11 Best Free Drawing Courses & Certification (2021 Update)

Details

For learning drawing and painting, self-teaching is a great method. It is a skill you can master at any age, and no real resources are needed to do that.

You will find various subject matters from basic beginner level drawing classes in drawing to more specialized ones such as life drawing, figure drawing, human sketching, digital art, sketching, cartoon drawing, oil painting, and much more. Taking a drawing class online is a very cost-effective way of becoming proficient in the chosen art field.

Following is a handpicked list of the Top Drawing Courses & Certifications to gather knowledge about various subjects. The list contains both open source (free) and commercial (paid) courses.

Best Drawing Courses

Course Name Provider Key Topics Link
Character Art School Udemy Character Drawing Learn More
Anatomy for Figure Drawing Udemy Figure Drawing Learn More
Ink Drawing Techniques Skillshare Ink Drawing Learn More
The Art & Science of Drawing Udemy Drawing Basics Learn More
The Ultimate Drawing Masterclass Udemy Drawing Basics Learn More
Getting Started with Drawing Skillshare Drawing Basics Learn More
Learn to Draw Skillshare Drawing Improvement Learn More
How to Draw and Sketch for Absolute Beginners Udemy Sketch Learn More
Character Illustration Skillshare Character Drawing Learn More
Improve Your Drawing Skills Lynda Drawing Improvement Learn More
Portrait Drawing Udemy Portrait Drawing Learn More

1) Character Art School: Complete Character Drawing Course

Character Art School is a complete course where you learn video course. You also learn how to draw professional characters for books, games, animation, comics, and more.

This digital art class teaches you all the core fundamentals and advanced techniques for drawing and sketching characters well. This course is suited for both beginner and intermediate levels. This drawing course offers a comprehensive 10 module guided video course.

Key topics:

Features:

Rating: 4.5

Duration: 26.5 hours of on-demand video

Provider: Udemy

Certificate: Yes

Link: https://www.udemy.com/course/character-art-school-complete-character-drawing

2) Anatomy for Figure Drawing: Mastering the Human Figure

In this drawing course, you will learn the basics of proportions and how to simplify the skeleton. You will get in-depth knowledge about the draw the skeleton and learn how to draw muscles. You will also learn a simplified muscle map, mannequin, and more.

You will learn how muscles change when in different poses. You will also learn how you can draw different body types.

Key topics:

Features:

Rating: 4.4

Duration: 65 hours of on-demand video

Provider: Udemy

Certificate: Yes

Level: Beginner to advanced

Link: https://www.udemy.com/course/anatomy-for-figure-drawing-and-comics

3) Ink Drawing Techniques: Brush, Nib, and Pen Style

Ink drawing technique course teaches you all the skills need to become to learn the art of drawing. The Japanese drawing instructor Yuko Shimizu's exquisite, detailed guide to essential inking and drawing techniques!

This free illustration class is ideal for beginner artists. The established articles also benefit from this all-access, on-location, 90-minute class.

Key topics:

Duration: self-paced

Fee: Free

Provider: Skillshare

Level: Beginner

Link: https://www.skillshare.com/classes/Ink-Drawing-Techniques-Brush-Nib-and-Pen-Style/1970343004

4) The Art & Science of Drawing / Basic Skills

The Art & Science of Drawing is an important program that will teach you how to draw one day at a time. This certification course is simple. You can watch one video lesson each day that teaches you an important drawing skill and then do the recommended practice.

This beginner's art class is full of powerful insights into the drawing process. It offers some of the most accessible drawing instructions.

The tool and techniques you will learn in these digital art classes are rarely seen outside of private art academies. This one of the best online drawing courses is highly recommended for anyone interested in painting. The skills you will learn in this online drawing class will dramatically improve your art & design no matter what medium you work in.

Key topics:

Features:

Rating: 4.7

Duration: 4.5 hours on-demand videos

Provider: Udemy

Prerequisites: Ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to draw

Certificate: Yes

Level: Both for absolute beginners and intermediate level artists

Link: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-art-and-science-of-drawing

5) The Ultimate Drawing Masterclass: Start Drawing Better Today

The Ultimate Drawing Masterclass is a course which helps you to create advanced art that will stand up as professional work. This drawing course will take you from having little to draw advanced art and knowledge of drawing fundamentals. The course starts with the basics. Then you will learn about the fundamentals of drawing, which is an important part of creating professional art.

Next, you will learn how perspective works and how you can incorporate that into your art. Lastly, you will be able to learn how you can draw animation styled characters step by step.

Key topics:

Features:

Rating: 4.4

Duration: 26.5 hours of on-demand video

Provider: Udemy

Certificate: Yes

Level: Beginner to Advanced

Link: https://www.udemy.com/course/drawing-masterclass/

6) Basic Skills / Getting Started with Drawing

Basic SKILLS is a drawing course offered by the skillshare website that provides insights into the drawing process and provides some of the clearest, most available drawing instruction. In these illustration courses online, you will learn many techniques in this one of the best drawing courses that are rarely taught outside of private art academies.

This is one of the best online drawing course that teaches some basic to advanced techniques like perspective drawing and shading.

Key topics:

Rating: NA

Duration: self-placed

Fee: Free

Provider: Skillshare

Certificate: No

Level: Beginner

Link: https://www.skillshare.com/classes/Basic-Skills-Getting-Started-with-Drawing/637385311?via=browse-rating-drawing-layout-grid

7) Learn to Draw: Daily Practices to Improve Your Drawing Skills

Learn to draw is a course which helps you to improve your fundamentals to build your drawing skills. In this drawing course, you will also learn how you can see your subjects and place your subject on your paper.

This course also gives you some measuring tricks that will help you draw accurately, exercises that enhance your drawing creativity.

The illustrator also provides five project ideas that help you to practice the techniques learned in class. This drawing course also allows you to know how you can apply these techniques in each example.

Key topics:

Duration: Self-placed

Fee: Free

Provider: Skillshare

Certificate: No

Prerequisites: There is absolutely no prior experience required to take this course.

Level: Beginner

Link:https://www.skillshare.com/classes/Learn-to-Draw-Daily-Practices-to-Improve-Your-Drawing-Skills/1948270521

8) How to Draw and Sketch for Absolute Beginners

How to Draw and Sketch for Absolute Beginners is a course that suggests that anyone who wants to learn how to draw using a pencil and paper.

This best online drawing class teaches how you can make lines, shapes, and volumes. You will also learn observational skills and draw what you see. To learn this course, you do not need any device, only a pencil is enough.

Key topics:

Features:

Rating: 4.4

Duration: 11 hours of on-demand video

Provider: Udemy

Certificate: Yes

Prerequisites: There is absolutely no prior experience required to take this course.

Level: Beginner

Link:https://www.udemy.com/course/drawing-and-sketching-for-beginners/

9) Character Illustration: Drawing Faces, Figures & Clothing

Character Illustration is a course where you will learn about sketching fluid poses to mastering facial expressions; you will learn how to draw characters. These art lessons are ideal for new artist as instructor Gabriel's thoughtful, thorough methods will unlock your ability to create compelling characters on paper or screen.

After taking this best online drawing class, you will know how to create your characters, helping you communicate story, emotion, and movement with ease.

Key topics:

Features:

Duration: Self-paced.

Skill: Intermediate level

Provider: Skillshare

Prerequisites: Prior knowledge about drawing is advisable but not necessary.

Certificate: No

Link: https://www.skillshare.com/classes/Character-Illustration-Drawing-Faces-Figures-Clothing/1906734506

10) Improve Your Drawing Skills Free Drawing Courses Online

Drawing is an essential skill for working in a creative role. This drawing study material shows how you can enhance and enrich your drawing skill. Explore additional sketching methods, rendering shadows, etc.

Key topics:

Features:

Learning material: 10 items of learning content

Rating: NA

Duration: 26h 6m of content

Fee: Free

Provider: LinkedIn

Certificate: Yes

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/improve-your-drawing-skills

11)Portrait Drawing: Art of Drawing and Sketching

Art of Drawing and sketching course covers how to draw facial components, including the eyes and eyebrows, the nose, and the lips. It also teaches how you can draw the hair of a portrait using this technique.

You will learn art lessons for adults like how to cover the skin, shading, and volume making of hands and dark and light clothes. You will also learn how you can draw beauty portraits with your pencils and brushes.

Key topics:

Features:

Rating: 4.0

Duration: 7 hours on-demand video

Provider: Udemy

Certificate: Yes

Level: Intermediate

Prerequisites: Anyone who wants to learn to draw beauty portrait with pencils and brushes

Link:https://www.udemy.com/course/portrait-drawing-how-to-draw-a-beauty-portrait-with-pencils/

FAQ

✔️ Do I get a Printable Certificate?

Yes, you will get a printable certificate in many courses. Some course providers will ship a hard copy of the certificate to your desired address.

❓ What eligibility is required to join a Drawing courses?

For most of the courses:

  • No previous drawing experience is necessary!
  • A basic understanding of the drawing software of your choice.
  • Motivation to learn!

⚡ What if I miss a class?

All the classes are recorded and can be replayed later.

✔️ What if I do not like a Drawing course I purchased?

Most courses come with a 30 day return policy or have a 7 day free trial.

⚡ How can I ask my doubts or questions?

Most courses have a forum that allows you to raise questions that are frequently answered by course authors.

❓ How to choose the right online art class?

Here are the three most important points that you need to remember while selecting your online art classes:

  • In your art class section, you need to consider your current skill level – beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Not all classes will be relevant to your level.
  • You should also check, who is teaching the course, and what their credentials are. It is always worth checking out the reviews and testimonials on their site.
  • You also need to understand that different art classes require different media. So should check what materials you will need, which could affect the overall cost of taking the course. It is also worth seeing whether videos are downloadable, whether coursework is provided or not.

 

YOU MIGHT LIKE: