The donuts, the first things i created ever on Blender
Recently, I’ve returned to experimenting with Blender, a tool I first began using around four years ago, just as the pandemic began. For me, Blender has always been a hobby, a creative outlet rather than a professional endeavor. If you're interested, you can check out my Pixelfed profile linked in the sidebar, where I upload the things I create. I’m more focused on the process of creating than on gaining recognition, so feel free to use any of my artwork, as long as you credit me.
Before this current iteration of A Ton of Cows, I ran another website where I shared my knowledge base, including a detailed Blender roadmap for beginners. Unfortunately, I had to delete the site (probably due to server issues, i can't remember), and while I salvaged some content, I lost the majority of it. I intended to post the Blender guide here, but sadly, I realized I had only copied part of it, and the Wayback Machine didn’t capture it. So, I think it’s gone for good.
Rather than rewriting the entire guide from scratch, which would be difficult given that I don’t recall every detail and it was pretty lenghty, I’ve outlined the core points of the original guide below:
1. Get Blender
Visit Blender.org to download the software, it's free and open-source. Windows users can also find it on the Microsoft Store or Steam. On Linux, I recommend downloading it directly from the website, as the package from your package manager is often outdated.
2. Follow the Donut Tutorial
Start with Andrew Price's Donut Tutorial series. There are many beginner tutorials out there that are also good ones, but i particularly recommend this one, is a classic, and it’s where many, including myself, first learned Blender.
3. Create Your Own Donut
After completing the tutorial, try making a donut on your own without referencing the video. This will help solidify what you’ve learned. If you get stuck, feel free to refer back to the tutorial, but challenge yourself to work independently first. Keep practicing until you can make a donut from memory.
4. Explore More Tutorials
After mastering the donut, search for additional beginner tutorials to learn how to create different objects. The Blender GUI is packed with features, so it’s essential to explore all its potential. Try a few different tutorials, and then challenge yourself to recreate what you've learned without looking at the videos.
"Game Over" Piece created in mid 2022
5. Start Making Your Own Creations
Although it’s tempting to follow more tutorials, I recommend shifting towards making things independently. Start with simple, real-world objects that you can easily reference, like a thumb drive, a cup, or a soda can. This will help you practice the skills you've learned while keeping the process enjoyable. Don’t worry if things don’t turn out perfectly at first—just keep experimenting.
6. Build a Bigger Scene
Once you’re comfortable with individual objects, challenge yourself by creating a larger scene. It doesn’t have to be complex, but it should include multiple elements, different textures, and a variety of features. For example, try modeling your desk, part of a street, or even a storefront. One of my early scenes was The Music Club Room from the anime K-On!
7. Keep Pushing Your Boundaries
By this stage, you’ll have a good understanding of your strengths and weaknesses in 3D modeling. The next step is to continue challenging yourself to improve. Several subreddits, websites, and communities offer daily modeling prompts that you can use to inspire new projects. You could work on something for a week or try a daily challenge. You can also check past Inktober challenges for additional inspiration.
8. Seek Feedback
Even if you feel confident in your skills, getting feedback is invaluable. It can be hard to assess your own work, so sharing your models with other artists or joining 3D modeling communities on forums, subreddits, or Discord can help you see areas for improvement. While friends and family may be supportive, they might not give the most constructive criticism, so it's important to seek out other artists' perspectives.
9. Find Your Niche
By now, you’ll likely feel more confident with Blender. You can choose to remain a generalist, working on a variety of 3D projects, or you may want to specialize in one area, such as animation, texturing, sculpting, or shader creation. There are plenty of tutorials for these specialized fields, so you can deepen your skills in a particular aspect of 3D modeling.
10. Never Stop Having Fun
No matter whether you’re using Blender as a hobby, to test your skills, or as a stepping stone to a potential career in 3D art, it’s crucial to maintain a playful attitude throughout the learning process. Don’t be afraid to fail, start over, or take a break when necessary. The key is to enjoy the journey and learn from your mistakes.
"Magical Terrarium" First creation of 2025
Having a creative outlet is incredibly fulfilling, and for me, learning 3D modeling turned out to be more accessible than traditional drawing (I didn't had any experience in 3D before of trying it out). Blender’s intuitive interface and powerful tools made the process enjoyable, and I was constantly amazed by the results of my efforts. It’s this combination of ease of use and rewarding outcomes that kept me coming back to it. If you’re looking for a way to express your creativity or pick up a new skill, Blender might just be the perfect place to start.
