Beginner Painting Classes NYC

All Locations NYC Los Angeles Chicago Online Boston Nashville Houston Washington, D.C. San Diego San Francisco Seattle Atlanta Denver San Jose Charlotte New Jersey Brooklyn

Reviews for Beginner Painting Classes in NYC

Beginner Painting Classes in NYC are rated 4.6 stars based on 1,368 verified reviews from actual CourseHorse.com purchasers.

• Art Workshop (Thursdays)

  Soleil • June 17, 2025
  I took the Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting and I loved it! I reconnected with my passion for art and I was guided very well to complete a piece of art I was proud of and could hang up! Would 100% recommend!

• Paint and Sip Workshop: Midtown (BYOB)

  Sarah K. • June 13, 2025
  This was so fun! I brought my friend and we love to do arts projects. We brought our own beer and had a great time. There was not a lot of time to sip our beer during the class but that’s because we were very focused on the artwork. If you are a little unfamiliar with painting I would say the pace of the instruction may be a little fast. But I am already excited to come back.

• Accelerated Introduction to Drawing

  Stacey C. • June 13, 2025
  James was a caring, dedicated, and passionate teacher. I have taken many drawing classes over the years and this was one of the best, and I've learned new skills as well! I highly recommend this class to anyone he wants to be taught by a wonderful teacher, and enhance their skills.

• Long Pose Figure Drawing

  Lorenza F. • June 10, 2025
  Great class and space! Had pencils/easels, instructor was really good as well :)

• Beginner Oil Painting for Adults (Drop-In)

  Anonymous • June 10, 2025
  Excellent guidance, great staff, good materials, all around amazing experience!

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Melissa R. • June 10, 2025
  I absolutely loved this class! I’d for years wanted to take a class to help me improve on my sketching and learn some basic techniques. I love to draw, sketch, watercolor and now I feel like I have some real skills to create. Raphael is a superb teacher, very personalized instruction and so talented and lovely. I’ll be taking more classes with him in the fall. Wonderful experience

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Vincent M. • June 10, 2025
  Great class and even better teacher. I progressed so much in just 3 classes. I would recommend to anyone who wants to start drawing.

• Learning Art through Creating Art

  Yekaterina G. • June 10, 2025
  I really enjoyed this 3 part series class. This is the first art class that i took as an adult and Rafael made the process very accessible and inspiring. I love that he provides all supplies so you don't need to buy anything in advance. Also new students come in every week and there are students there who have been working for longer which allowed me to see not just my progression but those of other students as well. I really learned how to see in this class and got much better at drawing than when I first began. Would recommend!

• Painting Workshop: Harlem

  Pauline C. • June 10, 2025
  The instructor, Patricia is very helpful and gracious.

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting (For Two)

  Kayleen C. • June 10, 2025
  At first, I was intimidated to take a drawing course since I had no drawing experience, but I’m so glad I did. Raphael is a warm and inviting teacher, and there is absolutely no judgment in the class. He helps bring out each student’s unique style during one-on-ones and provides great critiques. You can tell Raphael truly loves art! Through this course, I learned shading techniques, depth perception, and proportions —all of which are foundational to drawing. I’m excited to apply these skills in future work, and I am retaking another class.

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Isabel • June 9, 2025
  This class has been such a refreshing creative outlet. I had no formal training and barely drew before, but after just 3 sessions I am pleasantly surprised at what I created. Rafael creates a calm, supportive space and teaches practical techniques like mark mapping, scaling with reference points, and breaking down shapes—which made drawing feel approachable and fun. I also loved how he brought in artist references and bits of art history for inspiration. Highly recommend for anyone looking to reconnect with their creativity, no matter their starting point.

• Art Workshop (Thursdays)

  Margaret Manning • June 8, 2025
  This class was very fun and informative! As someone who was interested in exploring their creativity, this was a really engrossing and community-based class to enjoy. The techniques about mark mapping, blending and erasing with charcoal and value were great. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to get creative - super good for beginners!

• Art Workshop (Thursdays)

  Benjamin • June 6, 2025
  I had a lot of fun and learned a lot in this class! The different techniques, from Mark Mapping to blending/erasing with charcoal, to the value scale, were really helpful and clear. I feel like I progressed a lot in just a three week period with Raphael’s instruction. It was a really warm, community environment which made it enjoyable. Would recommend to anyone who wants to tap into their creative side. As pretty much a total beginner, it was great for me!

• Collage: Surrealism or New Reality? (Drop-in)

  Bridgett D. • June 2, 2025
  Leysan was a joy to work with -- offering knowledgeable insights and fun ideas that led to my creating a beautiful collage. I love too that so many different materials are on-hand to use. I've taken this class before and will continue to take it again and again in the future!

• Drawing and Painting Techniques: Charcoal

  Evan • May 25, 2025
  Working with Raphael is a real joy. He's an artist through-and-through and conducts his class in a way that is conducive to hands-on learning. He always has something thought-provoking to say and creates a warm, encouraging, and friendly environment for students to learn various techniques and media in the visual arts. I was very surprised at what I was able to create after only 3 weeks of charcoal drawing classes, especially considering I had no prior drawing experience!!

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Christopher W. • May 19, 2025
  10/10 and this class is quickly becoming one of my favorite parts of the week! It has a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to focus and have fun at the same time. Everyone is friendly and supportive which makes the whole experience feel welcoming. Raphael is a great instructor giving personalized feedback and guidance no matter your skill level. I learned how to map out shapes using mark-making techniques and build form through light and shadow. One of the highlights for me was the quick sketching exercises, where I spent 10 minutes each drawing different objects with charcoal. At first it was intimidating, but it really helped me get more confident and comfortable with the process. I’m currently working with colored pastels and excited to see where that leads. If I could only take one art class, this would be the one.

• Japanese Ink Painting (Sumi-e)

  Kana K. • May 13, 2025
  Very engaging and didactic lesson. Teacher gave great tips and taught me a lot about basic techniques in just an hour. Will definitely be applying her tips in the future.

• Japanese Ink Painting (Sumi-e)

  Kana K. • May 13, 2025
  The instructor was very informative and provided hands-on instruction. Would recommend for beginners.

• Saturday Figure Drawing

  Nicholas B. • May 13, 2025
  Class was great, relaxed environment with good people, model was excellent, highly recommend!

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Bruno D. • May 13, 2025
  I enjoyed the class, the instructor gave us personalized instruction, and I was happy to learn from a professional.

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Makeda • May 1, 2025
  Raphael's "Fundamentals of Drawing and Painting" workshop has been an absolutely fantastic and enriching experience, and I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone looking to build a strong artistic foundation or rekindle their passion for art. From the very first session, I felt I was in a space where I could genuinely learn and grow. What I particularly enjoyed was the supportive and encouraging environment Raphael cultivates. He has a wonderful way of making complex concepts accessible and provides individual attention that makes you feel seen and guided, regardless of your initial skill level. I always felt comfortable asking questions and experimenting, which is so crucial for learning. The other students were also a joy to learn alongside; everyone was enthusiastic and respectful, creating a really positive and collaborative atmosphere where we could appreciate each other's progress. In terms of what I learned, the workshop was incredibly comprehensive. Before this, concepts like accurately measuring proportion felt daunting, but Raphael's methodical approach and clear demonstrations made it click. The exercises on mark mapping were a revelation, helping me to truly see the shapes and relationships within a subject. A significant portion of the workshop focused on learning and working with charcoal, which was new to me. Raphael expertly guided us through understanding the value scale, showing us how to achieve a full range of tones from the deepest blacks to the lightest grays. His instruction on different techniques for blending with charcoal was invaluable, allowing me to create smooth transitions and a real sense of three-dimensionality in my drawings. I now feel much more confident in my ability to observe and translate what I see onto paper, especially concerning light and shadow. If you are considering this workshop, you will absolutely learn core drawing principles in a practical, hands-on way. Raphael doesn't just tell you what to do; he shows you and explains the "why" behind each technique. For anyone wanting to grasp the essentials of drawing, from initial sketching to creating depth with charcoal, this workshop is an outstanding investment in your artistic journey. I’m leaving with a much stronger skillset and a renewed enthusiasm for creating art.

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Bruno Donaggio • April 21, 2025
  I am a beginner and was looking forward to learning from a professional. In class we received personalized attention and instruction from Raphael and that helped me gain further knowledge of drawing.

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Lora • April 13, 2025
  I had no drawing experience prior to taking this course. Raphael is a great teacher and introduced me to concepts like measuring proportions, mark mapping, value scale. He broke things down in a way which was easy to understand, taught me to look at lines and lighting which was tremendously helpful. I was able to draw a still life using charcoal and pastel which even I am proud of. Usually my mind is distracted by many things, but when in Raphael’s class I am able to totally concentrate on drawing which he refers to as active meditation, so true! Raphael walks around and pays individual attention to each student, and has us look at each others work, which sounds daunting but actually is a fun experience. Since this class I’ve been sketching and looking at everything in a different light, becoming more observant and noticing much more details. I highly recommend this class!

• Japanese Ink Painting (Sumi-e)

  Anonymous • April 11, 2025
  Amazing experience

• Long Pose Figure Drawing & Painting

  Lisa M P. • April 8, 2025
  I took my first class in long pose figure drawing with Roy. He is a phenomenal teacher and artist. I was feeling very out of my league having never drawn based on a live model but he quickly guided me and put me at ease. The vibe of the class was relaxed and the small group was perfect since we all got a lot of attention and there were regulars in the class who were very friendly. I highly recommend this class and Roy as a teacher!

• Open Studio

  Judy G. • April 8, 2025
  This was a brilliant way to spend a Saturday! Melisse was terrific and the studio is cozy and had every type of material to dive into a day of creativity and calm. I will definitely be back

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Alexej J. • April 8, 2025
  Raphael is amazing, never thought I could draw anything this beautiful. He really provided perfect guidance!!!

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Corinne T. • April 8, 2025
  The class was such a delight. We were treated to not only an introduction on the fundamentals of drawing but also the history and theory of art and why it matters. Raphael is a wonderful teacher. Would highly recommend !

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting (For Two)

  Anna Cho • April 6, 2025
  My husband and I took this course as a way to get reintroduced into drawing and could not have asked for a better teacher than Raphael to ignite our passion to explore the arts and also appreciate life around us through the lens of an artist. Raphael not only teaches techniques such as mark mapping, grayscale values and working with charcoal, but also helps with your mindset towards the arts. I am a perfectionist and the arts always intimidated me because I always compared myself to artists who worked years at their craft and found my own art lacking. Raphael helped me overcome that mental obstacle and encouraged us to embrace our mistakes and reiterated that as a beginner its normal to make mistakes and that there is no shame in making them. Mistakes help us grow and even start to understand how to improve and even great artists take years to feel satisfied with their works. We are both so appreciative of being able to work in his art studio and have a meditative space to draw and polish our observation skills as we work on still life. It has felt like a little pocket space outside of the hustle and bustle of the city outside. Our skills have improved drastically from the first session to the last and we are looking forward to booking more time with Raphael who has been an incredible teacher. We love that he encourages us to appreciate our peer's work and share the things we love about their work because seeing their growth and talent is inspiring and their encouraging comments definitely make you feel more accomplished about your own work. I highly recommend Raphael and his class whether you are a budding artist or an already accomplished one because he is an encouraging and funny teacher. Always walk out of his class with a smile because we had a great time even after a long day.

• Art Workshop (Thursdays)

  Isabel • March 29, 2025
  I took Raphael's classes because I had always wanted to explore painting, and the experience exceeded all expectations. Raphael is an exceptional teacher, offering a perfect blend of art history and practical drawing techniques. He meticulously arranges each space, paying attention to every detail and ensuring the lighting is just right for each student. This setup allows you to draw still life with an incredible focus on shadows and intricate details. You'll master both charcoal drawing and the art of creating stunning pastel paintings. Raphael even provides all the necessary materials, so you don’t need to worry about purchasing anything. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to enhance your skills, Rafael's classes will ignite a lasting passion for art.

• Japanese Ink Painting (Sumi-e)

  Carl E. • March 20, 2025
  I really enjoyed the experience. It was what I was looking for in a class and the description matched it. The instructor was very skilled and communicated well. I picked up a few new things and had fun!

• Long Pose Figure Drawing & Painting

  Rita S. • March 19, 2025
  I had a fantastic time doing this class. I had virtually no experience yet everyone was incredibly welcoming and kindly offered me guidance, helpful tips and direction throughout. I loved it so much I booked myself into a second session only a couple days later!

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Celia • March 18, 2025
  Raphael is such an incredible instructor. He assesses your current skill level (even if at 0 skill) and adjusts his guidance accordingly. Although in a group setting, it feels very personalized and tailored to each student. I feel invigorated to do more art in my free time and look forward to continuing learning under Raphael's guidance. Truly would give this 6 stars if that was an option. I was looking to learn how to blend colors and understand the fundamentals of a drawing/painting so that I can grow my skill set to feel confident enough to call myself an artist. In just 3 sessions, I do feel that confidence! Couldn't be more grateful for these sessions, they are FABULOUS!

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Franz Lino S. • March 14, 2025
  This was a fantastic fundamentals of drawing & painting class. The class can be very personal, where you're taught at your skill/experience level so it doesn't ever feel like you're "behind" others. Also, just learning the mark-mapping technique alone made a huge improvement in my drawing which was great. Excited to continue going!

• Watercolor for Relaxation

  Tina P. • March 12, 2025
  The class was so fun! It's great for all levels; I know nothing about water color painting, but I still had a really nice time learning different techniques and playing around. Everyone was so encouraging. It's a very non-stressful atmosphere. Melisse, the instructor, is so inviting and helpful. I will definitely go back for more classes!

• Valentine's Day Couples Painting

  Abigail K. • March 12, 2025
  We loved the instructor, Luke. He was both kind and hilarious. We had so much fun!

• Valentine's Day Couples Painting

  Aravind E. • March 12, 2025
  Perfect class and highly recommended. Made us feel like established artists. Tons of fun and a great way to take our minds off of the busy world around us.

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Cai • March 3, 2025
  This class was amazing! I took the three-class session, and I honestly can't believe the painting I was able to create after only three days of instruction. The instructor is so great — kind, honest, and very knowledgable. I entered this class knowing nothing about charcoal and pastel, and I left with a painting that I actually feel so proud of! Thank you!

• Art Workshop (Thursdays)

  Kathryn Sobota • February 26, 2025
  Chelsea Drawing & Painting Workshops is a great place for all levels of artists and people learning. Raphael great gives mini lessons on techniques and art history (and philosophy) at the beginning of each class. He does a great job of helping individual students and personalizes instruction to help each student improve on their specific drawings. He is supportive and encouraging. Students can learn how to use charcoal and pastels to create drawings of whatever they want. This class is a great place to cultivate creativity and explore drawing and art techniques.

• Art Workshop (Thursdays)

  Jasmine • February 24, 2025
  If you had shown me the painting I created before starting this class, I never would have believed it was mine and that I could create something so advanced. Raphael is an incredibly encouraging teacher who helped me discover artistic skills I didn’t even know I had. His techniques are especially beginner-friendly, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. I’ve always loved drawing for fun, but I never had the motivation or supplies to take it further. This class gave me the perfect opportunity to explore a new hobby and dedicate time to my creativity each week.

• Valentine's Day Couples Painting

  Monica P. • February 15, 2025
  It was great- lots of fun and very engaging!

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Lori • February 11, 2025
  This class is a fun way to start drawing, or to return to it if you feel out of practice. Raphael, the instructor, is a talented artist and talented teacher. He gives each student personalized instruction, understanding your strengths or interests. And he patiently and kindly answers your questions and shows you ‘how-to’. I learned to become comfortable with using charcoal for drawing and pastels for painting. He teaches techniques such as composition, mark mapping, measuring proportion, erasing, and blending. The welcoming art studio environment is the opposite of a stuffy classroom. There is no pressure, and everyone’s effort is taken seriously. Raphael is a really smart, interesting person – throughout the class we talk about art, history, philosophy, music. I have learned much more than just drawing technique. He’s a great storyteller, and his sense of humor keeps us laughing. Within just a few sessions my skills totally improved! I am inspired to keep drawing. This is the best art class I’ve ever taken!

• Art Workshop (Thursdays)

  Ese • January 19, 2025
  Raphael's art class is great for anyone who wants to start learning to draw or improve skills you already have. Over my time taking his course I was able to create work with charcoal and pastel that proudly hangs in my home. He is patient with beginner learners like myself and I’ve learned alot beyond drawing but also learned art history through his presentations. I highly recommend taking classes with Raphael!

• The Art of Silverpoint Drawing

  Aegina B. • January 13, 2025
  The instructor could not have been nicer or more enthusiastic. The approach was personalized and very helpful, and helped me overcome some of my perceived obstacles (hesitation about making mistakes, etc.) I love that this rather obscure art is alive and well and being taught regularly!

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Michelle • January 2, 2025
  Raphael's art class is fantastic! We worked with charcoal and pastels throughout the three week course. What makes the class so great is how personalized Raphael's teaching style is. He would come around to each of us, give tailored feedback, and offer tips specific to where we were struggling. That kind of one-on-one attention made such a big difference, and I could really see my skills improve over the three weeks. I learned so much about drawing techniques and left the class feeling inspired and eager to continue. Beyond his teaching skills, Raphael is a fantastic storyteller with an engaging personality that makes the sessions not only educational but also incredibly fun. His enthusiasm and humor created a lively and welcoming environment that made me look forward to each class. I came away feeling excited and inspired to keep drawing. If you’re thinking about taking an art class, I can’t recommend this one enough!

• Watercolor for Relaxation

  Anonymous • December 9, 2024
  This class (watercolor) was fabulous. The studio is cozy and nostalgic. Melisse is so fun, knowledgeable, and really set the right tone for what an art class should be. If you are looking for a step by step structured class, this might not be for you. Melisse provided an artist of inspiration and technique demo's, but really encouraged us to get lost in whatever felt right for us. That is what art is all about! She even gave us permission to use any supplies or mediums we saw around the room. Thank you, Melisse! I look forward to returning.

• East Village Studio Night | Georgia O'Keeffe

  Anonymous • November 6, 2024
  What a delight! I learned so much at my class and surprised myself with what I created. The instructor was so personable and made me think about art in an accessible way. I'd definitely recommend this as something different to do, even if you know nothing about art, like me, a simple New York City girl!

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  ChingYun T. • October 22, 2024
  This is an amazing class for beginners. Prior to first class, I had no confidence in drawing and I was very worried. Luckily, Raphael is very patient and encouraged me to continue drawing and trying. He sees positivity from whatever I drew and encourage me to modify little by little. It's a warm and friendly environment. I can seek for support when I need, and he will provide guidance based on each person's need. I thought I won't like charcoal course because it's only black and white, but after the second class, I started to understand and kind of saw the shapes that Raphael was emphasizing on. I really enjoyed the process and Raphael started from the basic, such as mark mapping, values, taking out colors with erasers, looking at the shape and how to be patient about taking the time to observe and draw. I was surprised that I can draw something and it really looks like a rose. In addition, Raphael also taught us how to appreciate artwork, which I always want to learn and I didn't expect that I can get the information in this class, definitely worth it! If you are considering taking any drawing class but scared of being judged, highly recommended this studio.

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  John H. • October 22, 2024
  This was a great experience for me. The teacher is very knowledgeable and provides a good foundation in drawing and painting.

• Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

  Shuting Z. • October 22, 2024
  My 2 friends and I truly loved the class. Raul, the teacher, was very patient, kind, encouraging and helpful with improving our drawing skills. I experienced drastic growth and my drawing came along well with his individual ized attention and help. The workshop’s vibes are relaxed, fun, cozy, and friendly. Will recommend it to anyone!