By 2025, new opportunities in digital education for artists have emerged, allowing access to top-tier art education convenience in their homes.
Online art courses have rapidly gained popularity and become a new standard for learning new skills for both novices and seasoned artists.
With colleagues such as Udemy and Skillshare, Domestika now provides an access to more than 50,000 art courses. 
Now, artists can learn from virtually any corner of the world. However, with such an astonishing number of courses available, deciding which courses help the most in the growth of their art skills may be difficult.
Why to Use Online Learning Art Courses in 2025?
I believe the benefits of online courses has not been so effective in a long time:
- Great Time Learning Opportunities: eLearning provides great time learning opportunities between class schedules and free time.
- Better Opportunities: Better learning opportunities with great artists from every corner of the global.
- Cost-Effective: Online Art Schools and courses charge a very competitive price when compared with the more traditional schools.
- Varied Courses: Courses are available from traditional painting to AI digital art.
- Community Interactions: Model with interaction feedback ratings.
- Administered Updates: Courses can be modified regularly without any additional fees.
Top 5 Online Art Learning Platforms – Quick Comparison
| Platform | Best For | Price Range | Course Count | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestika | Creative professionals & hobbyists | $15-90 per course | 1,500+ | High-quality video production |
| Udemy | Budget-conscious learners | $20-200 per course | 4,000+ art courses | Vast selection & affordability |
| Skillshare | Monthly learners | $99/year | 3,000+ creative courses | Subscription model |
| Proko | Serious art students | $20-300 per course | 50+ premium courses | Academic-level instruction |
| New Masters Academy | Traditional art focus | $25/month | 1,000+ lessons | Master artist instructors |
25 Best Online Art Courses for 2025
Traditional Drawing & Sketching
1. The Ultimate Drawing Course (Udemy)
- Instructor: Jaysen Batchelor
- Price: $27.99 (frequently discounted)
- Duration: 11 hours, 64 lessons
- Best For: Total beginners to advanced learners
This course covers the whole spectrum from basic line work to advanced human portraits.
Among the over 500,000 students who enrolled, the course received a rating of 4.5 stars, confirming its effectiveness for a wide range of learners.
2. Domestika’s Figure Drawing Masterclass
- Instructor: Gabriel Soares
- Price: $89
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Best For: Artists wanting to master human anatomy
The quality of Domestika shines through this course, with professional figure drawing illustrators clearly demonstrating the techniques.
3. Proko’s Figure Drawing Fundamentals
- Instructor: Stan Prokopenko
- Price: $139
- Duration: 16+ hours, 57 lessons
- Best For: Figure drawing students who are passionate about the craft
This course is taught by Stan Prokopenko, who is known for his systematic breakdown of intricate anatomical ideas into step-by-step lessons, greatly benefiting artists who are serious about figure drawing.
Digital Art & Illustration
4. How to Draw and Sketch for Absolute Beginners (Udemy)
- Instructor: Rich Grayson
- Price: $38.98 for both parts
- Duration: 38+ hours, 256 lessons
- Best For: Digital art novices
This is a comprehensive and universal course because it is available for all software platforms. It builds the basics of digital art skills.
5. Domestika’s Character Design Course - Instructor: Puño
- Price: $79
- Duration: 4 hours
- Best For: Aspiring character designers
This course enables learners to use the studio grade character design processes taught in the animation studios starting from basic design sketches to the refined high-end design.
6. ART School by Marc Brunet - Instructor: Marc Brunet
- Price: $330
- Duration: 90+ hours
- Best For: Comprehensive digital art education
This is continuously updated, and is organized in modules like a proper college course, it includes lessons from all areas of digital artwork.
Traditional Painting
7. Will Kemp’s Acrylic Painting Courses
- Instructor: Will Kemp
- Price: $30-110 per course
- Duration: Varies by course
- Best For: Traditional painting aficionados
UK artist Will Kemp offers courses in most painting and its various mediums and techniques taught by an award winning artist.
8. Domestika’s Watercolor Techniques
- Instructor: Ana Victoria Calderon
- Price: $69
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Best For: Watercolor beginners to intermediate
This stunningly crafted course with close-up demonstrations helps you master various contemporary watercolor techniques.
9. Oil Painting with Chris Fornataro
- Instructor: Chris Fornataro
- Price: $47-247
- Duration: 40+ hours
- Best For: Oil painting fundamentals
Focused on oil painting, The Paint Coach School has more than 15 years of professional experience, offering courses dedicated to these disciplines.
Color Theory & Composition
10. Mastering Color (My Painting Club)
- Instructor: Richard Robinson
- Price: $100
- Duration: 3+ hours plus exercises
- Best For: Artists struggling with color
This custom course features 45 color exercises along with 241 pages of notes designed for printing.
11. Domestika’s Color Psychology in Art
- Instructor: Zoveck Estudio
- Price: $59
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Best For: Understanding color’s emotional impact
Explore color’s emotional grip alongside art for psychological applications of color.
Digital Painting & Concept Art
12. Digital Painting Studio
- Instructor: Hardy Fowler
- Price: $9-39/month
- Duration: 30+ hours
- Best For: Aspiring concept artists
With a tiered learning structure designed for beginners, advanced students, and professionals.
13. Digital Portrait Painting on Domestika
Instructor: Carlos Rodriguez
Price: $85
Duration: 4 hours
Best for: Portrait artists working digitally
Utilizing professional methods to achieve stunning digital portraits with realistic lighting and texture.
Specialized Art Forms
14. Abstract Art with Nancy Hillis
Instructor: Nancy Hillis
Price: $350
Duration: 5 modules
Best for: Abstract art enthusiasts
Step away from representational art and visit abstract expressionist ways of working.
15. Domestika’s Botanical Illustration
Instructor: Paulina Maciel
Price: $75
Duration: 3.5 hours
Best for: Nature art lovers
A scientific illustrator blends art with science.
16. Charcoal Drawing with Aaron Blaise
Instructor: Aaron Blaise (Disney animator)
Price: $20
Duration: 5.5hours
Best for: Charcoal technique experts
Over 21 years working in Disney Animation gives Aaron Blaise advanced insights into art.
Animation & Motion Graphics
17 Domestika’s 2D Animation Course
Instructor: Ari Copic
Price: $99
Duration: 5 hours
Best for: New animators
You will learn 2D animation from storyboard to final animation in a complete pipeline fashion.
18. Basics of Motion Graphics (Skillshare)
- Instructor: Various
- Price: $99/year subscription
- Duration: Multiple courses
- Best For: Motion graphics beginners
Skillshare offers a subscription-based model that gives access to several motion graphics courses.
Business & Career Development
19. Domestika’s Art Business Fundamentals
- Instructor: Gemma Roman
- Price: $69
- Duration: 3 hours
- Best For: Artists building careers
Discover how to monetize your art skills to forge a creative career and a sustainable living.
20. Freelance Illustration Business (Udemy)
- Instructor: Will Patterson
- Price: $79.99
- Duration: 8 hours
- Best For: Freelance illustrators
Actionable insights for illustrators looking to access the freelance world.
Subscription-Based Platforms
21. New Masters Academy
- Price: $25/month
- Content: 2,500+ hours from master artists
- Best For: Traditional art techniques
Study under Disney artists, award-winning painters, and classical masters.
22. Pencil Kings
- Price: $29.95/month
- Content: 300+ hours, 480+ lessons
- Best For: Comprehensive art education
Extensive range of courses from all key disciplines of art.
23. 21Draw
- Price: $5-20/month (sales dependent)
- Content: 1,280+ lessons, 150+ hours
- Best For: Character art and illustration
Focuses on character design and illustration techniques.
Advanced & Specialized Courses
24. CG Master Academy
- Price: $699 per course
- Format: Live instruction
- Best For: Professional-level training
They offer college-style live courses taught by seasoned professionals in the field.
25. The Gnomon Workshop
- Price: $57/month
- Content: 1,500+ hours
- Best For: VFX and game art
Offers quality VFX and game art training for professionals in the entertainment industry.
Comparison of Platforms: Benefits and Drawbacks
| Platform | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Domestika | High production value, Creative professionals as instructors, Excellent video quality, Strong community features | More expensive than competitors, Limited beginner content, Fewer course options |
| Udemy | Vast course selection, Frequent sales and discounts, Lifetime access, User reviews and ratings | Variable quality, No subscription option, Limited instructor interaction |
| Skillshare | Affordable subscription, Good for exploring, Regular new content, Mobile-friendly | Shorter course format, Less depth, No certificates, Limited advanced content |
| Proko | Academic quality, Structured curriculum, Expert instructors, Clear progression | Expensive, Limited course variety, Focuses mainly on fundamentals |
| New Masters Academy | Master-level instruction, Traditional techniques, Comprehensive content, Great value for money | Monthly subscription required, Limited modern/digital content, Less variety |
How to Select Courses Based on Criteria
When selecting an art course, it is critical to keep in mind the following:
• Skill level: Skill assessment with the course content and skill expectations.
• Preference in Learning: Guided courses versus free exploration.
• Learning Investment: Price of the course versus the price of a subscription from the vendor.
• Learning Duration: Assessment on the time available and the expected available budget for learning.
• Career Goals: This course should meet your professional milestones.
• Technical Requirements: Make sure you have the necessary devices.
Maximizing Your Online Art Education
Here are some suggestions to help you further improve your learning:
• Set a Regular Practice Schedule: Reliability is better than intensity.
• Join Community Forums: Collaborate with your peers and teachers.
• Complete All Assignments: Practice and reinforcement strengthen learning.
• Seek Feedback: Learning alone is not advisable.
• Apply Skills: Projects should reflect new techniques you have learned.
Closing Remarks
As we look at 2025, the online avenues for art education have changed dramatically and offer limitless avenues for developing skills.
It is Domestika’s professionally-produced courses, Udemy’s extensive catalog, or specialized sites like Proko, what matters the most is your consistent practice and engagement.
Do keep in mind that the best course is the one you will finish. Assess your preferred learning style, the time you have, and the budget you are ready to spend.
Most platforms have previews or a money-back guarantee, which gives you the freedom to try multiple platforms risk-free.
Artistic development is a lifelong journey, and you can learn and improve instantly with the help of these courses.
Focus on one course at a time, start with one that excites you the most, and then expand the skill set with specialized training.
FAQs
In your opinion, are online art classes just as effective as the classical face-to-face teaching?
Online art courses are just as effective as classical face-to-face teaching, provided that the learner is self-disciplined and driven. Each type of course has its benefits. In online courses, learners have the privilege of attending premier lessons, rewatching, and learning at their own pace. In-person classes typically give immediate feedback and offer hands-on attention, which is often difficult to offer online. There are many successful online courses that need to be complemented with practice and a community. Most artists take online courses and hone their skills with practice to succeed.
Will I need to spend a fortune on materials to enroll in online art courses?
Not at all. With most courses, there are basic materials to start with. For traditional art, only pencils, paper, and erasers are needed. For digital courses, software such as Photoshop and a drawing tablet are needed, but drawing tablets and software are suggested at lower price points. Most courses openly communicate what materials are needed, and most have set alternatives for different price ranges.
How long does it take to typically achieve a certain level of improvement in art skills?
For different individuals, the timelines for improvement vary a lot, especially depending on the consistency of different practices, the individual’s personality, and the goals of learning. The majority of learners reach a certain level of improvement in 2 to 3 months with regular practice of around 3-4 hours a week. Having a certain level of understanding comes in significant skill development that is achieved in 6 to 12 months with focused learning. Artistic development, however, remains a lifelong pursuit, and even professionals seek to master new techniques as they age. The most important factors are consistent practice and patience with the learning journey.
