1^st lesson free

David

5 (7 reviews)

Rate $125
Response 2h
Students
Number of students David has taught since their arrival at Superprof
19
Number of students David has taught since their arrival at Superprof

5 (7 reviews)

$125/h

1^st lesson free

3D Modeling
Game Art Design
Autodesk Maya
Blender
Pixologic Zbrush

Award Winning Maya / Blender / ZBrush Tutor. College Professor with 20 years experience.

Name: David
Address: San Diego, US
Telephone: undefined
Price range: $125

3D Modeling
Game Art Design
Autodesk Maya
Blender
Pixologic Zbrush

Lesson location

- online

Super Prof

David is one of our best 3D Modeling tutors. They have a high-quality profile, verified qualifications, a quick response time, and great reviews from students!

About David

I have a strong passion for 3D design, and I'm currently assisting students in various 3D software applications such as Maya, Z-Brush, Blender, Substance Painter, Procreate, and Figure Drawing / Life Drawing. With two decades of experience, I have been teaching Autodesk Maya and Pixologic ZBrush at the college level. I'm currently teaching at the Laguna College Art + Design in Laguna Beach, CA. I've also had the privilege of working with the Digital Media Academy, where I taught Maya and ZBrush to a diverse range of learners, from high school students to fellow instructors. Since 2006, I've been providing one-on-one tutoring to students.

My dedication to teaching was recognized in 2010 when I was awarded "Teacher of the Year" at my college. Two years later, I received a global honor, being named "CG and VFX Instructor of the Year" by Digital Tutors.

My expertise lies in various aspects of 3D modeling, including high and low-poly modeling, UV mapping, texturing, rigging, materials, rendering, lighting, dynamics, and animation.

Beyond my teaching role, I have a wealth of practical experience in the field. I have contributed to projects like "The Order 1886" for Playstation 4, where I was responsible for character posing and lighting. Additionally, I worked as a character modeler, texture artist, and rigger for Gemvara. My portfolio also includes modeling, lighting, and rendering work for numerous iPhone and iPad apps, independent games, product visualizations, and I'm proud to have one of the top-rated online 3D libraries globally. I've been immersed in Maya since 2002, steadily honing my skills, and although I consider myself a generalist, my true passion lies in modeling.

About the lesson

I reside in San Diego, California, and all my tutoring sessions are conducted online (Maya, Blender, Zbrush, Substance Painter, Procreate etc). When you reach out to me, I will provide you with a link to my calendar, enabling you to choose a convenient time slot that suits your schedule. Once you've selected a suitable time, I will send you a link that will facilitate our virtual connection. For my drawing sessions, I utilize Procreate and share my iPad screen for an interactive experience. All payments are through PayPal.

Review

All of our reviews are collected by us and are 100% reliable. They correspond to a real experience lived by students with David.

5 (7 reviews)

Nick
- 5
Perfect! David is an outstanding tutor! I came to him with no experience in Blender and a very specific skill set I needed to learn for my project. He not only tailored his lessons to my exact needs but also helped me achieve results much faster than I anticipated. His deep knowledge of Blender, Maya, and ZBrush, combined with his ability to teach complex concepts in a clear and approachable way, made all the difference. Highly recommended for anyone looking to learn 3D design at any level!
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Nick

Perfect! David is an outstanding tutor! I came to him with no experience in Blender and a very specific skill set I needed to learn for my project. He not only tailored his lessons to my exact needs but also helped me achieve results much faster than I anticipated. His deep knowledge of Blender, Maya, and ZBrush, combined with his ability to teach complex concepts in a clear and approachable way, made all the difference. Highly recommended for anyone looking to learn 3D design at any level!

David's response
Absolutely positive experience working with Nick! He reached out for assistance with a very specific task, and from the start, it was clear he was focused and determined to improve his workflow. Nick is always on time, making collaboration smooth and efficient. He has a great ability to grasp new information quickly, which allowed him to implement suggestions right away and streamline his processes. It's been a pleasure working with someone so proactive and attentive to detail. Highly recommend!
- David's response :
  Absolutely positive experience working with Nick! He reached out for assistance with a very specific task, and from the start, it was clear he was focused and determined to improve his workflow. Nick is always on time, making collaboration smooth and efficient. He has a great ability to grasp new information quickly, which allowed him to implement suggestions right away and streamline his processes. It's been a pleasure working with someone so proactive and attentive to detail. Highly recommend!
E

Ena
- 5
Perfect! I started working with David when I was faced with a project that required abstract representation of a memory. Having zero knowledge of Maya and very limited 3d experience, I was very much in trouble. From the onset, David offered clear, concise explanations that made complex 3D modeling and animation concepts easy to understand. His ability to explain the program in a clear and approachable manner has allowed me to grasp not only the "how" but also the "why" behind every technique. Further, in all classes, David has been patient, adaptive, and genuinely enthusiastic about my progress. If you're searching for a Maya tutor who is both knowledgeable and committed to your success, I highly recommend you work with David.
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E

Ena

Perfect! I started working with David when I was faced with a project that required abstract representation of a memory. Having zero knowledge of Maya and very limited 3d experience, I was very much in trouble. From the onset, David offered clear, concise explanations that made complex 3D modeling and animation concepts easy to understand. His ability to explain the program in a clear and approachable manner has allowed me to grasp not only the "how" but also the "why" behind every technique. Further, in all classes, David has been patient, adaptive, and genuinely enthusiastic about my progress. If you're searching for a Maya tutor who is both knowledgeable and committed to your success, I highly recommend you work with David.

David's response
Working with Ena has been a great experience! She came to the table with an abstract concept and was incredibly open to learning new skills and approaches to bring her ideas to life. Ena is receptive, curious, and willing to ask questions to deepen her understanding. Her positive attitude and eagerness to learn make her a joy to collaborate with. It's clear that she's dedicated to mastering new concepts, and I look forward to seeing how she continues to grow. Highly recommend working with her!
- David's response :
  Working with Ena has been a great experience! She came to the table with an abstract concept and was incredibly open to learning new skills and approaches to bring her ideas to life. Ena is receptive, curious, and willing to ask questions to deepen her understanding. Her positive attitude and eagerness to learn make her a joy to collaborate with. It's clear that she's dedicated to mastering new concepts, and I look forward to seeing how she continues to grow. Highly recommend working with her!
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Recommendations

Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher

B

Brian

David is an excellent teacher who made learning Maya and ZBrush both engaging and accessible. His deep knowledge and clear explanations helped me grasp complex concepts quickly. He was always patient and supportive, creating a great learning environment. I highly recommend his classes to anyone serious about 3D modeling.
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Brian
David is an excellent teacher who made learning Maya and ZBrush both engaging and accessible. His deep knowledge and clear explanations helped me grasp complex concepts quickly. He was always patient and supportive, creating a great learning environment. I highly recommend his classes to anyone serious about 3D modeling.
P

Perla

I was a student of David’s on a ZBrush course. I was very intimidated when I first started but David made it so easy to learn and follow along, not to mention it gave me a love for the program I didn’t think I would end up having! Thank you David!!
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Perla
I was a student of David’s on a ZBrush course. I was very intimidated when I first started but David made it so easy to learn and follow along, not to mention it gave me a love for the program I didn’t think I would end up having! Thank you David!!
R

Ryan

David is a reliable and professional drawing tutor who always comes prepared and creates a supportive learning environment. His clear guidance and constructive feedback make lessons both enjoyable and effective. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to improve their drawing skills.
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Ryan
David is a reliable and professional drawing tutor who always comes prepared and creates a supportive learning environment. His clear guidance and constructive feedback make lessons both enjoyable and effective. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to improve their drawing skills.
S

Sarah

David is an outstanding instructor who has a true gift for making complex 3D software easy to understand. His teaching style is clear, patient, and engaging, breaking down difficult concepts into simple, manageable steps. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, David ensures you grasp the fundamentals while also guiding you toward professional-level techniques. His passion for teaching and deep knowledge of the industry make learning both fun and rewarding. If you want to master 3D software without feeling overwhelmed, David is the perfect tutor. Highly recommended!
Read more

S
Sarah
David is an outstanding instructor who has a true gift for making complex 3D software easy to understand. His teaching style is clear, patient, and engaging, breaking down difficult concepts into simple, manageable steps. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, David ensures you grasp the fundamentals while also guiding you toward professional-level techniques. His passion for teaching and deep knowledge of the industry make learning both fun and rewarding. If you want to master 3D software without feeling overwhelmed, David is the perfect tutor. Highly recommended!
A

Amy

Dave is an outstanding tutor for Substance Painter! He has a unique ability to break down complex concepts and explain them in a way that’s simple and easy to follow. His teaching style is clear, patient, and engaging, making even the most challenging topics feel manageable. I’ve learned so much from him and feel more confident in my skills thanks to his guidance. I highly recommend Dave to anyone looking to improve their understanding of Substance Painter or level up their 3D and animation skills! 5 stars!
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A
Amy
Dave is an outstanding tutor for Substance Painter! He has a unique ability to break down complex concepts and explain them in a way that’s simple and easy to follow. His teaching style is clear, patient, and engaging, making even the most challenging topics feel manageable. I’ve learned so much from him and feel more confident in my skills thanks to his guidance. I highly recommend Dave to anyone looking to improve their understanding of Substance Painter or level up their 3D and animation skills! 5 stars!
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Rates

Rate

$125

Pack rates

5h: $625
10h: $1,250

online

$125/h

free lessons

This first lesson offered with David will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.

30mins

Details

Experience and reviews from other tutoring sites:

1835 hrs 5/5 stars(432 rating)
Top 10% of all Tutors company wide 2020
#1 Zbrush, #1 Maya tutor company wide 2020-present

A true expert and a great teacher
I had a somewhat advanced and complicated problem involving a character rig, weight-painting, and blendshapes in Maya and David was fantastic at helping me understand the problem and the solution. He not only took time to patiently teach me how to get my character where I wanted it to be, but he also sent video recordings of the lesson so I could be sure to follow through on my own after the lesson. I 100% recommend David as a tutor!
Sarah, 1 lesson with David

David saved my project at the 11th hour
I'd been working on a VR modeling project for weeks, but there were things I just couldn't understand. In desperation, right before it was due, I decided to find a tutor. David was expensive, but his knowledge and experience were just what I was looking for. He explained things clearly and helped me finish the project. It was well worth it.
Julia, 1 lesson with David

keeps the momentum
David was not just helpful, he kept the momentum of the lesson going. He was able to navigate with where I was..an ability of a real teacher…where many others aren’t as creative in the guiding process. A real solid hour of going from ABC to at least LMNOP. Highly recommend if you’re ready to take things up a notch.
Keri, 2 lessons with David

Amazing tutor
I cannot say enough wonderful things about David. He was an incredible tutor who helped my son a lot. He really went out of his way to make sure he understood everything
Ryan , 14 lessons with David

The best instructor with many more talents
David is beyond just a tutor. He has a deep understanding of complex tasks in 3d modeling and animation that allow him to go above and beyond every session. He has granted me the confidence to undergo animation when I was almost going to quit! He also has a special expertise in human anatomy and the motions of the human body that all apply to every domain beyond just the structure and motion involved in the human body. When troubleshooting, he is able to do so quickly because of his deep understanding of animation software such as Maya. He has even built out a YouTube channel that has complete explanations of tasks that ever require further referencing for the user. Thank you David!!!
Victor , 7 lessons with David

Absolutely Fantastic
David did an outstanding job at helping me with my project in Maya. I had tried 6 other tutors before David and got nowhere, usually ending up with me paying for someone to say "Im not sure". However once I met with him it was fast, concise, easy to understand, and professional. I cannot recommend his services enough, and I will definitely be going to him first with any other questions I have! THANK YOU!!
John, 3 lessons with David

ZBrush Lesson was 100% Worth it
David is very obviously an effective ZBrush teacher. I hired him because I have lost time/money on free/paid courses that left me feeling frustrated- and his credentials and work examples seemed to be very impressive. Within one hour class he got a feel for where I wanted to go with my learning and we covered UI basics, workflow concepts, brushes, masking, painting, and more. He was open to answering and exploring any questions I had (which was a lot). I look forward to having more classes. ZBrush is the least friendly to beginners and competent teachers are incredibly scarce. his rate is on the high end for Wyzant but I'd have to say it's definitely a steal as far as ZBrush is concerned and well worth the headache of watching aimless tutorials and time wasted thinking you'll figure it out on your own.
Levi, 2 lessons with David

David is great!
David is very knowledgeable and his explanations are patient and detailed. I have worked with him several times now and he’s always able to answer my questions thoroughly and in under an hour. David also provides additional resources to accelerate my progress after each session.
Nathan, 6 lessons with David

David ROCKS
David really knows Procreate and most importantly, how to teach it. I have learned so much and am looking forward to more tips and trick and techniques as we go.
Janis, 10 lessons with David

Knowledgable and patient tutor!
David was able to teach me how to create a clipping mask, something I have needed to know for years! He is personable, patient and very knowledgable. Thanks David!
Susan, 6 lessons with David

Extremely Patient and Knowledgeable
David is an amazing tutor. I am currently learning Substance Painter, Maya, and Zbrush. David can easily teach all three pieces of software at once and make them all work together. He is providing me the tools and knowledge that allows me to create whatever I can dream up.
Michael, 129 lessons with David

UV Unwrap
David provides a high level of expertise while maintaining the delivery of instructions that emphasize the foundations of procedures. The lessons are timely in progression and ensure each step is modeled explained and remodeled together in order to ensure both concept and application are understand.
Justin, 42 lessons with David

Great Teacher
Highly recommend, very easy to learn from and did a great job helping me with some specific issues I had in photoshop!
Melanie, 2 lessons with David

Helped break through
David helped my son figure out an animation he had been stuck on for weeks. He gave him a new way of looking at it and some tools to accomplish what he wanted. They worked it out and it looks like my son is much less stressed out now! Thank you.
Michael, 1 lesson with David

Amazing tutor
I cannot day enough wonderful things about David. He was an incredible tutor who helped my son a lot. He really went out of his way to make sure he understood everything
Ryan , 14 lessons with David

Terrific Find!
David went above and beyond to research an issue that my daughter was stuck on in Maya. He really worked with her to get her back on track. He was very fast to respond, flexible with his schedule and with working out technical issues that came up. We will absolutely be using him again and really appreciate his effort, knowledge and skill!
Roberta, 1 lesson with David

VERY knowledgeable
David quickly was able to determine where my skill was at so we could drive right into what I wanted to learn, which is workflow. He explained everything in a way that I was able to understand, and left me with real steps to work on in my workflow. Looking forward to my next session!
Joshua, 1 lesson with David

Just awesome!
David immediately made my son feel comfortable and when I returned two hours later they were both still working and happily planning their next session together. Expectations exceeded! We are looking forward to more wonderful sessions with David!
Allison, 193 lessons with David

Great instructor with thorough knowledge.
David has deep and thorough knowledge of zbrush as well as other solutions. He is extremely patient and ensures knowledge transfer as part of the lesson. He went above and beyond the basic request to ensure I had a solid understanding of the tool going forward.
Seth, 1 lesson with David

Exceeded expectations
David was super helpful in teaching me exactly what I expressed wanting to learn. He cane very prepared with dukes to work on and did just the right amount of showing vs. letting me make sure I could apply the skills. Super professional and communicative!
Kerri, 1 lesson with David

Great tutor!
I had a session with David and he was worth every moment and more. He was very patient though I was a zbrush novice, I left feeling more confident and with the ability to do exactly what I asked to learn. I highly recommend him!
Jamie, 23 lessons with David

Great teacher!
David is a wonderful teacher, very patient. Knows everything about 3D modeling and More important, knows how to make his students understand a complex subject in a simple way! Thank you so much!
Luciana, 2 lessons with David

Professional Instructor and Problem Solver!
David is knowledgeable in Maya and everything related to the video-making world. He not only taught me how to create the effects I needed, but also led me through the process to render my video in the fastest way possible, by switching between Maya and After Effects. I am extremely grateful! Thank you so much, David!
Judy, 2 lessons with David

Knowledgeable and easy to follow
Excellent and super easy to understand. I needed help with my homework and he replied right away and was ready to start the lesson It was worth it I feel like I learned a lot. Thanks again.
Laura, 3 lessons with David

Great Tutor
David was very well qualified and professional. Highly recommend him. He was able to explain Maya to both the experts and the novices.
Greg, 1 lesson with David

Best tutor, lifesaver
I had a really hard project about Maya and he helped me overcome all the hard obstacles in 2 lessons only!
Lama, 3 lessons with David

Find out more about David

1) Can you tell us about your first experience using a computer?
My first experience with a computer was in the early days of home computing. I still remember the excitement of turning it on, hearing the fans spin, and seeing a simple interface appear on the screen. Back then, everything felt new and full of possibility—each click was like opening a door to another world. That moment sparked my curiosity and set me on the path of exploring how computers work.
2) What is the technological evolution that has marked you most and what will be, in your eyes, a turning point in this field?
The release of Jurassic Park was the biggest turning point for me. It marked the moment cinema shifted from practical effects to computer-generated imagery in a way that felt completely real and believable. Even today, the original film holds up as a masterpiece of visual effects. It showed the world that computers could do more than calculations—they could bring imagination to life on the big screen. I think that milestone opened the door to the entire modern era of digital art, gaming, and immersive experiences.
3) Explain your expertise, your interest in it and, more broadly, its importance in the computer world.
My expertise lies in digital art, 3D modeling, and animation software such as Maya, Blender, Substance Painter, and ZBrush. What fascinates me is how these tools merge creativity with technology, enabling anyone to bring their imagination to life. In the broader computer world, these skills matter because they power industries like film, games, virtual reality, and even education.
4) Do so-called 'visionaries', such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg inspire you or do you have other role models?
I respect what they’ve accomplished, but my biggest inspiration comes from teachers and creators who use technology to empower others. People who share their knowledge, open-source developers, and educators who make complex subjects accessible—those are my role models.
5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.
When I was teaching my first 3D modeling class, one of my students told me they had no artistic background and doubted they could do it. By the end of the semester, they were creating complex, beautiful models. That experience taught me that with patience and the right guidance, anyone can learn—even subjects that seem intimidating at first.
6) What would you say to an uncomfortable person in front of a screen who says that "IT is too complicated"?
I’d say: “Everyone starts from zero. The key isn’t knowing everything, it’s taking one step at a time. With the right explanations and examples, even the most complex concepts become manageable.” Technology is like a language—you don’t have to be fluent right away, just curious and willing to practice.
7) What are your other passions, related or non-related to computers?
Outside of computers, I love drawing, figure sketching, and spending time at the beach with my two dogs. These activities keep me grounded and creative. They also feed into my digital work by giving me new ideas and perspectives.
8) What makes you a Superprof in IT?
What makes me stand out is my ability to break down complex software and concepts into simple, easy-to-grasp lessons. I combine over 20 years of teaching experience with real-world expertise, and I know how to adapt to different learning styles. My goal isn’t just to teach software—it’s to build confidence and spark creativity in my students.

Award Winning Maya / Blender / ZBrush Tutor. College Professor with 20 years experience.

Lesson location

Super Prof

About David

About the lesson

Review

Recommendations

Rates

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online

free lessons

Details

Find out more about David

Find out more about David

1) Can you tell us about your first experience using a computer?

2) What is the technological evolution that has marked you most and what will be, in your eyes, a turning point in this field?

3) Explain your expertise, your interest in it and, more broadly, its importance in the computer world.

4) Do so-called 'visionaries', such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg inspire you or do you have other role models?

5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

6) What would you say to an uncomfortable person in front of a screen who says that "IT is too complicated"?

7) What are your other passions, related or non-related to computers?

8) What makes you a Superprof in IT?

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