Art School for the Rest of Us
You don't have to attend an art school to become an artist. Learn to make realistic drawings and paintings in-studio or at home.
Please read our updated COVID-19 policies for in-studio group classes.
NEW! Membership Options
Get access to all online courses, live events, critique sessions, and our membership forum for an affordable monthly fee.
FREE 5 Day Sketch Challenge!
Will 2022 be the year you focus on your art? Join me for this free mini-workshop to kick off the year! I'll present a live, 30 minute lesson every day January 3rd-7th, 2022. Lessons are recorded for you to watch anytime.
Start the year strong!
Sign Me Up!
Upcoming Live Classes
Foundations of Drawing
In-Studio & Live on Zoom
Mondays 3-5pm CST
January 17th - March 7th, 2022
8 Week Class
$325 Includes all materials
Portrait Drawing in Graphite and Charcoal
In-Studio & Live on Zoom
Mondays 6-8 pm CST
January 17th - February 28th, 2022
6 Week Class
$350 Includes all materials
Foundations of Oil Painting
In-Studio & Live on Zoom
Saturdays 1-3:30pm CST
January 8th - February 26th, 2022
8 Week Class
$375 Includes all materials
Online Classes
Study at your own pace with pre-recorded instructional videos. Virtual feedback available.
School of Realist Art Student Highlights
"I began learning with you feeling like a person who wanted to be an artist, but was not yet. Now I feel confident to say I am an artist!"
~ Sarah Utter
Sarah has taken numerous virtual classes with Lacey including Figure Drawing, Foundations of Oil Painting, Portrait Drawing, Portrait Painting, and is a member of the Realist Art Club. She's currently working on a building portfolio and a website to promote her art. You can find her on Instagram at @Sarah_Utter
"Even going through two colleges, I never learned this really important foundational stuff."
~ Stephen Junceau
Stephen works in a dizzying array of media and has attended SVA in NYC as well as other art programs before attending Portrait Drawing and Painting classes at School of Realist Art. He is currently working on painting, drawing, and digital art commissions in addition to numerous personal projects. Find him on Instagram at @stephen_junceau_art
"There's no better feeling than completely losing yourself in something that you're doing."
~ Jim Lawrence
Jim signed-up for Foundations of Oil Painting after acquiring a set of paints by chance. Since then, he has created numerous remarkable portraits, and has learned how to express complex emotions in his compositions. Jim is now involved in exhibitions and is on the verge of creating his first print series! See what he's been up to on Jim Lawrence's website.
Virtual Self-Study Courses
Now through Dec 31: Save 20% off self-study courses with code 20OFF2021
Free Drawing Mini-Course
Five days, one half-hour video lesson each day! Start your drawing journey or improve your skills starting today.
FREE!
Foundations of Drawing
8 week course in realistic graphite and charcoal drawing. Perfect for beginners as well as intermediate artists wanting to perfect proportion and shading.
$97
Foundations of Oil Painting
8 week course in oil painting covering color mixing, creating form and depth, underpainting and glazing techniques, as well as alla prima, and more!
$97
Portrait Drawing in Graphite & Charcoal
Learn two techniques for measuring and proportion, two mediums, how to draw all the features, and multiple hair textures through several demos across 6 lessons.
$97
Learn From a Professional Artist Who Didn't Go to Art School
When I was 15, I knew I wanted to be an artist.
At 16, I became a mother.
I wouldn't say that motherhood prevented me from going to art school, but it did force me to think critically about the decision. I graduated from high school with the rest of my class, and went on to get my Associates in Studio Art, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
However, I found that the instruction I found in college wasn't teaching me what I really wanted to know: How to paint and draw realistically. And being a mother meant my priorities dictated that I should not go into an incredible amount of debt to 'find myself' in a 4 year art school somewhere.
So instead, I dedicated every evening from 8pm until midnight to painting, seeking out feedback from artists I admired, and researching methods of art instruction from the French Academy to Golden Age Illustration. I created my own art education, and I can guide you through yours!
