If you already know Blender’s interface, have spent time modelling or rendering, but have never dared to animate, this guide is for you. Animation often seems intimidating — filled with timing charts, keyframes, and complex graphs — but with the right course, it becomes one of the most enjoyable parts of 3D creation. This curated selection is tailored for creators who know Blender but are new to animation. It will take you from your first moving object to expressive, character-driven storytelling.
Why Learn Animation in Blender?
Blender is not just a 3D modelling program; it’s a complete animation suite. Learning to animate within Blender expands your creative capabilities, helping you tell stories, create character movement, and add personality to your designs. Whether your goal is short films, product animations, or expressive storytelling, mastering animation in Blender brings your creations to life.
Top Blender Animation Courses and Tutorials for Beginners List:
Here are some of the most recommended courses and tutorials for beginners who already understand Blender’s basics. Each entry includes its main strengths, potential drawbacks, and cost information.
Alive! Animation Course in Blender
This in-depth and professionally produced course with over 30 hours of content is by P2Design Academy (Aka Pierrick Picaut). The course covers posing, timing, body mechanics, and advanced animation workflows.
Read more: Alive! Animation Course in Blender by P2Design Academy
PROS: Extensive content and professional rig; lifetime access. Pierrick Picaut is a pro animator with many years of experience
CONS: Premium pricing; can feel dense for absolute beginners.
COST: Paid, $89 + VAT (one-time).
Blender Animation Bootcamp
This course by CG Cookie teaches classical animation principles through Blender’s tools, from bouncing balls to expressive character animation. Ideal for those comfortable with the Blender interface who want to grasp motion and timing. CG Cookie has many other courses included in the subscription. Read more: Animation Bootcamp Course by CG Cookie.
PROS: Excellent explanation of animation principles; strong project focus.
CONS: Subscription required; assumes prior Blender experience.
COST: Subscription (CG Cookie).
Blender Basics for Animators
Tailored for animators rather than general modellers, this course by TOAnimate streamlines Blender’s interface for motion work, perfect for learners intimidated by too many tools. TOAnimate also have an in-depth course in animation.
Read more: Blender Basics for Animators by TOAnimate.
PROS: Simple, direct, and beginner-friendly; lifetime access. Teachers are professionals with many years of experience.
CONS: Short duration and cost.
COST: $234.
Blender Animation Course
A compact, project-based course that helps beginners create short, story-driven animations using Blender. Excellent structure and lifetime access.
Read more: Blender Animation Course by Bloop Animation
PROS: Strong storytelling focus; well-paced lessons.
CONS: Not free; assumes some comfort with Blender navigation.
COST: Paid, around $97 (one-time).
CORE | Fundamentals of Animation in Blender (CG Cookie)
A gentle but thorough introduction to movement, spacing, and timing inside Blender. This course helps modellers transition into animators, focusing on practical exercises that build confidence step by step.
Pros: Clear progression, short lessons, and professional instruction.
Cons: Requires a CG Cookie subscription; covers only fundamentals.
Cost: Subscription (CG Cookie).
Make Your 3D Characters Run in Blender (CG Cookie)
A project-based course that guides learners through walk and run cycles, focusing on realism and rhythm. Perfect as a follow-up to the Bootcamp.
Pros: Hands-on project; focused on practical application.
Cons: Shorter in scope; assumes familiarity with rigs.
Cost: Subscription (CG Cookie).
Free Blender Animation Tutorials (SouthernShotty)
A collection of fun, creative tutorials that introduce key animation concepts through short projects. Great for independent learners who enjoy experimenting.
Pros: Free and approachable; visually engaging style.
Cons: Lacks structured progression found in full courses.
Cost: Free (YouTube).
Fundamentals of 3D Animation (Dikko)
A humorous yet professional YouTube series covering anticipation, timing, and acting principles using Blender. A great visual learning resource.
Pros: Entertaining teaching style; solid theoretical grounding.
Cons: No formal course structure; self-paced.
Cost: Free (YouTube).
CG Boost Free Blender Beginner Course
Covers Blender’s fundamentals — navigation, modelling, and interface — giving users a comfortable foundation before learning animation.
Pros: Comprehensive beginner coverage; good production quality.
Cons: Not focused purely on animation.
Cost: Free.
CORE | Body Mechanics (CG Cookie)
Explores advanced motion such as balance, weight, and physical realism. A natural continuation of CG Cookie’s fundamentals and bootcamp courses.
Pros: Focuses on realism and advanced body control.
Cons: Best for intermediate users; not a starting point.
Cost: Subscription (CG Cookie).
Animation Fundamentals for Blender Artists (Default Cube)
Explains traditional animation theory through Blender examples. Perfect for learners who appreciate concise, theory-focused instruction.
Pros: Compact, clear, and easy to follow.
Cons: No guided projects; purely instructional.
Cost: Free (YouTube).
Stylised Animation for Beginners (Curtis Holt)
Covers creative and stylised approaches to animation, blending technical understanding with artistic direction.
Pros: Encourages experimentation; well-paced explanations.
Cons: Intermediate-level focus; limited beginner repetition.
Cost: Free (YouTube).
Animating a Short Scene in Blender (Blender Studio)
Created by the Blender Foundation, this free series walks through animating a short cinematic sequence from start to finish.
Pros: Official Blender content; professional workflow insight.
Cons: Requires time commitment; assumes basic Blender fluency.
Cost: Free.
Final Thoughts on this list of Best Blender Animation Courses for Beginners
Learning animation can feel like stepping into a new discipline, but with these courses, it becomes a guided, creative process. Each one offers a structured path from the basics to more advanced motion, helping you turn still images into dynamic, expressive sequences. Start small, stay consistent, and enjoy the process — every great animator once began exactly where you are now.
Have we missed any great courses to learn animation in Blender?
We’d love to hear from you. Please send your suggestions or recommendations to our email address editor@3dblendered.com so we can keep the list of Best Blender Animation Courses for Beginners current and valuable for the community.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the course links in this article may be affiliate links. If you decide to enrol using them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This supports our editorial work and helps us continue providing honest, independent recommendations.