Painting Classes Chicago

Unlock your inner artist and explore the world of painting with a diverse range of classes in Chicago. From beginner to advanced, discover new techniques, develop your skills, and gain the confidence to create beautiful works of art.

20 classes have spots left

Intro to Painting I & II

Discovery Center @ 4318 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60641

Explore your own expressive style through the practice and discipline of painting, and learn the fundamentals of color blending & balance. Create your own abstract, surreal, and representational paintings, as you learn the basics of painting with water based paints.  Whether you prefer to paint still life or abstract expression, you will learn to mix and apply color through various mediums such as watercolors and acrylics.  Class...

Tuesday Oct 24th, 6–8pm Central Time

 (4 sessions)

$110

4 sessions

Paint Your Own Pottery

Color Cocktail Factory @ 917 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Choose from our menu of pottery, select your paints and sponges then roll up your sleeves and have a go!  Everything is included. One piece of pottery, paint, tools, glazing, and firing. We have a wide selection of ready-made 'blank' bisque pieces for you to enjoy painting and decorating. You select the item you would like to paint from our shelves.  Choose from our menu of handmade pottery, select your paints and sponges then roll...

Sunday Oct 1st, 5:30–7pm Central Time

Seductive Surfaces

Ingrid's Originals Inc. @ 3729 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

Create texture and add depth to your paintings in this experimental workshop with Jean Pederson! By using a variety of acrylic mediums, you will learn to build up interesting surfaces and intriguing grounds that can be used within your paintings or as a base for finished work. This workshop is suitable for both abstract and representational artists! Tuition includes a light breakfast each of the workshop days, bottled drinking water, assorted...

Friday Oct 20th, 9am–4pm Central Time

 (3 sessions)

$550

3 sessions

Watercolor Open Studio

Evanston Art Center @ 1717 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201

This is the perfect opportunity for beginners and advanced watercolor artists who want a quiet, casual place to paint once a week. Do your own thing or ask the Open Studio teacher for helpful tips, techniques, critiques, watercolor supplies, and more.

Thursday Oct 26th, 1–4pm Central Time

 (6 sessions)

$265

6 sessions

Van Gogh Visits Chicago

Color Cocktail Factory @ 917 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Get ready to bring your love of art and Chicago to life with our BYOB painting session at Color Cocktail Factory! This class is a fusion of "The Starry Night" by Van Gogh and the iconic Chicago skyline, creating a stunning masterpiece that's uniquely yours. Our professional instructor will guide you every step of the way, helping you customize the painting to include your favorite colors, buildings, and memories. With no art experience required,...

Sunday Nov 26th, 6–7:30pm Central Time

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Adult WaterColors

The Paintbrush @ 2446 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Learn the basics of watercolor painting or improve your existing skills in this adults-only class.  Materials provided.  Must be at least 15 years old to join class.

Monday Oct 23rd, 7:15–8:45pm Central Time

 (8 sessions)

$350

8 sessions

Mixed Media Art

Discovery Center @ 4318 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60641

Students will create dynamic, multi-layered compositions with a variety of materials: watercolors, acrylics ink, images, found objects, and pastels. Techniques explored will include: photo transferring, collage, printing, drawing, painting, and assemblage. Emphasis is on conceptual practice and personal process. $35 Materials Fee will be collected at the start of the class.

Tuesday Oct 24th, 6–8pm Central Time

 (4 sessions)

$110

4 sessions

Watercolors: Materials, Composition & Technique

Evanston Art Center @ 1717 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201

Create both vibrant and subdued paintings with strong compositions using watercolor tubes and watercolor pencils.  Instruction includes: Watercolor techniques Applying watercolor washes Painting wet in wet Painting without a sketch Learn about staining and lightfast colors. The instructor will provide a variety of still-lifes. We will have individual and group critiques to receive supportive responses from classmates. Click here for...

Tuesday Oct 24th, 9:30am–12:30pm Central Time

 (6 sessions)

$265

6 sessions

ART for Tots/Preschoolers

The Paintbrush @ 2446 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

For toddlers/preschoolers ages 2-5 and their caregivers. In this Signature class kids learn about ART though hands-on ARTist-inspired lessons using a variety of hands-on approaches including drawing, painting, collaging,etc. Plus playtime in our ART-themed playroom. Notes Parent is required to accompany and assist child. No eating/drinking in the studio at this time. Baby siblings may attend in carseat or body carrier. Look for and reply...

Tuesday Oct 24th, 4:30–5:20pm Central Time

 (8 sessions)

$252

8 sessions

Fall Flowers in Watercolor and Pen & Ink

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL 60022

There is a world of autumn color beyond the trees. Discover the array of colorful fall flowers abundant in the Garden. You will apply pen and ink techniques to create interest in the focal area of your artwork combined with bold and beautiful washes of watercolor.  With plein air painting in the Garden and still life flowers in the studio, edges and values will be emphasized to create greater depth in your work. Dress for the weather. ...

Tuesday Oct 17th, 12:30–4pm Central Time

 (4 sessions)

$362

4 sessions

Pen & Ink & Watercolor (Ages 16+)

Evanston Art Center @ 1717 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201

Using still life and reference materials, create drawings and paintings using a variety of pens–dip pens, micron pens, brush pens; watercolors, Dr. Martin Watercolors, inks, and brushes, on various papers. Supply list.

Friday Oct 27th, 9:30am–12:30pm Central Time

 (6 sessions)

$265

6 sessions

Expand Your Creative Voice

Ingrid's Originals Inc. @ 3729 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

(This is a very small boutique workshop limited to only 8 participants, so each person will have their own 8' x 3' table on which to create during this exciting workshop. There will be bottled water, assorted teas, Starbucks Via coffees, a continental breakfast, and snacks throughout the day.) This workshop will be above all else, Fun! Join Joan and Dive into the wonderful world of Abstract art, learning how to suggest rather that delineate! You...

Friday Nov 10th, 9am–4pm Central Time

 (3 sessions)

$775

3 sessions

Night Photography: Painting with Light

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Chicago, IL 60022

When the sun drops below the horizon, bring the Garden to life by photographing your subject with a beam of light. Moving a light source during long exposure creates a look that can only be obtained by using light as a brush.  DSLR camera (no phones or tablets, please) and a sturdy tripod is required. A cable or remote shutter release is helpful but not required.

Monday Nov 6th, 6–9pm Central Time

 (4 sessions)

$374

4 sessions

Little Art Explorers

The Paintbrush @ 2446 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

An intro to art, art skills, colors and shapes, and art tools for the littlest ARTists. A good pre-class or companion class to our Tiny ARTists class. Students must attend with actively participating adult. It’s been proven that early exposure to visual art and music promotes activity in the brain. Teaching children about art is a good idea because art helps children understand other school subjects much more clearly. Art nurtures inventiveness...

Wednesday Oct 25th, 9:30–10:20am Central Time

 (8 sessions)

$252

8 sessions

Shibori-Dyed Scarf

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL 60022

Make a tranquil river scene come to life with creative dyeing techniques. Wrap simple objects like sticks and stones into silk, paint with vivid colors, and watch your scarf come to life. You will leave with an exquisite 14 x 72-inch habotai silk scarf to wear or give as a gift.  All materials are included.

Wednesday Oct 11th, 9am–12pm Central Time

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Discover the Best Painting Classes in Chicago

Do you live in Chicago? Are you looking for a new hobby that will allow you to express yourself? It might be a good idea to try painting. This method of artistic expression–in which paint, pigment, color, or another medium is applied to a solid surface–dates back to prehistory, when nomadic people created paintings on rocky walls using charcoal. The oldest paintings discovered to date were found in Spain, and they are thought to be over 42,000 years old. The most commonly used tool to apply paint is a brush, but other tools, such as knives, spatulas, sponges, and airbrushes can be used alone or in combination with brushes. Any person of any age or ability level can learn to paint.

Why You Should Learn Painting in Chicago

Learning painting in Chicago can be a great way to relieve the stress of everyday life, especially if you like to do things with your hands during your free time. You may also like the aspect of painting that can be related to doing things for other people. This can come in many forms, such as creating a special gift in the form of a painting that they can hang in their home. This could be a painting of them, their pet, a landscape, or a special memory that is meaningful to them.

There is a large community of people who enjoy painting, both as a hobby and as a profession. Once you have mastered the basics of painting, you might want to research local clubs, groups, events, or organizations where you can meet other people who like painting. These groups could be in-person, but they could also be online, and pretty soon you may find yourself with a brand new social circle.

Lastly, learning painting is a marketable skill that you may be able to turn into a side hustle or even a new job altogether. You could easily begin selling your paintings through an online marketplace, or in person at a craft fair close to where you live. You may even be able to start taking commissions, where you create custom paintings based on the requests of your customers.

In-Person Painting Classes & Schools in Chicago

If you want to learn painting in an in-person environment, CourseHorse can connect you with classes in Chicago. For example, Intro to Painting I & II takes place at the Discovery Center in Irving Park. This beginner-level class allows you to express your own unique style through painting while you learn the fundamentals of color blending and balance. Taught in four sessions, this class utilizes water-based paints, and you get to select the style in which you paint. Another Discovery Center offering is Mixed Media Art, which is also four sessions. In this class, you will learn how to create dynamic, multi-layered compositions using watercolors, acrylic inks, pastels, images, found objects, and more. Techniques explored include but are not limited to painting, drawing, collage, printing, photo transferring, and assemblage. 

Painting with Gelli Plates is held at Evanston Art Center and is a unique class that utilizes Gelli Plate monotypes to add an exciting twist to painting. You will work in layers and create one-of-a-kind paintings on paper while also learning how to use mark-making, stencils, and masking. Painting with Acrylics is also offered at the Evanston Art Center and gives you a strong introduction to painting in which you will learn about color mixing, painting techniques, and composition. You will receive one-on-one instruction and be encouraged to develop personal themes.

Painting the Stages of Growth in Nature is offered by the Chicago Botanic Garden, and aims to explore growth and change from a new perspective. You will paint both en plein air and in the studio over the course of four sessions, with each painting you create gaining inspiration from plant life or butterflies.

Beginning/Intermediate Oil Painting is another Evanston Art Center course that takes place over six sessions. This multi-level painting class will teach you the basics techniques of oils. You will explore color theory, mixing, multiple mediums, and various applications in several fun exercises.

Virtual Painting Classes & Schools

While you might be intimidated by the idea of taking an online painting class at first, they have their pros and cons just like in-person painting classes. Something good about taking a virtual painting class is that you can attend the class from anywhere. Feel free to work on your painting project at home, in your backyard, or even in a public space like a park. You also do not have to commute to a classroom when you take an online painting class, which saves you both money and time. The biggest con about taking an online painting class is that you generally have to supply your own materials and equipment.

If you are interested in online painting classes, CourseHorse has options that will work for you. For example, Beginner’s Intro to Watercolor Painting: Single Session is a class that explores the colorful world of watercolor painting. You will experience learning and fun in this relaxed group atmosphere while you discover your unique form of self-expression. Beginner Watercolor Online is a six-session course focused on botanicals, and you will learn to paint with luminous, sparkling watercolors. Enjoy acquiring new techniques and learning through fun activities that transition into studies and landscapes. Online Painting With Acrylics 301 is a virtual class for all levels in which you will learn the techniques of 20th-century painting masters. These include mixing colors and preparing your canvas for your work.

Private Group Painting Classes in Chicago

Do you live or work in Chicago? Are you interested in scheduling a painting class as a fun team-building event for your business or organization? CourseHorse offers painting classes for private groups in Chicago that they can deliver to you. Virtual Watercolor Workshop (Materials Included) takes up to 225 participants at a time, and all materials are provided for the class. You and your coworkers will have fun learning new techniques to create an abstract painting in a relaxing and creative atmosphere. Virtual Acrylic Painting (Materials Included) will take up to 500 participants per course and all materials are included. This class will teach those in your group how to create a painting together on canvas. While you will all be working on the same painting, the end products will be unique to each artist. Virtual Watercolor Georgia O’Keeffe (Materials Included) is another workshop that takes up to 225 people and includes all the materials you need to learn. This unique class will teach your group about legendary watercolor artist Georgia O’Keeffe, and in the process of painting, you will learn her techniques.

If you do not see a group class that interests you listed publicly on their website, CourseHorse can provide a different class for your group. Reach out through the contact form on their website to learn about all available options. And remember that when you book with CourseHorse, you get a multitude of benefits, including the ability to change your group size after booking if necessary. You will also receive a confirmation within 24 hours of your booking, and there are no extra booking fees. Finally, CourseHorse private group classes are supported on multiple platforms, so everyone can join in on the fun no matter where they are.