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Online Art Courses

Want to learn how to draw? Not sure where to start? This Drawing Course is a great way to begin. By the end of the twelve weeks, you'll be able to draw anything you want. You will learn the most important aspects of drawing from the very beginning. You will build the foundation by rendering basic objects and environments, and become prepared to apply these techniques to more complex subjects. All the techniques of the Essential Drawing Course are done in monochrome (black and white) so there is no distraction from the basics such as light and shadow, line, form, tone, and texture.

Finished drawings made by students who completed the Essential Drawing Course.

Essential Drawing Course for Beginners

Instructor:

Drawing

Every Tuesday, join anytime

Tuesday

s

&

Tuesday

s

,

April

4

-

December 2, 2025

No class on

,

6:30 pm

-

8:00 pm

Pacific Time

$

525

/ 3 classes + recordings

/ 16 classes + recordings

/ 4 classes + recordings

/ 6 classes + recordings

/ 12 classes + recordings

Want to learn how to draw? Not sure where to start? This Drawing Course is a great way to begin. By the end of the twelve weeks, you'll be able to draw anything you want. You will learn the most important aspects of drawing from the very beginning. You will build the foundation by rendering basic objects and environments, and become prepared to apply these techniques to more complex subjects. All the techniques of the Essential Drawing Course are done in monochrome (black and white) so there is no distraction from the basics such as light and shadow, line, form, tone, and texture.

Register Learn more

Discover the secrets behind the mastery of drawing drapery. Learn how to sculpt the folds of different type fabrics and depict how they simultaneously hide, hug, and reveal the form underneath. We will study the techniques of the Great Masters Bernini, Leonardo da Vinci, Dürer, and Michelangelo and then create realistic drawings of drapery on the human body. While developing the technical skills, we will observe how by means of drapery we can express action, movement, and emotions. Suitable for all levels.

Drawing by master, Albrecht Dürer

Drawing Drapery

Instructor:

Drawing

Every Tuesday, join anytime

Wednesday

s

&

Wednesday

s

,

October

11

-

November 22, 2023

No class on

October

25

,

6:30 pm

-

8:00 pm

Pacific Time

$

260

/ 3 classes + recordings

/ 16 classes + recordings

/ 4 classes + recordings

/ 6 classes + recordings

/ 12 classes + recordings

Discover the secrets behind the mastery of drawing drapery. Learn how to sculpt the folds of different type fabrics and depict how they simultaneously hide, hug, and reveal the form underneath. We will study the techniques of the Great Masters Bernini, Leonardo da Vinci, Dürer, and Michelangelo and then create realistic drawings of drapery on the human body. While developing the technical skills, we will observe how by means of drapery we can express action, movement, and emotions. Suitable for all levels.

Register Learn more

Express your view of yourself in a self-portrait, personalized with the items that define you. Working from observation using a mirror, you will be able to artistically communicate your essence: from your appearance to your style. You can arrange your background with the objects that you feel would be interesting to depict. Whether you are inspired by the classic masters or contemporary artists, you'll decide how to portray you and your environment: in the form of a painting or mixed media on canvas. Learn how you can better convey specific aspects of your personality through objects, as seen in Rembrandt's 'Self-Portrait With Two Circles'. Suitable for all levels, Essential Drawing Course graduates welcome. Beneficial for animators, illustrators, and fine artists.

Portrait by Mikhail Larionov

Be Your Own Model - Self Portrait with a Mirror

Instructor:

Painting

Every Tuesday, join anytime

Saturday

s

&

Saturday

s

,

October

21

-

November 11, 2023

No class on

,

10:00 am

-

11:30 am

Pacific Time

$

400

/ 3 classes + recordings

/ 16 classes + recordings

/ 4 classes + recordings

/ 6 classes + recordings

/ 12 classes + recordings

Express your view of yourself in a self-portrait, personalized with the items that define you. Working from observation using a mirror, you will be able to artistically communicate your essence: from your appearance to your style. You can arrange your background with the objects that you feel would be interesting to depict. Whether you are inspired by the classic masters or contemporary artists, you'll decide how to portray you and your environment: in the form of a painting or mixed media on canvas. Learn how you can better convey specific aspects of your personality through objects, as seen in Rembrandt's 'Self-Portrait With Two Circles'. Suitable for all levels, Essential Drawing Course graduates welcome. Beneficial for animators, illustrators, and fine artists.

Register Learn more

Celebrate the Holidays with Pet Portrait Painting! Gift yourself or a loved one a cherished present this Christmas. Learn to paint fur, wet noses, and shining eyes in this student-favorite class. Bring your pet's photo reference and create a heartwarming masterpiece with personalized guidance.

Painting by student, Katya B.

Painting Pet Portraits

Instructor:

Painting

Every Tuesday, join anytime

Wednesday

s

&

Wednesday

s

,

November

29

-

December 13, 2023

No class on

,

6:30 pm

-

8:00 pm

Pacific Time

$

130

/ 3 classes + recordings

/ 16 classes + recordings

/ 4 classes + recordings

/ 6 classes + recordings

/ 12 classes + recordings

Celebrate the Holidays with Pet Portrait Painting! Gift yourself or a loved one a cherished present this Christmas. Learn to paint fur, wet noses, and shining eyes in this student-favorite class. Bring your pet's photo reference and create a heartwarming masterpiece with personalized guidance.

Register Learn more

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Past Courses

See a past course you're interested in? Let us know! We reschedule popular courses.

Students often ask us what temperature is as it relates to art. If you've ever wondered yourself, then this course will answer this question. At the end of the course, you'll be able to control the nuances of temperature in your artwork and complete 3 studies and 1 large finished artwork.

Mixed media artworks by Peter Karachentsov

Introduction to Temperature of Color in Art

Students often ask us what temperature is as it relates to art. If you've ever wondered yourself, then this course will answer this question. At the end of the course, you'll be able to control the nuances of temperature in your artwork and complete 3 studies and 1 large finished artwork.

Create four figure drawings with soft pastels or conte with the two-step technique. Choose any paper size, however, larger paper is recommended. For this mixed-media project you will be using two mediums: dry and water-based, on sturdy paper. Discover the surprising serendipity between the abstract backgrounds and the black-and-white figures. Great technique for animators, illustrators, fine artists, and more. Intermediate to advanced levels, Essential Drawing Course graduates welcome.

Mixed media figure drawing by student Cynthia L.

The Art of Layers: Abstract and Realism Merged

Create four figure drawings with soft pastels or conte with the two-step technique. Choose any paper size, however, larger paper is recommended. For this mixed-media project you will be using two mediums: dry and water-based, on sturdy paper. Discover the surprising serendipity between the abstract backgrounds and the black-and-white figures. Great technique for animators, illustrators, fine artists, and more. Intermediate to advanced levels, Essential Drawing Course graduates welcome.

Learn how to paint people on large scale, step-by-step, from head to toe, using fingers instead of brushes. Design every detail, from hair to clothing and accessories, on large-format canvas with latex paint and charcoal. Experience a unique role-playing approach, emulating professionals such as set designers, shoemakers, and more. Enhance your figurative art skills, whether you're an art student, painter seeking fresh ideas, or a creative professional. Beginners and experienced artists all welcome.

Figures by students Karen B., Katya B., Nikusha B., Bill M.

Lifesized Figures in Mixed Media

Learn how to paint people on large scale, step-by-step, from head to toe, using fingers instead of brushes. Design every detail, from hair to clothing and accessories, on large-format canvas with latex paint and charcoal. Experience a unique role-playing approach, emulating professionals such as set designers, shoemakers, and more. Enhance your figurative art skills, whether you're an art student, painter seeking fresh ideas, or a creative professional. Beginners and experienced artists all welcome.

Each week, you'll delve into a new technique and approach, building a comprehensive toolkit for expressing narratives visually. From character design and composition to visual storytelling techniques, you'll learn how to craft compelling and evocative illustrations that engage viewers and convey your intended message.

Artwork by Ben Kimberly

Narrative Drawing

Each week, you'll delve into a new technique and approach, building a comprehensive toolkit for expressing narratives visually. From character design and composition to visual storytelling techniques, you'll learn how to craft compelling and evocative illustrations that engage viewers and convey your intended message.

Create your own hand drawn animation while learning about the anatomy of the face. Study and understand different positions of the head through sketches and drawings in graphite and colored pencils.

Miniature portraits by Norman Rockwell

Turning Heads: Learn Facial Anatomy & Create an Animation of a Head Turn

Create your own hand drawn animation while learning about the anatomy of the face. Study and understand different positions of the head through sketches and drawings in graphite and colored pencils.

Capture the essence of urban scenery through the art of quick sketching. Join our six-week Urban Sketching course to master the techniques of drawing architecture, street scenes, and everyday moments with speed and confidence. Learn to select the right materials, choose compelling subjects, and utilize various mediums. Discover how to infuse your sketches with life by incorporating people and adding vibrant details. Whether you're an artist, writer, designer, or simply an art enthusiast, this course is designed to unlock your authentic art style and get you comfortable with sketching.

Urban sketch by Nazar Diablo

Urban Sketching

Capture the essence of urban scenery through the art of quick sketching. Join our six-week Urban Sketching course to master the techniques of drawing architecture, street scenes, and everyday moments with speed and confidence. Learn to select the right materials, choose compelling subjects, and utilize various mediums. Discover how to infuse your sketches with life by incorporating people and adding vibrant details. Whether you're an artist, writer, designer, or simply an art enthusiast, this course is designed to unlock your authentic art style and get you comfortable with sketching.

Ready for a challenge? Paint a posh interior on a large canvas. The instructor will guide you from the introduction to one-point perspective all the way to the finishing touches so you'll be able to create a magnificent painting. When a large project is broken down into specific steps, you'll be surprised that with this method of building a painting, even a complex subject becomes manageable.

Painting by Mark Hampton

Interior on a Grand Scale

Ready for a challenge? Paint a posh interior on a large canvas. The instructor will guide you from the introduction to one-point perspective all the way to the finishing touches so you'll be able to create a magnificent painting. When a large project is broken down into specific steps, you'll be surprised that with this method of building a painting, even a complex subject becomes manageable.

Create linear figures in the style of Ancient Egyptian silhouettes. Dive into Art History and practice drawing elegant and decorative depictions of art models in different poses. Express the interaction between them through mindful composing and meaningful pictorial elements. The instructor will introduce the project through an informative slideshow with examples and at the end of each class, will provide individual feedback for each participant.

Ancient Egyptian painting from 1400–1390 B.C.

Figure Drawing Inspired by the Pictograms of Ancient Egypt

Create linear figures in the style of Ancient Egyptian silhouettes. Dive into Art History and practice drawing elegant and decorative depictions of art models in different poses. Express the interaction between them through mindful composing and meaningful pictorial elements. The instructor will introduce the project through an informative slideshow with examples and at the end of each class, will provide individual feedback for each participant.

Learn the foundational skills of drawing in the academic, realistic style using graphite and receive personalized feedback from our experienced instructor in this beginner art course.

Finished drawing from the Academy of Fine Art

Academic Graphite Drawing

Learn the foundational skills of drawing in the academic, realistic style using graphite and receive personalized feedback from our experienced instructor in this beginner art course.

This 4-week course offers a unique blend of skill-building, environmental awareness, resourcefulness, and creative exploration by painting a series of portraits on cardboard boxes.

Polyptych portrait by portfolio graduate, Sofia P.

Painting a Portrait Polyptych on Alternative Surfaces

This 4-week course offers a unique blend of skill-building, environmental awareness, resourcefulness, and creative exploration by painting a series of portraits on cardboard boxes.

In this course, you'll learn how to create deeply personal art by utilizing your old family photographs to connect with your roots, evoke childhood memories, and make a profound impact through your art, resulting in a unique and authentic body of work.

Finished painting by portfolio graduate, Rachel D.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

In this course, you'll learn how to create deeply personal art by utilizing your old family photographs to connect with your roots, evoke childhood memories, and make a profound impact through your art, resulting in a unique and authentic body of work.

Olya Losina has her own method of teaching abstract art. In this course you will experience the transformation of your sensation of art-making to the spiritual experience that you may not be able to find the words to describe. But we WILL talk about it and try to get the language that can express abstract art. As an artist, the only way to grow, expand, and progress is to say YES to the unknown and the unfamiliar. Everything you need to know to create abstract art with confidence is right here in this 8-week course.

Painting by student, Amanda Saint Claire

Abstract Art: A Spectrum of Depth & Play

Olya Losina has her own method of teaching abstract art. In this course you will experience the transformation of your sensation of art-making to the spiritual experience that you may not be able to find the words to describe. But we WILL talk about it and try to get the language that can express abstract art. As an artist, the only way to grow, expand, and progress is to say YES to the unknown and the unfamiliar. Everything you need to know to create abstract art with confidence is right here in this 8-week course.

Improve your sketching skills with a two-day marathon using diluted black tempera and various brushes. Then in the second half of the course, see how intense sketching informs your slow-brush drawing with grace and effortlessness.

Artwork by artist, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Gesture Drawing & Refined Rendering: Figure Drawing

Improve your sketching skills with a two-day marathon using diluted black tempera and various brushes. Then in the second half of the course, see how intense sketching informs your slow-brush drawing with grace and effortlessness.

If you've previously struggled with managing charcoal and found it to be messy or uncontrollable, this course is for you! Our course is designed to teach you how to become comfortable with charcoal through step-by-step instruction and guided demonstrations. Over the span of six weeks, our expert instructor will cover six independent charcoal drawing techniques that range from blending and creating texture to using the eraser as a drawing tool. By the end of the course, you'll feel confident in your ability to control charcoal and create stunning works of art.

Charcoal drawing by artist Josh Hernandez

Techniques of Charcoal

If you've previously struggled with managing charcoal and found it to be messy or uncontrollable, this course is for you! Our course is designed to teach you how to become comfortable with charcoal through step-by-step instruction and guided demonstrations. Over the span of six weeks, our expert instructor will cover six independent charcoal drawing techniques that range from blending and creating texture to using the eraser as a drawing tool. By the end of the course, you'll feel confident in your ability to control charcoal and create stunning works of art.

Learn how to intensify the vibrant color of nature and capture the raw energy of Fauvism in this course. You'll create studies of colorful boats using Fauvist techniques, culminating in a larger painting of boats in a bay with reflections, waves, and sunlit distant shores, and conclude with an online exhibition and discussion to share your work and get feedback.

Fauve painting by artist, André Derain

Fauve Landscapes: Boats on Water

Learn how to intensify the vibrant color of nature and capture the raw energy of Fauvism in this course. You'll create studies of colorful boats using Fauvist techniques, culminating in a larger painting of boats in a bay with reflections, waves, and sunlit distant shores, and conclude with an online exhibition and discussion to share your work and get feedback.

Learn to overcome the fear of mistakes and the resistance to making corrections when drawing the human form. Working directly with pen and ink on smooth bristol paper, we will create a figure drawing, striving for capturing the character of the pose. We will create corrections the same way the Great Masters did immediate improvements by means of self-edits, by means of “pentimenti” (“regrets", in Italian), the unwanted lines.

Drawing by master, Stefano Della Bella

Figure Drawing & Pentimenti - The Art of Change

Learn to overcome the fear of mistakes and the resistance to making corrections when drawing the human form. Working directly with pen and ink on smooth bristol paper, we will create a figure drawing, striving for capturing the character of the pose. We will create corrections the same way the Great Masters did immediate improvements by means of self-edits, by means of “pentimenti” (“regrets", in Italian), the unwanted lines.

Learn the power of highlights to sculpt the body. You will be introduced to the two essential tools of the artist: the silhouette and the highlight. We will work from a dark-colored figure and start by creating a black silhouette of the pose, then add white highlights to achieve realistic definitions of musculature.

Drawing by student, Lollo E., from "Silhouette and Highlights"

Silhouette and Highlights on the Figure

Learn the power of highlights to sculpt the body. You will be introduced to the two essential tools of the artist: the silhouette and the highlight. We will work from a dark-colored figure and start by creating a black silhouette of the pose, then add white highlights to achieve realistic definitions of musculature.

Drawing on tonal paper goes as far back as the 16th century, that’s why in the first half of the course, you will be led through the traditional method drawing animals using tonal paper. In the second half of the course, you will explore the creative way of utilizing tonal paper, which involves more artistic decision making.

Drawing of a lion on toned paper by student, Katya B.

Drawing Animals

Drawing on tonal paper goes as far back as the 16th century, that’s why in the first half of the course, you will be led through the traditional method drawing animals using tonal paper. In the second half of the course, you will explore the creative way of utilizing tonal paper, which involves more artistic decision making.

An opportunity to exercise your painting muscle by creating a triptych in the timeless theme of Three Graces. The three standing poses will be painted each on a separate canvas. The project is designed to be displayed as a triptych.

Finished "Triptych" by student, David A.

Figure Drawing: Triptych

An opportunity to exercise your painting muscle by creating a triptych in the timeless theme of Three Graces. The three standing poses will be painted each on a separate canvas. The project is designed to be displayed as a triptych.

Are you ready to explore the depths of your imagination and create something truly unique and captivating? Look no further than our surrealism art course!

Painting by artist, René Magritte

Surrealism: The Art of Imagination

Are you ready to explore the depths of your imagination and create something truly unique and captivating? Look no further than our surrealism art course!

Making miniature sketches, while working from figure models, is a new experience for most art students. Learn to be flexible, drawing without a pencil and eraser, and scaling up or down with pen and ink.

Miniature sketches by student, Yi T. from "Sketching Like a Jeweler"

Sketching Like a Jeweler, Figure Drawing

Making miniature sketches, while working from figure models, is a new experience for most art students. Learn to be flexible, drawing without a pencil and eraser, and scaling up or down with pen and ink.

A great technique for ALL levels. It will completely remove any fear of making mistakes and help us draw an anatomically accurate body. Following in the footsteps of Edgar Degas, we will learn a creative way to deal with correcting (or perfecting or editing) our composition, proportions, and anything else by means of colored patches.

Completed mixed media drawing by student, Lulu P., from "Creative Surgery"

Creative Surgery, Figure Drawing

A great technique for ALL levels. It will completely remove any fear of making mistakes and help us draw an anatomically accurate body. Following in the footsteps of Edgar Degas, we will learn a creative way to deal with correcting (or perfecting or editing) our composition, proportions, and anything else by means of colored patches.

In this project, you will create a mixed media portrait in large format that will stimulate your creativity and show you the possibilities when you recycle your unwanted art.

A completed large-scale mixed media piece from "Portraits Reimagined", by Portfolio student, Lucia J.

Portraits Reimagined: Mixed-Media

In this project, you will create a mixed media portrait in large format that will stimulate your creativity and show you the possibilities when you recycle your unwanted art.

This course is a great opportunity to learn how to elevate your own art of portraiture. We will be studying William-Adolphe Bouguereau by means of copying one of his paintings. If you truly want to develop YOUR style and achieve painter’s mastery, there is no better way to train your eye, enrich your palette, and develop a better technique, than by copying.

Painting by master, Bouguereau

Portraiture by Bouguereau: Painting Like the Masters

This course is a great opportunity to learn how to elevate your own art of portraiture. We will be studying William-Adolphe Bouguereau by means of copying one of his paintings. If you truly want to develop YOUR style and achieve painter’s mastery, there is no better way to train your eye, enrich your palette, and develop a better technique, than by copying.

Discover how ANY color can be made into a convincing skin color. Your paper color can be red, green, blue, yellow, violet, gray, etc. Do not bring white or black paper, and also no beige or brown please. The paper should not be the conventional flesh tone.

Student, Lollo E.'s completed drawing from "Drawing on Tonal Paper"

Drawing on Tonal Paper

Discover how ANY color can be made into a convincing skin color. Your paper color can be red, green, blue, yellow, violet, gray, etc. Do not bring white or black paper, and also no beige or brown please. The paper should not be the conventional flesh tone.

This is a fun beginner-friendly class that will teach you a new way to draw portraits. This course will elevate your drawing skills to the next level and help you become comfortable with facial expressions. If you want to illustrate your own short stories, go into animation, or learn how to draw faces from imagination, this course will provide you with an introduction to the character design.

Drawing by Master, Leonardo da Vinci

Character Design

This is a fun beginner-friendly class that will teach you a new way to draw portraits. This course will elevate your drawing skills to the next level and help you become comfortable with facial expressions. If you want to illustrate your own short stories, go into animation, or learn how to draw faces from imagination, this course will provide you with an introduction to the character design.

Van Gogh, known for his mesmerizing swirls and textures, is also the Master of form, unsurpassed at creating dimensionality on canvas. In this course, you will learn how to virtually transform your brush into a magic chisel – the ‘sculpting tool’ that builds volume and space with pigment and color.

Group photo from the "Sculpting With The Brush: How To Be van Gogh" course

Sculpting With The Brush: How to Be Van Gogh

Van Gogh, known for his mesmerizing swirls and textures, is also the Master of form, unsurpassed at creating dimensionality on canvas. In this course, you will learn how to virtually transform your brush into a magic chisel – the ‘sculpting tool’ that builds volume and space with pigment and color.

A sketchbook is a fundamental tool for artists – it’s a must-have for any creative. In this course, you’ll learn how to use it effectively to lay the foundation for all of your future work.

Group photo from the "The Art of Ideas" course

The Art of Ideas: How To Use a Sketchbook

A sketchbook is a fundamental tool for artists – it’s a must-have for any creative. In this course, you’ll learn how to use it effectively to lay the foundation for all of your future work.

If you’ve tried charcoal and found it messy – this course will show you how to control it. In each class, the instructor will lead you through demonstrations that cover 6 independent charcoal drawing techniques, such as blending, creating texture, using the eraser as a drawing tool, drawing on paper versus canvas, and more.

Group photo from the "Introduction to Charcoal" course

Introduction to Charcoal

If you’ve tried charcoal and found it messy – this course will show you how to control it. In each class, the instructor will lead you through demonstrations that cover 6 independent charcoal drawing techniques, such as blending, creating texture, using the eraser as a drawing tool, drawing on paper versus canvas, and more.

Painting starts with color-mixing, and this course is the most important course for anyone who wants to try painting. In this course, you will acquire the system for how to set your palette and mix any color you want. Color mixing is like science; anyone who understands it, gets off to a good start.

Group photo from the "Color Mixing & Color Theory 101" course

Color Mixing & Color Theory 101

Painting starts with color-mixing, and this course is the most important course for anyone who wants to try painting. In this course, you will acquire the system for how to set your palette and mix any color you want. Color mixing is like science; anyone who understands it, gets off to a good start.

Painting a bouquet of dying flowers on a giant canvas in oils or acrylic, with a personal message, exploring the image of a wilting bouquet as a metaphor.

Student, Lulu P. standing next to her completed, large-scale painting project from "Recycled Beauty: Bouquet Afterlife".

Recycled Beauty: Bouquet Afterlife, Advanced Project

Painting a bouquet of dying flowers on a giant canvas in oils or acrylic, with a personal message, exploring the image of a wilting bouquet as a metaphor.

Advance your drawing style and achieve high contrast in your drawings. Pen and ink is the medium of restraints and precision, where time investment is key – this is why we will spend the first two classes learning the principles and techniques, and develop a feel for working with pen and ink, and the next four weeks will be dedicated to creating one drawing, to give you the time to add the details. We will go very slowly to enjoy the process of drawing, to savor every pen stroke.

Etching by Master, Albrecht Dürer

The Classic Style of Pen and Ink

Advance your drawing style and achieve high contrast in your drawings. Pen and ink is the medium of restraints and precision, where time investment is key – this is why we will spend the first two classes learning the principles and techniques, and develop a feel for working with pen and ink, and the next four weeks will be dedicated to creating one drawing, to give you the time to add the details. We will go very slowly to enjoy the process of drawing, to savor every pen stroke.

Watercolor is very much a technique-based medium. What we call “technique” is the understanding of the special watercolor properties that you have to know in order to make the best of this exquisite material.

Group photo from the "Introduction to Watercolors" course

Introduction to Watercolors

Watercolor is very much a technique-based medium. What we call “technique” is the understanding of the special watercolor properties that you have to know in order to make the best of this exquisite material.

Create a contemporary portrait with contemporary tools. Make a Pop Art painting with the special technique introduced in this course. This technique will combine drawing, masking, tracing, transferring, and painting in one artwork.

Painting by student, Audrey Y.

Portrait in Pieces

Create a contemporary portrait with contemporary tools. Make a Pop Art painting with the special technique introduced in this course. This technique will combine drawing, masking, tracing, transferring, and painting in one artwork.