Model a Mortar and Pestle in Blender

 How to Model a Mortar and Pestle in Blender: A Step-by-Step Teaching Guide

If you’re new to Blender or looking to improve your 3D modeling skills, creating a mortar and pestle is an excellent project to practice basic shapes and add detailed refinements. This guide will walk you through the entire modeling process with clear instructions designed to help you understand each step.

Starting with the Base Shape

Begin by opening Blender and creating a simple cylinder. This will serve as the base for your mortar. Don’t worry about fine details yet; focus on getting the proportions right. Use the scale tool to adjust the height and width until it looks like a sturdy bowl.

Shaping the Bowl

Next, enter Edit Mode and select the top face of the cylinder. Use the inset tool to create an inner rim, then extrude inward and downward to hollow out the bowl. Pay attention to smooth transitions between the edges to keep the shape realistic.

Modeling the Pestle

For the pestle, start with another cylinder, but make it longer and thinner. Scale the ends to create the rounded shape typical of a pestle. Use loop cuts to add geometry where you want to add detail or refine the shape.

Adding Detail and Refining

Switch back to the mortar and use the bevel tool on sharp edges to soften them, which adds realism. Apply the subdivision surface modifier to both pieces, increasing the smoothing for a polished look. You can also tweak the vertices manually if you want specific contour adjustments.

Final Tips

Remember to keep an eye on your topology—the flow of the mesh should be clean to avoid issues in rendering or further editing. Save your work frequently and preview your model from different angles to catch any imperfections.

Conclusion

Modeling a mortar and pestle is a great way to build foundational Blender skills. By following these steps carefully and practicing, you’ll gain confidence in handling shapes, modifiers, and detail work. Keep experimenting with textures and materials to create finished assets that look professional.