Online art courses dont seem that appealing, but then i never done one. You'll probably learn more by downloading Simply Maya's video tutorials, as you see the modelling process.

I would say for learning Animation, buy a book called 'The Animators Survival Kit' by Richard Williams. This book will teach you the traditional animation techniques that can later be applied to 3D animation. If you can, go to a few life drawing clases. If this isn't possable invest in some pencils and skecth books and just observe and draw.

Modelling is really just about practice, but by drawing you'll gain an understanding in the anatomy which would help when constructing humans and animals.