Blender and Gimp

Just a mix of lighting and texture variations.

Thanks, spent a long time finding references to try and achieve that

Pictures on cubes can take you a loonng way :D

So good, the animation is so damn charming.

I don't know of any formal courses, but the sickly wizard's videos are supremely well done. Lots of tips and techniques
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmW_...

Summer85 doesn't have tutorials, but you can still learn alot from their time lapses: www.youtube.com/@Summmer85

I really need to share more of the process. Been on quite a long hiatus art wise, so very much re-learning stuff.
Definitely give it a go, tis fun. The limitation of only using diffuse textures is also kinda liberating. Less to think about (stops me getting distracted).