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Beginner Drawing Classes Chicago

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Learn the fundamentals of drawing in Chicago with beginner classes that cover techniques such as shading, perspective, and composition to help participants develop their artistic skills.

13 classes have spots left

Pastel Drawing Studio

Evanston Art Center @ 1717 Central St, Evanston, IL

Soft pastel is a unique medium that combines the qualities of drawing and painting. Dry pigments look like velvet catching the light.  Create pastels from nature, photographs or memories as you explore composition, color, light, shadow and perspective. An advanced studio class with significant independent work.  Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced  In-person class (with reduced capacity) closely following Restore Illinois guidelines. ...

(83) Intermediate 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$265

7 sessions

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Weekly Group Crit

Evanston Art Center

Are you looking to discuss your work in a safe, constructive environment, while learning and growing your artistic practice?  Share your work in a free and open discussion to receive both positive and constructive feedback, all with the goal of growth. Lively discussions are encouraged. All media are welcome. This interactive online class is presented via Zoom. Please download Zoom prior to your first class:  You will be emailed Zoom...

(83) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Texture in Colored Pencil Ages 16+

Evanston Art Center @ Interactive Online Classroom via Zoom, Chicago, IL

Bring more realism to your drawings by learning how to create texture in colored pencil. You will learn how to render soft, rough, fuzzy, smooth and shiny objects.  The basics of colored pencil will be covered before moving into more advanced techniques. This interactive online class is presented via Zoom. Please download Zoom prior to your first class:  You will be emailed Zoom meeting instructions, including a unique URL and meeting...

(83) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
$150

6 sessions

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Tropical Plein Air

Evanston Art Center

We’ll draw and paint in either the Lincoln Park Conservatory or the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Work in watercolors and watercolor pencils, drawing mediums, or acrylics. Focus includes instruction on creating quick thumbnail sketches, composition, and color. Materials: small sketchbook Staedtler #3b pencils kneaded eraser.

(83) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$110

2 sessions

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DIY Coloring Books (Ages 16+)

Evanston Art Center

Turn the ordinary into something ornamental by designing your own coloring pages. Each week we will look at different art from around the world and draw on their patterns and designs for inspiration. You can choose your own subject matter or work along with the instructor’s provided examples. Notes: This interactive online class is presented via Zoom. Please download Zoom prior to your first class. You will be emailed Zoom meeting instructions,...

(83) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Ex Libris: Relief Print Booklet (Ages 16+)

Evanston Art Center @ 1717 Central St, Evanston, IL

Design, cut, and print your own relief bookplate to personalize your book collection. Join the centuries-old tradition - Ex Libris!

(83) Beginner 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Painting & Drawing III: Portrait

Aartwerk Studio @ 1141 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL

In this course we shall concentrate on portrait, working from a live model. Students are free to use mediums of their choice, but will be encouraged to follow suggested assignments and approach the subject in different ways. Homework: Students are strongly encouraged to do assigned homework regularly, as continuous practice is crucial to your development. Please be advised: you are welcome to come to Open Studios and work on your homework...

(12) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
$380

8 sessions

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Working Large Scale with Charcoal

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, Chicago, IL

Discover the art of creating stunning large-scale charcoal drawings at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Explore the versatility of charcoal and learn the techniques needed to work with both vine charcoal and charcoal pencils. Unleash your creativity and master the art of luscious darks in this immersive course.

(127) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$312

4 sessions

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Drawing II

Aartwerk Studio @ 1141 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL

This intermediate level drawing course will focus on the development of students’ drawing skills as well as their individual sensibility and artistic voice. Furthermore, in order to fully explore the potential of drawing, students will first be introduced to basic color theory and various new materials, including colored pencils, dry and oil pastels, marker pens and ink. At this level, students will have the liberty to choose their subject matter...

(12) Intermediate 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
$260

7 sessions

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Painting II & Drawing II

Aartwerk Studio @ 1141 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL

Elevate your artistic journey with Painting II & Drawing II at Aartwerk Studio. For returning painting enthusiasts, explore and enhance your personal language and body of work in Painting II. In Drawing II, delve into intermediate-level techniques, from basic color theory to diverse materials, empowering you to express your unique artistic voice while encouraging the creation of original compositions.

(12) Intermediate 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
$260

2 sessions

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Drawing Workshop

Artpie @ 608 North Ave, Waukegan, IL

One-on-one instruction, tips and guidance to improve your drawing ability. Whether you are a novice or trying to get back into drawing, this workshop will give you the studio time to draw and get better at what you love to draw! You will practice still life, landscape and portraiture. You will get tips on proportion, composition and shading, and experiment with different drawing tools. All drawing supplies provided, but feel free to bring...

(1) All levels 11 and older
No upcoming schedules

Drawing in Carbon Dust

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Chicago, IL

Carbon dust is a beautiful, versatile, and little-known medium that lends itself to both broad, painterly expression and to extremely fine detail. It is appropriate to all botanical subjects as well as to landscapes and still lifes. Working on various paper with a variety of black pigments (applied with both brushes and pencils, we will focus on botanicals to explore many rich possibilities. The School's CEUs=0.9 Required Materials: • Tracing...

(127) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$159

2 sessions

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Drawing as Meditation

Chicago Botanic Garden

Practice drawing and color techniques as a form of meditation. Slow down the art-making process, creating a peaceful and healing experience. Use intuition to connect to natural, creative forces. Through this meditative practice, enjoy calming, observational drawing of plants or flowers from your own home. Explore using tone and color to create a serene mood with watercolor markers on paper. A supply list will be sent.

(127) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$74

2 sessions

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Create NEW from OLD

Ingrid's Originals Inc. @ 3729 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL

How to recycle your art into something new. How many of us have painting stored under the bed or in another hiding place that we are not happy with, or we just can't move ahead because we are stuck? Sometimes we have to jump off the cliff and take chances to create a new and exciting piece from that old boring painting. This is your chance to explore the options that you have and create a new painting from an old one. Come and join us in the...

(1) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
$200
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Garden Design: Art of the 5 x 7 Sketch

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

Learn the art of creating conceptual sketches for garden designs with the Garden Design: Art of the 5 x 7 Sketch course at Chicago Botanic Garden. Discover fundamental tricks and techniques to capture landscape elements freehand in a casual spirit, perfect for impressing clients and adding a touch of creativity to your designs.

(127) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$199

3 sessions

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Essentials of Perspective Drawing

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL

New! Successfully illustrating proper positioning of objects in space is an essential component of drawing. Through sketching structural elements in the Garden and in the classroom setting, you will gain an understanding of linear perspective, shadows, and reflections. Explore how you think about the visual representation of a landscape to improve the realism of your artwork. Dress for the weather.  Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing 1 or...

(127) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$149
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Learn to Draw Workshop

The Paintbrush @ 2646 N Halsted, Chicago, IL

Kids ages 5 to 12 can learn the basics of drawing or painting in this workshop that focuses on the skills of creating that which we see. Kids who want to learn to express themselves through art will love this workshop featuring lessons in standard drawing techniques. No previous experience necessary but experienced doodlers are encouraged to join.  You will be amazed what your kids will learn to do. A great workshop for kids who struggle to...

(4) All levels 5 - 12 years old
No upcoming schedules
$265

10 sessions

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Get Started with Nature Journaling (Online)

The Morton Arboretum

Journaling is a great way to connect with nature, reduce stress, and improve mindfulness. You don’t have to be a great artist or writer to do it! In this online workshop, your instructor will help you get started, and provide some ways to slow down, observe carefully, and capture what you see with words and sketches.  You’ll learn: What goes in a nature journal What supplies you need Sketching basics Tips for building a habit Sources...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Free-Motion Quilting Techniques

Linda Z's Sewing Center @ 1216 E Central Rd, Chicago, IL

Now you’ll be able to sit down at your machine at home, or your new sit-down quilter, and draw - with thread!  Our instructor will help you to be consistent and fluid with your stitches. Learn how to mark your fabric and set your sites for your own beautifully finished quilt projects! Bring your own machine (that you know how to use and which is in good working order), or if you do not have one, you are welcome to audit and observe as...

(8) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Drawing Basics

One Strange Bird

Never touched charcoal? Can't draw a straight line? Don't know your visual perspective from your linear? Students will learn all the basics: contour lines, composition, and proportion. Learn simple and easy drawing techniques you can practice at home. All materials for the drawing classes are included and some are also available for purchase. Start with simple exercises and then move into a more complicated, natural still life.

(5) Beginner 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
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Beginner Drawing Classes in Chicago are rated 4.3 stars based on 256 verified reviews from actual CourseHorse.com purchasers.

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