Figure Drawing Classes, Workshops, Open Studios
in Central California

To exercise your muscles, go to the gym. To exercise your art skills, attend a figure drawing session. This is a directory of art schools, ateliers, and studios where artists can paint, sculpt, or draw live art models. Life Drawing groups come and go, and schedules change, so it is wise to confirm with the organizer before attending. Please report any defunct groups or broken links to directoryartmodelbook.com

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This page includes California cities with Zip Code 93###
Other Parts of California • Other States and Provinces

Listings are sorted by Zip Code

Studio Channel Islands Art Center - SCIART
2222 Ventura Blvd.
Camarillo, CA 93010
Instructed and Uninstructed
• Tuesdays 7:00-10:00pm. Studio A4. Nude figure drawing and painting workshop. Uninstructed. Usually gesture warm-up poses for the first 25 minutes, then 25-minute long poses for remainder of night. Every 3 or 4 weeks, we do a single long pose all night. We start at precisely 7:01 so get there beforehand to set-up and do a meet-and-greet and get a cup of wine.
Contact Rich Brimer richbrimergmail.com 805-300-4931
• Wednesdays 3:45-7:00pm. Studio B2. Figure Painting. Light instruction (some prefer none, some prefer more, you decide). $30 drop-in or $100 for a block of four consecutive sessions. For an additional $5 per class, you may use my supplies (brushes, paints, easel, etc.).
Contact David Gallup davidcgallupgmail.com 805-675-5385
[2011-11-23]

Note: Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village are on the 90###-91### page.

Santa Barbara City College, Continuing Education Division
Schott Center
310 W. Padre Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
CE_Generalsbcc.edu 805-687-0812
Instructed
Classes include Beginning Drawing: Introduction to the Human Figure, Beginning Figure Drawing, Figure/Portrait Drawing Studio, Keys to Drawing/Painting Life, Figure Drawing and Painting For Older Adults, Modeling the Figure in Clay For Older Adults, and Painting the Figure in the Landscape For Older Adults.
[E]

Arts Visalia
214 E. Oak Avenue
Visalia, CA 93291
infoartsvisalia.org 559-739-0905
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing Open Session. Monday Evenings 6:00-9:00pm.
[E]

Friday Night Figures @ gGallery
570 Higuera Street, Suite 190
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Contact Michael 805-550-5176 ggalleryslogmail.com
Weekly life drawing, figure drawing, painting sessions. Draw like a Renaissance, Cubist, or Abstract Master. Whatever your style you will find a friendly professional encouraging and interactive environment. Working from live nude art models, artists from beginning to advanced levels have the opportunity to develop and refine their artistic skills. Short & long poses. Bring your own art supplies. We have tables and chairs. Fridays 7:00-9:00pm $10.00 fee. Art After Dark cancels.
[2011-04-21]

San Luis Obispo Art Center
1010 Broad Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
edusloartcenter.org 805-543-8562
Uninstructed
Life Drawing and Sculpture. Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm.
Life Drawing. Wednesdays 9:00am-12:00noon in the Nybak Wing.
Bring your own art supplies. Tables and some easels are available. $8 members, $10 nonmembers.
[2009-08-20]

The C Gallery
466 Bell Street, PO Box 907
Los Alamos, CA 93440
conniethecgallery.com 805-344-3807
Instructed
Friday Night Figure Drawing. Instructed by Ken Doud, who holds a Masters of Fine Arts from UCSB. Only five people drawing from a live art model and periodically critiquing the drawings. Class is on-going, and registration is month by month. Drop-ins are welcome if reservations are made in advance and if there is room. Most materials are provided, as are refreshments.
[2009-11-29]

Morro Bay’s Community Center
1001 Kennedy Way
Morro Bay, CA 93442
805-772-6278
Uninstructed
Draw and paint a live art model in this informal art group led by Jan Mannering. Bring your own supplies including easel, paper-support, and medium. Please no oils with turpentine. Fridays 9:00am-12noon. Fee: $20/month or $6/class.

The Pacific Grove Art Center
568 Lighthouse Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
pgartmbay.net 831-375-2208
Uninstructed
Tuesdays 9:00am-12:00noon. Go Figure! Open Draw for Adults. $10. Contact Annie Bushey, 831-373-4575.
Wednesdays 6:00-9:00pm. Figure Drawing. $10. Call instructor Mark Farina 373-0886.
First Saturday of month 9:30am-12:30pm. Figure Drawing. $10 member, $12 non-member.
[2009-08-19]

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 © 2009-2012. All rights reserved.
Painting on book cover: “Trois Couleurs Noir.” Oil on canvas. © 2004 Antoine de Villiers. Used with permission.