Through online art courses is helpful.

online art courses Detailed guide

Hey there! So, you know, I bet a lot of us are feeling a bit stuck at home right now, and honestly, I’m feeling more than a little stir-crazy myself . It’s March of 2020 as I’m writing this, and we’re all figuring out this whole social distancing thing . But here’s the cool part: while we’re chilling at home, bored maybe, a bunch of amazing companies and websites have stepped up . They’re offering extended free trials and even completely free access to their online art courses and software . So, instead of just waiting it out, let’s dive into something awesome, like learning art!

What is important in online art courses is helpful.

Learning art online while you’re at home is a fantastic way to spend your time. There are so many resources available now, specifically because of the current situation, that make it easier than ever to pick up a pencil or a digital brush . It’s a chance to try something new, build a skill, and maybe even discover a hidden talent you didn’t know you had. Plus, who knows, maybe you’ll even get good enough to draw flying cars and breakdancing robots someday, if you’re reading this in the far future!

The core of online art courses is helpful.

For effective use of online art courses is helpful.

Okay, let’s talk software for a minute, because if you’re thinking about digital art, you’re going to need some tools, right? Here’s the thing: Adobe, the folks behind Photoshop and Illustrator, have put out a generous two-month, that’s 60-day, free trial . The main reason they did this was to help university students who were sent home but still needed access to the software for their projects . But guess what? It’s available to all of us! In fact, some clever folks have pointed out that you can even cancel your existing Creative Cloud subscription and snag those two free months . Pretty cool, right?

And not to be outdone, Affinity jumped into the mix with a whopping 90-day free trial, that’s three months! You can try out their whole suite: Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, and Affinity Publisher . So you can totally experiment with the digital side of things . What’s also interesting is that right now, if you end up loving their software, they’re offering a 50% discount on all three programs . So, if digital art is calling your name, now is a really good time to check it out.

Now, moving on to the courses themselves . You know, there’s a ton of free art stuff out there, especially on YouTube . But what I’m talking about here is a different level. I’m going to be covering five courses that I consider “college-level” . These aren’t just one-off lessons; they are seriously in-depth . We’re talking courses that you can really sink your teeth into, spend weeks or even months on, and actually gain some serious professional skills .

Think of it like this: a quick YouTube tutorial might show you how to draw a specific thing, which is great for practice, but a college-level course builds your foundational skills from the ground up. It’s about understanding the ‘why’ behind what you’re doing, not just the ‘how’. These resources are designed to be a structured learning path, helping you progress in a meaningful way. So, if you’re serious about getting better at art, these are the kinds of online art courses you should be looking at .

Let’s kick things off with Draw a Box, found at drawabox.com . If you’re on my email list, you might remember me talking about my own experience with it last year . I was reviewing tech for artists and illustrators, which is a hobby of mine, and I really wanted to improve my drawing skills . I tried a few different online art courses, but Draw a Box was the one I absolutely loved . Here’s why: it starts with the absolute basics, like how to hold a pencil and draw a line, then moves to squares, and eventually, yes, boxes .

From there, it builds on those basic forms, and some of the later lessons get pretty complex . But the really cool part, from my experience, was that I could literally feel myself getting better . The early lessons that felt challenging in week two or three became my warm-up exercises by week six or seven because you’re doing them so often . It starts at such a fundamental level that truly anyone can jump in . The instructor does recommend using a sharp, fine-tip pen, and he has good reasons for it . However, if you’re stuck at home without those supplies, you can absolutely do the whole course with just a pencil and paper you have lying around . Just grab what you’ve got and start learning .

Next up is Proko, over at proko.com . You’ve probably stumbled across his YouTube channel if you’ve spent any time looking for art tutorials online, because he’s got some fantastic free resources there . But his premium online art courses are truly excellent and really dive deep into subjects . When I first started my online art learning journey last year, Proko was the first thing I tried . Honestly, I found his figure drawing course a little intimidating at first because I was just starting out .

This is where Draw a Box came in handy; it gave me the foundational skills that made a big difference when I came back to Proko’s stuff . What I particularly love about Proko is the abundance of example videos he provides . For instance, I was really struggling with drawing hands, but he had so many examples I could follow along with . It wasn’t just one quick demo; there were tons of them . This allowed me to practice by following his examples, then try it myself, and if I was still stuck, I could go back and repeat his examples . This repetition and ability to bounce back and forth was incredibly helpful for my learning . Now, unlike Draw a Box, which is free, Proko does cost money, and it’s a significant investment . But, like I said, you’re getting a college-level course here, and if you’re serious about learning, it’s definitely worth the price . The good news is, you can currently get a 30-day trial to try out any of his courses . Beyond figure drawing, he also offers courses on portrait drawing, anatomy, and caricature, and you can even get package deals .

If you’re keen to explore the world of digital painting, Control Plus Paint is a great place to begin . They’ve got a solid collection of free resources on their site, alongside some paid tutorials for those who want to go deeper . Honestly, if you’re just looking to learn the basics of digital painting, this site is a wonderful starting point . Their foundational basics courses are available for free on the website, and they cover essential skills .

You’ll learn everything from how to use a brush in a digital environment to blending colors and utilizing all the digital tools you’ll need as you progress <span as=”span” class=”abs-script-source abs-script-source-A” data-node-view-wrapper=”” data-render-string=”[40]” data-tooltip-html=”<span class=”tooltip-title alphabet_A”>A: The Best Online Art Courses (T… </span><br/><span class=”tooltip-text”>Their basics courses are available for free on the website, and they teach you really the basics, everything from using a brush, it’s a blending paint…</span>” data-tooltip-id=”main-tooltip” data-tooltip-place=”bottom” datav