Drawing Classes in Chicago, IL

Our introductory course is designed for absolute beginners. In this course students will acquire an understanding of basic concepts and begin to develop their drawing skills. We shall start at the rudimentary level by understanding the potential of the materials we’ll use, namely pencil and charcoal. We shall further study elements and principles...

Discover how to effectively convey landscape design ideas to your clients through successful perspective drawing. You will explore concepts through fundamental exercises in producing basic one- and two-point perspective drawings, acquire techniques to improve your drawing skills, including using color pencil, and learn to create a perspective through...

Cast shadows (shadows cast by your subject onto a surface) can ground a subject and create beautiful design elements. Employing artful lighting, you will explore techniques that really make a cast shadow work for you and create dramatic images.  A supply list will be sent with your confirmation.

Learn how to maximize your time as you sketch and draw the landscapes during your travels. Emphasis includes how to extract your vision from the landscape using elements of composition; how to render basic forms of the landscape and incorporate line, gesture, and value; and how to add color. Using water-based pens and colored pencils, you will begin...

PAINTING II The Painting II course is open to all returning students who took at least one of the introductory painting courses, as well as for those who have previous experience outside the studio. This course focuses on developing your skill, personal language and body of work. The course is ever changing throughout a year: we shall introduce...

Continue to build your drawing skills with advanced graphite techniques, light and dark media on toned paper, and carbon dust.  Prerequisite: Botanical Drawing 1  ART requirement

Turn your stick figures & doodles into artwork. It's not hard & in this class you'll get plenty of attention & encouragement. We'll introduce you to basic drawing by studying a variety of objects, styles & techniques. The skill you develop in this class will increase your ability to draw quickly, accurately & to your satisfaction....

Develop Seeing as a practice of mindfulness through drawing and painting, based on the work of Ellen J. Langer,  “All it takes to become an artist is to start doing art.” –from On Becoming an Artist

The human figure has inspired artists from ancient times to the present. We will study grace and symmetry of the human form through a variety of media. By observing the figure through various poses, we will cover the basics of anatomy and proportion. Students must at least 18 years old.

Warning: Homework is involved! In fact it is essential. But the payoff? Sketch with aplomb in only 4 weeks!  Learn basic drawing skills that never fail you. Discover how to look closely to draw quickly and effectively. Bolster your confidence to sketch comfortably in public, within the short time frame of a lunch break or a sightseeing tour....

Inks have the ability to create fluid and impressionistic effects on both porous and non-porous surfaces. Using ceramic tile, clayboard, canvas, wood, glass, metal, fabric, and rice paper, learn how to utilize and control ink to create one-of-a-kind works of art that allow you to flex your creativity. Skill Level: Beginner

During this workshop student will use personal narratives and memory to create illustrative stories. Students will create content to excavate personal stories to put into their zine. After various group and individual exercises students will use pencils, ink, brushes, and collage to create an original zine. Location Instructions: We are located in...

Using drawing and painting mediums we’ll begin with the figure and add nature elements to your compositions. Bring in images of nature – drawn or photos. Each class will begin with warm up sketches. Instruction will focus on creating strong compositions, anatomy, materials, use of color, and combining the figure with nature. Please note: This...

Students with different levels of experience will learn colored pencil application techniques, with emphasis on transitioning from graphite to color. Various finishing techniques unique to colored pencils will be introduced. Emphasizing form, drawing skills will be strengthened, facilitating your personal expression through botanical art. You will...

Using still life and reference material, students will create drawings and paintings using a variety of pens–dip pens, micron pens, brush pens, watercolors, Dr. Martin Watercolors, and brushes on various papers. For supply list click here