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My Beginner Journey Learning 3D Art & Character Sculpting in Blender
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items The exact steps, tutorials, and channels I used when I first started learning 3D character modeling from scratch. This list is a completely open community space for discussions, so please drop a comment below sharing your own experiences, tips, or wh...
okay so when I first opened blender I was completely confused by the interface, but I was specifically obsessed with character modeling. obviously, like everyone else on the internet, I ran straight to the viral blender donut tutorial. finishing that...
Step 1: Running Straight to the Viral Donut Tutorial
after the donut, I skipped standard hard-surface modeling and went straight into sculpting tutorials because characters were my main goal. I stumbled across Kenny on YouTube and his sculpting videos are absolute gold for beginners. he explains form a...
Step 2: Pivoting Straight to Sculpting Tutorials with Kenny
kenny actually has an entire masterclass that goes super deep into character art. I’m still a beginner so I haven’t finished the full masterclass yet, but it’s definitely on my immediate roadmap. learning 3D is a marathon, not a sprint!
Step 3: Tackling the Masterclass (Work in Progress!)
literal life saver tip for beginners: you are going to be rotating around your 3D viewports and pulling mesh brushes for hours. do not try to do this on a laptop trackpad!! I upgraded to this gorgeous tofu white wireless mouse and it made my sculptin...
Step 4: The Ultimate 3D Viewport Navigation Tool
okay now I want to hear from you guys!! since I'm still learning, let's turn this list into a community discussion. drop a comment below and tell me: what was the first thing you modeled in blender? what channels or masterclasses helped you the most ...
Step 5: Open Discussion Hub — Let's Chat!
if you want to focus strictly on character sculpting, yan is another amazing creator to follow. his speed-sculpting videos and breakdown of face proportions make character design feel so much less intimidating fr
YanSculpts YouTube Channel
his tutorials on how to sculpt stylized hair and eyes are legendary. he makes the most frustrating parts of character design super clear and beginner-friendly.
Danny Mac 3D YouTube Channel
seriously, do not skip learning your quick hotkeys (G for grab, S for scale, R for rotate). once they become muscle memory, your focus can completely shift to the art itself. found this cheatsheet on pinterest from sk studio
Master the basic navigation hotkeys first
an absolute rookie mistake is trying to sculpt a character face entirely from your head. create a quick mood board of concept sketches or anatomy sheets to look at while you work!
How to ACTUALLY Collect Reference (as a 3D Artist)
when you first start blocking out a character's head, don't add millions of vertices right away. keep it blocky and simple first, then dynotopo or remesh to add fine details later!
Keep your initial mesh low-poly
you are going to be slapping hotkeys all night long while modeling, so upgrading to a creamy, smooth mechanical keyboard makes the entire workflow feel so satisfying and comfortable
MechLands Halo98 Silent Office Keyboard w/Numpad, Light Box, Screen & Knob | 3 Modes Wireless for Office/Home/PC Game, Creamy Membrane Keyboard with 5000mAh Battery, RGB Backlits, Shine Through Keycaps
gives your wrist a smooth, premium surface while you drag your sculpting brush across the viewport. plus it keeps your workspace looking completely clean and aesthetic.
YSAGi Leather Desk Pad Protector, Office Desk Mat, Large Mouse Pad, Non-Slip PU Leather Desk Blotter, Laptop Desk Pad, Waterproof Desk Writing Pad for Office and Home (Grayish Lavender, 23.6" x 13.8")
if you are obsessed with cute, low-poly isometric rooms and miniature pastel props, you need to follow this channel ASAP. the tutorials are so relaxing and perfect for beginners who want to build a cozy, stylized scene
9meetrd YouTube Channel
her tutorials on how to create dreamlike stylized textures and warm, glowing lighting setups are absolute art. she makes the technical side of blender feel so comforting and easy to understand
Lana Easteregg
another amazing creator who does super cute, stylized claymation-style characters and cozy worlds in Blender! his tutorials on how to make your 3D models look like real tactile toys are so fun to follow.
SouthernShotty YouTube Channel