Where to Find the Best Drawing Lessons Online

Whether you're a complete beginner with a pencil or an aspiring artist looking to level up, learning to draw online has never been easier or more popular. With dozens of free and paid platforms offering guided lessons, online drawing education lets you learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world.

In this guide, we’ll explore the top websites, apps, and platforms for drawing lessons online. From structured courses to bite-sized YouTube tutorials, there’s something here for every skill level, style, and budget.

Online drawing lessons have reshaped how people learn art. Here’s why so many choose to go digital:

Flexibility. Learn anytime, anywhere perfect for busy schedules or side hobbies.

Affordability. Many courses are free or significantly cheaper than traditional art school.

Variety of Styles. Access instructors with unique perspectives and global teaching methods.

Community. Engage in forums, critiques, and progress-sharing groups to stay motivated.

Before jumping in, consider these factors:

1. Structure. Do you want a full course or individual lessons?

2. Instructor Credibility. Are they a professional artist or educator?

3. Support. Is there feedback, critique, or a community?

4. Medium Specificity. Are you learning digital art, pencil sketching, or painting?

5. Device Compatibility. Some platforms are optimized for tablets, others for desktop.

DIY is a vibrant and safe online learning platform tailored especially for kids and young teens. It offers drawing lessons as part of its broader creative curriculum that includes animation, comics, character design, and visual storytelling.

Why It Stands Out:

Designed for ages 5–16, with fun, engaging video lessons. Includes drawing challenges, badges, and interactive projects. Encourages peer sharing and feedback in a moderated community.

Perfect For:

Parents looking for educational screen time. Kids and preteens eager to explore drawing, cartooning, or illustration in a safe, inspiring environment.

Pricing: Offers a free trial; subscription-based afterward.

DIY.org is an excellent option if you’re nurturing a young creative mind or looking for a well-rounded platform with structured artistic content that’s fun and age-appropriate.

YouTube is one of the most accessible ways to start drawing for free.

Top Channels

Proko. Professional tutorials on anatomy and figure drawing.

Draw with Jazza. Fun, energetic lessons with a focus on creativity.

Circle Line Art School. Great for perspective and architecture sketches.

Pros: Free and easy to access. Wide variety of topics and styles.

Cons: Lessons may lack structure. Harder to track progress or get personalized feedback.

Skillshare offers thousands of art classes ranging from basic doodling to advanced digital illustration.

Why It's Great: Classes are grouped into skill levels. Project-based learning with community interaction. Short lessons fit into your daily routine. Popular Instructors: Gabrielle Brickey, Tom Froese, and Brooke Glaser.

Udemy is ideal for artists who want lifetime access to specific courses without a subscription.

Benefits: One-time payments. Frequent discounts (some courses as low as $10). Good for niche topics: character design, manga, realism. Check ratings and student reviews before purchasing.

Domestika is a high-quality platform that offers artistic and design-focused courses in multiple languages.

What Sets It Apart:

Beautiful production and engaging visuals. Subtitled content in English, Spanish, and more. Emphasis on creative storytelling through drawing. Great for those who appreciate unique styles and want to experiment with art beyond realism.

Offers beginner to intermediate drawing exercises. Includes theory, technique, and practice modules.

Great for foundational skills and discipline. Focused on form, construction, and perspective.

Best for digital art beginners. Offers a free video library plus affordable premium packs.

These are excellent resources for serious learners on a budget.

If you're looking for formal instruction without attending in person, these are top-tier options:

Classical drawing and painting curriculum. Taught by professional illustrators and fine artists.

Real-time demos, assignments, and feedback loops. Suitable for those pursuing a career in art or portfolio development.

While these are more expensive, they offer unmatched academic quality.

Tons of tutorials available via Skillshare and YouTube. Amazing brush packs and practice guides.

Features step-by-step tutorials and live drawing sessions.

Free app with a user-friendly interface. Great for beginners experimenting with digital drawing.

These apps combine tools with lessons, making them ideal for learners who want to practice on the go.

Practice consistently. Even 10 minutes a day builds skill.

Take notes. Writing down techniques helps you retain and apply them.

Join communities. Subreddits like r/learnart or art Discords offer feedback and motivation.

Track your progress. Compare your sketches over time to see growth.

Mix learning styles. Combine structured courses with fun YouTube videos for variety.

Yes! Many self-taught artists have used online platforms to go pro. With consistency and the right resources, online learning is highly effective.

Free platforms are great to start. However, paid courses offer structure, accountability, and depth, which are ideal as you progress.

Skillshare and YouTube are excellent for beginners. For structure, Drawabox is unbeatable (and free!).

There’s no shortage of online drawing lessons, just pick the platform that matches your goals, budget, and learning style. Whether you’re doodling for fun or preparing a professional portfolio, you can access world-class instruction from the comfort of your home.

Start with a YouTube tutorial today or sign up for a Skillshare class this weekend. You'll be amazed at what you can create when you give yourself the chance to learn.