http://lynda.com/tutorial/87088 

This course provides an overview of modeling, animating, and rendering 3D graphics in the open-source software Blender. Beginning with a tour of the Blender interface, author George Maestri shows how to create and edit basic objects, work with modifiers and subdivision surfaces, and apply materials and textures. The course also demonstrates lighting 3D scenes, setting up and using cameras, animating objects, and assembling basic character rigs.

Topics include:

Navigating in 3D space
Selecting, rotating, and scaling objects
Using Snap to move objects precisely
Creating mesh primitives and extrusions
Subdividing meshes
Creating a simple creature
Joining mesh objects and stitching vertices
Organizing a scene with layers, groups, and hierarchies
Assigning glossy and reflective materials to objects
Creating bump maps
Creating sky and ambient light
Understanding ambient occlusion
Adding motion blur and depth of field
Editing animation in the Graph Editor
Building and animating a simple character