Discover Classes. Earn Rewards.

Drawing for Absolute Beginners is unfortunately unavailable

Thankfully we have 24 other Beginner Drawing Classes for you to choose from. Check our top choices below or see all classes for more options.

Drawing for Beginners

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Discover the art of drawing with pencil, eraser, and paper in this introductory course at 92nd Street Y. Expert teachers will guide you through the fundamentals of art, including line, shape, shadow, and perspective. Perfect for aspiring artists looking to build a solid foundation in drawing.

(1061) Beginner 18 and older
$355

8 sessions

Gift it!

Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting

Chelsea Drawing & Painting Workshops @ 321 W 24th St , New York, NY

Discover the timeless art of charcoal and pastel at Chelsea Drawing & Painting Workshops. Unleash your inner artist as you learn about the elements of visual language and how to analyze paintings for composition, value, and color. Plus, save $30 when you bring a friend along to join in on the creative journey.

(219) All levels 18 and older
$210

3 sessions

Gift it!

Getting Started with Drawing

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

Discover the foundations of art with expert instruction at 92nd Street Y. Unleash your creativity as you embark on a journey through various mediums, including drawing, pastel, watercolor, and oil painting. All supplies are included, so you can focus on honing your skills and discovering your artistic passion.

(1061) Beginner 18 and older
$195

6 sessions

Gift it!

Instructed Figure Drawing

Drawing New York @ 15 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY

Learn the art of figure drawing and explore various drawing techniques in this engaging class at Drawing New York. With a live model for each session, all levels are welcome to join and enhance their drawing skills. Discover different approaches to drawing and bring your own pad, pencils, and eraser for an immersive experience.

(690) All levels 16 and older

Fear-Free Beginners Drawing

The Art Studio NY @ 145 W 96th St, New York, NY

Unlock your inner artist in this inspiring, judgment-free drawing class at The Art Studio NY. Discover the joy of drawing as you learn a variety of beginner techniques and express yourself through various subjects like still life, realism, and portraiture. All levels are welcome to join this fear-free artistic journey.

(631) Beginner 18 and older
$449

11 sessions

Gift it!
See all Beginner Drawing classes NYC

Drawing for Absolute Beginners

  • Beginner
  • 18 and older
  • $465
  • 41 Cooper Sq, New York, NY
  • 30 hours over 10 sessions

Start Dates (0)

  • $465
  • Cooper Union - New Academic Building @ 41 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003
  • 30 hours over 10 sessions
  • Price includes $25 registration fee.
    Room: 901
Showing 10 of 0

Class Description

Description

What you'll learn in this beginner drawing class:

Never taken a drawing class before? Feel rusty or simply lack confidence? 

This course - our most popular offering - is designed for you. You'll draw from life and from art reproductions. Beginning with a simple contour, you will use line to translate a variety of shapes, from the still life to the figure. Learn to see like an artist, and to develop form and space working shading, negative shapes and rules of perspective. Understand what makes a strong composition. Work in black and white with pencils, charcoal and ink. You will engage in informal and encouraging individual and group critiques.

Required materials for the first class:
A few Prismacolor Ebony pencils
Sharpener
Hard eraser
Kneaded eraser
Black conte crayon or compressed charcoal
White conte crayon or compressed charcoal
Masking tape
Vine charcoal
18” x 24” paper-- “sketching” quality sufficient; or “drawing” quality if you want nice paper for longer drawings.
18” x 24” newsprint paper for very fast and warm-up sketches
18” x 24” Strathmore charcoal paper, with label “ASSORTED TINTS” (this paper comes in colors and can be used in lieu of toning the paper yourself for a gray or mid-toned background) You will only need a handful of sheets, so you could split this with other students. Sold at Blick.
Paper towels or chamois for toning paper
Black india ink and brush

Optional: 
Portable drawing board, 23” x 26” 
Tube or carrying case for drawings.
Any pencils of varying hardness that you want to try (2H, F, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B etc. The softer the pencil, the darker the line.

Note: 
  • Additional materials for subsequent classes will be discussed during the first class. 
  • Please bring a $30 model fee, payable to the instructor, to the first class.
Classroom notifications will be emailed prior to the course start date.

Registration fee included
School Notes:
Registration fee is charged only once per semester.

Refund Policy

Refunds are granted if your written request to withdraw is received by our office as per schedule. Requests sent by mail will be considered by the date they are postmarked.

For 4-10 session classes

If you withdraw 5 business days before the first class session you will receive a 100% tuition refund. If you are withdrawing after the first session but before the second, then they are eligible for an E Voucher for 75% of the tuition fee. After the second class session no refunds or credits will be granted. 


For 1-3 session classes and workshops

If you withdraw 5 business days before the first class session you will receive a 100% tuition refund. If you withdraw 1 business day before the first class session you will receive a 75% tuition Electronic Voucher. No refund or voucher once the class starts. 

In case of withdrawal due to medically certified illness, a Cooper Union Letter of Credit/ Electronic Voucher will be issued upon receipt of physician's documentation. A Cooper Union Letter of Credit/Electronic Voucher will be issued for the balance of the remaining class sessions. There will be no monetary refund. Registration fees, model fees and materials fees are not refundable.

Refunds are processed in the order they are received and may take 8-10 business days to be processed.

$25.00 Registration Fee- Non-Refundable

Reviews of Classes at The Cooper Union (45)

(4.2-star rating across 45 reviews)
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Reviewed by Karin H. on 12/17/2017
    This class was fantastic, I hope Julia will hold the class again or an intermediate class. Most of those students were not beginners anyway. She was fantastic at answering questions and making suggestions. I hope that Cooper or better ASL will have more of her classes. I would like this course to be ongoing so that one can continue to improve. The beginners class is too easy and the intermediate too hard. I do not think it is possible to have a class where everyone is at the same level.
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Anonymous review on 12/16/2017
    Julia is the sweetest teacher you could ask for, caring, approaching your work in a helpful and good willing manner. This class helped me understand the basics of drawing and give me the initial confidence to keep on drawing on my own or in model drawing sessions. Perhaps that a few more basic exercises and more sessions with a model would help improve the program even more ?
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Anonymous review on 5/5/2016
    The teacher was knowledgable and encouraging. Taught us multiple techniques and provided throughout feedback. The facility/tools it's another story. The easels were heavy, difficult to set up and poorly taken cared off.
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Anonymous review on 4/15/2016
    Very liberating
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Anonymous review on 7/20/2015
    Class was extremely basic and then picked up energy towards the end of the course. I think more than one technique/concept can be taught in each class in order to keep interest going.
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Reviewed by Beth S. on 4/19/2015
    I highly recommend this class for anyone looking to improve their drawing skills and learn to use new materials. The instructor, Amelia Saddington, is knowledgable, encouraging, and well-prepared for each class.
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Anonymous review on 4/12/2018
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Reviewed by Ari B. on 7/30/2017
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Reviewed by Betsy P. on 4/7/2017
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Anonymous review on 12/4/2015
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Reviewed by Sharon K. on 4/11/2015
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Anonymous review on 12/15/2014
  • Drawing for Absolute Beginners

    Reviewed by Sue Yi C. on 12/14/2014
See reviews for other classes at The Cooper Union
loading...
Hide Reviews

Review Summary by CourseHorse

Students who have taken the Drawing for Absolute Beginners class have praised the instructors for their knowledge, helpfulness, and encouragement. One student mentioned that the class helped them gain an understanding of the basics of drawing and gave them the confidence to continue drawing on their own or in model drawing sessions. Another student noted that the teacher taught multiple techniques and provided feedback throughout the course. Overall, students recommend the class to those looking to improve their drawing skills and learn how to use new materials. They described the instructors as knowledgeable, encouraging, and well-prepared. Direct quotes: - "This class helped me understand the basics of drawing and gave me the initial confidence to keep on drawing on my own or in model drawing sessions." - "The teacher was knowledgeable and encouraging. Taught us multiple techniques and provided throughout feedback." - "I highly recommend this class for anyone looking to improve their drawing skills and learn to use new materials. The instructor, Amelia Saddington, is knowledgeable, encouraging, and well-prepared for each class."

Benefits of Booking Through CourseHorse

  • Booking is safe. When you book with us your details are protected by a secure connection.
  • Lowest price guaranteed. Classes on CourseHorse are never marked up.
  • This class will earn you 4650 points. Points give you money off your next class!

Questions & Answers (1)

Get quick answers from CourseHorse and past students.

Question from Amie P.
Is this suitable for a talented and very mature 13-year-old girl? Amie P.
Answer from Kristle C. CourseHorse StaffCourseHorse Staff
Hey Amie! Unfortunately, the class is for adults 18 years old and above.
Answer Show answer
Cancel

Similar Classes

The Cooper Union

Since 1859, The Cooper Union has been offering courses to New Yorkers who want to create something new or disrupt something old. Here, you can study studio arts, graphic arts or drawing architectural landmarks of New York City. Our visual arts courses include Portraiture Workshop, Drawing at the Metropolitan...

Read more about The Cooper Union

CourseHorse Approved

This school has been carefully vetted by CourseHorse and is a verified NYC educator.

The Cooper Union

The Cooper Union

All classes at this location

Google Map

Give This Course as a Gift Card

  • Thousands of classes
  • No expiration
  • Unique and memorable gifts for any occasion
  • Personalized
  • Explore a passion, gain a new skill, discover a new hobby, engage in a memorable experience
  • Instant delivery
  • Lock in a price with the Inflation Buster Gift Card Price Adjuster™

Buy a Gift Card

Book this Class as a Group Event

Booking this class for a group? Find great private group events

Or see all Art Group Events

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

CourseHorse Gift Cards

  • Creative & unique gift for any occasion
  • Thousands of classes & experiences
  • No expiration date
  • Instant e-delivery (or choose a date)
  • Add a personalized message
  • Lock in a price with the Inflation Buster Gift Card Price Adjuster™
Buy a Gift Card
gift card with the CourseHorse logo gift card with the CourseHorse logo
Loading...