Drawing is one of those skills that looks simple until you try to teach it. A kid who draws for fun will improve on their own up to a point, but there's a ceiling. Learning to see shapes, understand proportion, work with shading, and build composition requires someone who can look at what your kid is doing and say "here's what to try next." That's what separates a good drawing class from a how-to-draw YouTube video.
This guide covers the types of online drawing classes available for kids, what to look for, how the options compare, and how Outschool fits.
Types of online drawing classes for kids
Drawing classes aren't one-size-fits-all. The right class depends on what your kid wants to draw, how old they are, and whether they want structured instruction or creative freedom.
Guided/directed drawing
The teacher walks kids through drawing a specific subject step by step: an animal, a character, a landscape. These classes work well for younger kids (ages 5-8) who need structure and enjoy the satisfaction of a finished piece. The risk is that some classes are so rigid they don't build independent skills. The best ones use the guided drawing as a starting point, then encourage kids to make it their own.
Anime and manga drawing
Consistently one of the most popular categories for kids ages 9 and up. Good anime classes teach proportion, facial expressions, dynamic poses, and character design, not just copying existing characters. The technical skills transfer to other drawing styles. Browse anime art classes.
Digital drawing and illustration
Kids learn to draw using tablets, Procreate, or other digital tools. These classes combine traditional drawing fundamentals (line, shape, shading) with digital-specific skills (layers, brushes, color tools). Typically best for ages 10 and up, and the kid needs access to a drawing tablet or iPad. Browse digital art classes.
Realistic drawing and sketching
Focused on observational drawing: still life, portraits, landscapes. These classes teach kids to see like an artist, breaking subjects into basic shapes, understanding light and shadow, and developing patience with detail work. Best for ages 11 and up, though some classes adapt these concepts for younger kids.
Cartooning and character design
Kids learn to create original characters, develop visual storytelling, and build consistency in their character designs. This category bridges drawing skills and narrative thinking, which makes it a strong fit for kids who love both art and writing.
What to look for in an online drawing class
A teacher who can give individual feedback. Drawing is a skill that improves through targeted feedback on specific work. If a class has 30 kids and the teacher can't look at each kid's drawing during the session, the value drops significantly. Look for small class sizes (under 10).
Live instruction, not just recordings. Recorded tutorials are fine for basics, but they can't adjust when a kid is struggling with a specific concept. A live teacher can demonstrate on camera, look at a kid's work through screen share, and explain the fix in real time.
Skill progression, not just projects. A good class builds skills session over session: proportion leads to shading, shading leads to composition. Watch for classes that offer multi-week series or clubs where kids develop over time, not one-offs that start from scratch every session.
Balance of technique and creativity. The best drawing teachers give kids enough structure to learn new skills, then enough freedom to apply those skills to subjects they care about. Too much structure kills motivation; too little structure means kids plateau.
Materials guidance. A good class specifies what the kid needs before the first session: paper type, pencil grades, specific supplies. Vague materials lists ("bring something to draw with") often signal a less structured class.
How the options compare
YouTube tutorials (Art for Kids Hub, Draw So Cute, others). Free and abundant. Good for casual drawing at home. The limitation: no feedback, no accountability, and kids tend to copy rather than develop independent skills. Useful as a supplement, not a replacement for instruction.
Self-paced apps (Skillshare Kids, Sparketh). Pre-recorded video courses organized by skill level. Sparketh is designed specifically for kids and homeschoolers, with a library of ~1,000 video lessons ($15-$25/month subscription). Good for self-motivated kids who will practice independently. No live feedback.
In-person classes and camps. Local art studios and community centers offer drawing classes, typically $150-$300 for a multi-week session. Quality depends entirely on the individual instructor. Limited by geography and scheduling.
Live online classes (Outschool). Outschool's drawing classes are taught live by vetted teachers in small groups averaging 3-4 kids. Classes cover every category above: guided drawing for young kids, anime and manga, digital illustration, realistic sketching, and cartooning. Teachers give real-time feedback during class. Most classes run $12-$25 per session with no subscription. Kids can try a single session or join ongoing clubs for skill progression.
Drawing classes by age
Ages 5-7: Guided drawing classes work best. Kids at this age are developing fine motor skills and benefit from step-by-step instruction with a patient teacher. Look for classes that use simple shapes as building blocks and celebrate the process, not just the final product.
Ages 8-10: Ready for more independence. Anime drawing, cartooning, and "draw your own character" classes are popular. Kids can start learning about proportion, basic shading, and composition. This is also a good age to try art clubs where kids share work and give each other feedback.
Ages 11-13: The sweet spot for skill-building. Kids can handle realistic drawing, digital illustration, and more structured critique. Many kids this age want to develop a personal style, and classes that balance technique with creative freedom work best.
Ages 14+: Ready for portfolio-level work. Teens benefit from classes that push technique, teach professional workflows (digital illustration in Procreate or Photoshop), and offer honest critique. Some teens use drawing classes as preparation for art school applications.
ESA families: using education funds for drawing classes
Drawing classes are a qualifying expense under most state ESA programs, falling under "online educational course or program" or "enrichment" categories. Art education is explicitly approved in most state program guidelines.
If your state uses ClassWallet or Odyssey, you can pay for Outschool drawing classes directly from your ESA balance. For reimbursement states, keep your receipt and submit within your state's window.
For details, see our ESA approved expenses guide. For homeschool art curriculum options beyond live classes, see our homeschool art curriculum guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can kids really learn to draw online?
Yes. Drawing instruction requires visual demonstration and feedback on student work, both of which work well over video. The teacher draws on camera while the kid follows along, then kids share their work via camera or screen share for individual feedback. Research from the National Art Education Association supports that structured art instruction, regardless of format, produces measurable gains in observational skills and creative problem-solving [1].
What supplies does my kid need?
For most beginner classes: a sketchbook, a set of drawing pencils (HB, 2B, 4B), an eraser, and a sharpener. Some classes add colored pencils or markers. Digital classes require an iPad with an Apple Pencil or a drawing tablet (Wacom Intuos, ~$70, is the most common recommendation). Check the class listing for specifics.
How is a drawing class different from an art class?
Drawing classes focus specifically on mark-making skills: line, shape, proportion, shading, composition. Art classes are broader and may include painting, sculpture, mixed media, art history, and creative expression. Both are valuable. Some kids thrive with the focused skill-building of drawing; others prefer the variety of a general art class. Browse all art classes.
What if my kid wants to draw anime but I want them to learn 'real' drawing?
Anime drawing teaches real drawing skills: proportion, dynamic poses, facial expressions, composition, and character consistency. The stylistic conventions are different from Western realistic drawing, but the underlying observation and mark-making skills transfer. Many professional illustrators started with anime. A good anime class builds foundational skills through subject matter the kid is already motivated to practice.
How often should my kid take drawing classes?
Once a week is the most common rhythm for ongoing skill development. The key is practice between sessions. A kid who takes one class per week and draws for 15-20 minutes most days will progress faster than a kid who takes three classes with no independent practice.
Browse drawing classes on Outschool to find live, small-group classes with real teacher feedback, from guided drawing for young kids to advanced digital illustration for teens.
Sources
[1] National Art Education Association. NAEA Research Commission. arteducators.org/research/articles/685-naea-research-commission.
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