The bridge between digital and clay

I'm a Los Angeles-based character sculptor working across film, collectibles, and commercial projects, moving fluidly between digital sculpting and hand-worked clay.

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Characters for screen and shelf.

Sculpts for LAIKA, Mondo, Hasbro, Mattel, Marvel, DC, Lucasfilm, Disney, HBO, Nintendo, and the Museum of Pop Culture. From stop-motion facial replacement libraries to 1/6 scale collectibles to life-size bronze.

LAIKA

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Mondo

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Hasbro

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Mattel

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Marvel

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D.C. Comics/WB

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LucasFilm

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Disney

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HBO

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Nintendo

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LAIKA • Mondo • Hasbro • Mattel • Marvel • D.C. Comics/WB • LucasFilm • Disney • HBO • Nintendo •

Currently accepting new projects

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My Services

Character Artist - Rapid Prototyping characters for Laika's upcoming movie, Wildwood.

Characters, creatures, and digital assets
for film, television, VFX, stop motion,
and commercials.

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Character Art

Sculpted concept to production of Marvel's Galactus Soft Vinyl Figure by MONDO shop

Toy & Collectible Sculpting

Production-ready sculpts for toy and collectible manufacturers, from concept through final files.

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Digital sculpted, 3D printed, prepared sculpt for NLE the Great Official Short Film

Design & Prototyping

Technical 3D solutions spanning scanning, digital modeling, prototyping, and fabrication.

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Traditional portraits, figures, sculpt art installations

Portraits, figures, large-scale installations, and original works rooted in traditional sculptural practice.

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Sculpture

Featured Projects

The Space Between

MY PHILOSOPHY

I work between artistry and technology, tradition and innovation, intuition and precision. It’s in the space between that ideas take form.

philosophy
philosophy

  • “Our unique CG modeling pipeline relies on a level of engineering precision, sculpting prowess and modelmaking expertise that is unparalleled in the animation industry... Darrel is one of LAIKA's star modelers.”

    — Brian McLean, Director, LAIKA Rapid Prototyping Department

  • "He brought a deep understanding of anatomy, and his sculpts carried a sense of weight and motion, even as static figurines. He also took from his experience in clay sculpting to inform chisel frequency and shape in the digital models he created."

    — Brian Lee, Virtual Art Department and CG Supervisor, Halon Entertainment

  • “Thank you so much Darrel, and a massive thank you for all your terrific work- you truly saved our behinds on some very challenging characters- really plussed them hugely!”

    — Eric Leighton, Animation Director, Starburns Industries

  • "I don't know too many digital sculptors who invest the time and effort to rent their own traditional sculpting studios, hold weekly portrait or figure sculpting sessions from live models, and really work to develop their skills like that."

    — Chris Sears, Lead Concept Artist, Gentle Giant Studios

  • "Darrel's chief strength is his great curiosity and desire to learn and improve. [...] I would not hesitate to work with Darrel again."

    — David Simon, Sculptor, Founder of The Rome Workshops

Have a project or problem to solve?

I partner with studios, brands, and independent creators to develop characters, sculptures, and prototypes that bring ideas to life.

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