I wish I lived closer! I came from Detroit twice for the 12 hour figure drawing marathon and I loved it. I am a member and f Detroit's Scarab Club and I wish we had something similar. For $25 you get 12 hours to draw/paint with top notch models in singles and pairs. Poses are usually 25 minutes or less and they always have a studio for 3 hour poses. The artists with whom you draw are often professional or retired professional artists. Plus, you get lunch! read more

Such a cool place and such a cool concept! I've gone to events a few times and the staff has been nothing but sweet and accommodating. We need more places like this in Chicago! The atmosphere and art on the walls is also gorgeous. read more

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I take classes here and love it. Love the environment and the teachers are Great. Would recommend to anyone read more

Palette & Chisel Art Academy - Art Galleries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I am attending the "Art Anatomy" class with Dr. Said Bouftass, and I LOVE IT!!!! I heard about this fascinating professor before he started to teach his classes at the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Art (Chicago). He is a knowledgeable scholar who provides excellent explanations supporting his lectures with the exercises, which help the students understand the subject on a deeper level. I highly recommend attending Dr. Bouftass's classes to someone interested in developing academic-level skills or learning how to draw realistic art with understanding human anatomy related to art forms. read more

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Amazing community and teachers!!! The teachers themselves are amazing artists and i really feel like im learning a lot and my instructor truly knows what hes talking about. U can tell theyve studied anatomy and techniques etc extensively. Larry paulson is great!! Taking his figure drawing class and have learned a lot fs!! read more

Unique in Chicago and probably in the country, Palette and Chisel is not only an art school but also a slice of Chicago history. It's easy to walk by this brownstone mansion on Dearborn Avenue thinking one has to be an art student or a member to gain entry. The academy has been around since 1895 and today offers classes and open studio space in addition to the featured exhibits in the front rooms of this historic structure. The rooms allow natural light and impart an air of grandeur to the artworks on display. I am certainly late to the party, having come in last week to while away some time before meeting friends for dinner nearby. There is a set of steps and a buzzer to ring to enter the building. The gallery is not open every day, but the hours and exhibit schedule are posted on the front entrance. I attended the "Passages" exhibition that spanned two rooms and featured paintings of Chicago scenes, both the iconic and some under-the-radar places. This made me feel connected to the subject matter and it was wonderful to look at each piece of art, without feeling rushed. There was even a binder that contained additional details on the works. Even someone like me, with zero artistic talent, might feel inspired to pick up a brush after a visit here. read more

I took the Still Life oil painting class with Michael Van Zeyl over the summer. I was very disappointed with it. So much so that I didn't attend the last class because I wasn't learning anything. The first drawback is that you have to set up what you'll be painting on your own. This takes away valuable time from the class especially it's a challenge to find the props you used last time since things get shifted around--we aren't the only class using that space. I recommend that they request that you bring you own props or the teachers sets up the props for us and everyone paints the same thing. It would make things easier and maximize time in class. Another thing is the teacher hardly teaches a thing. I was expecting a class with lessons, but I got neither. I recommend they change the description from calling it a class to calling it a "studio time" since you're basically just getting access to paint in their space with little to no guidance. Lastly, he'd sometimes walk around the room to help students but not everyone and he rushed through things. I recommend he takes his time helping out each student especially beginners. I'm still looking for a good place to study. I recommend going to LillStreet instead where you the sense that you are in a class with a lesson being taught to the students. read more

I took an oil painting of still life class with Michael this summer. I must say that I was very disappointed. I had painted in high school and college, but hadn't painted much in the last few years. I am beginner level, with not much knowledge of art, colors, paint, etc... so I was really hoping that this class would teach me knowledge about oil painting techniques, colors, etc.. Since the class description said that this class was for beginners as well I was under the assumption that I'd learn some helpful fundamentals. Boy was I wrong! I learned almost nothing. Every class we'd come in and set up our still life, and then just paint on our own. He would walk around the room and spend some time with students asking questions, but would only give you a couple of minutes, and would usually end up taking your brush and painting problem areas for you.... so you'd just sit there and watch, but it was so hands off you didn't really learn. I'd end up sitting there for 3 hours trying to figure out how to not make my painting look bad, because there was NO instruction. The class had about 8 people in it, and I was lucky if he came around to me at least twice in the 3 hour time frame. One time one of the students brought her daughter in and he spend 30 whole minutes with her! I paid a good amount of money for the class, and yet I barely got any attention. This was really upsetting. After my experience I must say- if you are looking for a place to go and just paint aimlessly (and have no idea if you're doing things right or wrong) for 3 hours then this is the place. However, if you are looking for a class with instruction where you aren't just sitting there for 3 hours wondering what to do... then this is NOT the place for you. read more

I've taken several classes in drawing and painting at the Palette & Chisel. I highly recommend Andy Conklin's fundamentals classes, Larry Paulsen for figure drawing and Lenin Delsol for painting. read more

It's unfortunate that Mimi A. below had such a bad experience as a model here. I do not want to discount her story, as what she went through does seem out of line and horrific, but I will say that I had a great time as a "student" here and the model we had seemed very comfortable with the format. I went as part of a City Swarm event. We started with BYOB wine and beer in the upstairs studio with a great group of people who had a wide range of experience with drawing. I, personally, have little to no experience, but the atmosphere was very inviting so I didn't feel out of place. The mansion itself is absolutely beautiful - what a great place for an art studio! I felt transported back in time being here and it was a good release after a long week of working. The instructor was a little on the quiet side, but he provided us everything we needed and left us to let our creative juices flow while making sure we had plenty of supplies. The model was fantastic and helped critique our work after her various poses. It was fascinating how comfortable she was with her body that a) she was able to stand in front of a group of inexperienced "artists" completely nude and b) come by and critique our poorly drawn representations of her naked body. I was impressed. I would definitely recommend this place to people who are artists, as well as beginners like me who just want to do something different to shake up their regular routine once in a while. I'd also definitely come back for another City Swarm. read more

Best place in Chicago to see great art, learn and update your art making skills, and be a part of Chicago's art community. I took classes here years ago and now I'm one of the watercolor instructors. I'd love to have you as a student if you've always wanted to learn watercolor. read more

I have taken a few Drawing workshops over the years at the Palette & Chisel. Up to this point I had been very satisfied with my experiences in them. This past weekend, however, my experience was so frustrating that I left after 5 hours, having never even touched charcoal to paper. The drawing workshop began at 9am. Until 11:30 the participants were seated around a table, while the instructor showed us between 50 and 75 of his drawings. After a lunch break, a model was seated at the edge of the table and the class watched for the next 2 hours while the instructor drew. At this point I left. I paid nearly 600 dollars for a 3 day DRAWING workshop, not a meet and greet with an artist or the opportunity to crane my neck to watch him draw. I taught Life Drawing for nearly 30 years at the College level and can honestly say this was the worst experience I have had in a studio. I'd say it was my worst Drawing experience, but then I never actually got to draw. read more

This place is wonderful. They have many instructors. I've taken classes in oil painting, and figure drawing, and portrait drawing. The instructors are amazing. I learned a lot during the last three years. They have convenient classes at night from 6:30 to 9:30 for working people. Currently I'm taking the class from Jim & figure drawing. It's such a relaxing nice class to take. The perfect end to a stressful day. read more

I've taken drawing with Jim Hajicek, watercolor with Bob Krajecki and oil painting with Clayton Beck. These guys are excellent artists and terrific teachers. I've learned so much and the prices are very reasonable. They have special workshops with famous artists like Steven Assael, David Leffel and Henry Yan. These are more expensive than the regular classes, but they are cheaper at the Palette & Chisel than they are at other art schools in the country. I recently joined as a member as well. For $34 a month, you have access to 60 hours of open studio per week. The talent level of the artists in the artists in the open studios is superb. I highly recommend this place for art classes and open studios. read more

I have been a member of the Palette and Chisel since 2005 and have to say the instruction I received there has totally made me into the professional artist I am today. I have taken many classes and workshops over the years at the P&C with a number of teachers and all have been terrific, knowledgeable and attentive to my advancement as an artist. Whether you are a beginner , intermediate, advanced, professional or dabbler the P&C offers not only classes but over 60 hours a week of open studios to hone your skills whether it be drawing, painting or sculpture. read more

Palette & Chisel is a real treasure for anyone aspiring to a traditional "Academy" experience in art education. Located in a beautifully preserved Victorian Mansion in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, it offers some of the best instruction in traditional drawing/painting/sculpture anywhere in the country. I have been taking oil painting classes in Still Life and Portraiture at P&C for the past 2 years with local artist Michael VanZeyl. His classes alternate on 5-week intervals around the calendar with the occasional color mixing class added to the curriculum. Once I started and realized how much I was learning from Michael, I chose to keep re-enrolling in order to keep furthering my skills. The classes are offered Tuesday afternoons and evenings in the building's north-lit attic studio; a big open room set up perfectly for traditional painting. Michael's own approach to painting, which he imparts to his students is informed by the work of assorted masters from Rembrandt to Sargent. It has been exciting to have the work of these great artists demystified to the point of being able to copy their styles; from their color palette and method of applying paint to their strategic use of relative value and edges for effect. The classes are structured to suit all levels from those who are picking up a brush for the very first time, to the experienced painter who is trying to refine his or her skills. The atmosphere is friendly and collegial so that all are made welcome. Michael teaches by lecture, demonstration and individual instruction. The first class of each session generally opens with a short discussion of theory and a demonstration by Michael. Afterwards students work on their own paintings with individual input from Michael customized to their particular skill level. He has a kind and patient disposition perfect for teaching. I recommend this institution and specifically these classes to anyone and everyone who is attracted by the infinite richness and complexity of painting and who enjoys friendly interaction with other artists. read more

I have been taking sculpture classes with Audry here for years (despite a short hiatus recently). She is the best. She's so silly, fun, informative, and welcoming. Whether you're a skilled sculptor, or haven't even touched Play Doh, she will help you become better. All the while, you can sip wine, have some snacks, and make some new friends. Awesome place! read more

This is one of the of the best values in the country for brushing up on your drawing, painting and sculpting skills!

Being a member at the Palette & Chisel is so reasonably priced, especially for a college student like me. At $34 a month, you can attend over 60 hours of open studio each week! Not only is the price great for a learner but the surrounding talent level of the artists in the open studios is incredible. I definitely would recommend this place to anyone for art classes and open studios. read more

I've been looking for a place with reasonably priced open studios forever. Not only is this place only $15 for a three hour session but they also offer 60 hours a week of open studios with models. The artists are both talented and welcoming. And the models are first rate. read more

I have also worked as a model here and my experience was completely different than Mimi describes. I found the environment just fine and I have modeled at many schools and studios. I would hope what she describes is not regularly involved for the female models. As a male model, I have encountered situations where some people make excuses to come see the naked model. It's unusual in my experience; I must admit I don't really care but understand that some models might. read more