The Drawing Studio

I took an acrylic class with Cynthia Miller. My painting is the dark jar painting with the predator bird. Cynthia's is the red painting. She attacked my art several times during the class asking me why I paint this way. She began the class by talking about never killing off the joyful child inside who loves art. I left in tears ... She would not let up on me. She was kind to all others. I taught for over 30 years. I was aware that we never know what someone is going through. I left in a rush and my paintingis "missing". Mentally I can not go back and have spent $150.00 to have this one morning hurtful experience.

I can't vouch for the adult classes, but my kids have been attending The Drawing Studio's summer youth programs for several years now, and it's something they continue to look forward to year after year. The instructors are top-notch and do a good job connecting with the kids and getting them engaged. They have both general art classes and ones that focus on a specific medium, so there is bound to be something that will work for your child. The tuition is a bit higher than some other summer programs out there, but keep in mind that art materials aren't cheap. If you can swing it, I definitely recommend signing your child up for the art immersion weeks. Your kids will benefit from the interaction and personal attention from art instructors, and the format allows them to work in depth on their projects in a way that they just aren't able to in most schools anymore. One of my daughters also participated in a gallery management class, where students learned how to run an art exhibit from start to finish, including the business aspects of it - she loved it. These enrichment classes make great gifts, too!

I would pass on this place for open studio model drawing. You can go outside and draw in the beautiful outdoors of Tucson and have a better experience.I had tried this place a few times but thought the older gentlemen a little too pushy and aggressive when it comes to making a space for a new comer. I'm sorry, if you come and draw every weekend that's fine but if you have an open door policy you should allow newcomers an opportunity to actually draw. Can you graciously make a space for someone new to join? One time I was actually forced out because these older men would not allow me to sit anywhere other than behind the model way over by the door. I asked politely several times if they would make space for me and the all said no, they would not. Really incredibly unkind, for sure. So, not very friendly and overall a very uncomfortable experience.Don't know about you, but I can't draw where I don't feel welcome. Just my opinion, and perhaps the opinion of many others who never came back.

Update: Finally took one of Mano Sotelo's classes...I'm hooked. I've taken four of his now. See my original review about the epicness that is Paul Mohr. Mano is a ridiculously talented dude. Very easy to understand and super nice.I recently moved to San Francisco, and The Drawing Studio is easily the place I miss the most in Tucson.

Great place to learn to draw or anything else you want to accomplish pertaining to art! Teacher was positive, easy going and most insightful.So glad that I decided to give it a try.

I have signed up for beginning acrylics with Cynthia Miller. I was excited to get to painting after a long hiatus. I will not be attending the 3rd class however. I received absolutely no input,instruction , or commenting of any kind plus I watched as she literally verbally attacted my best friend in the world whose painting ability far accedes anyone in the class including the teacher. Cynthia obviously singles out certain students she considers a threat, and reduces them to tears with criticism, hatefulness and embarrassment. I not only do not recommend her, I give you fair warning. Stay clear of this woman. She has inner issues that complicate her view of the world around her and has no business teaching anyone anything. She also was gone from the room the first 3 hour class for at least and hour.

I signed up for beginning acrylic. The class was mostly critiquing of other students previous works, which took up more than 3/4 of the class. I did not learn any techniques or color palette from the teacher. I was very disappointed. The last 20 minutes of the last class we were shown how to paint a sphere but then there was no time to paint.

In our beginner drawing class we had people ranging in artistic skill from a professional artist to one person who had never drawn since grade school, and ranging in age from college to retired. Nicely, everyone seemed to "click" as a group, no doubt helped by our wonderful teacher. We learned a lot, with no stress from the teacher or our classmates. This company is wonderful. Plus the class times are convenient.I would highly recommend taking a class here to anybody who has ever thought about trying to do art.

I've taken eight or nine classes at this place and everything depends on the instructor. Some were wonderful, some were terrible! Two good watercolor teachers. Lino in oils was very dedicated to teaching the students. Sumi-e is a wonderful class even if you never use the medium again. I hope the acrylics class has improved as I wouldn't recommend the teacher who taught mine. Still, I have to thank her because as a result of that class I stopped going to the drawing studio and went online where I found some excellent teachers. Free. I'm happy that we have the drawing studio in Tucson. I just wish they would implement what most schools have - student review of the instructor and the class. The instructors would have the ability to see honest feedback which could help them improve their classes.

I can't say enough positive things about this place!!! I recently retired and moved to Tucson from California and have always wanted to find a studio where I could truly learn the art of making art. This place far exceeded my hopes and expectations! The classes are absolutely awesome! The teachers are so talented, encouraging, kind and so very thoughtful! A special shout out to Caity Swift and Andrea Mendola whose classes taught me so much and were so fun! These teachers are beyond talented, and yet they talk little of themselves and focus all of their attention on their students. I truly can't say enough about these people and the programs they offer! Also, the studio rooms and facilities are very clean, and each class is set up in advance for the students, which I know must take a lot of time. Lastly, I was also impressed with how they followed Covid protocol with such care and thoughtfulness. Kudos to the teachers, the management and the programs they offer!