"I learned more in 4 hours than I had in years on my own."
—Natalie M., Student
Bite-sized, Deep-dive Artist Workshops
Discover the secrets of art with our Art Hacks series—a dynamic collection of bite-sized workshops that blend practical techniques, inspiring art history, and creative problem-solving.
Each workshop offers a focused exploration of a unique topic. Whether you’re sharpening your drawing technique or broadening your understanding of art history, this series is your fast track to deeper knowledge and creative breakthroughs.
Big Dumb Shapes
Ages 12 - 16, Beginner to Intermediate
Saturday, November 8
9 AM - 12 PM
Instructor: Ryan Greis
Complicated drawings become simple once you know how to see them. In this workshop, students will learn how to break down complex subjects into what we call “big dumb shapes.” By focusing on large, simple forms before details, you will train your eye to capture proportion, placement, and structure with ease.
Learn how to identify large, basic shapes within complex subjects. Practice reducing images to simple geometry that forms a foundation for accurate drawing. Explore how big shapes connect, overlap, and support one another. Work through exercises that teach how placement and proportion of shapes guide the whole drawing. Learn how to refine big dumb shapes into believable structure before adding detail.
SOLD OUT
Reductive Drawing
Ages 12 - 16, Beginner to Intermediate
Saturday, November 15
9 AM - 12 PM
Instructor: Ryan Greis
In reductive drawing, you don’t start with a pencil… you start with a page full of dark charcoal. Then you “pull out” the light by erasing and shaping. It’s the opposite of regular drawing and it feels a little bit like magic.
Kids love reductive drawing because it feels experimental and hands-on. Instead of only adding marks, they’ll discover how to subtract, smear, blend, and erase to bring images to life.
Life Modeling 101 (for Adults Only)
Saturday, December 13, 2025
10 AM - 1 PM
This workshop introduces the fundamentals of becoming a figure model for artistic settings, offering a clear overview of the work, expectations, and opportunities for supplemental income. Led by an experienced figure model and hosted by Drawn Studio in Maplewood, it provides practical guidance on how to enter and succeed in the field.
Participants will also have the opportunity to be drawn by a small group of professional, experienced figure artists, giving them firsthand insight into how artists work and what a real modeling session feels like. This guided experience includes instructional feedback to help attendees understand posing, comfort, pacing, and professionalism.
Connecting to Creativity: An Evening of Incense, Music, Art, and Community
Friday, December 19, 2025
5:30 PM - 8 PM
Join John Launius and Jacob Zengerling at Drawn Studio for a one-of-a-kind evening blending fragrance, sound, and creativity.
Guided by our host Ace, John will share smokeless incense from around the world, offering insight into how natural fragrances can transform, heal, and inspire. As the scents unfold, Jacob will create an immersive guitar soundscape—an atmosphere designed to spark creativity and connection.
Bring your sketchbook or simply come to listen, breathe, and be part of the experience. Drawing spaces with horses and easels are limited, so please reserve your spot early.
Bring-A-Buddy Workshop
Create A Framed Caricature Drawing - Ages 11 and up
Saturday, December 20, 2025
9 AM - 12 PM
Instructor: Ryan Greis
In this workshop, you and your buddy—whether it’s your child, your parent, or a bestie—dive into the fun of drawing together, learning how to capture a person’s look and personality by exaggerating their features. The best part? You’ll each create a funny caricature side by side.
Then we turn the tables—you’ll draw your partner, or bring a photo of someone special to draw as a gift. Everyone will go home with a framed caricature ready to keep or give away. All materials are provided, and the focus is on playful drawing and watercolor painting that’s full of creativity and fun.
Drawing the Head/Face
Ages 12-16, Beginner to Intermediate
Saturday, January 31, 2026
10 AM - 2:30 PM (with 30-minute break)
Instructor: Ryan Greis
Heads and faces are central to portraiture, yet they can be intimidating to draw. This workshop gives you a chance to tackle this challenge directly, improving your understanding of facial structure and learning how to represent it with confidence.
We will break down the anatomy of the head and face and demystify it, so that when you study references, you can see the skull, planes, and features as a series of simple shapes that fit together logically. By the end, drawing a face won’t feel like guesswork.
Drawing the Figure
Ages 12-16, Beginner to Intermediate
Saturday, February 21, 2026
10AM - 2:30 PM (with 30-minute break)
Instructor: Ryan Greis
Drawing the human figure can feel tricky, but it doesn’t have to be! This workshop helps young artists tackle the body head-on, improving observation skills and learning how to draw figures that feel alive and believable.
We’ll break the body down into simple shapes and forms, explore proportions, and understand how movement and posture affect what we see. By the end, drawing people won’t feel like guessing. It’ll feel like putting together a puzzle you can actually solve.
Drawing the Head/Face
Adults, Beginner to Intermediate
Saturday, February 28, 2026
10 AM - 3 PM (with 30-minute break)
Instructor: Ryan Greis
Heads and faces are central to portraiture, yet they can be intimidating to draw. This workshop gives you a chance to tackle this challenge directly, improving your understanding of facial structure and learning how to represent it with confidence.
We will break down the anatomy of the head and face and demystify it, so that when you study references, you can see the skull, planes, and features as a series of simple shapes that fit together logically. By the end, drawing a face won’t feel like guesswork.
Inked!: Capturing Form Using Pen & Ink
Ages 12-16, Beginner to Intermediate
Saturday, March 14, 2026
9AM - 12 PM
Instructor: Ryan Greis
Pen and ink is one of the most expressive ways to capture form and detail. This workshop helps artists of all levels explore how line, texture, and shading can bring drawings to life.
We’ll break down techniques for using pens to define shape, volume, and movement, while learning how to simplify complex forms into marks that communicate structure and personality. By the end, you’ll be confidently creating drawings that are bold, precise, and full of energy