Discover the Best Figure Drawing Classes Near Me
The human form is one of the most fascinating subjects for artists to capture. With each body unique and imperfect, artists could spend a lifetime exploring different ways of representing the body through a specific medium. Whether you are a doctor interested in a more nuanced understanding of the human body or a hobbyist looking to take your craft to the next level, learning figure drawing can help artists of all styles and levels of expertise refine their skills and create beautiful images.
Why You Should Learn Figure Drawing
Many people struggle to find mindfulness within the fast-paced movement and expectations of the modern world. Artists of all skill levels use figure drawing to break this tempo and take the opportunity to slow down and recognize the unique elements and defining features of a complex or straightforward form. While most people associate figure drawing with artists alone, medical students and other scientists are discovering the benefits of observing human forms intently and intentionally as they work to connect scientific concepts and practices with a living and breathing human. Your brain connects to the world in many ways, allowing figure drawing to be a new way of processing and retaining information for classes and professional development.
Artists also benefit from discovering large communities of others that enjoy the same practices. While introverts can still enjoy the quiet solitude of working in their studios, extroverts are building figure-drawing communities through classes, independent studios, and wine and draw nights. These communal activities allow artists to learn new techniques and styles that revolutionize their practice and transform their figures.
5 Ways to Learn Figure Drawing
Artists ready to develop their skills have a wealth of training opportunities to choose from that will work with their schedules, financial limitations, and learning styles. Discovering the best way to learn figure drawing frequently requires artists to look inward to identify their unique needs and preferences. Here is a list of 5 ways that you can learn figure drawing in the location and format that will best suit your learning style:
- Free Tutorials on YouTube
If you were born after 1985, your initial instinct to learn a new skill is to turn to the many free tutorials available on streaming platforms like YouTube. These basic training videos can help you build the foundational techniques and forms necessary to draw realistic bodies. While these videos are a great introduction to figure drawing, many artists may feel stifled by the uniformity of these video guides. These students may wish for additional resources to help take their skills to the next level.
- On-Demand Classes
Many artists see on-demand classes as a viable continuation of foundational tutorials on YouTube. On-demand courses, or recorded classes that allow students to gradually build their skills beyond the initial introductory video, are a flexible and frequently inexpensive way for students to diversify their skillset. These classes can usually be watched anywhere with an internet connection and frequently require only basic materials, such as pencils and paper. However, many students feel isolated by their inability to interact with an instructor or other students in real-time.
- In-Person Classes
Did you thrive in in-person classes throughout high school and college? Do you love the structure and community built within the four walls of a classroom? Exploring in-person figure drawing classes in your area may be your next step. Many classes meet in a professional environment, where students are able to interact with their instructor, peers, and models regularly. Students are able to learn within a community of other artists, watching the technical skills and practices of their peers as they work to define their unique artistic identity.
- Live Online Classes
Are you feeling intimidated about having to work a commute into your busy schedule? Does sitting in a classroom after a long day at work feel stressful? Have you always struggled with the distractions and people-watching opportunities of the classroom environment? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you will want to check out the benefits of live online learning!
Like in-person classes, live online lessons happen in real-time, allowing students to build a rapport with their instructors and fellow students while learning the proper techniques and practices of figure drawing. Nevertheless, unlike in-person classes, live online courses allow students to choose their ideal learning environment. Whether you learn best in a coffee shop or the comfort of your home, live online classes can help you acquire a world-class education in the location of your choice.
- Art Schools and Apprenticeships
Has exploring the above options unlocked a deep love of figure drawing and other artistry? Are you considering pursuing a professional career as an artist? If so, enrolling in professional training through an art school program or apprenticeship may be the best way to begin your next chapter. Ideal for those planning to teach art or looking to build community with other artists, art schools and apprenticeships provide a structured way of progressively developing your art skills. Nevertheless, both can be very costly and neither guarantees a job after graduation. Many artists can launch their careers with continuing education classes and other professional development experiences beyond these more intense training opportunities.
In-Person Figure Drawing Classes
Many artists learn their craft through in-person classes. These classes are frequently created and led by professional artists that can answer questions, provide productive feedback, and help students refine their technique and style. Art Schools, community colleges, and community spaces offer these training opportunities to artists of all ages and skill levels, allowing them to progressively build their skills through a set curriculum and studio practice time.
Finding a figure drawing course in your area can be challenging depending on your location, scheduling needs, and budget. Luckily, CourseHorse’s main browser allows students to sort through classes based on their days and location, price, skill level, and duration. Whether you are looking to casually learn a new hobby or you are considering a new career, you can find an accessible class in your area with CourseHorse. Keep reading to explore many of the well-known classes offered around the United States.
Known for its diverse museums, galleries, and shows, New York City is regarded by many to be the art capital of the world. Unsurprisingly, there are many exciting figure drawing classes to take advantage of in and near the area. Located in the vibrant Chelsea neighborhood, the Chelsea Classical Studio has portraiture and figure drawing into its studio’s foundation. Figure artists of all levels will gravitate towards the school’s Long Pose Figure Drawing and Painting workshop. This three-hour class covers important skills such as mixing and composing colors to create accurate and intricate body proportions.
New York students looking for a comprehensive introduction to figure drawing over several weeks should enroll in one of ArtClassBklyn.com’s many beginner-level courses. A cultural institution of Brooklyn, the ArtClassBklyn school offers engaging and enjoyable classes in a non-competitive and non-judgmental environment. For example, Their popular Drawing 1.01 Drawing Basic course helps students learn how to draw the human form by progressively moving from capturing broad gestures and body positions to more difficult details and nuances of the human body. Students can also choose to specialize in drawing specific features through classes like Portraiture-Drawing Faces or refine their skills through the Classical Sketching/Drawing Workshop. Students of all skill levels and artistic styles will thrive in ArtClassBklyn.com’s non-competitive and nurturing environment.
Los Angeles residents looking for a community-oriented school can enroll in one of the many programs offered by the Valley Art Workshop. Based in the Collier House in the Woodland Hills Neighborhood of Los Angeles, the Valley Art Workshop offers professional-level courses in painting and drawing for adult and young students. Newer students can learn the basic techniques of figure drawing through the school’s Life Drawing-Instructed class before refining their skills independently with the budget-friendly Life Drawing-Uninstructed workshop. Skilled artists can also transform their figure drawing skills into 3D models through the Fantasy Sculpture class. This four-day workshop combines imaginative elements with anatomical accuracy to create dazzling figures.
Are you a local of the Chicago area looking to expand your figure drawing skills and techniques? The Evanston Art Center is a great place to meet other artists, listen to public lectures, and allow your children to cultivate their creative skills. Located a few blocks away from Northwestern University, the Evanston Art Center has supported local artists through education and community engagement for over eighty years. Artists of all skill levels can refine their portraiture skills through classes like Drawing and Painting The Nude: The Long Pose, Introduction to Figure Drawing, and Ensemble of the Portrait. Younger artists will also enjoy classes tailored to their age groups, including Drawing From Life (Ages 12-14), The Figure: Real or Imagined (Ages 16+), and High School: Figure Drawing. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life by learning how to draw the human form on the banks of Lake Michigan.
Artists living in San Francisco can also learn the intricacies of figure drawing and other forms of portraiture through the Art School of SF Bay. Only a few blocks away from the gorgeous arches of the Golden Gate Bridge and the historic archaeological site of the Presidio of San Francisco, the Art School of SF Bay makes fine art accessible to kids and adults through accessible and engaging classes. Adult students can build their artistic eye and skills through longer classes such as Figure Drawing, Portrait Workshop, and Key Elements of Fine Art. Through these classes, trained instructors guide students through lessons and guides before giving them time to work on individual projects and towards specific goals. Manga lovers of all ages can also learn how to build their graphic novels through classes like Manga for Adults, Manga Art Camp (Ages 10-16), and Advanced Manga Art Camp (Ages 10-16). These classes are a safe space for art lovers to explore their craft in a fun and relaxing environment.
Virtual Figure Drawing Classes
What do you think of when you imagine an art classroom? Do you imagine a professional studio crowded with concentric rows of students busily sketching a lone model positioned in the center? Where is this classroom located? Are you in a stuffy university classroom or a costly artist studio in Rome? While art students in the past were only limited to specific venues for their lessons, live online figure drawing classes allow participants to design and work in the studio of their choice. Live online classes allow students to learn the tools and techniques of figure drawing from professionals around the world and connect to larger communities of artists in the location of their choice. Keep reading to learn how live online classes can help you lose the longer commutes and discover a new passion!
Newer artists may feel a bit intimidated by the idea of starting their art education online. While working from home gives artists autonomy over their space and more flexibility in their schedules, having to design their studios and pick out their supplies can feel overwhelming. Nevertheless, many introductory CourseHorse classes only require students to have household items, including pencils, papers, and a desk. Classes that require more advanced tools frequently come with supply lists or will send the required materials to the students directly. The live online format of these classes allows students to ask their instructors questions about building their space in real-time, ensuring that they can set themselves up for success without breaking the bank.
With the knowledge that you will not be alone on your figure-drawing adventures, your next step is to survey the live online classes available. Newer artists will likely gravitate to The Art Studio NY’s Fear-Free Beginner’s Drawing 101. This fun and interactive class helps students build confidence in drawing realistic and abstract human figures using pencils and charcoal mediums. Are you looking for a bit more color in your class? Consider 92nd Street Y’s Drawing with Pastel class, which covers beginner-level skills necessary to draw still-lifes and figure drawing.
Students looking for longer courses covering proportioning, shading, and adding dimension to the human form will thrive in classes such as 92nd Street Y’s Figure and Portrait Drawing Combined or Evanston Art Center’s Figure and Nature Drawing/Painting. Accessible to all skill levels, these classes are a great way to start working with models and cultivating a creative community with other artists.
Private Group Figure Drawing Classes
A private group figure drawing class can be a great alternative to traditional work bonding activities and retreats. Figure drawing offers a creative way for groups to bond through a shared hobby, develop new skills and means of perceiving the world around them, and establish a mindfulness practice to bring back to their work. CourseHorse has a directory of live online figure drawing classes for private groups, allowing organizations to identify courses that will work for their budget and group size. Groups can even change their class date after booking without any initial or subsequent fees.
Groups can schedule figure drawing classes by reaching out to CourseHourse through their contact sheet. CourseHorse also offers several group classes that use similar skills and promote wellness like figure drawing. Organizations with larger looking to maximize their creativity may book a Virtual Cartooning and Doodling Workshop or Virtual Group Drawing and Sketching Class. Students thrive in the non-judgmental environments of these classes with basic materials like pencils and paper. These classes can accommodate up to 250 students and allow companies to change the class size after booking. You can even customize the class to fit your group’s interests and skills. CourseHourse’s instructors can even teach using your company’s preferred platform, ensuring a smooth class structure and execution.
What Will I Need to Learn Figure Drawing?
One of the many benefits of learning figure drawing is that you do not need expensive materials to start practicing. Many artists begin learning figure drawing with only a collection of pencils and newsprint or another low-cost paper type. After practicing and enrolling in a figure drawing class, many artists expand their tools to include charcoal sticks and pencils, kneaded erasers, and an easel. While many in-person classes include these materials in their fees, students taking live online or on-demand courses will likely need to purchase materials from an art store.
Is it Difficult to Learn Figure Drawing?
Like any new skill, figure drawing has a bit of a learning curve that can challenge beginners. Human bodies have unique textures and shapes that can be intimidating to capture if you do not know how to break these individual elements into discrete parts. Nevertheless, with the help of an instructor, you can quickly learn how to transform rudimentary shapes like lines, ovals, and squares into complex musculature and forms. Depending on their financial and scheduling needs, artists can choose from a variety of in-person and online learning formats to build their skills step-by-step and begin creating their masterpieces.
