10 Best 3D Sculpting Courses and Certifications Online

3D sculpting courses have become increasingly popular among digital artists, designers, and animators. With the advancement of technology, it has become easier to learn and master the art of 3D sculpting. There are numerous online courses available that cater to different skill levels and requirements. In this article, we will explore the top three 3D sculpting courses that are widely recognized for their quality content and efficient teaching methods. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these courses will provide you with the necessary tools and techniques to enhance your 3D sculpting skills.

Here’s a look at the Best 3D Sculpting Courses and Certifications Online and what they have to offer for you!

10 Best 3D Sculpting Courses and Certifications Online

1. The Ultimate Blender 3D Sculpting Course by Alex Cordebard (Udemy) (Our Best Pick)

The Ultimate Blender 3D Sculpting Course is a comprehensive course that teaches the fundamentals of 3D sculpting using the popular program, Blender. The course is project-based, guiding students through four different sculpting projects, starting with the basics and progressing to more advanced techniques. The curriculum covers the entire sculpting workflow, including anatomy, retopology, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, and animation.

The course begins with an introduction to Blender and teaches students how to navigate the program and manipulate objects. The first sculpting project focuses on the basics, including the use of different brushes and settings, retopology, unwrapping, texture baking, and animation. The second project explores asymmetrical sculpting, the anatomy of creatures, texturing, scars, and imperfections, and rigging. The third project is the most complex, covering the anatomy of the human body, sculpting a demon minotaur, and creating a final scene with rigging and animation. The fourth project guides students through sculpting a female character, including clothes, hair, and other features.

The course contains over 35 hours of content and over 130 video lectures, making it a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. The curriculum is designed to build on each project, allowing students to apply their skills and knowledge as they progress. Students will finish the course with the confidence and know-how to create their own projects and sculptures, from idea to finished product. The course also includes a bonus section on hard surface sculpting techniques.

Overall, The Ultimate Blender 3D Sculpting Course is a complete and thorough course on 3D sculpting using Blender. With project-based learning and comprehensive curriculum, students will emerge with the skills and knowledge necessary to create their own characters and animations.

2. Sculpting Props for 3D Printing Using zBrush 2020 & Blender by Digital Art HQ School (Udemy)

The course “Sculpting Props for 3D Printing Using zBrush 2020 & Blender” is offered by Digital Art HQ School and aims to teach students the tools and concepts necessary to create models for 3D printing using Blender and zBrush 2020. The course begins with a short description and a long description that emphasizes the difficulty and time-consuming nature of learning this skill on one’s own. The instructor promises to make the learning process easier by providing detailed video tutorials that cover all aspects of creating a model suitable for 3D printing.

Throughout the course, students are guided through the process of creating rigs from start to finish. The instructor starts with a concept art image and some references and concludes with prepared models that can be sliced and 3D printed. Students will be working on a series of models for a modular dungeon that can be 3D printed in Resin and Filament (FDM, SLA, DLP Printers). The course covers tips and shortcuts that can accelerate the workflow and help students understand the fundamentals of 3D modeling and sculpting.

The instructor assures students that they will have access to assistance throughout the course. If they encounter any issues, they can send a message for help. By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of creating 3D models for 3D printing. The course includes an Introduction section, Blocking section, Sculpting section, and a fourth section that is not specified. Overall, this course provides valuable guidance for anyone interested in learning the tools and concepts of creating models for 3D printing using Blender and zBrush 2020.

3. 3d Coat Sculpture Modelling, Retopo , UVs and Paint by Scott Turner (Udemy)

This course, titled “3d Coat Sculpture Modelling, Retopo, UVs and Paint,” is taught by Scott Turner and aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the powerful 3D Coat software.

The course begins with an introduction, followed by a section on modelling and sculpting. Students will learn how to block out volumes, refine, detail, and ultimately retopo the model. The course also covers UVs in 3D Coat and painting techniques.

The focus of the course is on modelling a cartoon crocodile from scratch, which serves as a great introduction to the software and allows students to learn all the important processes. By the end of the course, students will have gained a solid understanding of 3D Coat and its capabilities.

Overall, this course is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to master the powerful 3D Coat software. Each section is broken down into manageable steps, allowing students to follow along and practice as they go.

4. Hard Surface Modeling and Sculpting Course in 3D Coat by Scott Turner (Udemy)

The Hard Surface Modeling and Sculpting Course in 3D Coat is an introductory tutorial that teaches robot modeling and sculpting using hard surface techniques for 3D look development. The course explores the powerful 3D Coat, which is recommended for those who have wanted to explore 3D but have been confused about which program to learn. The course content consists of six sections, which include part building, surface form development, create details, chest refinements, flexible design, and finalize structure and form.

Several current students have provided positive feedback regarding the course, stating that it is an “excellent course” with “highly relevant content” and that it is “truly awesome.” The instructor’s teaching style is engaging and informative, making it easy to listen to the lectures repeatedly. Students have also found the course to be a creative way of learning new methods for designing complex shapes and have expressed gratitude for opening their eyes to the possibilities of 3D Coat.

The course begins with an overview of various tools used to create 3D forms, with a focus on select few that make it easy to go from zero to hero. The instructor then delves into deeper issues that may be encountered when using certain tools, such as memory overload and global space issues, that can ruin a project if not addressed properly. The series is project-based, with the instructor explaining his process and providing examples of how inspiration can change the direction of a model to great success.

The instructor believes that 3D Coat is a special program that is extremely flexible and forgiving, allowing for complete fluidity when working. While Z Brush gets all the press, 3D Coat is a secret weapon of choice for many professionals who have been committed to 3D for 20 years. The program is highly recommended for anyone interested in improving the quality of their work while reducing frustration.

5. Introduction to Digital Sculpting in Sculptris by Gary Groves (Udemy)

Introduction to Digital Sculpting in Sculptris is a course offered by Gary Groves that teaches participants how to create 3D models for animation, games, and 3D printing. The course is designed to provide an intuitive and enjoyable approach to 3D modeling, which can be used by anyone to bring their ideas to life.

Throughout the course, participants will learn about digital sculpting using Sculptris software, which is a free and user-friendly 3D sculpting package developed by Pixologic. The software’s features and capabilities will be thoroughly explored through a series of concise videos.

The course is suitable for individuals who have no prior experience in 3D modeling, as key concepts will be introduced during the course. It is also beneficial for experienced users of traditional 3D modeling packages, such as 3DS Max, Maya, or Blender, as the digital sculpting workflow can offer new possibilities for 3D work.

Upon completion of the course, participants will have the ability to create their own 3D models from scratch, make complex models with many different component parts, add painted color and surface details to their models, and export their models for use with other programs such as Unity.

This course is designed to prepare participants to enter the world of digital sculpting and bring their creative ideas to life without limitations. The course includes comprehensive sections on introduction, sculpting, working with multiple objects, painting, exporting for other applications, and additional information.

6. Sculpt a 3D printable Skeleton model in Zbrush by Christian McNachtan, Joshua O’Hala (Udemy)

The “Sculpt a 3D printable Skeleton model in Zbrush” course, instructed by Christian McNachtan and Joshua O’Hala, is designed for beginners who want to learn to create professional-grade 3D models fit for 3D printing and sales. The course is created with the absolute first-timer in mind and teaches complex features of Zbrush that may be unknown to advanced users.

In this course, lead 3D modeler Joshua O’Hala guides the students through the professional production pipeline of recreating the exact skeleton model sold to consumers. The course covers various aspects of Zbrush, including navigating the software, adding simple geometry, importing reference images, sculpting accurately, using specialized brushes, and much more.

The course is divided into different sections, with each section covering a specific part of the skeleton, such as skull, ribcage, pelvis, arms, legs, hands, feet, spine, and more. The lessons learned are reinforced as Josh guides the students through creating the entire skeleton model. The course also teaches how to pose the skeleton to create many variation models, optimize the model for 3D printing, and make it 3D printable.

The course is available on YouTube, where interested individuals can find examples of the models and tutorials. The course is suitable for beginners who want to learn to create professional-grade 3D models using Zbrush.

7. Hard Surface Fantasy Female Character Sculpting in Zbrush by Victory3D LLC (Udemy)

The Hard Surface Fantasy Female Character Sculpting in Zbrush course is offered by Victory3D LLC and is taught by Pierre Rogers, a freelance artist with many years of experience in hardsurface character design. The course is designed to teach students how to sculpt a hardsurface female character using Zbrush and Photoshop.

The course instructor, Pierre Rogers, has had much of his work featured in various publications such as 3D Creative Magazine, 3D Artist Magazine, CGTuts+, Digital Tutors, and Pluralsight. He advises new artists to continue learning and challenging themselves and emphasizes the importance of taking breaks and engaging in other activities outside of art to enrich one’s work.

During the course, students will create the Mother Drive character, which is an organic android hybrid interface developed to manage millions of landscaping drones and cultivate wildlife for peak eco standards. The course will cover important industry hardsurface methods and workflow in Zbrush, as well as a variety of techniques for painting the character to set the mood and enhance her persona.

The course is divided into five sections, including Introduction, Interface and Project Setup, Hardsurface Sculpting, Tweaks and Painting, and Posing, Rendering, and Compositing. By the end of the course, students will be able to produce their own portfolio-ready character.

The course description encourages students to move fast and not waste time deciding if they deserve to get real results in their journey as a 3D artist. It also emphasizes the importance of upgrading skills and never settling for less. Interested students can enroll at Victory3D.

8. Dragon Concept in Zbrush by Nicolas Swijngedau (Udemy)

The Dragon Concept in Zbrush course, taught by Nicolas Swijngedau, is a step-by-step tutorial on creature sculpting in Zbrush and Photoshop. The tutorial covers the full sculpting process, as well as rendering and compositing of the final image. The course is designed to be easy to follow, making it perfect for beginners and intermediate users looking to improve their sculpting skills and workflow.

As a thank-you for trying out the tutorial, students will receive the Dragon VDM Brush part 01 for free. This brush contains 40 hand-sculpted dragon detail brushes, all contained within one Multi-Alpha brush, and is perfect for speeding up dragon creation in Zbrush 2018 or above versions.

The course is divided into two sections. The first section is the tutorial itself, which covers basic setup, blockout, detailing, rendering, and compositing. The second section is the Dragon VDM Brush, which is designed for use with Zbrush 2018 or above.

The required softwares for the course are Zbrush 2019 (although the course can be completed with any version of Zbrush) and Photoshop CC 2019. The course content includes an introduction and the process of making the dragon.

9. Realistic Dagger Game Asset Creation in Blender by Victory3D LLC (Udemy)

The Realistic Dagger Game Asset Creation in Blender course offered by Victory3D LLC teaches students how to create a high-quality prop using Blender, Marmoset Toolbag, Substance Painter, and Photoshop. The course instructor, Emiel Sleegers, is an experienced environment artist who has contributed to the development of AAA games such as Forza Horizon 3 and The Division 2.

The course focuses on providing students with an in-depth understanding of how professional game props are created in AAA game studios. Students will learn how to create a high poly and low poly asset inside Blender, followed by creating the uv’s of the low poly dagger.

Students will also learn about optimizing assets for Marmoset Toolbag, where they will create texture maps for the asset. The course covers the process of baking the asset, along with techniques for fixing any baking issues.

After creating a clean bake, students will move on to producing the final texture using Substance Painter. The course covers multiple topics inside Substance Painter, such as creating normal map details, creating base materials, and adding details quickly and accurately.

Finally, students will learn how to create impressive image renders that can be used for their own work and represented in their portfolio. The course is designed to help students achieve their goals in game asset creation by investing in education and making necessary sacrifices.

The Realistic Dagger Game Asset Creation in Blender course is divided into five sections, covering Introduction, Creating the Grip of Our Knife, Creating Our Blade and Scabbard, Low Poly and Unwrapping, Baking and Texturing, and Polishing.

10. Learn ZBrush: Easy & Fun Character 3D Sculpt Modeling by Cody Scites (Udemy)

Course Title: Learn ZBrush: Easy & Fun Character 3D Sculpt Modeling Course
Instructors: Cody Scites
Course Short Description: The Basics of ZBrush – Stylized Chick Modeling and Surfacing for Beginners
Course Long Description:

The Learn ZBrush: Easy & Fun Character 3D Sculpt Modeling Course, instructed by Cody Scites, offers a comprehensive tutorial for beginners interested in learning the basics of ZBrush. The course is designed to make the program as accessible as possible, covering all major elements and functions of ZBrush.

The course highlights various topics, which include an overview and workflow of ZBrush, elements of character design and visual language, and major sculpting operations. The ultimate goal of the course is to provide a dynamic creation tool that can be used to create a sculpted model from start to finish inside of the program.

The course aims to guide participants through the process of creating a model from scratch, including how to introduce character design elements early on. The course covers the entire life span of a model and provides insights into reaching a point of acceptable completion. As a beginner, it is important to learn how to achieve better results with your work, and this course is designed to help achieve that.

The course is divided into different sections, including an introductory opening section that covers getting feet wet, the user-interface, and project workflow. The course offers a comprehensive design tutorial for one of the most powerful 3D software packages to date.

Overall, Learn ZBrush: Easy & Fun Character 3D Sculpt Modeling Course provides an all-inclusive tutorial for beginners interested in learning the basics of ZBrush. The course equips participants with the necessary tools to create sculpted models using ZBrush, and it is designed to be as accessible as possible.