Find painting classes in Oak Park, IL

Q: How much do painting classes cost?

Painting classes cost $200 to $500 for a 5- to 10-week course, or $20 to $80 per person for a single session. Local, city-sponsored classes typically cost less than private lessons or college courses. Some painting classes offer discounts for friends, children, or other groups. Some instructors include all materials in their prices, while others require that you buy some or all of them yourself. Online painting classes can be done anywhere and can be paused as needed without slowing anyone else down.

Q: How long are painting classes?

Painting classes usually last 1 to 3 hours ¸ depending on the age group, experience level, and location. Kids' classes are shorter than adult or college-level classes and are sometimes only available during certain hours of the day.

Share a few details and we'll show you the best painting classes in your area.

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Find painting classes in Oak Park, IL

Share a few details and we'll show you the best painting classes in your area.

Zip code

Top 10 painting classes in Oak Park, IL

Students agree: these Oak Park painting classes are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.

Your Painting Lessons questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Lessons.

How much do painting classes cost?

Painting classes cost $200 to $500 for a 5- to 10-week course, or $20 to $80 per person for a single session. Local, city-sponsored classes typically cost less than private lessons or college courses. Some painting classes offer discounts for friends, children, or other groups.

Some instructors include all materials in their prices, while others require that you buy some or all of them yourself. Online painting classes can be done anywhere and can be paused as needed without slowing anyone else down.

How long are painting classes?

Painting classes usually last 1 to 3 hours¸ depending on the age group, experience level, and location. Kids' classes are shorter than adult or college-level classes and are sometimes only available during certain hours of the day.

What kind of painting class is best for beginners?

Acrylic paint is best for beginners because it is easy to work with, easy to clean up, and dries quickly. Watercolor paint is also convenient and easy to clean up, but it is harder to work with and correct mistakes. Oil paints are best for beginner or intermediate painters with some experience.

Where can I take painting classes?

You can take painting classes from local rec centers, colleges, private instructors, and paint-and-sip shops. Paint-and-sip businesses provide materials and instructions for students to complete while socializing and drinking or eating.

What do I bring to painting classes?

Some classes provide all of the paint and supplies. Others do not, and you will have to buy your own. This may include any of the following:

Paints
Brushes
Easel
Canvas
Apron

How do I hire a painting instructor?

Search our list of instructors, then:

Compare 3+ free estimates.
Explore reviews on Lessons and Google.
Choose an experienced instructor.
Make sure there are enough openings for you and any friends or family members you bring.
Make sure you have the right supplies if applicable.
Avoid making large payments up front.

What questions should I ask painting instructors?

When looking for local painting classes, ask the following questions:

How long have you been painting?
Do you allow walk-ins?
What type of paint would you recommend for my experience level?
What's your cancellation policy?
Do you have an age requirement?
How long are your classes?
Can I take my work home after class, or does it need to stay here to dry?
Will you give me an estimate and contract in writing?

Reviews for Oak Park painting classes

Recent success stories from people in the Oak Park area.

Carol B.

After working with Janet for over 6 months, I feel she is the perfect combination of artist and educator. Her understanding of technical skills, and the application of paint, brushes and canvas is obvious. Her knowledge of the history of art and her weekly discussions about individual master artists adds a richness to the material and exercises she suggests. But what I value most is her ability to understand that each student is a unique individual with their own directions, talents and potentials. She keeps an openess that brings out the best in us all.

Janet Trierweiler Visual Artist/Art Educator

BO H.

Steve is so deeply passionate about his craft, which in and of itself is invigorating and motivational. I've know him for more than fifteen years and learned much from him about a broad range of topics in that time. But I've been blessed with the opportunity to sit with brush in hand for formal lessons on several occasions in the past couple years. I'm a career-long digital creative and comfortable with hand illustration and other analog media, but paint was something I'd not done in decades before joining Steve for a class at the Palette & Chisel – Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago. Perhaps most importantly, Steve made me feel completely at ease and genuinely helped me find a passion for painting I didn't realize I had. In all sincerity, this would have remained dormant for another several decades if not for that first lesson (i.e., tipping point) with Steve. I highly recommend his lessons for my fellow beginners and Steve's fellow masters alike.

Steve Puttrich, Artist and Instructor

Hector N.

Katherine shows a good talent and aptitude to communicate with others To my point of view she really is a professional.

Katherine Del Real Art lessons

Colleen A.

Renee really pushed me as an artist to explore myself, and different mediums I would have never experienced without her guidance. Not only does she provides the conversation and knowledge to expand your skills but the freedom to explore different mediums, and to make the crucial mistakes to discover what you really want to express. Without Renee I would have never discovered my passion for performance work without providing a context of the contemporary performance world, or my love for large oil paintings if she hadn’t bought a large canvas and invited me to just try. And it’s this broad range that makes her so valuable as a mentor. Renee helps her students transform just visual work into real art, which has meaning and emotion.