book stylized look. After gathering some references and making sure I understand the basic shape and form of the sword I started modeling. I am still not quite sure how detailed should I go with the high poly as I think a lot of the sword details can be done with textures. Here is my blockout so far:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/7y/ggksomtjgn8t.png

Concept Art:

PureRef

robertvovk · Feb 21 2026

Almost finished with the base model . I am just trying to add more details now. I am probably gonna try to do the red straps and ropes in zbrush because I find it quite challenging to model them since there are a lot of knots and different variations. Here is the model so far:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/8g/b7hsq04bf12l.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/lb/c0wqlqqxxiqb.png

kosh3d · Feb 22 2026

Great concept choice, love Zhangs art!

I think you rushed into the highpoly stage a bit too fast, I would have spend more time in the blockout making sure I'm matching the proportions correctly. You have a lot of problems in that area, most obvious is the sword handle and the cutout. It's also hard to tell from that perspective but I'd say that the sheath tube gotta be slightly more curved to comfortably fit the sword.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/m5/jqkhu4ztvdt2.jpg

robertvovk · Feb 22 2026

Thanks for the feedback, wil fix that soon!

robertvovk · Feb 27 2026

Some of the photos of my progress. I have added more detail and fixed some of the shape and dimensions issues. I am still working on the rope on top of the sheath, but I am about to sculpt some wood and metal details in ZBrush. I will probably keep it fairly simple and focus on just the big shapes and details, such as the large cracks in the wood as the rest of the details can be hand-painted in Painter, I think.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/re/yd6s3s7n9soc.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/86/lbovcjc74h16.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/5k/ar8l73dzulcu.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/7p/in14rodbwhmt.png

Ashervisalis · Feb 28 2026

Hell yaaaaa thats sick.

WIP -Stylized Katana Sword

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