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.
Online Classes
Study at your own pace with pre-recorded instructional videos. Virtual feedback available.
Upcoming Live Classes
Land & Sky: Principles of Atmosphere
In-Studio & Live on Zoom
Thursdays 3-5pm CST
September 23rd - November 4th 2021
6 Week Class
$290 - $315
IRL: Painting from Direct Observation
In-Studio & Live on Zoom
Saturdays 1-3pm CST
October 16th - November 20th 2021
6 Week Class
$290 - $315
Life Drawing Foundations
Live on Zoom
Mondays 6-8:30pm CST
November 8th - December 13th 2021
6 Week Class
$325
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.
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!
Free Drawing Mini-Course!
Receive a 30 minute lesson each day for 5 days that will guide you through all the steps of the drawing process. If you've never drawn before and you want to see if it's possible, or if you are wondering how you can make your drawings better and more realistic, this is for you!
Virtual Self-Study Courses
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