Trying to Get into Making Model Making. What is the Best Course to Take?

[Greytel]

Hello everyone. I apologize if this is in the wrong place or anything. This is my first post.

I'm trying to teach myself the basics of adding my own costumes to Project M and I figured this would be the best place to ask. To anyone that knows what they are doing, I ask how you get started into the world of 3D modeling. What kind of programs should I familiarize myself with?

I've been practicing by editing textures and messing around with colors in BrawlBox. And doing things, like adding my friends faces over models that other users have made.

Some Examples

Spoiler

For this one I messed around in photoshop and added my friends face over another user's model of Miyamoto. I don't think it came out terrible, and he got a laugh out of it.

This one I think came out a bit better. Same method of just messing with the skin texture and adding my friend to it.
This was a user's model of the Trololol dude.
(I really wish I could credit the people that made them but Brawlvault is still down, sorry!)

Anyway, the programs I currently have are BrawlBox, Photoshop and the BrawlManagers Costume, Stage, Music, etc.
I know this must take a great deal of patience and trial and error but i'm eager to learn. Could somebody with more knowledge point me in the right direction?

Thanks for reading!