10 Best Blender Courses to Take in 2023
Learn to use Blender, the popular 3D software, to make stunning models and animations with the best online courses.
The world of 3D modeling and animation has grown so much that sometimes, we have a hard time understanding what’s real and what’s not. I mean, just think about how realistic 3D animated movies and video games have become today – from characters and their hair and clothes to water and plants. Blender can help you achieve that skill too.
In this guide, I’ve selected the 10 best free and paid Blender online courses for you from the 240 Blender courses on our catalog by following a well-defined methodology that you can find below.
But if you want to jump straight to the results, here are my top 10 picks. You can click on a course to jump to the corresponding section:
| Course | Workload | In Brief |
| 1. Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners (Udemy) | 49 hours | Extensive, detailed, project-based course for beginners to learn Blender |
| 2. Creating 3D environments in Blender (Udemy) | 56 hours | Extensive course for beginners to learn to create 3D environments in Blender |
| 3. Learn Blender 3D: Become a 3D Illustrator by Mastering Blender (Skillshare) | 7 hours | Practice-based course for beginners to learn 3D modeling in Blender |
| 4. Master Architectural Visualization – Blender 3x – Design (Udemy) | 13 hours | Great course for beginners to master architectural visualization in Blender |
| 5. Blender Beginner Donut Tutorial (Blender Guru) | 6 hours | Fun, completely free course for beginners to learn the fundamentals of Blender |
| 6. Blender 3.0 Vintage Car Creation (LinkedIn Learning) | 19 hours | Intermediate-level course to learn to build a complete vintage car in Blender |
| 7. Blender Character Creator for Video Games Design (Udemy) | 17 hours | Project-based course for beginners to learn to create characters in Blender |
| 8. Mantaflow Fluid Simulation Guide in Blender (Udemy) | 3-4 hours | Intermediate-level course to learn fluid simulation in Blender using Mantaflow |
| 9. Blender for Complete and Total Beginners (Udemy) | 6 hours | Great course for beginners to learn the fundamentals of 3D art in Blender |
| 10. Blender Complete Beginner Tutorial Series (Ryan King Art) | 6 hours | Completely free course for beginners to learn the basics of Blender |
What is Blender?
Blender is a free and open source 3D software. From modeling, rigging, animation, simulation and rendering to compositing, motion tracking, and even video editing and game creation, Blender supports the entire 3D pipeline.
Blender can run on Linux, Windows, and Mac computers, and lets the public make small and large changes to the code base, making it even more versatile and powerful.
Why are Blender Skills Important?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for special effects artists and animators was $78,790 in May 2021. Their employment is projected to grow 5% from 2021 to 2031, with about 6,700 openings projected each year, on average, over the decade.
There are currently hundreds of job openings requiring Blender skills in companies such as Tesla, Nike, Apple, Activision Blizzard, EA (Electronic Arts) and others. You can check these positions as they are constantly updated on job searching websites: Indeed, LinkedIn and Glassdoor, just to mention a few.
What is My Experience with Blender?
I have used Blender on my computer to edit videos. I’m still new to the software and learning what all things it can do. As someone interested in cartoons and animation, Blender is definitely on my bucket list.
Besides that, I am a Guided Project Instructor and a Beta Tester at Coursera, having tested many courses before they’re officially launched. I have taken over 50 online courses in various subjects.
My experience as an online learner and teacher has given me some perspective on what to look for in an online course. I used my experience to evaluate each course in this list.
Course Ranking Methodology
I built this ranking following the now tried-and-tested methodology I used in previous rankings (you can find them all here). It involves a three-step process:
- Research: I started by leveraging Class Central’s database with 100K online courses and 200K+ reviews. Then, I made a preliminary selection of 200 Blender courses by rating, reviews, and bookmarks.
- Evaluate: I read through reviews on Class Central, Reddit, and course providers to understand what other learners thought about each course and combined it with my own experience as a learner.
- Select: Well-made courses were picked if they presented valuable and engaging content and they have to fit in a set of criteria and be ranked accordingly: comprehensive curriculum, release date, affordability, ratings and enrollments.
The end result is a unique selection of courses that combines a decade of Class Central data and my own experience as an online learner to try to get the best of both worlds. So far, I’ve spent more than 11 hours building this list, and I’ll continue to update it.
Course Ranking Statistics
Here are some statistics regarding this course ranking:
- Combined, these courses have accrued over 431.2K enrollments.
- 2 courses are free or free-to-audit and 8 courses are paid.
- The most-represented course provider in the ranking is Udemy, with 6 courses.
- All 10 courses are in English.
- The Blender subject is followed by over 2.4K learners on Class Central, and accounts for over 240 courses in Class Central catalog.
So without further ado, let’s get to my picks for the best Blender online courses.
1. Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners (Udemy)
My first pick for the best Blender online course is Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners on Udemy.
Aimed towards beginners with little or no experience, this project-based course will teach you how to create 3D models and assets for video games, 3D printing and more using Blender. Whether you are a complete beginner, artist or coder, you’ll find exactly what you need in order to work with Blender in this extensive course.
What You’ll Learn
In this course, you’ll learn how to use Blender and explore its interface, understand the principles of modeling, create 3D models with simple colors, learn the basics of animation, create your own materials, make UV maps and unwrap your models, and create animations for your objects and characters.
How You’ll Learn
The course is broken down into 8 sections. Each section involves about 1.5 to 2.5 hours of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos and readings. Downloadable resources are also provided.
| Provider | Udemy |
| Instructor | Rick Davidson, Grant Abbitt |
| Level | Beginner |
| Workload | 49 hours |
| Enrollments | 284.2K |
| Rating | 4.7/5.0 (55.5K) |
| Certificate | Paid |
Fun Facts
- For more than 10 years, Davidson worked within the video game industry as game designer, producer, creative director, and executive producer.
- Abbitt has been teaching game design for over 6 years, and also runs the YouTube channel, Gabbitt Media.
If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.
2. Creating 3D environments in Blender (Udemy)
My second pick for the best Blender online course is Creating 3D environments in Blender on Udemy.
This extensive course is for anyone looking to build beautiful 3D environments in Blender. Whether you’re just starting out with Blender or already experienced in it, this course will teach you everything from scratch. With step-by-step guidance, you’ll become proficient in using Blender to create amazing 3D environments in no time.
What You’ll Learn
In the first chapter, you’ll get an introduction to the course, explanation about workflow and organization, motivation and inspiration, and course related questions.
In the second chapter, you’ll learn Blender fundamentals. You’ll take a look at its interface and the most used tools, and build a simple table/chair scene and a dice scene
In the third chapter, you’ll make grass strands. You’ll pack the strands and build a simple grass scene, use proxy models and model flowers, and animate the grass.
In the fourth chapter, you’ll create trees. You’ll create branches, add twigs, and upgrade the grass template.
In the fifth chapter, you’ll use the grass template and trees and work on the ruin structure. You’ll blend brick and plaster material, and model bricks.
In the sixth module, you’ll blend the rocks to make a river scene. You’ll shape the terrain, scatter the river with rocks, and animate the river.
In the seventh module, you’ll blend a castle with the terrain. You’ll build a sky with volumetric clouds and use the Nishita skylight to blend the sky to create a sunset.
In the eighth module, you’ll use grass, trees and paths to create a mountain path. You’ll fill the scene with ruin structures, and blend the sky with mountains and environmental scenes.
Finally, in the ninth module, you’ll explore the complete workflow to model a medieval street scene.
How You’ll Learn
The course is broken down into 14 sections. Each section involves about 2 to 8 hours of work. Concepts are taught through video lectures only. Downloadable resources are also provided.
| Provider | Udemy |
| Instructor | Rob Tuytel, Obaidur Rahman |
| Level | Beginner |
| Workload | 56 hours |
| Enrollments | 93.1K |
| Rating | 4.7/5.0 (11.5K) |
| Certificate | Paid |
Fun Facts
- Tuytel has been a full time Blender user for over 15 years.
- His 3D artwork has been used in art books, featured in 3D artist magazines, museums, and even on TV.
- Rahman is a 16 year old 3D artist who has won the International MSI Creator Awards challenge for the Best 3D Animation category in 2022.
If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.
3. Learn Blender 3D: Become a 3D Illustrator by Mastering Blender (Skillshare)
My third pick for the best Blender online course is Learn Blender 3D: Become a 3D Illustrator by Mastering Blender on Skillshare.
Focused on practice, this course is not just about learning the theories but learning 3D modeling in Blender in a simple and engaging way. Whether you have zero experience in 3D modeling or some experience in 2D modeling, by the end of this course, you’ll have two real-world projects at hand for your portfolio.
What You’ll Learn
First, you’ll be introduced to Blender, explore the Blender interface, navigation, transformation, workspaces, object mode vs edit mode, adding an object to your scene, mesh anatomy, modeling tools, object origins, proportional editing, modifiers, and light types.
Next, you’ll learn about materials, rendering, modeling terrain, rocks, palm trees, surfing boards and sea, scene composition, applying materials to your objects, adding realistic lighting to your scene, preparing your scene for rendering, and rendering your scene.
Finally, you’ll model the room and windows, couch, desk and chair, computer, carpet, pot and plant, shelves and books and secondary objects, apply materials, lighting (day and night), and render your scene.
How You’ll Learn
The course is broken down into 44 lessons. Each lesson involves about 10 to 30 minutes of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos and projects. Downloadable resources are also provided.
| Provider | Skillshare |
| Instructor | Arash Ahadzadeh |
| Level | Beginner |
| Workload | 7 hours |
| Enrollments | 3.5K |
| Rating | 100% |
| Certificate | Not available |
Fun Facts
- Ahadzadeh is a UI/UX designer and an iOS developer with nearly four years of experience in application development.
- He also has ten years of experience in graphic design and UI/UX design.
- He teaches Figma, Sketch, iOS 15, Swift, Illustrator, Photoshop, Cinema 4d, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more on Skillshare.
If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.
4. Master Architectural Visualization – Blender 3x – Design (Udemy)
My fourth pick for the best Blender online course is Master Architectural Visualization – Blender 3x – Design on Udemy.
Even if you have no experience in 3D modeling, this course will help you master architectural visualization in Blender. This course will teach you how to successfully design and model stunning interior scenes in 3D in Blender step by step. You’ll start from 2D house layout and move all the way up to 3D modeling of rooms and lighting.
What You’ll Learn
In this course, you’ll learn about orthographic camera setup, freestyle line render, edge loops, separating objects, join command, freestyle edge mark, line thickness, dissolve edges, cursor to selected, selection to cursor, freestyle collections, and aligning objects.
Then, you’ll explore linking object data, extrusion, measureit add-on, dimensioning the floor plan, linked duplicate, mirror command, making single user, beveling vertex, limited dissolve, spin tool, increment snapping, array modifier, normals, knife tool, screw modifier, and bevel modifiers.
Next, you’ll take a look at aligning objects, symmetrize, link modifiers, subdivision modifier, Boolean modifier, mean crease, Bezier curve, parenting, collection manager, proportional editing, shrinkwrap modifier, invert selection, vertex groups, and matcap shading.
Finally, you’ll understand extruding regions, bridge, path curve, applying modifiers in order, vertex groups, copying to selected, rotation snapping, and spin modifier.
How You’ll Learn
The course is broken down into 10 sections. Each section involves about 30 minutes to 4.5 hours of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos, readings and quizzes. Downloadable resources are also provided.
| Provider | Udemy |
| Instructor | Thomas McDonald |
| Level | Beginner |
| Workload | 13 hours |
| Enrollments | 4.8K |
| Rating | 4.6/5.0 |
| Certificate | Paid |
Fun Facts
- McDonald has worked in the area of design and development for over 12 years.
- His major area of interest is 3D software.
If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.
5. Blender Beginner Donut Tutorial (Blender Guru)
My fifth pick for the best Blender online course is the free course Blender Beginner Donut Tutorial, offered by Blender Guru on YouTube.
This is a unique and interesting free course because here, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Blender while making your very own donut! Yes, the outcome is a donut. But along the way, you’ll learn the essential concepts of Blender starting from its interface, modeling and shading to lighting, rendering and the final animation.
What You’ll Learn
In this tutorial, you’ll explore editing, modifiers, modeling, sculpting, rendering, texturing, texture painting, geometry nodes, random colored sprinkles, animation, floating particles, lighting, compositing, and rendering.
How You’ll Learn
The course is broken down into 17 videos. Each video involves about 15 to 30 minutes of work. Concepts are taught through video lectures only. Useful links are also provided in the YouTube description of the course. Just click on Start Learning and go to Direct link.
| Channel | Blender Guru |
| Provider | YouTube |
| Instructor | Andrew Price |
| Level | Beginner |
| Workload | 6 hours |
| Certificate | Not available |
Fun Facts
- Blender Guru has over 2.43M subscribers on YouTube.
- Price also has his own website by the same name, Blender Guru.
- Besides YouTube, Price is also the founder and CEO of Poliigon, a website where you can find over 5000 assets for 3D artists.
If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.
6. Blender 3.0 Vintage Car Creation (LinkedIn Learning)
My sixth pick for the best Blender online course is Blender 3.0 Vintage Car Creation on LinkedIn Learning.
Good news for all the car lovers out there! If it was your dream as a designer to build a 3D vintage car in Blender, then this is your chance. In this course, you’ll design a 1952 Nash-Healey Roadster in Blender, complete with all its components in detail. You’ll learn the basic tools and techniques of Blender and digitally render your car.
What You’ll Learn
Module 1: Car body (hood, fender, sides, back, exterior panels, front panels)
Module 2: External pieces (grill, lights, emblem, bumpers, front turn signal, windshield, trunk latch)
Module 3: Spoked wheels (wheels, hubcaps, spokes)
Module 4: Interior (cab trim, seats, dashboard, floor, door panel, steering wheel, AM radio, glove compartment, gas pedal, rearview mirror, gear shift, door latch)
Module 5: Undercarriage (oil pan, rear axle, wheel wells)
Module 6: Tire treads
Module 7: Adjustments, tweaks and fixes (side trim, car body, undercarriage, bumper plate, tires)
Module 8: Materials and textures (all components)
Module 9: Rendering
How You’ll Learn
The course is broken down into 9 modules. Each module involves about 1.5 to 5 hours of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos and practice exercises.
| Provider | LinkedIn Learning |
| Instructor | Darrin Lile |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Workload | 19 hours |
| Enrollments | 2.6K |
| Certificate | Paid |
Fun Facts
- Lile is a 3D artist, instructor and course author.
- He specializes in character creation, motion capture, game dev, video and audio production and the Adobe Creative Suite.
If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.
7. Blender Character Creator for Video Games Design (Udemy)
My seventh pick for the best Blender online course is Blender Character Creator for Video Games Design on Udemy.
Do you want to become a 3D character artist? Then this is the course for you. This project-based course aimed towards beginners will teach you how to model your own video game characters in Blender. You’ll be able to create a complete character ready to be implemented into a video game that you can add to your portfolio.
What You’ll Learn
In this course, you’ll block out the basic shape of your character using a standard box modeling approach, use the sculpt tools to shape the broad level details of your character, and use the sculpt tools to add fine details to your character.
You’ll also texture paint your character to give it color and details, rig (add bones) to your character so that it can be animated, animate your character, and add your character into the Unity game engine if you like.
How You’ll Learn
The course is broken down into 13 sections. Each section involves about 1.5 to 2.5 hours of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos and readings. Downloadable resources are also provided.
| Provider | Udemy |
| Instructor | Rick Davidson, Grant Abbitt |
| Level | Beginner |
| Workload | 17 hours |
| Enrollments | 44K |
| Rating | 4.8/5.0 (6.3K) |
| Certificate | Paid |
If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.
8. Mantaflow Fluid Simulation Guide in Blender (Udemy)
My eighth pick for the best Blender online course is Mantaflow Fluid Simulation Guide in Blender on Udemy.
Mantaflow is an open-source fluid simulation framework. In other words, it is used to create realistic fluid flows in Blender. This course covers the basics of fluid simulation and applies that to simulate different kinds of motions of water under different situations. By the end of this course, you’ll see your water animations come to life.
What You’ll Learn
First, you’ll learn the basics of Blender, how it works, go through the domain and explore how every single setting and value affects the simulation.
Then, you’ll understand the different types of objects that can add to your simulation such as flow objects and obstacles guides, creating realistic water material, and ocean modifier.
Finally, you’ll learn about the rigid body simulation and how you can use it to interact with the fluid simulation, and how to create a realistic waterfall using Mantaflow.
How You’ll Learn
The course is broken down into 6 sections. Each section involves about 30 minutes to 1 hour of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos, readings and quizzes. Downloadable resources are also provided.
| Provider | Udemy |
| Instructor | Stephen Pearson |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Workload | 3-4 hours |
| Enrollments | 3.7K |
| Rating | 4.7/5.0 |
| Certificate | Paid |
Fun Facts
- Pearson is a 4.7 rated instructor with over 14.5K students on Udemy and 9 courses available on Blender.
- He also shares free tutorials on his YouTube channel, Blender Made Easy.
- Don’t forget to try out Pearson’s other course on Mantaflow, Mantaflow Fire & Smoke Simulation Guide in Blender.
If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.
9. Blender for Complete and Total Beginners (Udemy)
My ninth pick for the best Blender online course is Blender for Complete and Total Beginners on Udemy.
If you’re a complete beginner looking to learn the basics of and get started with Blender, then this course is for you. From the fundamentals of 3D art to the essential tools for 3D modeling, this course will make you confident in your 3D modeling skills by helping you build a fun pirate raft scene in Blender.
What You’ll Learn
In this course, you’ll cover the following topics:
- Common tools (subdividing, extruding, creating new geometry)
- Modifiers
- Materials (or shaders)
- Lighting
- Camera positioning
- Render engines (cycles and eevee)
How You’ll Learn
The course is broken down into 12 sections. Each section involves about 30 minutes to 1.5 hours of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos, readings and quizzes. Downloadable resources are also provided.
| Provider | Udemy |
| Instructor | Chris Plush |
| Level | Beginner |
| Workload | 6 hours |
| Enrollments | 4.5K |
| Rating | 4.8/5.0 (1.3K) |
| Certificate | Paid |
Fun Facts
- Plush has over 20 years of experience working with 3D art and animation.
- He has worked at the Blender Institute.
- His work and tutorials have been featured in many publications such as 3D World.
If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.
10. Blender Complete Beginner Tutorial Series (Ryan King Art)
My tenth pick for the best Blender online course is the free course Blender Complete Beginner Tutorial Series, offered by Ryan King Art on YouTube.
This completely free course for beginners will help you get up and running with Blender. You’ll learn the basics of Blender, from its interface and workspaces to modeling houses, environment, lighting, simulation and animation.
What You’ll Learn
In this course, you’ll learn basic navigation, shortcut keys, interface, workspaces, default startup, modeling a house, modeling the environment, finishing the modeling, basic lighting
basic materials, UV mapping and texturing, particle systems, cloth simulation, and animation and rendering.
How You’ll Learn
The course is broken down into 12 videos. Each video involves about 30 minutes to 1 hour of work. Concepts are taught through video lectures only. Useful links are also provided in the YouTube description of the course. Just click on Start Learning and go to Direct link.
| Channel | Ryan King Art |
| Provider | YouTube |
| Instructor | Ryan King |
| Level | Beginner |
| Workload | 6 hours |
| Certificate | Not available |
Fun Facts
- King is a 3D artist and filmmaker who creates Blender tutorials on his YouTube channel.
- He also sells 3d models and assets, tutorial courses, procedural materials, and other Blender related digital products.
- You can check out his portfolio here.
If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.
