Cathy MerrittI’ve always wanted to learn art, but every time I picked up a pen and realized I couldn’t even draw a straight line, I gave up instantly. But this year, I won’t make excuses anymore, so I booked myself a few drawing classes and locked in.
What do you know—I’ve improved! I mean, I’m no van Gogh, but at least I can draw more than lines and shapes now. Just a day ago, I actually sketched my pet, and it looked decent!
If you also want to get into sketching, here are the best drawing classes in Toronto.
How much does a drawing class cost in Toronto?
A drawing class in Toronto usually costs around C$200 for a four-week course and C$500 for a 12-week course. Some schools offer individual sessions, and these cost around C$60.
How We Chose
Create Art Studio
Address: 1801 & 1803 Danforth Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—9 am to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14168552360
Conveniently located in Danforth, Create Art Studio is best known for their pottery classes (yes, I had a pottery phase, too), but they do have classes and workshops for other art forms. In particular, I was thrilled to learn they have courses on drawing!
What I like most about their drawing courses is the variety. You can focus on drawing the human form, landscapes, portraits, and comics/cartoon design.
I also like that the classes are categorized based on difficulty level and age. It feels nice being in a class with fellow adults.
The classes here are wonderfully engaging and hands-on. We always have exercises after a brief demonstration from the instructor, so we get to see our progress every day.
I love how helpful the instructors are. Whenever I encounter a problem, they don’t hesitate to offer practical solutions. And when I’m feeling self-doubt, they give me a pep talk, which I appreciate.
Most of the classes are within the C$200 budget, but there are others (life form drawing classes) that exceed that.
The price already includes materials, but they’re unfortunately of low quality. I don’t expect top-of-the-line products, but at the very least, mid-level.
Customer Reviews
Expertly condenses topics into short classes
“My son and I took a comic class with Evi Tampold and had such a great experience, it is hard to condense a topic into such short classes but We both felt Evi did such a good job at encompassing big ideas into bite size topics and we both felt like we have improved our drawing styles and came out the other side better for it. So Kudos to Evi. We will definitely come back to Create Art Studio again!”
- Emily Mets, Google Review
Knowledgeable and friendly staff
“Adult and kids classes galore. One-off crash-courses in ceramics, drawing or painting or 6 week programs. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Online classes are available. It’s a safe space for everyone. Excellent COVID protocols.”
- E R, Google Review
Toronto School of Art
Address: 24 Ryerson Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—9 am to 7 pm
- Friday and Saturday—9 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14165047910
If you’re in downtown Toronto, one art school you can go to for drawing classes is the Toronto School of Art.
The drawing classes here are more curated; the only specializations they offer are life and portrait drawing. This can be a bummer for people who want to learn how to draw comics or cartoon style, specifically.
Still, the classes here are worth considering. They are categorized based on difficulty level, and I love how the introductory classes are comprehensive. They focus first on the foundational skills before you start experimenting to find your unique artistic voice.
I also appreciate that the school tries to make their classes as accessible as possible. In addition to its convenient location, the classes come in various schedules—weekdays, weekends, and evenings—so you can come whenever you’re able.
Unfortunately, the prices for the courses are pretty steep, usually around C$400, but at least the classes run for eight weeks. Sometimes, they host solo drawing classes, and those cost C$20, which is a great compromise, in a way.
Customer Reviews
Accessible location, bright space
“I recommend TSA to advance your skills. I have taken several drawing and painting classes. I like the accessible location and bright spaces to work in. I especially like the classes by Brian Harvey, who specializes in urban scenes.”
- S. D., Google Review
Great teachers, spacious studios
“I have taken multiple classes here, my favourites being the Life Drawing course taught by Thomas Hendry and Painting Foundations by Brian Harvey. The instructors are amazing artists and great at teaching and providing feedback, while allowing students to maintain their own voice in art. The studios are spacious, equipped and quiet. I highly recommend TSA to any one looking to deepen their skills in art.”
- Helia Sehat, Google Review
ARTiculations
Address: 2802 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday—10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +14169017464
ARTiculations is actually an art store—it’s one of my favourite places to get art supplies—but they often host art classes, which I’m thrilled about. Sketching and drawing classes are the most common, and they’re usually targeted at beginners.
A friend attended an “absolute beginner” drawing class, and she likes that the instructor focuses on de-mystifying the art form. She also taught the students “seeing skills” or techniques on how to observe the subject to glean more details.
This store also has specific drawing classes that I find interesting. For example, they once held a “Sketching is Fine with Continuous Lines” class—essentially sketching without lifting the pen from the paper. It’s such a fascinating take on the art form!
I have to commend the instructors. One time, I stopped by to watch the ongoing class, and the students were very much engaged in the lesson. The instructors were warm and friendly, so I wasn’t surprised that everyone was eager to learn more.
The one downside to this store, though, is the prices. Their drawing classes, which last for four weeks, usually cost more than C$200, which is way too expensive for me. Additionally, their solo sessions are expensive as well—around C$85.
Customer Reviews
Reasonable prices
“An amazing art store that really tries to be a part of the Junction community. I started taking a course there shortly after moving from the East end and got to know the owners and get closer to this new community. If you have thought about taking a workshop there, think no more. Do it! They have a very unique collection of art supplies that would be hard to find anywhere else with reasonable prices. Very excited for their future projects. Also, who could resist Charlie (the dog)?”
- Brock D., Yelp Review
Great teachers
“My daughters really enjoyed their art workshops here, Heather is an amazing teacher who really loves what she does. Mickey is always a warm and friendly soul who is eager to help you find what you’re looking for. The store is beautifully curated, I’ll be back soon.”
- Irina Y., Yelp Review
Art Academy at Art-Kitect
Address: 401 Danforth Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—9 am to 4 pm
- Sunday—3 pm to 4 pm
Contact Number: +16473684011
What people like most about the Art Academy at Art-Kitect is that the classes follow a comprehensive curriculum. The students first learn about art theory and the different practices of contemporary art before they get into any practical exercises.
Students also like that they can learn a wide variety of artistic styles, such as figure and portraiture, anime/manga, architecture, animal and nature, still life renderings, and more.
You can explore multiple media as well. Pencil is the most common, but you can also try experimenting with charcoal.
Like other art schools, this one has classes categorized by difficulty level, but you can also book a private lesson here, which I think is neat. This is perfect for shy people or students who have specific goals (e.g., improving an existing art portfolio).
Unfortunately, this school has expensive rates; a bundle of sessions usually costs between C$400 and C$700. To be fair, classes here last for months—sometimes, even a year. So, in a way, they’re more of an investment.
If you’re interested in this school but you’re not sure if you want to commit, you can book a trial class first. It only costs C$15.
Customer Reviews
Incredibly sweet teachers
“We absolutely love this art studio! From the very first class, our kids felt welcomed, encouraged, and safe to express themselves. The teachers are incredibly sweet, patient, and truly passionate about what they do. I’m honestly amazed at how much my children have learned — not just how to draw, but how to see and understand art. Every time they come home, they’re proud of what they’ve created and can’t wait for the next session!”
- Anna K, Google Review
Fun and interactive classes
“My son loves the after-school art program. We also hosted my son’s 5th birthday party at the Art Academy and the team there is amazing! The classes are fun, educational and interactive – the best teachers who are kind, supportive and FUN!”
- Haley Gush, Google Review
Karen Colangelo
Address: Toronto, ON, Canada
Operating Hours: By appointment basis
Contact Number: Contact them via their website
We recently took a drawing class with Karen Colangelo, and the experience felt genuinely inspiring and constructive from start to finish. Stepping into her class, we immediately noticed how welcoming and encouraging the environment was — it set the tone for a space where creativity could grow without fear of judgment.
What stood out most to us was Karen’s way of teaching fundamentals with clarity and patience. She has a natural ability to break down techniques like proportion, shading, and composition into steps that feel understandable, even when they initially seem challenging. Instead of just showing examples, she guided us through why certain approaches work and how to see what we’re actually drawing, which made our own sketches improve in noticeable ways.
We also appreciated how hands-on and attentive Karen was during class. She moved around the room offering personalized feedback, gently correcting details and celebrating progress. When we struggled with a concept, she didn’t rush past it — she found a different angle or a simple visual cue that helped it click. That level of attention made each session feel purposeful and supportive.
The pacing of the class felt thoughtful as well. There was a comfortable rhythm between instruction, practice, and reflection. We never felt rushed, yet each lesson had clear direction and momentum. It encouraged us to push ourselves while still feeling grounded in what we’d already learned.
Overall, drawing with Karen Colangelo was both enjoyable and growth-oriented. We left each class feeling more confident, more observant, and genuinely excited to keep exploring our artistic abilities. It was the kind of creative experience that makes you look forward to the next session.
Drawing in Perspective ART CLASS
Address: Bishop Marrocco / Thomas Merton School, 1515 Bloor St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +16474361077
Drawing in Perspective ART CLASS is an interesting art school because they specialize in one thing: learning how to draw perspective and structural drawing.
This might be a bummer to some, and it limits their pool of interested students. But if you think you’ll love drawing buildings, interiors, and landscapes, then this school is a good match.
The physical location is amazing. For one thing, it’s conveniently located. It’s just across the Dundas West Subway Station, so you can just take the subway to get here. If you prefer to drive, there’s free parking in the basement.
Additionally, the classroom itself is spacious, and the drawing tables are large, so there’s ample room for everyone to practice without knocking elbows with others.
Another convenient feature that this school offers is that if you miss a class, you can attend it (once it’s available to book again), free of charge! This gesture is so thoughtful.
The prices here are expensive, though—at C$345. Fortunately, the school offers discounts like the group discount. If you can convince at least five other people to attend the class, each one of you gets to enjoy C$65 or C$75 off the price!
Customer Reviews
Wealth of knowledge
“Best classes for learning how to draw in Toronto!! Dale is a wealth of knowledge for perspective drawing. I took the beginner course in 2023 and am currently taking the advanced classes, I really enjoy the classes and the skills I am building.”
- Katherine Roesler, Google Review
Excellent program
“I did not have any drawing experience when enrolling in the class. To me, learning perspective was the most logical place to start. Dale has put together an excellent program for anyone wanting to clearly understand the concept of perspective. I would not hesitate to recommend his classes to anyone looking to start or improve their skills. I’ve already signed up for the Intermediate class. Thanks Dale, Michael.”
- Michael Hall, Google Review
