Unlock Your Artistic Potential: Online Courses and Resources for Graduate Students Majoring in Painting & Drawing
As a graduate student pursuing a major in drawing, you’re likely seeking ways to further refine your technique, explore new styles, and push the boundaries of your artistic practice. Fortunately, there are a wealth of online courses and resources designed to support you on your journey. Whether you’re focusing on traditional drawing methods, digital art, or exploring the intersection of drawing and other mediums, these resources can provide valuable insights, structured learning, and even real-time feedback. Below is a guide to some of the best online courses, tools, and platforms that will help you develop your craft and stay inspired.
1. Schoolism: Masterclasses in Drawing and Art Techniques
Theme: Advanced Drawing, Illustration, Concept Art
Cost: $29/month (for access to all courses), individual courses starting at $99
Benefits:
Schoolism is an excellent platform for graduate students looking to dive deep into advanced drawing techniques. The site offers masterclasses from industry professionals, many of whom work in animation, film, and video games. With a focus on illustration and concept art, Schoolism is ideal for students aiming to bring their traditional drawing skills into the digital space or push their drawing techniques to professional standards.
The courses are taught by renowned artists, and students have access to in-depth lessons that cover everything from anatomy and character design to perspective and storytelling. Each course offers structured content and assignments that will help refine your skills while developing a portfolio-ready body of work.
Why It’s Great: Schoolism offers expert-level training in various aspects of drawing and illustration, with the added benefit of feedback from industry professionals.
2. Domestika: Creative Drawing Techniques and Beyond
Theme: Drawing Techniques, Illustration, Conceptual Art
Cost: $9.99 – $20 per course (depending on the course and region)
Benefits:
Domestika is an online learning platform that provides access to courses taught by creative professionals from around the world. With a large selection of courses related to drawing and illustration, Domestika is a great resource for graduate students who want to explore different drawing techniques, learn new styles, and experiment with mixed media.
Courses such as “Illustration for Beginners” and “Creating a Drawing Portfolio” offer an ideal mix of traditional and modern techniques, helping you elevate your skills and create more impactful artwork. Domestika also offers a supportive community where students can share their progress and receive feedback from instructors and fellow artists.
Why It’s Great: Domestika provides a diverse range of high-quality courses that cover multiple aspects of drawing, and the professional instructors bring a wealth of real-world experience.
3. New Masters Academy: Traditional Drawing Mastery
Theme: Classical Drawing, Figure Drawing, Anatomy
Cost: $39/month or $399/year (access to all courses)
Benefits:
New Masters Academy is a perfect choice for graduate students who want to focus on traditional drawing techniques and foundational skills. With a strong emphasis on classical methods, figure drawing, and anatomy, this platform offers access to detailed lessons taught by top-tier artists and instructors. Courses cover topics such as gesture drawing, portraiture, and still life, providing a solid foundation for anyone looking to enhance their technical skills.
For students who want to develop their figure drawing and anatomy knowledge, New Masters Academy provides a rich library of video lessons that break down complex concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. The academy’s curriculum is structured, allowing you to progress at your own pace and build expertise in both technical skills and artistic expression.
Why It’s Great: If you’re looking for a thorough, classical approach to drawing with an emphasis on mastering the human form and figure, New Masters Academy is an invaluable resource.
4. Skillshare: Drawing, Illustration, and Digital Art
Theme: Drawing, Illustration, Digital Art, Graphic Design
Cost: $19/month or $99/year (for full access to all courses)
Benefits:
Skillshare offers a wide variety of courses for all skill levels, making it an excellent choice for graduate students who want to explore both traditional drawing methods and digital tools. With courses ranging from technical drawing skills and illustration to digital painting and graphic design, Skillshare provides an excellent range of resources for expanding your artistic repertoire.
Notable courses for drawing majors include “Sketching for Beginners,” “Character Design for Animation,” and “Digital Drawing: From Pencils to Pixels.” Skillshare also allows you to engage with a creative community, receive feedback on your work, and participate in live workshops, making it a highly interactive platform for students to continue growing their skills.
Why It’s Great: Skillshare’s wide selection of courses allows you to explore various aspects of drawing while learning how to integrate digital tools and design into your practice.
5. Proko: Figure Drawing and Anatomy
Theme: Anatomy, Figure Drawing, Gesture Drawing
Cost: Free for some content, $99 for premium courses
Benefits:
Proko is widely regarded as one of the best online platforms for learning figure drawing and anatomy. The courses focus on the fundamentals of drawing the human figure, and they are tailored to students who want to build a strong foundation in these areas. With a combination of free tutorials and premium content, Proko offers a comprehensive and engaging way to master figure drawing and understand human anatomy in greater depth.
The lessons are highly structured, with a mix of short video lessons, assignments, and exercises. Proko also offers critiques of student work, allowing you to receive feedback and make improvements. For graduate students focusing on realistic drawing and anatomy, Proko is a must-have resource.
Why It’s Great: Proko is an excellent resource for mastering the human form and anatomy—two fundamental skills that are essential for any serious drawing artist.
6. Adobe Creative Cloud: Digital Drawing and Illustration Tools
Theme: Digital Art, Illustration, Graphic Design
Cost: Adobe Creative Cloud subscription starts at $20.99/month
Benefits:
For graduate students interested in digital drawing, Adobe Creative Cloud is an industry-standard suite of tools that provides everything you need to create professional-grade digital art and illustrations. Programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Fresco offer a wide range of brushes, textures, and drawing features that will help you transition your traditional drawing skills into the digital realm.
Adobe’s extensive online tutorials and courses can guide you through the basics of using these tools, making it easier to learn how to create digital illustrations from scratch. Adobe also offers features like cloud storage, allowing you to work on your projects from anywhere and collaborate with other artists.
Why It’s Great: Adobe Creative Cloud offers the best tools for digital artists, and with the right guidance, it can enhance your workflow and creative process.
Conclusion: Elevating Your Drawing Skills with Online Resources
For graduate students majoring in drawing, the opportunity to improve your skills and knowledge is endless. From traditional drawing mastery on platforms like New Masters Academy to exploring the intersection of digital art and illustration with Skillshare or Adobe, these online resources provide valuable tools and structured lessons to help you succeed. By exploring these courses and tools, you’ll not only refine your technique but also discover new creative avenues that will continue to inspire and challenge you throughout your artistic journey.
