Adult Painting Classes in Lawrence

Express Yourself With Drawing & Painting

people in class together
people in class together

Put Your Imagination to Paper & Canvas

Do you have the desire to create a painting or drawing, but wish you had a stronger grasp on the tools and techniques that translate your vision accurately to the page? Or maybe you’re an accomplished artist looking to expand your skills and connect with community?

The Lawrence Art Center believes everyone is an artist–all you need to unleash it is a little guidance!

With financial aid available, adult painting classes and drawing classes in Lawrence are open to everyone who wants to learn about the visual arts.

Our Facilities & Curriculum

The Path to Your Artistry

The painting and drawing classes we offer cover everything from the fundamentals of different painting and drawing mediums to advanced classes like our Open Model options. The choice is yours! For our adult visual arts classes, the descriptions list what to expect from the courses.

Where You’ll Find Our Adult Painting & Drawing Classes

At the Lawrence Art Center, we have six dedicated spaces for our adult visual arts classes to ensure you have everything you need to succeed. Our facility includes two painting and drawing studios, as well as a ceramics studio, digital media lab, metals, jewelry, and fibers studio, printmaking studio, and photography studio.

Our Painting & Drawing Studios feature all of the general studio supplies you need to express yourself and have a lot of fun doing it!

Current Classes

Drawing & Painting

Portraiture[26WSP]
03/24/26 - 05/12/26, 6:30PM - 8:30PM | TU
Ages 16 to 120 | Jeff Ridgway | Lawrence Arts Center
Class is Full - contact about waitlist | 26SAP22
Members $220 | Non-Members $220
Learn about technique, composition, and color while capturing a person’s likeness. We will also study examples of portraiture throughout art history. Open to the drawing/painting media of each students’ choice. Basic drawing materials will be provided. Previous drawing or painting experience is encouraged.
Life Drawing & Anatomy for the Artist[26WSP]
03/26/26 - 05/14/26, 7:00PM - 9:30PM | TH
Ages 18 to 120 | Jeff Ridgway | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | 26SAD54
Members $230 | Non-Members $230
Students learn to draw the human figure, working from a live model and using various drawing media. The models will do quick gesture poses at the beginning of each session and then a longer pose for the group. Must be 18 to enroll. Students must provide their own supplies. Photographic devices are not allowed.
Intro to Watercolor[26WSP]
03/23/26 - 05/11/26, 7:00PM - 9:00PM | MO
Ages 16 to 120 | Katie Alldritt | Lawrence Arts Center
Class is Full - contact about waitlist | 26SAP21
Members $250 | Non-Members $250
This introductory watercolor class invites students from all levels to explore watercolor using multiple techniques. Discover mark making, color mixing, and a variety of subjects to render in this course.
Drawing Lawrence: Blooms & Botanicals[26WSP]
03/27/26 - 05/15/26, 10:00AM - 12:00PM | FR
Ages 16 to 120 | Kent Smith | Off-site
Enrolling Now | 26SAD25
Members $220 | Non-Members $220
Celebrate spring sketchbooks in this plein-air drawing and painting class focused on the emerging plant life around Lawrence. This class will meet weekly, in a different location (both in-person and online). Study light, color, and plant forms using watercolors and various drawing media.
Layers of Time: From Drawing to Collage[26WSP]
03/24/26 - 05/12/26, 6:30PM - 8:30PM | TU
Ages 16 to | Lora Jost | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | 26SAD12
Members $250 | Non-Members $250
Working on the same piece each week, we’ll draw, paint, letter, and collage, adding and subtracting layers to create a rich surface texture. Students will learn about composition, unity, transparency, and meaningful visual symbols, through this unfolding creative process.
Beginning Drawing[26WSP]
03/25/26 - 05/13/26, 5:00PM - 6:30PM | WE
Ages 16 to 120 | Matthew Lord | Lawrence Arts Center
Class is Full - contact about waitlist | 26SAD13
Members $210 | Non-Members $210
This class invites students of all levels to begin learning how to train the eyes and hands together. Observe and translate real objects into a two-dimensional drawing, render light and shadow, and delve into basic color theory.
Colored Pencil Drawing Workshop[26WSP]
03/25/26 - 04/15/26, 6:30PM - 8:30PM | WE
Ages 16 to 120 | Matthew Willie Garcia | Lawrence Arts Center
Class is Full - contact about waitlist | 26SAD23
Members $120 | Non-Members $120
This class will allow for students to develop their drawing skills and add color to their art practice. Students will learn a wide range of colored pencil techniques and use various surfaces to explore the medium.
Fundamentals of Acrylic Painting[26WSP]
03/28/26 - 05/16/26, 11:00AM - 1:00AM | SA
Ages 16 to 120 | Tim Stone | Lawrence Arts Center
Class is Full - contact about waitlist | 26SAP26
Members $220 | Non-Members $220
Students will learn the foundations of acrylic painting through various fundamental exercises. Learn how to develop paintings with lessons in color, composition, and technique. All experience levels are welcome.
Painting Abstract Landscapes[26WSP]
03/28/26 - 05/16/26, 2:00PM - 4:00PM | SA
Ages 16 to 120 | Tim Stone | Lawrence Arts Center
Class is Full - contact about waitlist | 26SAP56
Members $220 | Non-Members $220
During this process driven, multi-medium class, we will cover how to abstractly capture visual space. Explore abstraction techniques while using various painting and color techniques, including stencil making. Learn how to dissect an image and build it back up in a way that is influenced by the inundation of technology in our daily lives.
A pencil sketch of geometric forms on an easel
Beginning Drawing[26SU]
06/1/26 - 08/3/26, 5:00PM - 6:30PM | MO
Ages 14 to 120 | Matthew Lord | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling (Members Only) | 26CAAD11
Members $225 | Non-Members $225
This class invites students of all levels to begin learning how to train the eyes and hands together. Observe and translate real objects into a two-dimensional drawing, render light and shadow, and delve into basic color theory.
An oil painting of a child's hands held by an elderly person's hands
Fundamentals of Oil Painting[26SU]
06/2/26 - 08/4/26, 5:30PM - 7:30PM | TU
Ages 14 to 120 | Blanca Herrada | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling (Members Only) | 26CAAD12
Members $225 | Non-Members $225
Students will learn the foundations of oil painting through various fundamental exercises. Learn how to develop paintings with lessons in color, composition, and technique. All experience levels are welcome.
A sketchpad containing a drawing of a model's head, shoulders, and back
Life Drawing & Anatomy for the Artist[26SU]
06/4/26 - 08/6/26, 7:00PM - 9:30PM | TH
Ages 18 to 120 | Jeff Ridgway | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling (Members Only) | 26CAAD24
Members $330 | Non-Members $330
Students learn to draw the human figure, working from a live model and using various drawing media. No photographic devices allowed. Must be 18 to enroll.
a drawing and shading of an eye
Portraiture[26SU]
06/3/26 - 08/5/26, 6:00PM - 8:00PM | WE
Ages 14 to 120 | Jeff Ridgway | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling (Members Only) | 26CAAD23
Members $330 | Non-Members $330
Learn about the technique, composition, color while capturing a person’s likeness. We will also study examples of portraiture throughout art history. Open to the drawing/painting media of each students’ choice. Basic drawing materials will be provided. Previous drawing or painting experience is encouraged.
Two artists leaning together with watercolor test swatches
Intro to Watercolor[26SU]
06/1/26 - 08/3/26, 7:00PM - 9:00PM | MO
Ages 14 to 120 | Matthew Lord | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling (Members Only) | 26CAAD21
Members $255 | Non-Members $255
This introductory watercolor class invites students from all levels to explore different water-based media and techniques. Discover mark making, color mixing, and a variety of subjects to render in this course.
Sketch of a cat head with muscle and skeleton drawn in red and blue
Drawing Lawrence: Feathers and Fur[26SU]
06/5/26 - 08/7/26, 9:00AM - 11:00AM | FR
Ages 14 to 120 | Kent Smith | Off-site
Enrolling (Members Only) | 26CAAD15
Members $225 | Non-Members $225
What has beaks, talons, and scales all over? Lawrence, of course! Merge feral and fine art in this sketchbook safari, traveling to a new location and drawing new creatures every week! This class will focus on observational drawing, anatomy, value and texture, gestural mark making, and composition. A $40 fee for a supply kit is included in the cost of this class. Students who enroll will receive details on when and how to pick up these kits from the Arts Center before the start of the class. The supply kit fees are non-refundable. No Class on June 19 or July 3.

Class Gallery

Submit Your Artwork

painting of vase with plant

Here and There

Kent Lauridsen

woman doing art

Make Art Part of Your Daily Life

Interested in enrolling in a painting or drawing class? We have financial aid available to those who need it to ensure classes are accessible to everyone.

paint tubes

Art is for Everyone

Making Art Accessible to All

Lawrence Arts Center is here to ensure anyone—of any age and any background—can connect with a supportive community and flex their creative muscles. With contemporary exhibitions, performances, and an array of visual arts education classes for adults and kids, everyone will find something that’s right for them.

Our primary state-of-the-art facility at 940 New Hampshire St. features classrooms, studios, theatres, and more. To further support the community, we also have a space for classes and rehearsal at 10th & Mass Studios.

paint palette

Why Should You Consider Adult Painting and Drawing Classes