Figure Drawing Classes, Workshops, Open Studios
in Northern California cities with Zip Code 94###, 95###, and 96###
Other Parts of CaliforniaOther States and Provinces

Since 2009, this directory has listed 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 directory@artmodelbook.com

See submission guidelines if you would like a free listing.



• Listings are sorted by Zip Code • Jump to SacramentoSan FranciscoSanta CruzMendocino

Sketchboard Community Figure Drawing
various venues
San Francisco Bay Area, CA 94000
Uninstructed
Sketchboard serves as a creative act of resistance against cultural homogenization. Born from a shared, community-driven interest in creating art with both friends and strangers, creating community and supporting the artistic culture of San Francisco, featuring the bodies of people existing at the intersection of multiple identities, including those who are BIPOC, Queer, Trans, Intersex, and Disabled. Celebrating diversity and offering living-wage rates, Sketchboard seeks to honor, uplift, and increase visibility for people from traditionally marginalized communities. Events are held at several venues in Bay Area, including Madrone Art Bar, Syzygy, Monument, and Omni Commons. Find our schedule and additional details on our website.
[2023-09-22]

H. Momo Zhou Fine Art Studio
1017 California Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
Telephone: 650-513-1758
Instructed and Uninstructed
We have a regular uninstructed workshop with various models: male and female, nude and clothed, depending on the event day. 6 hour sessions (with short lunch period).
Classes include Foundation, Landscape, and Figure and meet in 2 or 3 hour sessions. Easels provided. Any medium is welcome. Please see our website for the latest details!
[2012-07-19]

Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) at Finn Center
230 San Antonio Circle
Mountain View, CA 94040
info@arts4all.org Telephone: 650-917-6800
Uninstructed
Life Drawing Open Studio. 7:00-10:00pm. Mondays: Two short poses followed by two medium poses. Wednesdays: One long pose. Draw from costumed art model on first Monday of each month. Bring own supplies. Costumed models first Monday and Wednesday of the month.
[2016-04-25]

Art School of SF Bay
2105 Old Middlefield Way #D
Mountain View, CA 94043
artschoolsfbay@gmail.com Telephone: 650-561-6501
Instructed
Get your portfolio requirements met and your figure drawing skills moved to a next level with our Figure Drawing an painting boot camps! 3 or 6 hours long, Saturday or Sunday (or both), mid-June to mid-August. Studies will include live model sketching, drawing and painting.
[2018-05-16]

Bay Area Classical Artist Atelier (BACAA)
345 Quarry Road
San Carlos, CA 94070
BACAAClasses@BACAA.org Telephone: 650-832-1544
Instructed
We offer weekly Art Classes, Workshops, Intensive Summer Programs, Open Studios for artists of all abilities who desire to study drawing and painting in the tradition of Contemporary Classical Realism. We are located 30 minutes south of San Francisco in mid peninsula's beautiful town of San Carlos CA, County of San Mateo. The New BACAA studio has 50 ft wide north facing window and 20 ft high ceiling, which provide the ideal environment for classical study. Please visit the About us page for local accommodations.
[2013-06-29]

SOMArts Cultural Center
934 Brannan Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
info@somarts.org Telephone: 415-863-1414
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing. Saturdays 10:30am-1:30pm, except holidays. This class has been ongoing for 15+ years. Instructors and live art models are provided. The class is $8 per person. Drop-ins are always welcome.
[2013-06-24]

Oddists Drawing Group
26 7th Street (Odd Fellows Building)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Richard L. Perri, host of the drawing sessions: rlperri@mac.com
Uninstructed
Figure drawing session on Wednesdays at 6:30-9:30pm. Drop-in, $15. Experienced, dynamic, nude model. For artists of any skill level. 2-minute gestures; 5, 10 and 20 minute poses. Tables/chairs and some easels. No solvents, photography, or children. Located at the Odd Fellows Building at 7th and Market by the Civic Center Bart/Muni station. Go to 7th street entry, ask elevator operator to take you to 2nd floor. Turn right from elevator, take 2nd door. Follow hallway to open area. Look for double glass door to Richard Perri and Artist Associates.
[2016-01-03]

Academy of Art University
79 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
admissions@academyart.edu Telephone: 800-544-2787
Instructed
Classes include Head and Figure Sculpture 1, Gestural Figure Sculpture, Advanced Figure Drawing/Fine Art, Heads & Hands, Clothed Figure Painting, Advanced Figure Painting.
[2013-06-28]

California College of the Arts
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
ext-ed@cca.edu Telephone: 510-594-3710
Instructed
Classes include The Figure in Clay and Life Drawing Portraiture Intensive.
Some classes take place at the Oakland campus: 5212 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94618-1426.
[E]

Life Drawing Workshops - Mission District
The Old Sears Building
3435 Cesar Chavez, Studio #302 (southeast corner at Valencia)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Robert@RobertWindle.com Telephone: 415-722-9183
Uninstructed
Life Drawing Workshops. Drop-in, no instructor. All year, every week except holidays. $20 per 3-hour session. We provide a supportive work environment with great models and a relaxed friendly atmosphere. Drawing horses, drawing boards, large worktables and some easels are available for your use. Brush up on your drawing skills or explore new techniques. Beginner or advanced, everyone is welcome. Dial 302 at the front door.
• Monday evenings 7:00-10:00pm, long pose.
• Tuesday evenings 7:00-10:00pm short pose.
• Thursday afternoon 12:30-3:30pm long pose.
• Saturday mornings 9:00am-noon short pose.
[2019-05-03]

Root Division
3175 17th Street (at South Van Ness)
San Francisco, CA 94110
education@rootdivision.org Telephone: 415-863-7668
Instructed
Art classes include Figure Drawing.
[2013-06-24]

23rd Street Drawing Studio
3747 23rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
23rdstreetstudio@gmail.com
Instructed and Uninstructed
• Figure drawing classes with instruction. Sunday afternoons 2:00-5:00pm, Tuesday evenings 6:30-9:30pm, Thursday evenings 6:30-9:30pm. The cost for the full 22 week term is $485. The cost for single drop-ins is $24.
• Non-instructional figure drawing sessions with a live model are held Monday mornings 9:30am-12:30pm, Monday evenings 6:30-9:30pm, Wednesday evenings 6:30-9:30pm The cost for the full 22 week term is $350. the cost per single drop-in is $17.
[2013-09-13]

Earthfire Arts Studio
438 Judah Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
earthfireartsstudio@gmail.com Telephone: 415-213-5579
Uninstructed
We hold figure drawing and painting sessions the last Saturday of the month from 7:00-10:00pm. $15. Age 18 and older. Earthfire is a ceramic painting studio so folks have the choice to paint on ceramics.
[2017-07-25]

Sharon Art Studio
Golden Gate Park
300 Bowling Green Drive
San Francisco, CA 94122
info@sharonartstudio.org Telephone: 415-753-7004
Instructed
Classes include Life Drawing.
[2013-06-24]

San Francisco Studio School
300 Broadway, Suite 28
San Francisco. CA 94133
info@sfstudioschool.org Telephone: 415-398-4300
Instructed
The schedule varies but may include Drawing Intensive: The Figure Today. See website for current classes.
[2013-06-24]

JHess Studios
1524 Powell Street, Suite A
San Francisco, CA. 94133
Instructed
Classes include Introduction to Drawing, Cast Drawing, Figure Drawing, Portrait Drawing, Portrait Painting, Portrait Sculpture, and Figure Ecorché. Classes are held in the evenings and on weekends to better accommodate those with work, family and other personal commitments.
[2015-10-09]

Pacific Art League
668 Ramona St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
frontdesk@pacificartleague.org Telephone: 650-321-3891
Instructed and Uninstructed
• Instructed art classes include Figure Drawing; Head Drawing; Abstract Figurative Painting; Figure Painting in Oil and Pastel; Beginning-Advanced Sculpture with a Model.
• The League offers Uninstucted Figurative Sculpture and Uninstructed Life Drawing.
[E]

Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Road
Palo Alto, California 94303
ArtCenter@cityofpaloalto.org Telephone: 650-329-2366
Uninstructed
• Tuesdays 1:30-4:30pm. Figure Painting and Drawing. Studio B. Costumed model. $6-$10.
• Tuesdays 7:00-10:00pm. Life Drawing. Studio A. Short & long poses. Male & female nude models. $8.
• Thursdays 1:30-4:30pm. Figure Painting and Drawing. Studio B. Nude model. $6-$10.
[2015-01-22]

Art Academia
28 East 3rd Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
Telephone: 650-579-4456
Instructed
Classes include Drawing and Painting for Teens and Adults, an exploration of portraiture and the human figure. Working from both master drawings and live models, we will delve into the complexities of representing the human form both accurately and creatively. Founded in 2004, Art Academia is a European-style art school for children and adults, as well as a working studio. Influenced by the founder's training in Moscow, the guiding philosophy at Art Academia emphasizes theory, observation, and hands-on execution. In addition to ongoing classes, we also host international artists for master series workshops.
[2015-12-24]

Frank Bette Center for the Arts
1601 Paru Street
Alameda, CA 94501
info@frankbettecenter.org Telephone: 510-523-6957
Uninstructed
Gesture Poses with a nude art model every Tuesday 6:30-9:30pm. All skill levels welcome. Bring your own materials. Space limited. Members $70 per month. Limited drop-in spaces are available at $20 per session. Members only. No Instructor.
[2010-04-25]

Arts Benicia
9 Commanding Officer's Quarters
1 Commandant's Lane
Benicia, CA 94510
info@artsbenicia.org Telephone: 707-747-0131
Uninstructed
Benicia Figure Drawing Group meets every other Wednesday from 3:00pm-6:00pm in the historic Commanding Officer's Quarters. Please arrive before 3:00pm to set up your station. The 3-hour session begins with short poses for warm-up gesture drawings, and then gradually increases to 20-40 minute poses. Bring your own drawing materials. A number of easels and drawing horses are available for use. $100 members and $120 non members. No drop ins.
[2023-04-24]

Adobe Center Art Studios
20395 San Miguel
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Telephone: 510-881-6700
Uninstructed
A cooperative drawing class for all levels of proficiency. Each session involves gesture poses, 20-minute studies and one hour-long pose. There is a three-hour pose at the end of each month. All media are included. Odorless thinners only. No cameras. This is a moderated drop-in program. Please pay at the door. $15 per class.
[2013-06-28]

Barbara Stanton's Figure Drawing Workshop
Bothwell Art Center
2466 8th St.
Livermore, CA 94550
microangelo@earthlink.net Telephone: 925-373-9638
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing Workshop. Friday mornings 9:30am-12:30pm. Live nude art models, no instructor. Artists bring their own materials and easels. We start with one and two minute gesture poses, then two ten minute poses and twenty minute poses for the rest of the session. On the last Friday of the month we have gestures and then one long pose for the rest of the session. Coffee, tea and refreshments are available. Individual sessions are $20. Open to all artists. Students under 18 need parental permission to attend.
[2009-07-16]

Life Drawing Exchange
Lafayette Art Studio
1136-K Saranap Avenue
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
Contact Telephone: 925-788-9820
Uninstructed
This group was created as free exchange of modeling and drawing for artists who love drawing from life. Participants are artists who are willing to also be the models (nude or lightly-clothed). The experience of being on both sides of the coin is valuable and interesting. All body types are welcome. All ages are welcome (over 18). Standard Life drawing etiquette is followed, so it greatly helps if participants have had some experience with drawing models either in a class or an open drawing group. There will be a $5.00 charge to be collected at the door to cover the studio rental. Meets Sundays.
[2017-06-09]

Center for Community Arts
P.O. Box 8039
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Instructed and Uninstructed
Instructed Art classes include Life Drawing, Figure Painting like the Old Masters, and Portrait & Figure Painting. Uninstructed Open Studio Workshop with Model: Studio available for working from the figure, short and long poses, supervised use; no instructor. Participants provide their own supplies. Different model each week). Enrollment limited. Note: Oils and acrylics ok in Monday class. No solvents in Friday class. See website for schedule and enrollmet details.
[E]

ArtVale Gallery
3463 Champion St.
Oakland, CA 94602
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing Sessions. Every LAST Tuesday of the month, 6:00-9:00pm. $20 participation fee per person, includes 20 sheets of loose newsprint and access to basic drawing supplies. All mature artists are welcome to participate regardless of skill level. Participants should arrive before 6pm, latecomers will have to wait until an appropriate break in the session--5 minute breaks occur every 20 minutes. We will work on a variety of poses, from 30-second sketches to 20-minute drawings. All models are hired through the Bay Area Models Guild. Each session is limited to a total of 15 participants; sign up online.
[E]

Lightning Coyote Studio
2914 Linden St
Oakland, CA 94608
lightnincoyote@yahoo.com Telephone: 510-836-0363
Uninstructed
Drawing from the Nude Model. Every Tuesday evening 7:00-10:00pm. These are open sessions with no instructor. Space is sometimes limited so please call first. New artists are welcome. $12.00 to drop in or $40.00 Monthly. Occasional Painting Sessions on Saturdays 4:00-7:00pm are $15.00 drop in.
[2013-06-26]

Studio One Art Center
365 45th Street
Oakland, CA 94609
For more information contact Carol@tarzier.com
Instructed and Uninstructed
Painting and drawing from life, and models are costumed or nude. Classes start with four 5-minute warmups, then a 3-hour pose. All levels welcome. All media (charcoal, watercolor, paint) are welcome. There is both an instructed class and an uninstructed open workshop. All poses feature strong lighting. Studio One is a safe, modern facility with handicapped access/elevator and free parking.
[2016-11-28]

The Atelier School of Classical Realism
55 Santa Clara Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610
dnshardy@yahoo.com Telephone: 510-465-1958
Uninstructed
We offer a Long Pose Figure Workshop working from the live model each Monday evening 6:30-9:30pm. We book each model for a two month duration, in which the model maintains the same pose throughout. This allows for your choosing of shorter or longer in-depth explorations. Participants are free to draw or paint. We alternate every two months between female and male models. Drop-in rate is $30 per session. Pre-pay in advance for one month is $25 each session. Participants bring own easel or sit on drawing benches.
[2023-02-24]

Golden Gate Atelier
Oakland, CA 94611
Instructed
The Golden Gate Atelier offers a complete classical training for the realist artist. Students draw and paint the human figure from life using sight-size. In addition, they receive a thorough grounding in constructive drawing, anatomy, and perspective. Our oil painting program is dedicated to craftsmanship and to the skillful use of materials and techniques. Students work in all genres: still life, landscape, portraiture, and figurative art.
[E]

RBA Creative
3718 MacArthur Blvd
Oakland, CA 94619
info@rbacreative.com Telephone: 510-842-7871
Uninstructed
Every Saturday 2:00-5:00pm, RBA Creative member Titania invites artists to draw, sketch, and paint the human form by viewing an experienced nude art model on a well-lit stage in our studio. Please bring your own easels and materials. Some chairs and tables will be provided. The poses will be dynamic gestures done in 20-minute intervals (ten 2-minute poses; break; four 5-minute poses; break; two 10-minute poses; break; 20-minute poses). Drop In Fee: $20 (+tips for the model are encouraged). The fee pays for the model and the gallery space.
[2019-10-05]

Bay Area Models Guild Drawing Marathon
Merritt College
Art Building., Room A122
12500 Campus Drive
Oakland, CA 94619
Uninstructed
Quarterly event held on a Sunday in February, April, October, and December. 10:00am-4:30pm. Artists can draw from several Guild models varying short and long poses, modeling continuously for six hours.
[U]

Firehouse North Gallery
1790 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94703
kzsherr@comcast.net
Uninstructed
East Bay Figure Painting is a very diverse group of artists who get together to paint a model, sharing the costs. Currently our program is a long pose lab with a clothed model. Model and pose change every two weeks. Tuesdays 11:00am-2:00pm and 6:00-9:00pm. $20 per 3-hour session. Hosted by the Firehouse North, an artist collective in Berkeley. We strive to maintain an atmosphere supportive of all media and approaches to the figure.
[2013-06-26]

Albany Recreation and Community Services
Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave.
Albany, CA 94706
Telephone: 510-524-9122
Instructed
Figure Drawing Workshop. Meets 8x per semester on Wednesdays 7:00-9:00pm. Model fees paid separately, based on number of students. Live nude art models, instruction provided by Jack Katz. Artists bring their own materials. We start with five three minute gesture poses, then 20 minute poses for the rest of the session. Instruction provided to the group during breaks as well as some individual instruction. Open to all artists. Students under 18 need parental permission to attend.
[2020-01-10]

Dogtown Sculptors
2547 Eighth St, Studio #19
Berkeley CA 94710
Dogtownsculptors@gmail.com Telephone: 510-541-1196
Instructed and Uninstructed
We are a group of figurative sculptors run collaboratively by the members (non-profit) providing a venue to sculpt from the model. The poses are typically typically 8-9 weeks, and we do sculpture only (no painting or drawing). We also offer occasional classes and workshops for all levels. Visit our website for complete model schedule and details on how to join.
[2022-03-27]

Drawing On 4th St.
1355 4th St (Entrance details given after sign-up)
Berkeley, CA 94710
drawingon4th@gmail.com
Uninstructed
Casual figure drawing sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30-9:30pm. A live model will do short and long poses. Tables, chairs, and some easels are provided. This event is taking place in large artist studio. This is an all-levels event. It is great for people who want to build their art community, people who need a break after work and want to try drawing, or for art professionals who want to continue their life drawing practice. Please bring your own art supplies. BYOB. $20-40 sliding scale will be collected upon entry. Cash preferred, Venmo also accepted. For first timers who bring a friend it is $15.
[2023-07-22]

Life Drawing in Room 365
Anthropology and Art Practice Building (formerly Kroeber Hall), Room 365, 3rd Floor
UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720
Contact Nona Refi contact_bama.ink09@yahoo.com Telephone: 510-528-2269
Uninstructed
Life drawing sessions Saturdays 10:30am-1:30pm. Pre-registration for 4 consecutive Saturday sessions in advance is required. The session will be limited to 20 attendees only, to allow space for social-distancing. The fee for 4 sessions is $40 for four sessions ($10 per session), $32 for UCB students with current ID ($8 per session). It is non-refundable. This arrangement will guarantee that the model's fee and other expenses including rent and supplies will be covered. Payment in cash and a completed registration form and signed Waiver must be handed to the monitor upon arrival on the first day of the session. Attendees must be fully-vaccinated, one-time proof and ID verification is required. Mask mandate and social distancing will be observed. Windows and doors must remain open for cross ventilation.
[2021-10-21]

Go Figure
109 W Richmond Ave
Richmond, CA 94801
irissabre@gmail.com
Uninstructed
Drawing/painting. Meets every Tuesday evening 6:30-9:30pm. One long, 3-hour pose per session. Professional models, male and female, clothed or costumed. Different model and pose each session. All media and levels of ability are welcome. Bring own easel and supplies (oil painters, gamsol only). Small group, congenial atmosphere in local gallery/studio. $20 per session.
[2017-11-19]

Richmond Art Center
2540 Barrett Avenue
Richmond, CA 94804
admin@therac.org Telephone: 510-620-6772
Instructed
Offers a variety of instructor-led 8- to 10-week classes and day-long workshops on the fundamentals of drawing, pastel drawing, figure drawing, life drawing, drawing circus events and more. Please see website or call for current class schedule.
[2013-06-27]

Rileystreet Art Supply
1138 4th St.
San Rafael, CA 94901
sanrafael@rileystreet.com Telephone: 415-457-2787
Uninstructed
Drop-in Figure Drawing Group. Thursdays 7:00-10:00pm. $15 per session. Bring your own easel if possible: tables and some easel benches are available: first come/first served. All mediums welcome. If you paint in oil, please be prepared to clean your brushes and materials at home to keep the space solvent free. Please come to the back door, located on Julia Street between A and B, and ring the doorbell to be let in.
[2014-10-21]

MarinMOCA
500 Palm Drive
Novato, CA 94949
info@marinmoca.org Telephone: 415-506-0137
Uninstructed
Tuesdays 10:00am-1:00pm. Draw or paint from live art models in a variety of costumes and settings. Drop-in $15 per session, or $80 for 8 consecutive sessions.
[2013-06-27]

PAL Atelier
250 Water Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Telephone: 707-291-7756
Instructed and Uninstructed
• Uninstructed Costumed Figure Open Session. $17 per session. Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm. Oil, Acrylic, Gouache, Watercolor, Charcoal, Graphite, Etc. All are welcome.
• Instructed classes include Head and Figure Painting (Thursday Mornings) and Figure Painting (Friday Mornings).
[2011-10-20]

Sausalito Sunday Drawing Group
610 Coloma Street, Suite 710
Sausalito, CA 94965
Contact Allen: alavee@metal-sculpture.net • text/phone Telephone: 415-448-6842
Uninstructed
Join us for a morning of figure drawing, every Sunday from 11:00am-2:15pm. No instruction. Excellent models. Informal group. Snacks and coffee. All media. $30/session. Drop-ins welcome. North end of Sausalito just west of Bridgeway. Poses are 2/3/5/10/20 minutes.
[2023-06-23]

CalColor Academy Atelier
10626 S De Anza Blvd
Cupertino, CA 95014
atelier@calcoloracademy.com Telephone: 408-818-8818
Instructed and Uninstructed
• Instructed Atelier class available throughout the week and weekends, focusing on Bargue, Cast Drawing, Still Life, Portraits and Figures.
• Uninstructed Portrait Session held Thursday nights 7:15-10:15pm. Table Easels available for use. $15.
• Artists ranging from Beginners to Professionals are welcome to Drop In!
• Actively seeking new models
[2020-01-30]

New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU)
106 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
workshops@numulosgatos.org Telephone: 408-354-2646
Uninstructed
Life Drawing Class. Days and times vary, see all upcoming sessions on our website. General Admission $35; NUMU Members $30. Ongoing. Pre-registration required. Loose paper and graphite pencils are provided by NUMU. Students may bring materials of their choosing. Easels and art horses are available. Wine is included for those 21+.
[2022-11-09]

Triton Museum of Art
1505 Warburton Ave.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Telephone: 408-247-3754
Instructed and Uninstructed
Bring your own easel and materials. Tables, pedestals and chairs provided.
• Life Drawing with Cuong Nguyen. Thursdays 6:30-9:00pm. See website for dates. Focusing on fundamentals of drawing the human form, students will learn gesture drawing, contour drawing, and modeling in pencil, charcoal, ink and pastel pencil. Nude male and female models. Prior drawing experience recommended. 10-week course: $255 members/$275 general. Drop-ins: $30 per session.
• Uninstructed Life Drawing Open Studio. Fridays 1:30-4:00pm. See website for dates. Work directly from a live model. Long poses. All media welcome. $150 members/$175 general for 10 sessions. Drop-ins $20 per session.
[2013-06-25]

Michaelangelo Studio
1111-A River St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
info@michaelangelogallery.net Telephone: 831-426-5500
Instructed
Figure drawing classes with a live model. Tuesday evenings 7:00-10:00pm. $15. These lessons are intensive observational practices in perceiving the human body. The student is urged to develop a sensitivity to the structure, anatomy and expressive qualities of male and female bodies in considering the role of lines, planes, values, masses and shapes, as the 3-dimensional form is translated into a 2-dimensional rendering of it. After continued practice of conceptualizing the proportions of the body using traditional mediums, the students are encouraged to use color and various mediums and then critically analyze the results of this experimentation.
[2013-06-26]

Santa Cruz Art League
526 Broadway
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
admin@scal.org Telephone: 831-426-5787
Instructed and Uninstructed
• See website for current instructed classes.
• Figurative Drawing Open Studio. Monday evenings 7:00-10:00pm. Drawing from a model. No instruction. Facilitated by artist Richard Bennett. $16 (Members $14; Students $10). Drop-ins welcome!
[2019-01-10]

Art Hub Academy
12241 Saratoga Sunnyvale Rd., Suite A
Saratoga, CA 95070
art.hub.academy@gmail.com Telephone: 408-257-7940
Uninstructed
Live nude figure drawing sessions. 3 hour per session. Easels, drawing horses and boards at location. Material not included. Visit our calendar to see if sessions are Drawing or Painting. Instructor on hand for assistance or advice for newcomers. Tuesdays 7:00-10:00pm. $20/session for general public, or $60 for 4 sessions. $5 extra for newsprint if you are forgetful. $15 for current registered students. Space is limited to 22 people so RSVP.
[2015-01-16]

San José State Animation / Illustration Club (aka Shrunken Head Man)
San Jose State University
Art & Design Building, Art 312
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192
shm@shmclub.com
Uninstructed
Figure drawing sessions are generally held several evenings per week during the academic year. Schedule varies each semester. See above link for current days and times. $4 per session or $85 per semester.
[2013-06-26]

Central California Art Association at Mistlin Gallery
1015 J Street
Modesto, CA 95354
information@ccaagallery.org Telephone: 209-529-3369
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing sessions with nude model. Wednesdays 7:00-9:00pm. $10 per night. Bring your own supplies and easel (tables are available). No registration necessary, adults only.
[E-2017-03-06]

Gualala Arts Center
46501 Gualala Road
Gualala, CA 95445
Contact Cece Case: ccmcase@gmail.com Telephone: 707-884-9039
Uninstructed
Gualala Arts Life Drawing Group sessions take place on Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm, upstairs at GAC. Open to all skill levels. Artist fee is $12/session. Model pay is $80 for the 3-hour session. Models are usually nude. We always need new art models.
[2017-04-12]

Mendocino Art Center
45200 Little Lake Street at Kasten Street, P.O. Box 765
Mendocino, CA 95460
mendoart@mcn.org Telephone: 707-937-5818, ext. 10
Instructed and Uninstructed
• Figure Drawing Open Studio coordinated by Mendocino Figure Drawing Collective. Wednesdays 1:30-4:30pm. The fee for our figure drawing is now $15 per 3-hour session or $50 per month. Uninstructed. Studious and mellow atmosphere. No solvents.
• Check Mendocino Art Center website for instructed workshops.
[2024-01-09]

Sebastopol Center for the Arts
282 S. High Street
Sebastopol, CA 95472
info@sebarts.org Telephone: 707-829-4797
Uninstructed
• Tuesdays 9:00am-Noon. Tuesday Morning Drawing Group. Group has live model, no instructor. Painting/Drawing/Weaving Studio. $45/month or $15 drop in. No need to register beforehand. For more information contact Joyce at joycebobart@aol.com
• Wednesdays 7:00-10:00pm. Go Figure! Non-instructed, open studio figure study sessions. Draw, paint or sculpt the human figure from a live model in a well-lit studio. All levels welcome. Bring your own materials. No turpenoid or turpentine solvents! Tables, easels, sink, lighting and model set up provided. Must be 18. Painting/Drawing/Weaving Studio. $50/4-prepaid sessions or $15 single session. Facilitator: James Curtis. Register at: 707-332-7877 or jcurt@sonic.net
[2013-06-26]

Sonoma Community Center
276 E Napa Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
scc@sonomacommunitycenter.org Telephone: 707-938-4626
Uninstructed
Join us Monday evenings 6:30-9:00pm for live sessions of figure drawing with fellow artists. Drop by for a single session or purchase a discounted card in the SCC office. Easels and tables provided. Bring your own supplies. Ages 18+. $16 drop-in fee.
[2013-06-26]

Arcata Life Drawing Circle
StewART Studios
1125 16th Street, Suite 105-D
Arcata, CA 95521
steven@meerimage.com
Uninstructed
Drop-in Life Drawing Sessions.
Tuesdays 7:00-9:00pm. $5. Several long poses.
Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm. $5. Fast gestures and short poses.
Fridays 10:00am-12:00noon. $5. Fast gestures and short poses.
[2013-06-26]

Sacramento Fine Arts Center
5330B Gibbons Drive
Carmichael, CA 95608
sfac@sacfinearts.org Telephone: 916-971-3713
Uninstructed
Life Drawing Open Studio. Fridays 9:00am-12:00noon. Bring your own materials.
[2011-10-25]

Third Space Art Collective
946 Olive Drive
Davis, CA 95616
workshops@thirdspacedavis.com Telephone: 541-513-0100
Uninstructed
Figure Sessions. First and Third Monday of the month, 6:00-9:00pm. Bring your own materials. Come draw, paint, or sculpt in a relaxed environment. $5 Members, $10 Non-Members.
[2016-11-06]

Davis Figure Drawing Group
The Pence Gallery
212 D Street
Davis, CA 95616
Telephone: 530-758-3370
Uninstructed
2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month 6:30-9:30pm. $14 per session. All skill levels are welcome. This group is for both experienced artists and amateurs to have an opportunity to draw from the nude art model in a relaxed and non-competitive atmosphere. If you do not wish to join the online group, you may prepay in cash for the upcoming session at the front desk of The Pence. Space is limited. No wet media (oil, acrylic, watercolor). The Pence has been generous enough to let us meet in their gallery, so we would like to pay them the courtesy of leaving the space as we found it.
[2013-06-25]

Crocker Art Museum
216 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
education@crockerartmuseum.org Telephone: 916-808-1182
Instructed
Art classes include Figure Drawing for Beginners. Using a nude art model as your subject, learn simple techniques to draw the human figure. In the galleries, see how figure drawing can be applied to portraiture and sculpture. Then in the studio, gain an understanding of basic anatomy and how to use charcoal and pencil to depict volume. Visit our website to download the most recent class schedule.
[2011-12-13]

Patris Studio
3460 2nd Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95817
artist_patris@yahoo.com Telephone: 916-397-8958
Uninstructed
Regular Weekly Sessions:
Sundays: 10:00am-1:00pm. Short poses (nude).
Sundays: 1:45-4:45pm. One long pose (nude).
Tuesdays: 6:00-9:00pm. short poses, mostly 20 minutes (nude).
$14 per session; feel free to tip the model. We have easels, chairs, tables for you to use. Bring your own art supplies.
[2022-05-23]

Figure Friday Workshop
Workshop location: TBD, campus is currently closed to the public.
Sacramento, CA 95841
For more information, contact Sarah Solis Mattson, faculty coordinator:
FigureFriday@proton.mail.com Telephone: 916-390-5374 (mobile)
Uninstructed
Open to the Public. Undraped Live-Model Workshop, Time, Cost and Details TBD. The classroom has drawing horses, easels, chairs, and sculpting tables, you bring your own artist supplies. All media (except photography) is okay. If you paint in oil please only use OMS and ask the Host to show you the oil disposal containers. Session format starts with a gesture warm-up (1-10 minute poses), then the model is placed into a long pose for the remainder of the time--perfect for those that want to work on a sustained drawing or painting. There is space to move around between sets for people who want to work shorter poses. Usually sets are 20-25 minutes with a 5 minute break in between. We are always seeking to add professional art models to our pool, contact the faculty coordinator for more details. See ARC website for semester start/end dates and scheduled campus holidays. You can also email the faculty coordinator for other questions and to get on our regular newsletter. We are a serious group, who love working with the figure from direct observation, join us!
[2021-06-22]

Chico Art Center
450 Orange Street, Suite 6
Chico, CA 95928
Telephone: 530-895-8726
Instructed and Uninstructed
Instructed Art classes include Figure Drawing. See website for current schedule.
Uninstructed Figure Drawing Open Studio, Mondays 9:00am-12:00noon, Room 2.
Uninstructed Drawing with Live Models, Thursdays 9:00am-12:00noon, Room 2.
[E]

Artist Studios in the Foothills (As If Studios)
940 Idaho Maryland Rd
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Studio: Telephone: 530-274-7000
Uninstructed
Open figure drawing and painting. Wednesdays 7:00-9:30pm. $15 per session. Poses are 1 to 45 minutes. Contact Frances Farrell to make a reservation: fmfdraw@gmail.com Telephone: 530-205-9441.
[2010-02-16]


[E] = An email has been sent asking the organizer to verify or correct the information listed.
[date] = the listing has been submitted, updated, or verified by the workshop organizer.

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 • Order your copy from Amazon or Book Depository.
contact@artmodelbook.com • Contents of this site © 2009-2023. All rights reserved.
Painting on book cover: “Trois Couleurs Noir.” Oil on canvas. © 2004 Antoine de Villiers. Used with permission.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.