Best Art Classes Near Me: Find In-Person & Virtual Training

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Art is a dynamic and multifaceted field. When human activity leads to creative and imaginative expression, producing a product that communicates ideas, emotions, and expressions, it’s referred to as art. However, no agreed-upon definition of art exists. Individuals typically consider the visual arts—painting, sculpture, and architecture—when defining art, and most Western artists conceptualize art by categories known as “the arts,” which include visual arts, performing arts, literature, music, film, and interactive media.

Art has existed almost as long as humans have. Prehistoric art, like cave paintings, petroglyphs, and sculptures, provides insight into how early humans lived. At this point, art was not just a form of expression, but a significant aspect of social and spiritual life for early humankind. In the 17th century, when aesthetics became important in crafts, fine arts became distinct from decorative or applied arts. Fine art intends to engage with the viewer’s aesthetic sensibilities, although many art enthusiasts argue there is little difference between fine and applied arts.

Today, art is influenced by the digital world, globalization, the art market, interdisciplinary approaches, and social and political engagement. Technology is transforming art processes, making it more common for the creation of digital art, virtual reality, and interactive installations. This digital shift goes hand-in-hand with globalization, as the world sees more interconnection between artists from different cultural backgrounds. Artists have created global art fairs and online platforms to eliminate geographical barriers, allowing for an increase in diversity within the field that has inspired a crossover of styles, themes, and techniques. The shift toward global connection has also altered the art market, with the field experiencing a considerable rise in online auctions, digital sales, and online galleries.

Exposure to new ideas and artists from around the world has also contributed to the blend of disciplines that is now prominent in art. Contemporary artists have blended visual art with literature, science, and social and political engagement. Increasingly, the world has seen the importance of art as a tool for social and political activism as artists use their pieces to address environmental concerns, inequality, and human rights.

Why Learn Art?

Learning art can improve your life in several ways. First, it serves as a means to emotionally express yourself. Painting, drawing, pottery, and other forms of art provide an outlet for expressing your emotions and even experiences. Individuals who casually engage in art report that doing so is therapeutic, helping them relieve stress as they get lost in the task. Because art has no right or wrong approach, you can forget your worries as you begin and pour what you’re feeling into your creation.

Art also provides cognitive benefits. Engaging in art improves visual-spatial skills, memory and recall, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Drawing and painting will help you become aware of space on the page or canvas along with perspective. Working with color patterns or even trying to replicate a drawing will improve your memory and recall. Art also presents challenges for you to consider, like what colors to use and how to depict certain objects, which encourages problem-solving and critical thinking.

You can make art as a hobby or as a means to generate extra income. If you’re a casual artist but know that the art you make is worth buying, consider selling it online. From painting to sculpture to jewelry, you can find people online interested in buying from small artists. If you’re looking to develop professional-level skills, you can also consider the potential to monetize your skills. Along with selling your art, you can also use it as a gift for friends and family when birthdays and holidays roll around.

What Will You Learn in an Art Class?

The skills and techniques you learn in an art class depend on the type of art class you enroll in. Painting classes will differ from sculpting classes which will differ from drawing classes. You’ll even find that some classes cater to learning different types of techniques, like oil painting versus watercolor versus acrylic. Although specific skills will depend on the course you enroll in, you can still expect to learn some major lessons across classes, like color theory, technical skills, and critique and analysis.

Color theory explains how colors work together and how you can use them to create designs. With color theory, experts have combined art and science to help artists choose the right colors for their projects to affect the viewer’s emotions. This basic art principle is typically taught in beginner-level painting classes. Learning this foundational skill will help you understand how to create visually appealing artwork that retains a balance that will draw anyone’s eye.

One thing you’re guaranteed to learn in art classes is technical skills. Aside from some critique courses and art history classes, students in art classes will gain hands-on experience. Beginner-level classes will start with the basics, including theory, before teaching students about specific techniques. Intermediate and advanced-level art classes tend to take hands-on work to the next level, allowing students the opportunity to work toward developing professional-level technical skills.

You can enroll in an art critique and analysis class or look for a hands-on course that includes critique and analysis as part of the curriculum. In this type of course, students learn how to critique and analyze their artwork and their classmates’ artwork. To do so, students will need to understand formal elements, how to interpret meaning in art, and how to offer constructive feedback. Knowing how to critique and analyze art can help you improve your own work in the creative process and can help you gain valuable feedback.

How Long Will It Take to Learn Art?

Art is a hobby that you can constantly improve on as you create new artwork, so you’ll never really finish learning art. However, art classes will help you advance your skills. Training centers and schools offer introductory, intermediate, and advanced-level art classes. Beginner-level skills, or the basics, can take several weeks to several months to learn, intermediate-level skills may take six months to one year, and advanced-level skills often take one or several years. How fast you learn also depends on your goals. Some people learn art with the intent to become a professional with gallery-worthy pieces while others prefer to stick to art as a hobby. Your personal goals as well as the time you put into learning will impact how long it takes you to learn.

What Are the Advantages of Taking an Art Class?

You can enroll in an art class today to learn skills and techniques under the guidance of an expert instructor. Whether you want to learn oil painting, sculpting, or sketching, there is an art class out there for you. Guided courses allow students to work in a classroom, an art studio, or from their home, with classes offered during the week, in the evening, and on weekends.

One of the primary reasons students enroll in guided art courses rather than learning on their own is the opportunity to receive feedback. Attending an art class means you’ll have a teacher not only instructing you but also offering constructive feedback on your work along with tips and tricks for improving your technique. For classes focused on critique, you can also expect to receive constructive feedback from your classmates. When learning art on your own, you don’t have access to feedback which can inhibit you from catching where you need to improve and even how you can improve.

It’s possible to learn theory when teaching yourself, but it can prove significantly easier when learning in an art class. Most beginner-level classes will cover important theories relevant to the medium you’re using. Color theory is also a staple subject to cover in most art classes. You can learn about theory from books or online resources, but learning in the classroom provides a formal method of learning that ensures you won’t stumble upon misinformation or outdated information.

Some art classes provide materials to students. When learning art on your own, you’ll need to find out what supplies you need and consider the best supplies that you can purchase on your budget. If you enroll in a class that provides some or all of the materials, you can find out the best materials to work with before committing to purchasing them yourself. Even if you attend a class that requires you to purchase materials, you can rely on the material list provided by the instructor to find out the tools most needed along with recommended brands.

Learning art through self-teaching is possible but difficult. When learning on your own, it helps to rely on video tutorials and books that go in-depth on both technique and theory. When learning from an instructor, you’re usually guaranteed to learn about foundational skills and why they’re used before working on developing those skills. However, when you learn on your own you must depend on the sources that you can find. Not every source will explain theory and not every source will provide clear, easy-to-follow instructions. Attending an art class will provide well-rounded lessons to ensure that you’re approaching your art from all angles.

Best Art Classes

In-person art classes provide a fairly traditional classroom experience. When enrolled in an in-person class, you’ll attend a scheduled class held in a classroom or art studio. In-person classes require students to commute, so you should make sure you can make the required commute before enrolling. Most in-person classes are offered in metropolitan cities, but if you don’t live in one it’s still likely that you can find a local art class.

The 92nd Street Y, in New York City, offers a Drawing for Beginners course, ideal for beginner and intermediate-level students looking to develop a foundation in drawing fundamentals. Over seven sessions, students will focus on the basics of drawing with pencil, eraser, and paper. An expert instructor will guide the class through important elements of art, like line, shape, shadow, value, and perspective. Students can expect to receive a constructive critique of their work to help improve on the basics before moving on to more difficult drawing skills and techniques. Previous students of the class have reported enjoying the classroom environment and found the pace of the class suited their skill level. Before enrolling in Drawing for Beginners, check over the supply list to see what materials you’ll need to bring to class.

FlowerSchool New York, located on W 28th Street, will teach you the art of floral design in their Introduction to Floral Design class. This decorative and creative art form allows you to explore naturalistic designs and develop an understanding of color, shape, and balance. The studio class provides students the chance to work on seasonal arrangements as they learn professional design basics. The instructor will provide you with tips and tricks to better design your home and show you how to use fresh, seasonal blooms. At the end of the class, you will take home a beautiful arrangement to display on a coffee or side table.

Pastimes for a Lifetime, located in Van Nuys, California, hosts an in-studio Oil Pastel 101 class for beginners looking to discover the world of oil pastels. Students can expect to learn color theory, blending techniques, and how to create works that resemble oil paintings in a safe studio environment. During the four-session class, the instructor will guide students through blending and applying shades, tints, and color mixtures. Students will also receive lessons in the chemistry behind oil mixing as well as how to create color palettes similar to those used by classical artists of the past. Before enrolling in this course, students must have taken Pastimes for a Lifetime’s Drawing with Graphite 101 course or an equivalent. The course page also lists the materials students need to purchase before attending class, including oil pastels, an eraser, and a 2H graphite pencil.

Los Angeles City College offers a variety of art courses, including Sewing Made Easy, Level 1: Beginning. Sewing is considered an art because it produces garments, textiles, and other fabric-based creations with a mix of creativity and technical skills. When sewing, you can express yourself in your work through color and design. You can also use sewing to enhance another piece of art you have created. In Sewing Made Easy, you’ll learn the ins and outs of setting up a sewing machine and how to use it. An instructor will teach you the foundations of sewing like measuring, marking, pinning, and cutting fabric, as you work on making a pillow. The class provides sewing machines, which provides you with a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with a machine before committing to purchasing one for yourself.

Interested in painting with acrylics? The Evanston Art Center in Evanston, Illinois, holds a 36-hour, 12-session course, Painting with Acrylics. Students will receive a strong introduction to painting in this course as they learn about color mixing, painting techniques, and composition. The class focuses on acrylics, showing students how the rich technique of acrylic painting can rival the wonders of oil painting when a mastery level is achieved. An expert instructor will provide 1-on-1 instruction and encourage students to develop personal themes as they work through the class.

If you’re more interested in being behind a camera lens than being behind a canvas, consider enrolling in a digital photography class. Digital Photo Academy in Houston, Texas holds an All Day Private Digital Photography class. In this small group course, you’ll spend a full day exploring photography categories and mastering post-capture editing under the guidance of an expert instructor who will tailor the session to your needs. The course welcomes students of all skill levels. The class begins with a discussion of your camera equipment and photographic needs before leading into an in-the-field shoot catered toward your photography goals. In the post-capture section of the class, you’ll work with your instructor to examine each image you’ve taken that day and analyze commonalities in how you see the world. In doing so, you’ll identify ways to compensate for mistakes or limitations in your work.

Live Online Art Classes

Can’t make an in-person art class? You can find live online art classes that allow you to learn new skills from the comfort of your home. Live online classes eliminate the need to commute to a classroom or studio, making them a more flexible learning method. You’ll learn from an instructor, as you would in an in-person class, but the class is held over an online web conferencing platform, like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Live online classes usually cost the same as in-person classes and cover the same curriculum as the in-person equivalent.

Prima Materia Institute’s live online Essential Drawing Course for Beginners covers essential drawing techniques to help students create realistic and convincing artwork. During the weekly live online class, you’ll work on drawing portraits, still lifes, landscapes, and other pieces using a variety of mediums. In this class, you can expect to focus on the foundations of drawing to help you render basic objects and environments with the intention of working on more complex subjects in the future. The course relies on working in monochrome so students can focus on structure, tonality, shading, form, and texture. Because each class focuses on an independent technique, you’re welcome to join the course at any time. During each session, you’ll receive a photo reference of the technique and watch the instructor’s demo.

The Art School of SF Bay’s Key Elements of Fine Arts class aims to help beginners achieve the skills needed to create portraits and other artwork from scratch. The 14-session class covers the fundamentals artists use to draw from real life and imagination. During each session, you’ll work through techniques used and skills used by famous artists, from Cezanne to Degas to Gauguin. This includes learning color mixing, how to assess proportions, painting live models, and learning to shade basic shapes of the 3D world. Aside from hands-on experience, you’ll receive several lectures. Session five includes a lecture on the evolution of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface, and session six includes a short lecture on the history of abstract art.

Online Drawing with Charcoal 101 is a live online class offered by Pastimes for a Lifetime. In this course, you’ll learn the traditional classical medium of drawing with charcoal. A live instructor will show you the fundamentals of sketching and creating illustrations using charcoal, with an emphasis on depth and tone. This is a beginner-level course but is ideal for individuals interested in drawing for fine art and commercial or book illustration. Before attending class, you’ll need to check out the supply list posted on the class page.

Want to focus on theory while still receiving loads of hands-on experience? Evanston Art Center’s live online Color Theory Fundamentals class will show you how colors interact and transform in art and design along with the ability color has to affect people’s emotions and perceptions. In this studio class, you’ll work on simple, small paintings to develop your understanding of color theory concepts. Class is held over Zoom, and a supply list is available for prospective students on the class webpage.

The New York School of Interior Design offers the class Guide to Upholstered Furniture live online. You may not think about this type of design when considering art classes to take, but by the end of the three-session course, you may just walk away with a new appreciation for and interest in the world of design. In this class, you’ll learn about the role that upholstered furniture plays in decorating along with how construction of furniture impacts comfort and longevity.

Interested in working with a medium not mentioned in this article? You can explore art classes available to you on the CourseHorse website, including classes offered in the past. CourseHorse provides an extensive list of art classes, from drawing to woodworking to printing. You can explore classes offered in your area and live online with CourseHorse.

CourseHorse also offers private virtual art classes for groups and team building. These private classes are ideal for companies looking to develop strong team relationships while also offering their employees a fun way to get to know each other. Contact CourseHorse to find out about the private classes they’re currently offering.

Art Topics

Drawing

Drawing classes let you explore various artistic techniques by focusing on line, form, and composition. These courses are ideal for both beginners and seasoned artists and cultivate observational skills and creative expression in multiple drawing mediums.

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Painting

Painting classes teach you about mixing color, texture, and images to produce dynamic stories in paintings. This class improves your artistic expression by letting you work with various mediums like acrylics, oils, and watercolors. Designed for artists of all levels, this course refines your techniques while improving your style and expression.

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Pottery

Pottery classes teach you how to shape, decorate, and fire clay to produce attractive and decorative artwork. This course is perfect for learners of all ages and skill levels and blends tactile creativity with artistic design to produce usable plates, bowls, and dishes.

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Watercolor

Watercolor classes teach you the techniques and skills to create vibrant and expressive paintings with water-based pigments. In this course, you’ll learn about color theory, composition, and drawing methods to achieve various effects in your artwork.

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Oil Painting

Oil painting classes teach you the necessary techniques and principles for using oil-based paints to create visually stunning and expressive artwork for personal or commercial use.

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Acrylic Painting

Acrylic painting classes teach the fundamentals and techniques necessary when working with acrylic paints, including how to select and blend colors and use them to produce expressive designs.

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Abstract Painting

Abstract painting classes teach you how to produce art that focuses on non-representational forms and colors to produce engaging art that focuses on emotion and contrast to produce striking visuals.

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Watercolor Painting

Watercolor painting classes teach you the important skills necessary to paint using water-based pigments. This course emphasizes creating transparent layers and blending colors on the canvas to produce attractive artwork.

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Abstract Painting

Abstract painting classes teach you how to use colors, shapes, and textures to produce paintings without concrete images. Instead, this class lets you express your emotions and raw creativity in bold and exciting ways.

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Paint & Sip

Paint and sip classes provide an interactive experience by combining art instruction with tasty drinks like wine. You’ll socialize with others in your class while learning more about how to produce attractive and engaging artwork.

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BYOB Painting

BYOB painting classes let you bring your favorite drink and relax while you learn about painting with new friends. You’ll socialize, laugh, and share painting tips with fellow-minded painters.

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Figure Drawing

Figure drawing classes teach you to accurately represent the human figure in detailed drawings using live models that take multiple poses throughout your drawing time.

Life Drawing

Life drawing classes teach you to reproduce the human body through careful observation and study, focusing on techniques like pencil sketching and charcoal coloring.

Botanical Drawing

Botanical drawing classes teach you to observe plants and flowers and draw them using various techniques, including sketching, shape recognition, and shading.

Portrait Drawing

Portrait drawing classes teach you to accurately capture the likeness of a subject with various drawing techniques, such as 3D shape emulation, to produce attractive art.

Illustration

Illustration classes teach you the techniques necessary to create attractive art for publications like books and magazines and commercial art for advertisements and websites.

Cartoon Drawing

Cartoon drawing classes teach you how to create fun cartoons with lessons on character design, storytelling, and visual communication through exaggerated images and humor.

Comic Drawing

Comic drawing classes help you create visually engaging and narrative-driven comic art. You’ll develop artistic and storytelling abilities and master character design, panel layout, and sequential storytelling in a comic format.

Mosaic

Mosaic classes cover the fascinating art of assembling small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials to create intricate and vibrant designs. You’ll learn techniques and tools to develop fascinating mosaic artwork.

Jewelry Making

Jewelry-making courses teach you to create unique and artistic jewelry using materials like metals, gemstones, and beads to match your personal style.

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Sewing

Sewing courses explore essential sewing techniques and attractive sewing material types to teach you how to create artistic and visually appealing clothes, blankets, pillow cases, and more.

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Enamel

Enamel courses teach you how to use this material to produce various types of artwork, including techniques for implementing it effectively without making mistakes.

Watercolor

Watercolor classes focus on learning to paint with watercolors, teaching you about color mixing, brushwork, and composition. When done, you’ll create vibrant artwork to share with loved ones.

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Photography

Photography classes teach you how to use your camera to create beautiful artwork. You’ll learn about important photography concepts like composition, lighting, subject matter, and storytelling.

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Embroidery

Embroidery art uses threads, stitches, and other materials to create intricately designed patterns and textures on fabric. It also merges other craft techniques, like sewing, into a comprehensive and engaging art.

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Floral Design

Floral design classes teach you to arrange flowers and foliage to create visually appealing compositions. You’ll discover color theory, composition, and flower selection to express creativity and create stunning floral designs.

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Woodworking

Woodworking classes teach the techniques and skills to produce attractive wood-based artwork, including sculptures, furniture, storage boxes, and decorative objects.

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Glass Blowing

Glass-blowing classes showcase the necessary techniques and skills to produce art with molten glass. In this course, you’ll make sculptural pieces, functional objects, and intricate glass containers.

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Craft

Craft classes teach you skills and techniques to create unique and functional art with materials like ceramics, wood, glass, textiles, and metal.

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Perfume Making

Perfume Making As An Art explores the process of blending scents into unique and personal fragrances using composition, aesthetics, and sensory perception.

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Candle Making

Candle making classes explore the art of creating unique and beautiful candles and teach you the various techniques, styles, and materials needed to express your creativity and produce visually stunning and fragrant candles.

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Art History

Art history classes provide historical and cultural context for art and art movements to help you understand how art developed throughout history.

Sculpture

Sculpture classes teach you to create 3Dl forms and structures using various materials, techniques, and concepts. This helps you develop your artistic skills and express ideas in a tangible and tactile manner.

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Calligraphy

Art calligraphy classes teach you to create beautiful handwriting and lettering using various tools and techniques, including unique pens, inks, and papers.

Welding

Art welding classes teach you about welding techniques and tools to create and manipulate metal sculptures and structures and produce fantastic art.

Ring Making

Art-styled ring making involves creating personalized rings using various materials and techniques, which lets you express your creativity and craftsmanship by creating wearable art pieces.

Crochet

Crochet classes teach you to craft traditional yarn-based art using multiple in-depth techniques. You’lll learn to create unique and visually stunning crochet pieces by incorporating colors, textures, and patterns that express your artistic vision.

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Knitting

Knitting classes help you master the techniques, materials, and creative possibilities of knitting as artistic expression, helping you create unique and intricate textile art.

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Soap Making

Art-centered soap making classes teach you how to make artisan soaps with various materials, colors, scents, and designs. You can then give away or sell these soaps on various online platforms.

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Carpentry

Carpentry courses teach you to produce artistic and functional items with wood and other materials. You’ll practice and master various carpentry techniques and principles to improve your skills.

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Quilting

Quilting as an art lets you produce attractive quilts by tapping into the creative potential of textiles. It combines traditional quilting techniques with innovative designs to produce visually stunning pieces.

Weaving

Weaving classes teach you the knowledge and skills necessary to produce intricate textiles and fiber-based artworks with various weaving techniques.

Bead

Beading classes explore traditional and contemporary beading techniques to produce gorgeous artistic creations. You’ll get the skills necessary to design and create unique jewelry pieces, accessories, and textile artworks.

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Stained Glass

Stained glass classes teach students how to create intricate and vibrant art with colored glass, soldering, and leading methods for personal or commercial use.

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Metal Working

Metalworking courses cover the techniques and processes used to shape and manipulate metal materials. You’ll learn about forging, casting, welding, and etching and create attractive artwork.

Mixed Media

Mixed media art refers to using multiple techniques like painting, collage, sculpture, and digital manipulation. This course teaches you about these skills to help you create a multi-dimensional and diverse visual experience.

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Art Team Building Activities

Art team-building activities focus on using artistic exercises to foster teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills among your employees.

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Discover Art Classes

Learn More About Art Courses

Why Learn Art?

What Will You Learn in an Art Class?

How Long Will It Take to Learn Art?

What Are the Advantages of Taking an Art Class?

Best Art Classes

Live Online Art Classes

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Art Training Map & Top Locations

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Art Topics

Drawing

Painting

Pottery

Watercolor

Oil Painting

Acrylic Painting

Abstract Painting

Watercolor Painting

Abstract Painting

Paint & Sip

BYOB Painting

Figure Drawing

Life Drawing

Botanical Drawing

Portrait Drawing

Illustration

Cartoon Drawing

Comic Drawing

Mosaic

Jewelry Making

Sewing

Enamel

Watercolor

Photography

Embroidery

Floral Design

Woodworking

Glass Blowing

Craft

Perfume Making

Candle Making

Art History

Sculpture

Calligraphy

Welding

Ring Making

Crochet

Knitting

Soap Making

Carpentry

Quilting

Weaving

Bead

Stained Glass

Metal Working

Mixed Media

Art Team Building Activities

Art
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