Daily Practice, Not Marathon Sessions
He worked 90 minutes every evening instead of spending entire weekends modeling. Consistency matters more than intensity when you're building muscle memory.
Real Tips from People Who Work in Game Animation
Learning 3D art takes time and patience. We've gathered practical advice from our team and recent graduates to help you avoid common mistakes and build skills that actually matter.
Updated for Spring 2025
Adriana Kollarova
Character Artist
I spent two months trying to learn everything at once when I started. Biggest mistake. Pick one specialty—environments, characters, props—and get good at that first. You can branch out later when you understand the foundations.
Helena Nemcova
Technical Animator
Nobody tells you that rigging is where the magic happens. Everyone wants to model cool characters, but understanding how they move? That's what gets you noticed. Learn the technical side even if you want to focus on art.
What Actually Helps When You're Learning
We asked our students and junior artists what advice they wish they'd heard earlier. Here's what came up most often.
Stop Following Every Tutorial
Tutorials are helpful at first, but you need to break away and struggle through problems yourself. That's when real learning happens—when you can't just copy someone else's solution.
Your First Portfolio Should Be Small
Three really polished pieces beat ten mediocre ones every time. Studios look at your best work, not your total output. Quality over quantity isn't just a saying here.
Join Communities Early
Being around other learners keeps you motivated when you hit frustrating moments. And you will hit frustrating moments. Having people to ask quick questions makes a huge difference.
How One Student Improved in Four Months
Martin joined our program in September 2024 with zero 3D experience. By January 2025, he had a portfolio piece that got him an internship interview. Here's what worked for him.
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Focused on One Software First
Instead of jumping between Blender, Maya, and ZBrush, he mastered Blender basics completely. You can learn other tools later once you understand core concepts.
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Asked for Critique Weekly
Every Friday he shared his progress in our feedback sessions. Getting regular input helped him spot bad habits before they became ingrained.
Building Your Learning Workflow
These aren't revolutionary secrets. They're just practical approaches that help you make steady progress without burning out or getting overwhelmed.
Study Reference Images First
Before you open your 3D software, spend time looking at how real objects are constructed. Understanding form in the real world makes modeling so much easier. Take photos, collect references, study lighting.
Set Small Weekly Goals
Don't aim to "learn character modeling" in a week. Instead, goal might be "model a simple hand" or "understand edge flow on curved surfaces." Small targets keep you moving forward without feeling lost.
Review Your Old Work Monthly
Go back and look at what you made a month ago. You'll spot improvements you didn't notice day-to-day. This helps when progress feels slow—because it always does when you're in the middle of learning.
Learn Keyboard Shortcuts Gradually
Memorizing every shortcut at once is overwhelming. Pick three shortcuts this week, use them until they're automatic, then add three more. Speed builds naturally over time through repetition.
Starting Point: What You Need Before Day One
You don't need a powerful computer or expensive software to start. But you do need realistic expectations and a plan. Here's what helps people stick with learning instead of quitting after three weeks.
Decent computer that can run Blender or similar software without crashing constantly
At least 5 hours per week you can dedicate to focused practice time
Willingness to feel confused and stuck sometimes—that's normal, not a sign you should quit
Patience to spend months on fundamentals before making anything impressive
Access to feedback from people who actually work in the field
