Montreal’s Figure Drawing Workshops – 2022 Edition

Figure Drawing Workshops are Back in the City!!

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Figure Drawing Workshops around the city were cancelled for a long time.  Fortunately, they’ve begun to return.  We’ve complied a list of some of the best places to go in Montreal to practice your figure drawing!  However, you will notice that Syn Studio is not on the list.  For now!  Many of you have asked if we are offering figure drawing sessions again but we aren’t quite ready to get these going again for the moment.  We will let you know when we are ready to but in the meantime we still offer all of our great classes and events so come visit our website to see all of our options.

Figure Drawing Workshops provide the perfect avenue to practice anatomy, as well as other fundamentals such as lights and shadows, and perspective. You can train your eye to observe the human body in a physical space, measure the proportions and understand the relationship between the different muscle groups in action.

The varying lengths of time allotted for drawing poses throughout the workshop also provides a unique learning opportunity:

Short poses – Require quick thinking, and will push you to focus on the movement and emotion of a pose.
Long poses – Provide the opportunity for more meticulous work where you can explore shapes and shadows in depth.

Workshops are also a fantastic opportunity to relieve stress, meet fellow artists, pros and amateurs alike, see their own process and artwork, and become a part of the ever-growing Montreal Art community!

For more practice, here is a list of great places that currently conduct regular workshops in Montreal:

1. UQAM Centre de Design Atelier libre

“For life drawing addicts who are compelled to feed their habit every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning.”

Where:1440 Sanguinet, Room DE-2250, UQAM Design School, Berri-UQAM Metro
When:
-Wednesday 6:45PM to 9:45PM – 10$
-Saturday 11AM to 2:00PM – 10$
-Saturday 2:30PM to 5:30PM (Long poses) – 15$
Contact: David Chait (Workshop organizer) [email protected]

Facebook group for the workshops

2. Sunday Workshops at UQAM

“Come and draw with us! No reservation or registration, just show up.”

Where: UQAM pavillon Judith Jasmin, room J-7130, 7th floor
When: Sundays 11AM to 2:00PM (Sept. to Dec. & Jan. to May)
Cost: 10$

Facebook page for the workshops

3. Atelier libres at Centre Culturel Georges-Vanier

“Capture the pose of a different model every week! A unique opportunity to perfect your talent, in a workshop where each artist evolves at his own pace in a friendly atmosphere. Bring your art material. 4 fast poses (3, 3, 5 and 5 min), 1 pose of 20 min, 2 poses of 45 min and 1 pose of 20 min. ”

Where: 2450 Workman Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3J 1L8, Canada
When: 1 or 2 times per week. (Please refer to the Centre Culturel Georges-Vanier website to see the scheduled workshops.)
Cost: 12$
Contact:
-(Centre culturel Georges-Vanier phone number) 514 931-2248
-(Centre culturel Georges-Vanier e-mail) [email protected]

Web page for the workshops

4. Dr. Sketchy Montreal

“Dr. Sketchy is the unconventional figure drawing workshop with over 110 branches worldwide! In Montreal, we organize monthly events and are also available for private sessions.”

Where: MainLine Theatre, 3997 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, Québec H2W 1Y4
When: Once per month, Saturday, 2PM to 5PM (Consult the Dr. Sketchy Blog or Facebook page to see the next event)
Cost: 12$
Contact: (Dr Sketchy Montreal e-mail) [email protected]

Facebook Page for Dr. Sketchy Montreal
Blog for Dr. Sketchy Montreal

5. ACADEM Ateliers Libres de Modèle Vivant

“Open to all, the free live model workshop-ACADEM offers access to models, inexpensively. A pleasant place that promotes exchanges between those who wish to participate, both to learn about the practice and to perfect their technique.

A long exposure with a single light source.”

Where: Montreal Fine Arts Academy, 6524 Saint-Hubert street, Montréal, Québec H2S 2M3 (2nd floor)
When: Friday from 6:30PM to 9:30PM
Cost: 10$
Contact:
-(Montreal Fine Arts Academy phone number) 514 508-5119 / 514 506-8883
-(Montreal Fine Arts Academy e-mail) [email protected]

Facebook group for the workshops
Web page for the workshops and events at ACADEM

6. Figura

“We provide the optimal life drawing experience. An experience that welcomes the beginner artist and will satisfy the seasoned professional. Figura is for artists who are dedicated to progressing their craft.”

Where: 48 Notre Dame Ouest (Loft #201) Montreal, H2Y 1S6

When:

Cost: $22

Click here for $10 OFF your first session at Figura

Figura Website

7. Montreal Figure Drawing at Anticafé Montréal Quartier des spectacles

“Come to the spacious Anticafé Loft to take the time to relax and sketch!”

Where: Anticafe Montreal, 294 Ste Catherine Ouest, Montréal H2X 2A1
When: Wednesdays 7pm-9pm

Cost:
-$15 general
-$10 for students
Contact: (Anticafé phone number) 514 500-9045

Facebook page for the Anticafé
Facebook page for the workshops

8. Monday Night Life Drawing Meetup Group at Montreal Art Center

“Do you want to practice your art, drawing skills and have fun? Come to the Montreal Art Centre!! We have an amazing place for you to do both at the same time.”

Where: 1844 William Street, Montréal, QC
When: Mondays 6:30pm – 9pm
Cost: 15$
Contact: 514-667-2270

Facebook page for the Montreal Art Center

Figure Drawing is an important artistic training exercise used by artists across skill levels and mediums to hone their skills.  Whether you are a concept artist, an illustrator or a comic book artist, understanding the human body and gaining the ability to depict it accurately at rest and while in motion will make your art appear more dynamic and realistic.  Though our Figure Drawing Workshops are not being held now, Syn Studio has a variety of classes that will help you brush up on your knowledge of the human figure ranging from introductory classes such as Foundations of Drawing, Drawing the Human Form and Dynamic Drawing, to advanced classes like Constructive Figure Drawing and Drawing the Head and Features!

Check out the rest of our Traditional Drawing Classes Here!

Follow us on social media where we post reminders and updates of many of these events.  We welcome you to tag us so we can share your figure drawings!

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