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Drawing Classes San Francisco

Unleash your inner artist with a variety of drawing classes in San Francisco. Learn everything from basic techniques to advanced skills in figure drawing, watercolor, and more, gaining confidence and honing your creativity along the way.

6 classes in-person in San Francisco have spots left, and 14 classes live online are available.

Atelier Program

Art School of SF Bay @ 1601 Irving St, San Francisco, CA

Strengthen your technical abilities as an emerging artist at the renowned Art School of SF Bay. Discover the academic methods of the old masters and learn to draw what you see with precision and skill. Tailored to your unique learning style, this ongoing program will help you unlock your artistic potential.

(5) Intermediate 18 and older
$500

9 sessions

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Drawing Essentials: Still Life

Richmond Art Center @ 2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA

Unleash your creativity with charcoal drawing techniques in this course designed for artists looking to enhance their skills. Dive into the world of still life and learn valuable techniques that will elevate your artwork and broaden your artistic horizons. Master mark-making, composition, and 3-D illusion to take your drawings to the next level.

(13) Intermediate 16 and older
$400

8 sessions

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Pen and Ink Architecture

Richmond Art Center @ 2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA

Unlock the secrets of architectural drawing with the Pen and Ink Architecture course at Richmond Art Center. Discover the art of simplifying plants and buildings and explore perspective techniques. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this class offers a relaxing way to build observational skills with pen and watercolor.

(13) Beginner 16 and older
$240

6 sessions

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Explore Art Private Group Events

Explore private group events and team building activities ranging from cooking to art, escape rooms, trivia, and more

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Go Wild! African Animals in Mixed Media

Richmond Art Center @ 2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA

Embark on a creative journey at Richmond Art Center, exploring African wildlife through vibrant mixed media. From leopards to giraffes, unleash your artistic vision using colored pencils, pastels, watercolor, and more. No prior drawing experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm and join us for two days of immersive artistry.

(13) All levels 16 and older
$240

6 sessions

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Manga for Adults

Art School of SF Bay @ 1601 Irving St, San Francisco, CA

Embark on a journey to master the art of manga with professional manga artist Austin Bath at the Art School of SF Bay. Unleash your creativity as you learn the characteristics, drawing techniques, and proportions of manga style. Join us in person at our San Francisco studio for an immersive experience in the world of manga.

(5) All levels 18 and older
$450

15 sessions

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Digital Art 101

Richmond Art Center @ 2540 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA

Unleash your creativity with a hands-on exploration of digital art essentials, including coloring techniques, layering, and adding finishing touches to your creations. Dive into character and background design to craft stunning illustrations in this engaging course. iPads with Procreate are necessary for this immersive experience - come ready to bring your vision to life!

(13) All levels 16 and older
$150

8 sessions

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Essential Drawing Course for Beginners

Prima Materia Institute @ Virtual Classroom

Discover the essential drawing techniques that will help you create realistic and convincing artwork. Join the live online classes every Tuesday at Prima Materia Institute and learn how to draw portraits, still lifes, landscapes, and more using various mediums. Develop your skills and receive expert feedback for a well-rounded beginner artist experience.

(3) Beginner 15 and older
$525

12 sessions

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Online Drawing with Charcoal 101

Pastimes for a Lifetime @ Live Online via Zoom

Master the traditional classical medium of drawing with charcoal in this online course at Pastimes for a Lifetime. Learn the fundamentals of sketching and creating illustrations with incredible depth and tone, with valuable tips and tricks from the instructor. Perfect for aspiring fine artists and commercial or book illustrators.

(18) Beginner 7 and older
$160

4 sessions

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Online Drawing with Graphite 101

Pastimes for a Lifetime @ Live Online via Zoom

Discover the beauty of graphite drawing in this engaging course that teaches the fundamentals of measuring, shading, and creating dimensions. Perfect for beginners and those returning to art, students will develop their skills while honing their hand-to-eye coordination. Unleash your creativity and bring your drawings to life in this unique online class.

(18) Beginner 7 and older
$160

4 sessions

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Online Pen and Ink 101

Pastimes for a Lifetime @ Live Online via Zoom

Discover the power of the pen as you delve into the intricate art of Pen and Ink. Unlock your creativity and learn the techniques needed to create stunning black-and-white illustrations. Perfect for aspiring illustrators and those seeking to enhance their artistic skills.

(18) Beginner 7 and older
$160

4 sessions

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Online Drawing with Graphite 102

Pastimes for a Lifetime @ Live Online via Zoom

Take your drawing skills to the next level with an intermediate online drawing class at Pastimes for a Lifetime. Develop your measuring, sketching, and shading skills with challenging subject matter. Explore still-life set-ups, tinted paper, and larger formats for a more advanced drawing experience.

(18) Intermediate 7 and older
$160

4 sessions

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Online Gray Colored Pencil 101

Pastimes for a Lifetime @ Live Online via Zoom

Learn to create stunning gray-scale works of art using colored pencils in this unique course. Explore the three Gray Families - Cool, Warm, and French - and discover techniques for achieving rich tonal values and depth. Perfect for colored pencil enthusiasts who prefer working in tone rather than color.

(18) Intermediate 7 and older
$160

4 sessions

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Figure and Portrait Drawing Combined

92nd Street Y @ Live Interactive Online Classroom

Explore the art of capturing the human form and face with precision and depth in this immersive drawing course. Master the intricacies of anatomy and bring your figures and portraits to life using a variety of drawing mediums. Join a community of artists online as you work with live models and engage in class discussions and demonstrations.

(1060) All levels 18 and older
$350

8 sessions

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Colored Pencils (Intermediate/Advanced)

92nd Street Y @ Live Interactive Online Classroom

Take your colored pencil skills to new heights and create dimensional drawings that come to life! Refine your technique and artistic voice in this intermediate/advanced course at the esteemed 92nd Street Y. Prerequisite: Colored Pencil for Beginners. A supplies list will be available.

(1060) Intermediate 18 and older
$330

8 sessions

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Colored Pencils for Beginners

92nd Street Y @ Live Interactive Online Classroom

Discover the surprising versatility of colored pencils in this beginner-friendly course at 92nd Street Y. Learn how to create vibrant drawings from life with nuance, depth, and expression using basic techniques for blending and shading. Unleash your artistic potential with this perfect medium for the home studio.

(1060) Beginner 18 and older
$330

8 sessions

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Drawing with Pastel

92nd Street Y @ Live Interactive Online Classroom

Unlock the vibrant world of soft pastels in this online course. Discover color theory and enhance your drawing skills as you explore classic still-lifes, figures, and photographs. Receive individual feedback and guidance from instructor Eva Nikolova along the way.

(1060) Beginner 18 and older
$330

7 sessions

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Drawing for Beginners

92nd Street Y @ Live Interactive Online Classroom

Discover the art of drawing with expert guidance at 92nd Street Y. This course provides a solid foundation in the basics of drawing, from lines and shapes to shadow and perspective. Perfect for beginners and intermediate-level students seeking to develop their drawing skills.

(1060) Beginner 18 and older
$270

8 sessions

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Fear-Free Beginners Drawing 101

The Art Studio NY @ Online Classroom

Unlock your inner artist and discover the joy of drawing in this inspiring and non-judgmental beginner drawing class at The Art Studio NY. Learn a variety of techniques, from charcoal and pencil use to shading and composition, as you create and finish many drawings to feel proud of. Join our supportive art community and experience the lasting health benefits of drawing!

(630) All levels 18 and older
$95

3 sessions

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Drawing & Painting (Intermediate/Advanced)

92nd Street Y @ Live Interactive Online Classroom

Take your drawing and painting skills to the next level with this intermediate/advanced level course. Learn new techniques, explore the work of master artists, and receive individual feedback to enhance your creative practice. Join from the comfort of your own home and develop your observational skills in a supportive and engaging environment.

(1060) Intermediate 18 and older
$330

7 sessions

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Portrait and Figure Painting (All Levels)

92nd Street Y @ Live Interactive Online Classroom

Develop your skills in figure and portrait painting from observation of live models. Learn color mixing, structure, proportion, and light and shadow theory in gouache and oil mediums. Capture the model's gesture, likeness, and expression in this comprehensive course.

(1060) All levels 18 and older
$350

8 sessions

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Reviews for Drawing Classes in San Francisco

Drawing Classes in San Francisco are rated 4.5 stars based on 1,729 verified reviews from actual CourseHorse.com purchasers.

  • Colored Pencils for Beginners

    Anonymous review on 2/13/2024
    Loved the class! This was my first colored pencil class so I really wasn’t familiar with how to approach making an image using colored pencils. I learned a lot about layering colors, blending, and about color theory. It was great!
  • Fear-Free Beginners Drawing 101

    Reviewed by Patricia W. on 2/11/2024
    Love the teacher. Great explanations of basics.
  • Fear-Free Beginners Drawing 101

    Reviewed by Romain G. on 11/22/2023
    Very useful class for someone with no experience like me. The teacher was really nice and patient!
  • Fear-Free Beginners Drawing 101

    Anonymous review on 6/25/2023
    Terrific teacher! Fun and interesting.
  • Drawing with Pastel

    Reviewed by Aldona J. on 5/12/2021
    I learned so much in this class. Melanie is terrific.
  • Drawing with Pastel

    Reviewed by Carmela M. on 5/12/2021
    What a great class with a wonderful talented and supportive instructor!
  • Drawing with Pastel

    Reviewed by Linda K. on 3/7/2021
    Great teacher
  • Drawing & Painting (Intermediate/Advanced)

    Anonymous review on 12/21/2020
    Vic was a great instructor. He was very knowledgeable, generous and gave good, insightful critique. I appreciated the opportunity to practice and to receive feedback from someone with so much experience.
  • Fear-Free Beginners Drawing 101

    Anonymous review on 7/25/2020
    Very good class!
  • Fear-Free Beginners Drawing 101

    Anonymous review on 7/25/2020
    Great instructor, Great class!

Discover the Best Drawing Classes in San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the largest cities in California and is well known for a thriving and exciting art scene. If you’re interested in joining this market or simply want to create art for yourself, learning to draw is a great first step. You can learn how to use many drawing materials, pencil-, pen-, crayon-, marker-, and charcoal-based design. Thankfully, many in-person and virtual courses in San Francisco can teach you how to be a better and more skilled artist.

Why You Should Learn Drawing in San Francisco

Learning to draw in San Francisco could provide you with a great full- or part-time career, particularly a fun side hustle. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), full-time artists make around $49,960 per year or $24.02 hourly. As that’s well below San Francisco’s $109K average salary, it’s best to learn drawing as a side hustle while focusing on your full-time job. After all: every extra dollar will help you pay the heavy expenses associated with San Francisco living. 

Even if you don’t make money with your art, learning to draw is still beneficial in many ways. For example, according to multiple studies, creating art can manage anxiety, decrease depression symptoms, and improve your confidence. That makes drawing a great way to relieve the stress of living in a big city like San Fran and can help you meet fellow artists in your community.

In-Person Drawing Classes in San Francisco

While you can learn to draw using video-based platforms like YouTube, in-person drawing courses provide San Francisco residents with many benefits. First, you’ll get hands-on experience with a live professor who can help you better understand drawing techniques. Furthermore, most courses provide your drawing materials, minimizing your expenses.

Thankfully, there are multiple in-person drawing classes in San Francisco that may interest you. They focus on beginner, intermediate, and advanced learning, as well as specialized art styles. For example, there are classes on drawing cartoons, manga, and even photo-realistic designs. This diversity of courses makes San Francisco a great place to learn how to draw. 

Portrait Workshop 

Portrait Workshop is an Art School of SF Bay program that teaches up to eight people how to draw beautiful portraits. This five-week program covers capturing a person’s head and shoulders properly, how to use shapes, lines, and textures, and producing an individualistic art style. When you’re done, you’ll have a great portrait and can use these skills to make more.

Manga for Adults 

Manga for Adults is an Art School of SF Bay class on Irving Street in the Sunset District. This eight-person program accepts people of all skill levels and teaches in-depth manga design techniques. You’ll learn basic manga styles, focus on creating unique designs, draw personalized character portraits, and finish with a portfolio of attractive manga-style artwork.

Digital Art 101

Digital Art 101 is a Richmond Art Center program on Barret Avenue in Richmond, California. Rather than pencil-and-paper styles, Digital Art 101 focuses on computer-based designs. You’ll learn how to use drawing programs to sketch attractive artwork, color your designs effectively, and produce unique characters and backgrounds that make your digital artwork stand out.

Omi Callings: Painting the Orishas

Omi Callings: Painting the Orishas is a Richmond Art Center class on Barret Avenue in Richmond, California. This four-week course accepts up to 12 students of all skill levels. You’ll learn about the Yoruba spiritual tradition and create three paintings that celebrate it. This course is a great option for artistic people with a spiritual side.

Oil Painting, Old Masters Technique 

Oil Painting, Old Masters Technique is an Art School of SF Bay program on Irving Street that focuses on old-school, oil-based painting techniques. This four-day class covers human head and neck proportions, overall human anatomy, priming, drawing, underpainting, applying color, producing shadows, and more to create a gorgeous oil-based painting.

Advanced Manga Art Camp (Ages 10-16)

Advanced Manga Art Camp (Ages 10-16) is a kid-friendly Art School of SF Bay course taught on Irving Street. It teaches younger artists how to craft beautiful manga-style designs during five days of lessons in a day-camp environment. As the class progresses, your designs will improve and you’ll use more advanced techniques to produce better artwork.

Oil & Acrylic Painting 

Oil & Acrylic Painting is an in-depth Art School of SF Bay class that covers subjects like color theory, color mixing, expressing moods through color, painting beautiful objects, assessing appropriate tone types, and various painting styles. These painting techniques include impressionism, classical painting, still life, landscape artwork, and much more.

Virtual Drawing Classes 

Do you prefer working from home or are interested in a class in New York City but obviously can’t make the commute from San Francisco? Online drawing courses may work well for you! You can attend them wherever you want, which opens you up to programs around the nation. However, you typically have to buy all learning materials and have less socialization time.

That said, online drawing classes in San Francisco work well for people who hate commuting or those who simply enjoy working at home. If you’re interested in these virtual courses, take a look at the options below. They’re just a few of the classes available to you, so read through each description carefully to learn what each requires from you. 

Botanical Drawing (Online)

Botanical Drawing (Online) is a 92nd Street Y course that teaches the basic drawing skills needed to produce attractive botanical artwork. For example, you’ll learn how to sketch things like plants, flowers, vegetables, petals, and even vines using pencils. Then, you’ll practice basic coloring and texturing methods to produce even more attractive designs. 

Drawing With Colored Pencils 

Drawing With Colored Pencils is a Chicago Botanic Garden program that covers colored pencil drawing techniques. You’ll learn about working on toned paper and how to maintain your colored pencils. Other covered subjects include the “heightened” drawing method that helps you produce more vivid colors and designs with your pencils. 

Figure and Nature Drawing/Painting

Figure and Nature Drawing/Painting is an online Evanston Art Center class that teaches up to 10 people basic drawing techniques through lectures, warm-up drawings, and longer finished poses. You’ll learn gesture design, lines, shapes, contours, planes, volumes, and anatomical shapes. Thankfully, this course lets you either draw or paint, depending on your preference.

Private Group Drawing Classes in San Francisco

Are you interested in private drawing classes for groups in San Francisco? CourseHorse can help you find a program that works for your needs. These classes cover multiple subjects, including basic drawing techniques, cartooning, and more advanced skills like manga production. Choosing a course should vary based on your employees’ interests.

For example, Virtual Group Drawing & Sketching is a 255-person class that teaches your employees how to create still life drawings and landscapes, as well as faces and botanical styles. Similarly, Virtual Sun Printing Workshop teaches up to 100 people how to use the sun and special paper to produce intricate and gorgeous designs.

If these classes don’t appeal to you, contact CourseHorse right away to learn more about other available options. They may have courses that aren’t listed publicly and can help you sign up for them. Other benefits of working with CourseHorse include large class sizes, no booking fees, adjustable groups after booking, and multiple supported learning platforms.

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