I can't point you to much in particular. There are some videos at Nevercenter.com that show how to model. The instructors are using Silo, but any type of box modeling or whatever modeling they are doing applies...

Try Wings 3D to start. It's easy and not overly complicated and it's free but it's only a box modeler.... On the paid for side, Hexagon is cheap, but buggy for some. Silo is also relatively inexpensive and there is a nice 30 day trial version.

PhilC has some helpers as far as making clothing and conformers.

Laurie