Figure Drawing Open Studios, Workshops,
and Continuing Education Classes
in the Los Angeles area

This is a directory of places where artists can draw, paint, or sculpt the human form from live art models. The list includes instructed and uninstructed sessions. Drawing groups come and go, and schedules change, so it is wise to confirm with the organizer before attending—website, email and/or telephone is listed for each group.

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This page includes the greater Los Angeles area
with Zip Codes 90### and 91###
Other Parts of California • Other States and Provinces

Listings are sorted by Zip Code

Figure Drawing at Downtown Art+Space
1611 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
juanrosillo.com 213-255-2067 OR 562-833-6991.
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing Session with a live model every other Tuesday from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. BRING YOUR OWN MATERIALS. Very stimulating atmosphere. $12 per person, Free parking in our parking lot. Please let us if know you are attending.
[2010-02-05]

Catalyst Loft
2079 E. 15th Street, Suite 330
Los Angeles, CA 90021
213-925-3507
Uninstructed
We meet every Monday night 8-11pm at the Catalyst Loft downtown. Live models. $5 donation, cash bar.
[E]

UCLA Extension
1010 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310-825-9971
Instructed and Uninstructed
Classes include Beginning Figure Drawing, Advanced Figure Drawing, and Uninstructed Lab: Drawing/Painting from the Nude Figure.
[U]

Tom of Finland Foundation
1421 Laveta Terrace
Los Angeles, CA 90026 (Echo Park)
213.250.1685
Uninstucted
Monthly homo-erotic life drawing workshop, usually the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month, 1:00-4:00 PM. Nude figure drawing & painting (NO PHOTOGRAPHY). $25 suggested donation at the door. RSVP Required. Please call Miguel Angel Reyes 323-782-0573.
[E]

Los Feliz Life Drawing Workshop
4451 Kingswell Ave 3/4 (Art Studio at the back)
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Contact Ben or Jennifer: 213-453-2818
Uninstructed
We are hosting life drawing and painting workshops Monday and Thursday evenings from 7 to 10 pm. The workshops are twenty-five minute poses for uninstructed drawing.
[E]

Barnsdall Art Center
4814 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-644-6295
Uninstructed
Uninstructed life drawing employs a nude model for each session. Male and female models are scheduled for the self-directed student. Fee $60 payable to BACSAC.
Short Poses: Tuesday 9:30am-12:30pm and Saturday 1 1:00-4:00 pm.
Medium Poses: Wednesday 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Long Pose: Monday 1-4 pm and Friday 9:30 am-12:30 pm
[U]

LeDoux Int’l Art/Erotic Figure Drawing Workshop
ASTO Museum of Art
4505 Huntington Dr. South
Los Angeles, CA 90032
Call for information and fees 562-633-7136 ledouxintlaol.com
Uninstructed (with help for beginners)
Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm (ask about other times). LeDoux Int’l Art/Erotic Figure Drawing Workshop provides exotic nude single and duet highly spirited modeling for art enthusiasts. We make available a progressive and futuristic opportunity in a classic museum setting. Gourmet coffee and cheap wine available via donations. Short to long poses. Stand up and chair easels available. Bring your own supplies. Figure and portrait instructions are available. Male/female models are nude/partially nude. Bring a friend.
[2010-02-07]

Kline Academy of Fine Art
3264 Motor Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90034
art.directorgte.net 310-927-2436
Instructed and Uninstructed
Classes include Figure Painting, Figure Drawing, and Uninstructed Drawing Workshop.
[E]

Gnomon School of Visual Effects
1015 N Cahuenga Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90038
323-466-6663
Instructed
Classes include Figure Drawing and Gesture Drawing.
[E]

The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
The Village at Ed Gould Plaza
1125 N. McCadden Place
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-860-7302
Instructed
Life Drawing. This 4-week course meets 7:30-9:30 pm one evening per week. Check the link above for current dates. You can capture the beauty of the human form! Develop your own unique way to translate what you see into what you draw. Both men and women pose nude for this class. Students must bring their own 16” x 20” pads. Pencil, charcoal and crayon are among the tools used—you may bring your own or use our instructor’s for the first class session. The instructor will help you decide which other supplies you may need to buy. Easels are provided. Everyone is welcome regardless of sexual-identity, -gender or -orientation.
[2009-10-17]

Adrian Gottlieb Studio and Atelier
Elysian Valley, CA 90039 (Los Angeles County)
AdrianGottliebStudios.com
Instructed
Painting the Figure in Oil is a 10-week class offered four times a year. Adrian Gottlieb trains a maximum of 8 students in his working private Atelier (studio), located in Elysian Valley, California not far from Pasadena. The focus of this program is on painting techniques and specifically figurative painting (including the classic nude, portraiture, full compositional paintings of the clothed figure and models posed with the input of class participants).
[2009-08-19]

Avenue 50 Studio
131 N. Avenue 50
Highland Park, CA 90042
ave50studiosbcglobal.net 323-258-1435
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing, Tuesdays 7-10 p.m. Different live model each week. $12 suggested donation per session. We start with 2 minute poses and go up to 25 minutes. Art benches provided. Bring your own materials. Free parking at the rear of the building.
[2009-07-14]

Otis College of Art and Design
9045 Lincoln Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045
otisceotis.edu 310-665-6850
Instructed
Classes include Life Drawing
[E]

Brentwood Art Center
13031 Montana Avenue (at 26th Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90049-4891
infobrentwoodart.com 310-451-5657
Instructed
Classes include Figure Drawing, Portrait & Figure Painting, Figure Sculpture, and Printmaking - Monotype: Focus on the Figure.
[E]

StudioD
2349 S. Santa Fe Ave., Studio D
Los Angeles, CA 90058
sfacstudiodgmail.com
Uninstructed
Figure drawing, Saturdays 1:00-5:00pm, $15 per session. Short poses: 2 to 20 minutes.
Wednesdays, 7:30-10:30pm. $10 per session. Professional models, Alternating between short and long poses weekly. Long Pose Night: 1 set of 5 minute poses; 1 25 minute pose; 2 1-hour poses. Short Pose Night: varying from 2-minute poses up. Artists must bring all drawing supplies. Drawing Horses Provided. See website for directions and information about periodic themed and extended week painting/ drawing workshops, and creative events.
[2009-12-12]

West L.A. Drawing Studio
11755 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
trentreynoldssmcgmail.com
Uninstructed
Open Figure Drawing Studio. Saturdays 10am-1pm. $10. This is a DRAWING ONLY session: charcoal, graphite, pastel, conte etc. No painting will be permitted. We will begin with two or three short poses to warm up and the remaining time will be spent on one or two long poses. Nude models. Bring your own easel if you can. See the website for maps and parking information. To get email notifications and updates about the workshop, send an email to the address above.
[2010-01-20]

The Drawing Club
3235 San Fernando Rd. #2C
Los Angeles, CA 90065
infothedrawingclub.com 626-755-5582
Uninstructed
Thursday nights 7-10pm and a 3-hour long pose session one Sunday a month 10am to 1pm. $20 per session. Our drawing and painting workshops have a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Each session has a story theme with a model in character interacting within a set on our stage with carefully selected music and sound effects. You are welcome to bring any media and are encouraged to interpret the theme in any way you like. Host Bob Kato provides one on one instruction for those who would like some. Coffee, drinks and various fattening refreshments are served.
[E]

Buckwild Gallery
12804 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066 (Venice)
310-286-0714
Uninstructed
Figure drawing, Monday nights 8pm-11pm. Expect a relaxed atmosphere with a structured pose schedule and professional nude models. We'll warm up with 2 minute poses and work our way up to 20 minutes poses. We have a limited number of seats so it's first come first serve. Arrive early for the best views! $10 a person.
[2010-01-07]

Artist Co-op 7
15600 Mulholland Drive
Bel Air, CA 90077
jeannehahnaol.com 818-885-8306
Instructed
Artist Co-op 7 offers an ongoing art program at the American Jewish University as part of the Whizin Center for Continuing Education program. Classes include "Right Brain Figure Drawing: Fearless Creating." Students of all levels of skill investigate innovative concepts of expression in pictorial space, structure and aesthetic content. Emphasis on the multimedia approach.
[2009-08-04]

Beverly Hills Adult School
255 South Lasky Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310-551-5150
Instructed
Classes include Figure and Portrait Painting with a live clothed model. Explore color, shape, value, etc. using acrylic, oil (with substitute odorless turpenoid). Students need to be familiar with the medium they plan to use and need to bring their materials to first class. A model fee will be collected by the instructor in class.
[2010-01-22]

Teale Street Sculpture Studio & Workshops
11847 Teale Street
Culver City, CA 90230
310-397-2697
sculpturestudiome.com
Uninstructed
Life Drawing workshop with Model, Long Poses. Thursday nights 7PM to 10PM. $15.00.
[E]

Studio II Life Drawing at Helms Bakery
8739 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
CHRISHEROaol.com 310-614-6207 (Cell)
Uninstructed
Sunday, 10am - 1pm, $10, 2 to 20 minute poses. Every second sunday of the month early session, 9am to 1pm for extra gesture drawing poses, $15. Tuesday, 9am - noon, $15, 5 minute and 20 minute poses.
Building entrance is a set of glass doors on Washington Blvd. Studio II is at the end of a long corridor. Please arrive early to settle in. No photography or media that involve smelly solvents. Limited space for new participants.
[2009-07-20]

Malibu Figure Drawing Workshop
The Ranch at Sycamore Farms
3661 Cross Creek Rd.
Malibu, CA 90265
Petertheranchinmalibu.com 310-576-3403
Uninstructed
Wednesday Nights at 6:00 PM. Live Professional Model.
[E]

Palos Verdes Art Center
5504 W. Crestridge Rd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
infopvartcenter.org 310-541-2479
Instructed and Uninstructed
Instructed classes inlcude Figure Painting and Teen Figure Drawing with bathing suit-clad model.
Uninstructed Life Drawing Studio, Thursdays, 6:30-9:30pm. $15 drop-in rate, cash or check only. Life model, long and short poses.
[E]

Lubner Studio of Painting
4094-B Glencoe Ave
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Studio 310-823-9725
Uninstructed
Life Drawing. Saturdays 9:00 am - 12 noon. Drop-in $12. Poses are two minutes to 20 minutes. 4094 is in the front; 4094-B is farther down the driveway. Look for a white metal door. For further information about the life drawing sessions contact Jarka at 310-476-8941.
[2010-01-20]

The Santa Monica Figure Drawing Group
Newberry Gallery
1549 11th Street #100
Santa Monica CA 90401
Uninstructed
Sundays 3-6pm. It's a weekly 3 hour figure drawing session, uninstructed, with a unclothed male or female model in a comfortable art gallery setting in Santa Monica. It's great for artists that want to keep their hand fresh and for people that would like to develop their skills in a relaxed no pressure, yet focused atmosphere. We start with short poses, two to five minutes, and progress to longer poses, ending with 1 1/2 hour pose.
[E]

Jonathan Bickart Sculpture Studio
1925 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-829-CLAY
Instructed
Classes include Figure Sculpting.
[E]

The YWCA Santa Monica / Westside
2019 14th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
lgarciasmywca.org 310-452-3881
Uninstructed
Life Drawing Workshop for local artists and art students. The YWCA is now offering an affordable, uninstructed figure drawing workshop on Tuesday nights using high quality, diverse models. This is a great opportunity to hone your drawing skills with live models and to meet other artists in a professional, yet comfortable atmosphere. LIMITED ENROLLMENT! Tuesdays, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m., Ongoing. COST: $40 - 4 sessions (YWCA Members); $44 - 4 sessions (YWCA Non-Members); $12 - single session $10 per night (YWCA Members, must buy 4 night block); $12 per night (Non-Members).
[2009-07-08]

PAINT:LAB
2912 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
infopaintlab.net 310-450-9200
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing from a live nude model, twice a month: one Sunday and one Wednesday evening 6-9pm every month. Bring your own sketch pad or purchase one at PAINT:LAB. $20/session. See website for schedule.
[2009-09-28]

El Camino College
Art & Behavioral Sciences Bldg., Rooms 205 & 209
16007 Crenshaw Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90506
Commedelcamino.edu 310-660-6460
Uninstructed
Life Drawing Marathons, Last Sunday of the month, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. $18.00 plus $5 materials cost.
Join us for a relaxing Sunday as we open our doors to the Life Drawing and Painting marathons. Two studios, one offering quick poses, the other offering one all-day pose, will be open for all artists interested in painting or drawing the nude model. Bring your own drawing and painting materials. Must be 18 years or older to attend.
[E]

Summer Studios Arts Academy
2161 Lomita Blvd
Lomita, CA 90717
publicrelationssummerstudios.net 310-325-8801
Instructed
Classes include Life Drawing & Painting and Structural Anatomy.
[2009-11-20]

Angels Gate Cultural Center
3601 South Gaffey Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
danaangelsgateart.org 310-519-0936
Uninstructed
Angels Gate also offers uninstructed Life Drawing workshops, 2 days a week!
Tuesdays 7-10 pm. Life Drawing. Classroom G, $10 model fee.
Saturdays 8am-noon. Life Drawing and Painting. Classroom G, $15 model fee.
[2009-07-15]

Studio 1021
1021 E. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing and Painting hosted by Patrick Farrand. For artists of all skill levels to practice drawing the human form. $15 per 3-hour session or $130 for a block of ten sessions. Pay in advance online or at the door. Cash, credit cards, and PayPal accepted. Wednesdays 6-9 pm (long pose night). Fridays 10:30am-1:30pm (start with shorter poses and move into longer poses). See website for calendar.
[2009-12-27]

Pollen
1332 Gladys Ave
Long Beach, CA 90804
Uninstructed
Thursday evenings from 7-10pm for an evening of figure drawing in our Long Beach studio "Pollen". Each session start off with short gesture poses and works up to 20 minute or longer poses depending on the groups' desire. 3-Hour Drawing (undraped form). Warehouse Studio. Refreshments served. Music. Drawing benches. Beginners and advanced artist welcome! $15/session.
[2009-07-13]

Business Men's Art Institute
2228 Florencita Ave
Montrose, CA 91020
818-249-4652
Instructed and Uninstructed
BMAI is a nonprofit organization founded in 1930. This is a place where artists can practice their craft and develop their skills through instructed and uninstructed live model and still life painting. Instructional opportunities are open to anyone in the community along with our members. The BMAI also provides hundreds of still life props together with the necessary set-up stations, draperies and easels. Our studio lighting is a blend of warm and cool fluorescent tubes and is excellent. For more information, leave a message at the above number.
[E]

McGroarty Arts Center
7570 McGroarty Terrace
Tujunga, California 91042
directormcgroartyartscenter.org 818.352.5285
Instructed and Uninstructed
Instructed classes include Drawing from Life.
Uninstructed Model Painting Workshop uses costumed models. Mondays, 9:30-12:30pm, $15/class
[2009-07-10]

Art Center College of Design
1700 Lida St
Pasadena, CA 91103
acanartcenter.edu 626-396-2319
Instructed
Classes include Introduction to Figure Drawing, Figure Painting, and Head & Hands.
Note: Some classes take place at South Campus: 950 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105.
[E]

3Kicks Fine Art Studio
55 Waverly Drive, Suite 109
Pasadena, CA 91105
contact3kickstudio.com 626-466-5043
Instructed and Uninstructed
Uninstructed Painting workshop with a live model meets every Tuesday from 6:30 - 10:30 pm
Date with an even number will be costume, odd number will be nude. Price is $18 per session or $150 for 10 sessions. Great environment, air condition, snack and drink provided. Please bring your own easel.
Instructed classes include Beginning Figure Painting, Advanced Figure Painting, Gesture Drawing, Anatomy Figure Drawing, and Head Drawing.
[E]

Concept Design Academy
55 Waverly Drive, Suite 104
Pasadena, CA 91105
contactconceptdesignacad.com 818-669-4657
Instructed
This school specializes in design & fundamental training tailored for the entertainment design industry (film, game, & animation). Figure classes include “Analytical Figure Drawing” and “Advance Figure Drawing” taught by design professionals. Great study environment for anyone who wishes to develop their portfolio or improve skills. AC, snack, drinks and drawing horse are provided in class.
[2009-07-27]

Cope Studios - Figurative Sculpture & Academic Drawing
926 Western Ave, Suite A
Glendale, CA. 91201
figurativesculptorhotmail.com 818-913-7187
Instructed
A sample of the sculpture classes offered: Half Life-Size Figure Sculpture; Life Size Torso Sculpture; Half Life-Size Reclining Pose; Relief Sculpture; as well as Sight Size Academic Drawing Classes. Cope Studios also offers talented artists, studio space to rent.
[2009-05-15]

VAS/Visual Art Studio
3800 La Crescenta Ave., suite 208
La Crescenta, CA 91214
infohjmacademy.com 213-359-8846
Instructed
Since 1993, VAS has specialized in portfolio prep for students who plan to attend art college. Figure class includes "Beginning Life Drawing" , "Intermediate Life Drawing" and "Digital Life Painting". Digital class using Photoshop, Maya, and ZBrush is open for anyone who wishes to develop their digital portfolio, Saturday 4-7pm. Professional models. Monthly registration required.
[2010-02-08]

California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330
818-677-2348
Uninstructed
The CSUN Department of Art offers self guided figure drawing workshops during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. The sessions include beginning to advanced students. Usually, there are 13 or 14 sessions each semester that are scheduled on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings between 5:30 and 9:30pm in Art and Design Center rooms 602 or 604. Attendees do not have to be enrolled at CSUN. The fee is either $55.00 for the whole semester or $5.00 per session and can be paid at the workshop.
[E]

California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts)
24700 McBean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
Uninstructed
Sundays 10am to 6pm, with lunch break 1-2pm. $15, $8 for alumni, free for current students. If there are 2 models: $20, $12 for alumni. In the Animation Department on the 2nd floor across from the Library (one floor down from the main entrance). See announcement.
[U]

California Art Institute
2977 Willow Lane
Westlake Village, CA 91360
caicalartinst.com 805-496-6906
Instructed and Uninstructed
Classes include Figure Drawing, Figure-Quick Sketch, The Figure in Watercolor, Painting the Head & Figure, and Sculpting the Figure. Uninstrcuted workshop includes nude, semi-nude, and costume models.
[E]

Thousand Oaks Figure Artist Guild
Storojev Fine Arts Studio
31143 Via Colinas, Suite 402
Westlake Village, CA 91361
818-735-0700
Uninstructed
Please come join us to paint and draw the figure for $20. This is a workshop for artists of any skill level to come and practice drawing the human form. RSVP via Meetup. Bring your own supplies and easel and enthusiasm. John Storojev will give personal instruction for a fee of only $35; John has taught sculpture and drawing for over nine years at CLU.
[E]

Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art
16926 Saticoy Street
Van Nuys, CA 91406
818-708-9232
Instructed
Many drawing, painting, and sculpting classes are offered.
[E]

Gallery Girls
Los Angeles, CA 91411
jenfabpat2gmail.com 818-535-5761
Uninstructed
A group of Los Angeles art and costume models led by Jennifer Fabos Patton. The group organizes costume and figure drawing workshops at various locations in southern California. See website for upcoming events. Also available for gallery openings and other events.
[2009-07-08]

American Animation Institute
1105 N. Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505-2528
infoanimationguild.org 818-766-0521
Instructed
Classes include Head, Hand, and Foot Drawing; Life Drawing; Head and Figure Painting; Figure Drawing from Top to Bottom; Composition for Animation and Film; Drawing for Composition; Color and Composition.
[E]

Jim Weaver's Painting Workshop
North Hollywood, CA 91607
robzugnoniyahoo.com 818-762-3745
Uninstructed
Since 1995. We are a group of people who get together every Saturday 10am-1pm in Valley Village to paint clothed models. The model commits to three consecutive Saturdays, and continues the same pose for all three sessions. The cost is $12.00 per person per week. You came come and do a day session, or two weeks, or all three.
[2009-11-16]

Chaffey Community Art Association Museum of Art
The North Wing of the J. Filippi Winery
12467 Base Line Road
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Instructed and Uninstructed
• Instructed: Nude Figure Drawing Classes, Mondays, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., $20. Contact Joe Pastor, 909-730-6409 or joepastorfineartme.com. At each session, Joe lectures on a specific topic or body part, emphasizing anatomy, shape, gesture, perspective and principles of light. Poses range from one to twenty minutes. Students should bring an 18x24 drawing pad or paper, and charcoal sticks or charcoal pencils.
• Uninstructed: Clothed/Costumed Model, First Thursday of every month, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., $10 /CCAA members, $15 /non-members. Contact Gayle Stratford, 909-944-8641 or gstratfordatt.net. Artists can draw or paint. One pose for four hours.
[2009-07-19]

Gemini Art Studios
1147 E. Las Tunas Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91775
Instructed
Specializing in developing artists portfolios in 3-D Maya, Graphic Design, Conceptual Art, Illustration. Classes include Figure Drawing I, II, III, and Figure Painting.
[2010-01-09]

Studio 117B
117B North San Gabriel Blvd
San Gabriel, CA 91775
Uninstructed
Saturday 10am-1pm; 3, 5, 10, and 25 minute poses; Suggested $15 donation for the Morning.
Saturday 2pm-6pm; 4-hour pose, painters welcome; Suggested $20 donation for the Afternoon.
The studio is located down the alley behind the Special Signs store.
[U]

Nucleus Sketch Book Society
210 East Main St.
Alhambra, CA 91801
626-458-7482 infogallerynucleus.com
Uninstructed
Figure drawing sessions: Every Wednesday night from 7pm - 10pm we have a nude model doing short poses from 5 minutes up to 15 minutes. It is a nice group of consistent attendees and takes place in a nice upstairs gallery setting. With always beautiful and professional models, we provide drawing horses and chairs. All for only $15 a session.
[2009-07-07]

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The Art Model's Handbook: The Naked Truth about Posing for Art Classes and Fine Artists • by Andrew Cahner
ISBN-13: 978-1-442-16969-2 • ISBN-10: 1-442-16969-9 • Available from Amazon.com
contactartmodelbook.com • Contents of this site © 2009. All rights reserved.
Painting on book cover: “Trois Couleurs Noir.” Oil on canvas. © 2004 Antoine de Villiers. Used with permission.