The 15 best drawing classes in NYC

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