The Best Free Online Art Classes for Adults
Image by Peter Olexa
In the digital age, arts education is more accessible than ever.
Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or looking to refine advanced creative techniques, the internet offers a massive collection of free resources for artistic growth. As an artist and educator who’s navigated both traditional and online learning environments, I’m excited to share some of the best free online art classes available today.
I truly believe that art is for everyone—regardless of age, experience level, or budget. While my studio offers both free and paid art courses tailored to various skill levels, I believe in empowering artists to explore multiple learning avenues. This guide will help you discover quality free resources that complement structured learning and provide opportunities for artistic exploration without financial barriers.
Where to Find Free Online Art Classes
Many online learning platforms offer open-access courses or the ability to audit online courses for free:
Coursera partners with prestigious organisations to offer audit-friendly art courses taught by faculty from institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). Their popular courses include What is Contemporary Art? and Artful Practices for Well-Being.
edX features courses from art schools and universities that can be audited for free. Select courses include Reconceiving Space: Installation and Performance Art by the University of Cambridge and Music, Art, Society, and Self by The University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Open Culture curates free, open-access cultural and educational media, including links to art courses from institutions and universities. Their suggestions include The Elements of Drawing, an eight-class series by Oxford University, and the Images, Ideas, Inspiration Lecture Series offering 99 hours of free photography lectures by the School of Visual Arts (SVA).
If you’re browsing online, don’t forget to search for a specific topic of interest. University websites often provide free learning materials and recorded lectures in art-related subjects.
Online Art Classes for Beginners
If you’re new to art, these beginner-friendly resources will help build your confidence and fundamental skills:
I offer Online Art Courses, including Drawing with Confidence, a free 9-part series to develop your drawing skills. Through playful exercises and thoughtful experimentation, you’ll overcome barriers to self-expression and embrace the joy of markmaking.
Skillshare provides a free trial period with access to thousands of art classes taught by professionals and working artists.
YouTube remains the largest cache of free art tutorials, with channels dedicated to every medium imaginable—from watercolour to digital illustration.
Artists Network provides free watercolour, acrylic, and oil painting demonstrations from experienced artists.
Proko offers a selection of free drawing tutorials that delve into anatomy and dynamic poses—great for artists looking to master the human form.
When starting, focus on classes that emphasise fundamentals rather than specific styles. Courses that teach observation skills, basic composition, and an understanding of your chosen medium will provide the strongest foundation for growth.
Online Art Classes for Experienced Artists
For those with established skills looking to expand their horizons:
The Art Assignment is an educational video series that introduces you to innovative artists, presents you with assignments, and explores art history through the lens of the present.
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) offers a free month trial and provides intermediate and advanced courses, including Creative Photography Techniques and Layout and Composition: Advanced Principles.
More experienced artists benefit from specialised classes focusing on particular techniques or subjects rather than broad overviews. Look for resources that challenge you to apply your existing skills in new contexts.
Image by Jonathan Borba
Online Art History Courses & Resources
Understanding art history can enrich your creative practice:
SmartHistory brings together 800 contributors from 350 colleges, universities, museums, and research centres to offer comprehensive art history resources organised by time period and culture. This includes resources for each of the 250 required works of art that form the curriculum of the AP Art History course in the United States. Check out Reframing Art History, their open-access multimedia art history textbook.
Ways of Seeing is a four-part BBC television series created in 1972 by writer John Berger. Berger's scripts were adapted into a book of the same name. The program was created following Kenneth Clark’s 1969 BBC series Civilisation, which offered a perspective on the history of Western art and philosophy.
Yale University Art Gallery offers open access to Let This Be a Lesson, a semester-long public lecture series that takes a close look at eleven important paintings from Yale’s art museums that represent scenes from history, myth, scripture, or literature.
Coursera offers art history courses, including Roman Art and Archeology by The University of Arizona and In the Studio: Postwar Abstract Painting by The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
edX also offers courses in art history, including European Paintings: From Leonardo to Rembrandt to Goya by University Carlos III of Madrid.
Google Arts & Culture is a fantastic resource to learn about art history. The platform allows visitors to explore art, monuments, artefacts, and cultural heritage from around the world, offering high-resolution images, virtual tours, exhibitions, articles, and educational resources in partnership with numerous cultural institutions, including Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes in Rio de Janeiro.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides a timeline of free online publications and educational resources exploring its vast collection.
Art History Teaching Resources offers open-access materials covering diverse art historical periods and approaches.
Art history courses help contextualise techniques, develop visual literacy, and inspire your work through exposure to diverse artistic traditions.
Musée du Louvre, Paris, France, Image by Amy-Leigh Barnard
Online Art Classes with Certificates
If documentation of your learning is important:
LinkedIn Learning offers a free month trial with certificate options for completed courses, including Drawing Foundations: Fundamentals, Figure Drawing: Tonal Rendering, and Painting Foundations: Light and the Landscape.
Coursera and edX offer certificates with a paid subscription.
While these certificates aren’t equivalent to accredited degrees, they can document your commitment to skill development and continuous learning.
Specialised Online Art Classes
Beyond general categories, explore free courses in specific disciplines:
Digital Art Courses
Ctrl+Paint provides a free digital painting curriculum that starts with traditional drawing basics before moving to digital tools. CG Cookie offers free 3D modelling tutorials. LinkedIn Learning offers courses in digital animation, illustration, and motion graphics with a free one-month trial.
Art Classes for Seniors
Art offers tremendous benefits for older adults, from cognitive stimulation to social connection. GetSetUp provides peer-based classes for seniors. Classes ideal for seniors often include modifications for varying dexterity levels and emphasise the meditative, joyful aspects of creative expression.
Image by Mieke Campbell
What to Expect When Taking an Online Art Course
Free online art courses vary widely in structure and approach:
Self-paced learning allows you to progress according to your schedule and revisit challenging concepts.
Video demonstrations show techniques in action, though they lack the personalised feedback of in-person instruction.
Community forums in some platforms enable peer feedback and motivation.
Project-based learning provides practical application of concepts through guided assignments.
Resource lists often accompany courses, suggesting materials and additional learning opportunities.
Most free courses require self-discipline, as you’ll be responsible for establishing your own practice schedule and measuring your progress.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
To maximise your learning experience:
Set realistic goals for what you want to achieve through the course.
Create a dedicated workspace with proper lighting and necessary supplies.
Establish a regular practice schedule to build skills consistently.
Document your progress by photographing work at different stages.
Seek feedback from online communities or social media groups focused on art.
Complement free courses with occasional paid critiques when your budget allows.
Remember that technical issues are part of online learning—have patience.
The most significant difference between free and paid courses is typically the level of personalised feedback and community accountability, which you’ll need to create for yourself.
What to Look for in an Online Art Course
Not all free resources are created equal. Quality indicators include:
Clear learning objectives that outline what you'll be able to accomplish.
Instructor credentials that demonstrate professional expertise.
Well-organised curriculum with logical progression from basic to advanced concepts.
High-quality video production with clear visuals of techniques being demonstrated.
Supplementary materials like reference sheets or practice templates.
Active community engagement showing that others find the resource valuable.
Updates and maintenance indicating the content remains relevant.
Image by laura adai
Integrating Free Online Learning with Paid Courses
As someone who offers both free and paid art instruction, I believe they serve complementary purposes:
Free online resources provide exposure to diverse approaches and techniques with minimum investment. Paid courses can offer structured progression, increased accountability, a group learning environment, and personalised feedback. Consider using free resources to explore new media before investing in more comprehensive paid instruction in areas where you discover passion and greater skill.
Many artists find that alternating between periods of self-directed learning through free resources and focused development through paid courses creates a balanced educational approach.
Conclusion
The wealth of free online art education provides wide access to creative learning. While these resources can’t completely replace the value of in-person instruction or comprehensive paid courses, they provide remarkable opportunities for artistic growth regardless of financial circumstances.
Whether you’re just beginning your artistic journey or looking to expand your established practice, free online art classes offer valuable knowledge, inspiration, and community. The key is approaching these resources with intention, consistency, and an understanding of how they fit into your broader creative development.
Remember that artmaking is a lifelong journey. Free online courses can serve as important milestones, opening doors to new techniques, perspectives, and possibilities in your creative expression.
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