Reviewing the CG Cookie’s course “DRAW! An Introduction to Blender’s Grease Pencil”

Blender’s Grease Pencil is a powerful tool that bridges the gap between 2D and 3D design, allowing artists to create stunning illustrations and animations within a 3D environment. Whether you are an aspiring digital illustrator or an experienced Blender user, mastering Grease Pencil can unlock new creative possibilities. In this guide, we will explore its features, the importance of structured learning, and how the CG Cookie course, “DRAW! An Introduction to Blender’s Grease Pencil,” can help you get started.

What are the student’s Reviews & Feedback?

The DRAW! Grease Pencil course has received high praise for its clear instruction and engaging lessons. Users have highlighted:

Easy-to-follow instructions, even for complete beginners.
Well-structured lessons that naturally progress from one topic to the next.
High-quality teaching style from Paul Caggegi.
Comprehensive coverage of Grease Pencil tools and features, making it accessible to all skill levels.
Interactive learning experience with practical exercises that reinforce concepts.
Engaging instructor who keeps lessons clear, enjoyable, and easy to understand. Encourages creativity by allowing students to experiment with different artistic styles and techniques.
Smooth learning curve, ensuring learners don’t feel overwhelmed but still gain valuable skills.
Helpful community support allows students to seek feedback and connect with other learners.

Some learners suggested that the animation section could be longer and include more advanced camera movement techniques. However, overall feedback is overwhelmingly positive, making this a must-try course for Blender users interested in 2D animation.

Some learners suggested that the animation section could be longer and include more advanced camera movement techniques. However, overall feedback is overwhelmingly positive, making this a must-try course for Blender users interested in 2D animation.

Final Thoughts: Why Learn Blender’s Grease Pencil?

Blender’s Grease Pencil is an invaluable tool for digital artists, enabling them to seamlessly blend 2D and 3D elements. Whether you’re interested in creating animations, illustrations, or concept sketches, mastering Grease Pencil can unlock endless creative possibilities.

By enrolling in the free CG Cookie course, learners can efficiently gain a solid foundation in Grease Pencil. This structured learning experience provides the necessary knowledge to create professional-quality digital art, eliminating the frustration of sifting through random tutorials.

Ready to get started? Check out “DRAW! An Introduction to Blender’s Grease Pencil” and elevate your Blender skills to the next level!

Why Choose this CG Cookie course?

Comprehensive and Well-Structured – Each course is carefully designed with a clear progression, ensuring learners build skills step by step without confusion.

Practical and Hands-On – The lessons focus on real-world applications, helping students gain practical experience and confidence in using Blender effectively.

Engaging and Well-Organized – With high-quality production and thoughtfully planned content, CG Cookie’s courses make learning both enjoyable and efficient.

Expert Instructors – Lessons are designed and taught by professionals with real-world experience.
Structured Learning Paths – Courses are built to take learners from beginner to advanced levels in a step-by-step manner.
Community Support – Users can engage with fellow learners, ask questions, and receive valuable feedback.

DRAW! An Introduction to Blender’s Grease Pencil

DRAW! An Introduction to Blender’s Grease Pencil is a free beginner-friendly course by Paul Caggegi that provides a solid introduction to Blender’s Grease Pencil tool. This course teaches users how to create 2D illustrations and animations while working inside a 3D space.

Course Breakdown

The course is divided into seven chapters, each focusing on different aspects of Grease Pencil:

Chapter 1 – Tools

Learn the essential components of a Grease Pencil object. Understand the interface, explore the drawing tools, and create simple sketches to familiarize yourself with the workspace.

Chapter 2 – Materials

Discover how materials work within Grease Pencil. Learn how to apply colours, adjust opacity, and use different blending modes to achieve specific artistic effects.

Chapter 3 – Brushes

Explore default brushes, modify them to suit your needs, and even create custom brushes for a unique drawing style. Learn about brush settings like stroke quality, pressure sensitivity, and textures.

Chapter 4 – Modifiers & Effects

Enhance your drawings with built-in modifiers and effects. Learn how to add depth, distortion, and artistic filters to create dynamic illustrations and animations.

Chapter 5 – Drawing in 3D Space

Understand how to position 2D drawings within a 3D environment. Master perspective and depth techniques to integrate Grease Pencil sketches seamlessly into a 3D scene.

Chapter 6 – Animation

Get hands-on experience animating with Grease Pencil. Learn how to create frame-by-frame animations and motion effects, using a simple lightning bolt effect as a practical example.

Chapter 7 – Final Project

Apply everything learned throughout the course by creating a full illustration, adding effects, and rendering a polished final image. This chapter ties all skills together into a complete project.

By completing this free course, learners earn 100 XP, which serves as an added motivation to progress through structured learning. The XP system gamifies the learning experience, encouraging users to engage fully with the content and practice their skills consistently. This makes it not just an educational experience but also a rewarding one. For 2D animators and illustrators, this provides a solid starting point, equipping them with the fundamental skills to confidently use Grease Pencil in Blender. With structured lessons and guided projects, learners don’t just watch tutorials but actively apply their knowledge, reinforcing what they’ve learned. Whether aspiring to create stunning digital illustrations or animate dynamic scenes, this course ensures a smooth transition into Blender’s Grease Pencil workflow, making it easier to integrate into larger projects and professional workspaces.

Why Choose a Structured Course Instead of Random Tutorials?

Many new artists begin their journey with random YouTube tutorials, but these often lack structure and leave gaps in knowledge. A structured course, like the one provided by CG Cookie, offers clear advantages:

Logical Progression – The course follows a structured path, with each lesson building upon the previous one. This ensures that learners develop a solid foundation before progressing to more advanced topics. By following a logical sequence, students avoid knowledge gaps and gain confidence as they advance.
Hands-on Projects – The course incorporates exercises and real-world projects that allow learners to apply what they have learned. Practising through guided projects reinforces concepts, helps retain information, and ensures learners can implement skills in their own creative work.
Clear Explanations – Instead of just demonstrating techniques, instructors explain why specific methods work. This deeper understanding helps learners grasp the reasoning behind different approaches, making it easier to troubleshoot issues and experiment confidently.
Updated Content—The course material is regularly updated to align with the latest Blender versions. This ensures that learners receive up-to-date instruction and avoid outdated techniques that may no longer be relevant or effective.

Instead of simply following disconnected tutorials, learners develop a strong foundation and gain practical experience using Blender’s Grease Pencil.

What is CG Cookie?

When CG Cookie was founded, the goal was to provide well-organized, high-quality courses for learning Blender. Mastering Blender takes time, patience, and practice, and CG Cookie ensures that learners have access to structured, thoughtfully designed lessons that guide them step by step. The courses are carefully planned to cover everything from the basics to advanced techniques, making it easier for students to follow along and build their skills effectively.

CG Cookie is More Than Learning, It’s Connection

CG Cookie offers well-organized, thoughtfully designed courses that guide learners step by step. Each lesson builds on the previous one, ensuring a smooth and structured learning experience.

Beyond tutorials, CG Cookie fosters a strong community where students can connect with instructors and peers, ask questions, and share progress. This supportive environment keeps learning engaging and motivating.

Unlike platforms with scattered tutorials, CG Cookie provides a clear learning path, making it easier for both beginners and experienced artists to master Blender effectively.