Chelsea Drawing & Painting Workshops
Upcoming Classes in NYC

Raphael's art class is great for anyone who wants to start learning to draw or improve skills you already have. Over my time taking his course I was able to create work with charcoal and pastel that proudly hangs in my home. He is patient with beginner learners like myself and I’ve learned alot beyond drawing but also learned art history through his presentations. I highly recommend taking classes with Raphael!

Raphael's art class is fantastic! We worked with charcoal and pastels throughout the three week course. What makes the class so great is how personalized Raphael's teaching style is. He would come around to each of us, give tailored feedback, and offer tips specific to where we were struggling. That kind of one-on-one attention made such a big difference, and I could really see my skills improve over the three weeks. I learned so much about drawing techniques and left the class feeling inspired and eager to continue. Beyond his teaching skills, Raphael is a fantastic storyteller with an engaging personality that makes the sessions not only educational but also incredibly fun. His enthusiasm and humor created a lively and welcoming environment that made me look forward to each class. I came away feeling excited and inspired to keep drawing. If you’re thinking about taking an art class, I can’t recommend this one enough!

Raphael is an exceptional art teacher! His classes are a perfect blend of skill-building and artistic exploration. He possesses a deep understanding of various art techniques and has a knack for explaining them in a clear and engaging way. What's more, his lessons are enriched by his vast knowledge of art history. He effortlessly weaves in fascinating insights about the origins of these techniques and the historical context in which they were developed, giving us a deeper appreciation for the art we create. What sets Raphael apart is his ability to nurture individual talent. He takes the time to understand each student's unique strengths and interests, providing personalized guidance and encouragement. He fosters a supportive and inspiring classroom environment where everyone feels comfortable experimenting with their art. Beyond technique, Raphael fosters a true understanding of art. He encourages us to think critically about the art we see and create, to analyze its meaning and impact. He opens our eyes to different artistic styles and movements, helping us to develop a well-rounded perspective. Raphael's passion for art is contagious, I highly recommend Raphael to anyone seeking to ignite and develop their artistic abilities, unlocking their creative potential. He is a truly gifted teacher who makes learning an enriching and enjoyable experience.

This class is a wonderful space for anyone who enjoys art and wants to begin working on their drawing and painting skills. Raphael is an amazing teacher who really understands beginners and knows how to approach them and their way of thinking. He's super knowledgable about the history of art, and it's just a pleasure being in the space that he's created. Before taking Raphael's classes, I did some sketching at home, but without actually being familiar with any drawing techniques, so I've taken 5 or 6 classes in this studio. In the beginner class, Raphael focuses on composition (which is super helpful because knowing how to start a drawing can be really difficult), shading (values/tones/what it means to give shape to an object and that erasing is also a part of painting), what an iterative process creating art is, and simply how to approach/understand/appreciate a work of art. Raphael encourages different mediums such as charcoal and pastels, neither of which I'd been exposed to before - it's been great learning how powerful both of these are. Also, the class takes place in an atelier filled with so many paintings, which I find really cool.

This is an amazing class for beginners. Prior to first class, I had no confidence in drawing and I was very worried. Luckily, Raphael is very patient and encouraged me to continue drawing and trying. He sees positivity from whatever I drew and encourage me to modify little by little. It's a warm and friendly environment. I can seek for support when I need, and he will provide guidance based on each person's need. I thought I won't like charcoal course because it's only black and white, but after the second class, I started to understand and kind of saw the shapes that Raphael was emphasizing on. I really enjoyed the process and Raphael started from the basic, such as mark mapping, values, taking out colors with erasers, looking at the shape and how to be patient about taking the time to observe and draw. I was surprised that I can draw something and it really looks like a rose. In addition, Raphael also taught us how to appreciate artwork, which I always want to learn and I didn't expect that I can get the information in this class, definitely worth it! If you are considering taking any drawing class but scared of being judged, highly recommended this studio.

This was a great experience for me. The teacher is very knowledgeable and provides a good foundation in drawing and painting.

My 2 friends and I truly loved the class. Raul, the teacher, was very patient, kind, encouraging and helpful with improving our drawing skills. I experienced drastic growth and my drawing came along well with his individual ized attention and help. The workshop’s vibes are relaxed, fun, cozy, and friendly. Will recommend it to anyone!

I came to this class a serious hobbyist photographer who was interested in learning the skill of drawing with charcoal. I was aware that I have never demonstrated any talent in drawing. So I came into this class with a fairly negative attitude and few expectations. The instructor for the Drawing and Painting Techniques, in this using, exclusively, charcoal, was outstanding. He showed students that they actually could draw using techniques that anyone can learn. Instruction was mostly individual and was always, without exception, helpful. At the end of the third class my drawing far exceeded my expectations. Most importantly, I have learned the basics of askill that I can practice moving forward. This class was a personal eye-opener for me. I came out with a sense that I was able to draw in ways that were personally satisfying. This is the second drawing class I have taken in my life. This was one was, by far, the most effective in learning techniques that gave me some confidence that this is not only something I was able to do, but I could derive real enjoyment from it.

Learned a lot and very enjoyable.

Great instructor and my friends and I had a blast! We started the class with a lesson and then spent the rest of class working on a still life that Raphael set up for us. He was very helpful and kind in explaining how we could improve our drawings. Lots of fun chats and side stories to keep you entertained throughout the 2.5 hrs!

this is such a lovely experience, in an intimate environment, with a gentleman artist that one rarely finds these days. the instruction is delivered with a mix of technical and historical context, and you feel like you're in a renaissance workshop of old. rafael is a passionate and professional teacher and a great guy. do yourself a favor and take a course with him!

I’ve been attending Raphael’s drawing workshops for a few months, and I can confidently say it’s the best drawing studio in Manhattan. The improvement in my skills has been incredible, and I owe it to Raphael’s dedication and expertise. Raphael’s investment in each class is remarkable. He not only walks us through various techniques but also encourages each student to find their own voice and style, which has been invaluable to my artistic growth. His unique approach of incorporating insightful art history discussions adds a whole new dimension to the experience. I highly recommend Raphael’s workshops to anyone looking to refine their skills or discover a new passion for drawing!

I took this class for a mental break from my job, and it ended up being a wonderful choice! The class is informative, and Raul was very helpful and encouraging throughout the process. You will learn a lot and expand your artistic knowledge in a very relaxed, easy-going environment.

Great teacher. Very passionate about art, fun, patient, and encouraging.

The teacher is very nice. I’m looking for something very specific which I'm not finding here but it’s not the fault of this class

Great class. The instructor is very skilled, supportive, and informative—you’ll learn many interesting tidbits about philosophy and art history along with useful fundamentals, in a cozy bohemian atmosphere. Low pressure but your work is taken seriously. Highly recommended.

I had the pleasure of taking professor Raphael-Raúl's charcoal drawing class and is like taking a semester-long class. The amount of learning is impressive and the colloquial, simple manner of his teaching is outstanding. Tips come often and one is able to apply then in-situ. His studio is a treasure trove of art and the location is very convenient. Would recommend to beginners and advanced. Time well-spent.

Very relaxing introduction to drawing! The instructor is also very knowledgeable as well!

I had fun learning to draw at this class. I discovered that I may have a hidden talent. The teacher was encouraging, and the fun part was sharing our creativity with everyone in the class. I would definitely take this class again to improve my drawing skills.

Love this class—I have been attending this class about a year and will happily continue taking it. The instructor is very professional and informative. Participants in the class are very friendly - during the critic time we always inspire and learn so much from each other. And I especially enjoy the figurative drawing session