From Zero 2 Hero
One motorcycle taken from a client CAD file to a finished shot composited into a real photograph. 135 lessons across 16 modules and 11…
with Cristian Spagnuolo
The PXLmentor course library
Learn the Real VFX pipeline from a Real VFX & CG Supervisor.
Clear steps, real skills, production-ready results.
Latest release
One motorcycle taken from a client CAD file to a finished shot composited into a real photograph. 135 lessons across 16 modules and 11…
with Cristian Spagnuolo
The library
Self-paced, production-grade, and built in the order a working artist actually needs them.
One motorcycle taken from a client CAD file to a finished shot composited into a real photograph. 135 lessons across 16 modules and 11…
with Cristian Spagnuolo
Take a 2-million-polygon scan down to under 30,000 without losing the detail. The full workflow across Maya, ZBrush and Substance Painter: ZRemesher for the…
with Cristian Spagnuolo
Cut clean, round, subdivision-safe holes into a flat panel without guessing, then bake normal, ambient occlusion and diffuse maps from the high-poly model down…
with Cristian Spagnuolo
Model a pleated lamp from splines using two tools that get dismissed as old-fashioned: Lathe and Loft. Build the whole object, body, pleated shade,…
with Cristian Spagnuolo
Model the Tulip chair from three curves using Cross Section and Surface, the spline-to-surface workflow designers and vehicle modellers use, and that almost nobody…
with Cristian Spagnuolo
Model the Fortuna chair procedurally: drive the shape with deformers instead of pushing points, and keep every decision editable to the end. Demonstrated in…
with Cristian Spagnuolo
No course matches that.
In production
Rebuild the iconic Eleanor Mustang and bring it to life inside Unreal Engine 5. Learn the professional workflow for automotive modeling, texturing, lighting and…
with Cristian Spagnuolo
Build a product commercial with CG and AI working together. Maya holds the camera, the framing and the product, AI supplies surface, light and…
with Cristian Spagnuolo
Learning paths
The library is built as a ladder, not a pile of tutorials. Every course sits on a rung so you always know what comes next.
Fundamentals that everything else stands on. Start here if the pipeline still feels like a black box.
Real workflows end to end. You know the tools; this is how a production actually strings them together.
Supervision-level decision making. Look development, judgement calls, and the things that separate a shot from a portfolio piece.
In development.
How it works
Stop guessing what to learn next. Pick a course built from real production experience, not recycled tutorials. Each class is designed to fix the gaps most artists have: weak fundamentals, messy workflows, poor decision-making, and zero understanding of how studios actually work.
Choose smart. Your growth depends on it.Get instant access with secure payment through Stripe or PayPal. Enroll in a single course or save with upcoming bundles. The moment you join, your dashboard unlocks everything: your lessons, your progress, and any new courses added to your library.
One click. The real learning starts.Study anytime, anywhere, at your own pace. All lessons are structured, clear, and built for real production. And you are not alone: join the PXLmentor Discord, connect with artists around the world, and get support in the dedicated student channel.
Knowledge, practice and community.Why learn here
With more than twenty years in top-tier studios, Cristian has supervised assets, creatures, environments, cinematics, and real-time workflows for major film, series, and advertising productions.
His classes are not theory, not recycled tutorials, and not guru content. They are built from real deadlines, real feedback cycles, and real production demands.
When you learn here, you learn the workflows, decision-making, and mindset professionals use every day, the things no beginner tutorial will ever teach you.
The platform
The PXLmentor platform is designed to teach production-ready skills, not random tutorials.
Every lesson is structured for clarity, hands-on practice, and a workflow that mirrors real studio environments. Study on desktop, tablet, or mobile, anytime, anywhere.
Focus, structure, and real-world workflows, all in one place.
What you get
Every course you buy stays yours, including future updates and new lessons added to it.
Assets, scenes and supporting material are downloadable so you can follow along on the real thing.
Finish every lesson and receive a digital certificate for your portfolio or LinkedIn.
Private course channels inside the PXLmentor community, for questions, feedback and progress.
VFX certifications
Completing a PXLmentor course earns you a Certificate of Completion, highlighting your dedication and the professional skills you have gained.
It is a meaningful way to show studios, clients, or collaborators that you are serious about your craft and ready for new challenges.
These are real messages, and the work they finished with me. No fakes, no paid reviews, no fluff.
He didn't just point out what to improve, he literally went into my files to show me how to approach the work more effectively.
Michele Rocca
3D Artist, Automotive CGI
I had the opportunity to join Cristian's 30 day mentorship program with the goal of developing a complete portfolio piece. Coming from a background that already included university level 3D studies and two years of professional experience, I wasn't looking for a basic introduction but for real industry direction from someone who actually works at a high level.
Cristian delivered exactly that. He was incredibly open in answering questions about the VFX industry, offering honest critiques, artistic guidance, and practical feedback grounded in real production standards. What made the experience truly valuable was his hands-on approach: he didn't just point out what to improve, he literally went into my files to show me how to approach the work more effectively.
Throughout the mentorship he consistently emphasized how top tier studios operate: structured workflows, clear production phases, iterative development, and the ability to present progress to a client professionally. This mentorship refined the way I think about my projects and gave me a clearer understanding of what "studio level" work really requires.
Cristian gives you the right tools to evaluate your work critically and understand how to achieve results using the fastest and most efficient industry-standard workflow.
Federico Sgroi
3D Character Artist, Freelance
I had the privilege of participating in Cristian's mentorship. As a self-taught 3D modeller, it's always difficult to step outside your own bubble. You spend so much time studying and trying to improve, but you rarely receive real external feedback. Cristian was essential in this process, helping me notice things I simply couldn't see on my own.
Thanks to his experience, he offers not only an artistic perspective on how to approach your work, but, above all, a professional one. With his patience, friendliness, and expertise, Cristian gives you the right tools to evaluate your work critically and understand how to achieve results using the fastest and most efficient industry-standard workflow.
I highly recommend this mentorship to anyone who wants to step out of their comfort zone, confront their weaknesses, and truly improve.
Working with Cristian truly felt like being part of a real production environment.
Simone Ferrante
Working with Cristian truly felt like being part of a real production environment.
My background comes from photography and animation, and when I had the opportunity to work with him, he challenged me in a way I had never experienced before: starting from a 3D scan and developing a unique, production-ready portfolio piece from scratch.
This challenge was not without obstacles. There were moments where the process felt complex and demanding, but throughout the entire mentorship Cristian's presence was constant. I never felt left alone or unsupported, his guidance was always clear, timely, and focused on helping me move forward with confidence.
Being largely self-taught in some of the software, his experience was invaluable in helping me overcome technical and creative barriers that initially felt overwhelming. He has a natural way of pushing you out of your comfort zone, doing so with clarity, deep knowledge, and genuine availability.
His attention to detail is striking, and the way he delivers feedback is both precise and inspiring. Beyond the final result, this mentorship didn't just help me create a strong portfolio piece, it gave me a solid, high-quality working method across multiple aspects of production, from technical choices to workflow organization and artistic decision-making.
I'm truly proud to have taken part in this challenge and deeply grateful for the opportunity to grow under the guidance of such a skilled and committed mentor.
He doesn't just tell you what to change, he explains why it matters and how a supervisor or a client would see it.
Alex Cuesta
FX Artist, FilmMaker
Working with Cristian has been one of the most important steps in my growth as an FX artist. Over the mentorship, his guidance helped me refine my workflows, optimize my setups for fast iteration and present clean, structured dailies that align with real production standards.
The thing that stood out the most for me was the clarity and depth of his feedback. He doesn't just tell you what to change, he explains why it matters and how a supervisor or a client would see it. This helped me strengthen both my artistic decision-making and my ability to adapt quickly to notes. You notice his experience right away: he identifies issues fast and communicates solutions in a way that is direct, constructive and easy to apply.
Even though the mentorship runs in a small group, the attention feels very personal. Thanks to the constant communication on Discord, we shared versions between calls, asked questions during the week and got quick replies, and even had extra one-on-one support when needed.
More than producing a single strong shot, this mentorship changed the way I approach FX as a whole, from technical choices and iteration strategies to communication, presentation and professionalism. Cristian sets a demanding but fair standard, expects the best of you, and gives you the tools and clarity to reach it.
Cristian's patient guidance took me from the fundamentals of 3D modelling to an advanced understanding of production pipelines and workflows.
Martina Boscolo
2D/3D Artist, Wargaming
When I began the Intro to CG & VFX mentorship with Cristian, I had no prior experience in 3D, but a strong foundation in 2D art and a passion for learning. Cristian's patient guidance took me from the fundamentals of 3D modelling to an advanced understanding of production pipelines and workflows.
His teaching style made complex concepts accessible, and he always went above and beyond to ensure I fully understood each step. This mentorship was invaluable, not only for the technical skills I gained, but also for the confidence and creative exploration it fostered.
Cristian created an environment that was both challenging and supportive, pushing me to grow as an artist while respecting my unique background in 2D. A pivotal aspect of this journey was learning to integrate my 2D skills with 3D tools, transforming my workflow and significantly elevating the quality of my work.
Beyond the necessary technical and practical acquisition, the course helped me tremendously in gaining autonomy and developing problem-solving skills.
Stefano Critelli
Asset Supervisor, Al-One
The mentorship with Cristian was an incredibly formative experience. During the course, I had the chance to learn tips, tricks, and knowledge about the most important software used in the field.
More than anything else, Cristian managed to convey a solid workflow and a positive mental approach to the work as a 3D artist. I was particularly struck by Cristian's ability to make you understand themes and topics primarily on a conceptual level, to then allow you to use the software and technique with awareness and mastery.
Beyond the necessary technical and practical acquisition, the course helped me tremendously in gaining autonomy and developing problem-solving skills.
His structured approach made even complex concepts accessible, and I quickly gained confidence in understanding the core aspects of the CG pipeline.
Margherita Golfetto
2D/3D Artist
I had the privilege of participating in Cristian's mentorship program, Intro to CG & VFX.
Starting with basically no prior experience in 3D, but I have strong background as 2D Artist, I embarked on a journey that covered the foundational principles of computer graphics, or as Cristian calls it, CG 101. His structured approach made even complex concepts accessible, and I quickly gained confidence in understanding the core aspects of the CG pipeline.
As we progressed, we focused specifically on modeling and look development. Cristian guided me through Maya, where I learned essential tools and techniques, and then introduced me to Substance Painter for texturing. His mentorship not only taught me the technical skills required for 3D modeling and texturing but also how to integrate these skills into a cohesive workflow.
The Intro to CG & VFX program provided a solid foundation that I can now build upon independently. Cristian's expertise, patience, and ability to break down complicated topics were key to my progress. I'm excited to continue exploring the world of 3D art with the confidence and knowledge I gained from this mentorship.
Everything I've achieved so far in my journey as a 3D Artist is thanks to his guidance.
Toni Mambro
3D Artist
With an incredible amount of knowledge and experience under his belt, I was lucky enough to have Cristian as my mentor. He didn't just teach me the core foundations of CG and VFX, he guided me through modelling, texturing, and lookdev, from the fundamentals all the way to advanced techniques in Maya.
Cristian made the entire learning path clear, structured, and incredibly efficient. Thanks to his method and feedback, I now feel confident approaching any asset from start to finish, without hesitation. Everything I've achieved so far in my journey as a 3D Artist is thanks to his guidance.
It allowed me to discover new productive approaches and develop a professional mindset, things that are unfortunately not taught in most standard school programs.
Davide Covallero
3D Artist & CEO, Setpoint Studio
I attended the CG Foundations mentorship with Cristian back in 2018. At the time, I had just finished a basic 3D course, and having the opportunity to interact with such a qualified professional and learn the secrets and techniques used in real productions was incredibly valuable and educational.
Although the course with Cristian was brief, it allowed me to discover new productive approaches and develop a professional mindset, things that are unfortunately not taught in most "standard" school programs. Extremely recommended!!!
He showed me some lifesaving hacks that helped me improve tremendously my working efficiency, and therefore I now have more time to produce better results for my clients.
Marco Massignani
Motion Designer & Art Director, Setpoint Studio
The mentorship I did with Cristian was very useful to me. Despite the fact that I'm a Motion Designer, studying with him helped me to better understand many aspects and fundamentals of CG that I was not aware of.
He also showed me some "lifesaving" hacks that helped me improve tremendously my working efficiency and therefore I now have more time to produce better results for my clients. I also gained greater awareness of my skills and resources, but also of the ones available "out there" that I did not know before and I will definitely pursue. Highly recommended!!!
I have just started my journey in CGI, so I definitely still have a lot to learn, but now, thanks to the review session with Cristian, I feel more confident about myself and my abilities.
The mentorship classes with Cristian were of great help to me not only to understand how I could improve professionally as a 3D artist, refining my skills in modelling and texturing, but also because, thanks to his advice, I learned how to better present my showreel in a more professional manner, to be ready for a possible interview with a VFX studio.
I have just started my journey in CGI, so I definitely still have a lot to learn, but now, thanks to the review session with Cristian, I feel more confident about myself and my abilities.
Questions?
Before you start learning, you deserve clarity. These cover the most common doubts from artists who want to grow with real production workflows.
PXLmentor courses are built on more than twenty years of real production experience in the CG and VFX industry. These are not generic tutorials or recycled YouTube lessons. Every class teaches production proven workflows used in studios such as DNEG, MPC and Mill Film, with clear explanations of how professionals think and work.
Artists of all levels, from beginners building solid foundations to experienced artists who want to refine professional techniques. Each course clearly states the expected level, so you always start in the right place.
All courses are pre recorded and fully self paced. You can study anytime, anywhere, from desktop, tablet or mobile.
You receive lifetime access to every course you purchase, including future updates and new lesson additions.
Yes. The library will expand regularly, with new courses released every few months.
Yes. As the library grows, bundle options and discounts will be offered. Announcements will appear on the website and inside the PXLmentor Discord server.
Payments are processed securely through Stripe and PayPal. You receive instant access to your dashboard after checkout.
Refunds are considered case by case within seven days of purchase, provided that less than twenty percent of the course has been completed. For accidental purchases or technical issues, contact support.
After payment, you are redirected to your student dashboard where all courses are available. You will also receive an email with a direct access link.
Yes. All students receive access to the private course channels inside the PXLmentor Discord community, where you can ask questions, share progress and receive feedback.
Yes. When you complete all lessons, you receive a Digital Certificate of Completion that you can add to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile.
Video lessons are streamed online to ensure the best quality and protect course integrity. All project files, assets and supporting materials can be downloaded.
It depends on the course. Every course page lists the exact software it uses under Basic info, along with the skill level and requirements, so you can check before you enroll.
If you experience login, payment or playback issues, contact support through the website form or the PXLmentor Discord. We aim to reply within twenty four to forty eight hours.
Absolutely. You can submit suggestions on the PXLmentor Discord or through the contact form. Many new courses are shaped directly by community feedback.
Still have questions?
If you are unsure which course is right for you, or you want clarity about your learning path, reach out. Send an email or book a free call directly with Cristian. No sales pitch, just honest guidance based on real production experience.