Turn your idle doodles into masterful sketches with the skills you’ll learn in these drawing classes in NYC
Find yourself doodling while on the phone? Draw random shapes in the margins of your notebooks? Or did you used to draw on your arms at school? It's time to channel that inner artiste and polish off your hidden talent with one of these drawing classes in NYC.
Whether you want to ease into a beginner's drawing workshop or go straight to sketching a live model (even nude if you're brave enough), these artist-taught workshops include options for every skill level. And once you’ve perfected your sketching, why not expand your creative talents with some of the other awesome art classes in NYC? You can become a regular Picasso in painting classes in NYC, have a romantic Ghost moment in pottery classes in NYC, and even get your embroidery on in crafting classes in NYC.
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This Upper West Side art school channels a relaxed, low-pressure vibe that feels welcoming to artists of all skill levels. Offerings include studio sessions, like the six session Fear-Free Drawing 101 workshop, and field trips, like the Beginner’s Drawing at the Met class where you can take inspiration from centuries of art.
This community of more than 7,000 amateur artists regularly meets to practice figure drawing in live model sessions. Bring your own sketchpad and pencil and get ready for some hands-on practice. Beginners might want to opt for the regular weekday and weeknight classes, which include a series of 20 minute poses culminating in a 40 minute long pose, while more experienced artists can go straight into the three-hour long pose drawing classes.
Students looking for an immersive beginner art class can enroll in one of ArClassBkyln.com’s Drawing 1.01 courses. This program aims to take students who struggle with anything beyond a stick figure and give them the tools they need to start drawing realistic or highly stylistic works of art. Over 12 weeks, students will learn the ABC methods of drawing, which aim to help them master the art of representational drawing and art. This is a social course that will see students collaborating, critiquing and providing feedback on their work, but this is a stress, grade and judgment-free space, so feel free to explore your creative side in this inviting, beginner-friendly program.
Surprise the artists in your life with a gift card for drawing classes in NYC! A drawing class gift card offers the opportunity to learn artistic techniques in a welcoming environment with other local creatives. You can forget about the stress of trying to find the perfect class for their schedule and relax knowing a gift card allows them to choose the workshop that catches their eye with no worries about expiration dates or running out of time. Attendees can focus on any art form they choose, such as sketching, like contour lines and composition, or tackle more specialized areas like architectural drawing or even charcoal portraiture.
Painting and drawing often go hand-in-hand, particularly if you are looking to paint elaborate projects and want to sketch out the finished project beforehand. Both artistic skills will necessitate an understanding of the basic elements of visual composition, including perspective, lines, shadows and shading and they will require practice and attention to detail. In this course, you’ll receive expert instruction in the foundational elements of visual art and you’ll get hands-on experience putting those skills to practice in a range of artistic projects.
Long pose drawing is one of the most essential skills that representational artists can develop and it is not just useful for those who want to stay in the medium of pen, paper, ink and charcoal. This extended drawing session will provide you with the opportunity to work with a live model and explore the complexities of human anatomy as the focal point of a project. Regardless of your experience level as an artist, it is important to continually practice and develop your skills and this kind of course is an ideal place to start to develop or refine your artistic skills (and it can be taken multiple times, giving you even more opportunities).
Join a community of artists as you learn the basics of light, shadow, texture and perspective in this immersive, intensive two-hour course. Open to all students, regardless of their background in drawing, this class gives students an accelerated introduction to the foundational art concepts that define drawing as a medium, both on its own and as a component of other art projects. If you are interested in drawing and you don’t want to waste any time getting your feet set, this is the course for you.
Total beginners might want to sign up for a workshop at this fine arts studio in Chelsea. The classes here are small—just three to 10 students—so you can get plenty of individualized attention from your instructor. Learn the foundations in an introductory drawing and painting class, then move on to a live model class to finesse your composition and draftsmanship.
If you are looking for a quicker and more accessible figure drawing course, you can drop into the weeknight figure drawing seminars offered at Drawing NY. These freeform drawing classes will see you seated and given the opportunity to get in the necessary hours that one needs to dedicate to the process of perfecting their artistic skills. Like other drawing classes, you can drop into any given session, regardless of your experience level.
While the thought of live model drawing is often a cliche, learning how to draw the human form is an important part of learning to be a good artist. In this course, students will learn classic drawing techniques, emphasizing composition, proportions, gesture, values and color as they master the alla-prima and work with a live model. This course is a great way to get practical, hands-on experience with human figure drawing, and students will get feedback and demonstrations from professional art instructors. No matter your experience level, it is important to practice figure drawing and learn essential anatomy skills, and this course is a great way to get that practice.
New York School of the Arts keeps the traditional discipline of art but also explores new media. They offer a range of classes for a variety of ages and levels of experience, with a wide choice of classes to choose from. From techniques of printmaking to contemporary watercolor, you can try your hand at almost anything, including their introduction class to Adobe Photoshop (sign us up please). You'll be taught in small groups to ensure each of you get the hands-on help you want and depending on the class, most of the materials and resources will be provided.
Much like learning to draw bodies, representational artists of all stripes will need to learn how to draw faces with a very measured level of detail. This accelerated class focuses on teaching the important skills that artists need to start creating realistic, anatomically correct faces. Students will work with live models and receive focused instruction as they complete various drawing exercises to perfect the art of portraiture.
The West Side YMCA offers an impressive slate of visual arts classes, including a basic drawing workshop that would be ideal for beginners. The class meets in Central Park so you can take inspiration from both the natural landscape and art reproductions as you learn to sketch. Later, you’ll discover how to turn your drawings into watercolor paintings.
Students in grades 6-12 interested in digital art, cartooning and manga may want to enroll in this One River School course to get an introduction to these art forms' complexities and unique traditions. Students will learn the foundations of sequential art and how panel-based imagery creates meaning in readers' eyes. This course focuses on using Adobe Photoshop, and students will get hands-on experience creating their own digital comic panels.
Few aspects of art are more difficult than capturing the contours of the human form. Drawing anatomically correct humans can be very challenging since there is so much subtly in how our muscles move and shape the body. In this course, students will learn the classical techniques that artists have used to sketch the human form for centuries, and they will get hands-on practice paired with anatomy lessons and demonstrations. Lessons cover concepts like shading and portrait construction, and the course is open to artists of all skill levels.
Art classes can be an excellent way to bring people together for an enjoyable evening or weekend afternoon. Not only is art a fun and relaxing activity, but it encourages creativity and conversation. This makes art classes ideal for anyone looking to host a corporate team-building event, birthday party, family get-together or other celebratory event. You can come together and learn how to draw people and landscapes, create stunning paintings (or enjoy a bottle of wine as you paint), make hand-crafted sculptures or even make living art in the form of a terrarium. No matter what kind of artistic endeavor you want your group to pursue, there is an option waiting for you.
For hundreds of years, New York City has been regarded as a haven for artists and creativity. It’s no surprise that, when it comes to selecting a drawing class in NYC, both novices and experienced artists are spoiled for choice. In fact, the idea of choosing just one course to attend can feel very overwhelming. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to make this decision as easy on yourself as possible. Once you’ve settled on practical matters like your budget and availability, you can explore your creative interests and narrow down a drawing class to those that will help you meet your creative goals. Whether you’re interested in charcoal drawing or sketching, abstract or still-life, there is a class out there that will suit your needs and help you take your drawings to new heights.
When selecting a drawing class to attend, identifying programs that match your current skill level is a good place to start. Beginner students will need an introductory course like the Fear-Free Drawing Class in Central Park at The Art Studio NY, which teaches participants fundamental drawing concepts like composition, shading, and blending in a scenic and inspiring environment. On the other hand, a more advanced student may prefer a class like Accelerated Portraiture Drawing at the Decorus Atelier of Figurative Art. Here, students will build on their existing artistic skills by learning more efficient and accurate methods of capturing the human face.
Understandably, before settling on a drawing class, you’ll also need to consider more practical matters like your budget and schedule. There are numerous drawing classes that only last for a few hours, and these are perfect for those who just want a brief introduction to the topic without spending a lot of money. For example, the Weeknight Figure Drawing workshop at Drawing New York is a two-and-a-half-hour workshop that allows students to draw people in a wide range of poses. Most single-session drawing classes cost between $30 and $80 per person but keep in mind that some classes will require students to bring their own supplies, so you’ll want to factor that into your budget as well. There are also some longer drawing classes that may be a better fit for those looking for a more comprehensive education. The Drawing for Beginners class at the 92nd Street Y lasts six weeks and covers essential artistic elements like form, shadow, value, and tone. This class costs $355, and other classes that last for multiple weeks are similarly priced.
It’s also a good idea to look into the credentials of the schools and instructors you’re interested in. Many schools will list their staff on their websites so you can look into their body of work to see what kinds of drawings they do and gauge their level of experience. This is also a good way to ensure you’re learning from someone who matches the style of drawing you’re interested in. Along these same lines, you’ll also want to read some reviews of the class you plan on attending as well. These can provide a great deal of helpful information that you won’t find in a standard course description. Reviews will give you more insight into things like the structure and overall quality of the class and the instructor's teaching style, giving you a better sense of whether the class will help you meet your goals and is worth your money.
After settling on the drawing class you want to attend, there are some additional steps you may want to take to make sure you’re well-prepared and don’t add more stress to your plate. First, you’ll want to check the course description to see whether materials are included or if students are responsible for bringing their own supplies. If you need to gather your own materials, you’ll want to spend some time researching items to ensure you’re buying things that are of good quality but don’t break the bank. Many instructors will provide a list of brands and suggested retailers, but you can also call the school to see if they partner with any local stores or offer a student discount.
Even if the drawing supplies are provided, you may need to bring some sort of inspirational material with you. This could be a photograph or a meaningful item that you will draw during class, so you’ll want to ensure you’ve set it aside and have it ready to go for class. If you have the means, you may also want to research and experiment with some different techniques ahead of time. This can be as simple as setting aside an hour to watch a few YouTube tutorials so you’re more prepared for class. This can also give you a good opportunity to start thinking of questions you want to ask your instructor.
An aspiring artist would certainly benefit from a professional drawing class, but there are also plenty of other people who would likely find the experience valuable:
Couples
Whether you and your partner are newly together and looking for a way to break the ice, or you’ve been together for years and are hoping to spice up your regular date night routine, a drawing class is a fantastic way for romantic partners to connect with each other. Learning a new skill together provides a low-stakes environment for partners to feel vulnerable and learn more about one another. A drawing class also produces a tangible memory of the date, ensuring couples remember their experience for years to come. There is a class called Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting For Two available at Chelsea Drawing & Painting Workshops. Here, couples will experiment with both charcoal and paint as they create their own still-life portrait.
Children and Teens
If there’s a young person in your life looking for more opportunities to be creative and make new friends, a drawing class could be the perfect choice. Younger children can participate in a drawing class to boost confidence and build patience. Learning to draw well takes a lot of time, but it’s a rewarding experience for children to see their skills improve in real time, and it teaches them that perseverance will always pay off in the end. Teens interested in pursuing art as a potential career or studying it in college may find that a drawing class can help bolster a college application. A class like Learn to Draw and Paint People at Creatively Wild Art Studio Dumbo will allow them to add images to their portfolio and potentially network with mentors who can help them achieve their goals.
Coworkers
A drawing class is also a fun and unique team building activity that is well-suited for groups looking to break the ice and relax in a low-stress environment. Drawing is an activity that many people are familiar with, but few people have taken an actual class. Providing employees with a new, creative experience is a wonderful way to strengthen bonds and build lasting memories, therefore enhancing a sense of cohesion in the workplace. A simple drawing class like Drink and Draw at Q.E.D. is a great opportunity for coworkers to try their hand at drawing a posed figure. No experience necessary!
New York City offers several other options worth exploring if you’re looking for other creative classes that could provide a similar experience to drawing. For instance, you could check out a beginner-friendly painting class. Someone with a lot of experience with drawing might enjoy the way painting allows them to explore a new medium while tapping into existing skills like mixing colors and creating layers of shadow and light. Painting can also enhance existing drawings by adding vivid colors and dynamic brushstrokes to the image, taking the visual impact to new heights. Painting and drawing both require precision and an understanding of how to create depth on a two-dimensional surface, so someone who enjoys one of these hobbies may enjoy the other as well.
There are also plenty of photography classes that someone who is skilled at drawing might also enjoy. Both drawing and photography emphasize the importance of an image’s composition, so someone skilled in drawing might already have a keen eye for how to place elements of a photograph in a balanced way. Both skills also require a solid understanding of light and shadow to create contrast and tell a more compelling visual story. Like drawing, photography also offers plenty of opportunities for experimenting with different techniques and styles, and they are also equally powerful storytelling tools. Someone could take a photograph and practice their drawing skills by trying to recreate the image on paper, broadening their appreciation for both art forms and improving their abilities at the same time.
Whether you have a brilliant idea for a whodunit or want to start working on your autobiography, these writing classes in NYC will help you put pen to paper
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