Over 18Group and individual classes for adults · London, Ontario
Art classes for adults in London, Ontario, in small groups or one to one
Elena Ant teaches drawing and painting to adults, including retirees in their sixties and seventies, in groups of at most six or one to one, at her studio. Every class lasts 90 minutes.
| Class | One class | Five classes |
|---|---|---|
| Group class | $40 | $175 |
| Individual class | $45 | $200 |
Who comes
Many adults start with the same words: “I like drawing, but I don’t know how”
They come for the skill and the knowledge. Classes start from the basics: line and form, volume, light and shadow, tone, composition and colour. Once the basics are in place, individual students move on to their own projects and groups take on project assignments, learning how to approach a new painting from the first line.
How to learn to draw: where a beginner starts
Students in their sixties and seventies, after a life given to work and family, often come for the creative state itself: calm, beauty, and time in a world of their own. They also learn the skills to paint their own ideas freely.
The research
What research says about learning to draw in later life
In a German study, 14 recent retirees who took a 10-week drawing and painting class showed changes in brain connectivity that were linked to their resilience to stress (Bolwerk et al., 2014 (opens in a new tab)).
At the University of Waterloo, older adults remembered words they had drawn better than words they had written out, and the benefit was larger for them than for younger adults (Meade et al., 2018 (opens in a new tab)).
Among people aged 85 and over, those who did artistic activities in both middle and later life were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (Roberts et al., 2015 (opens in a new tab)).
The benefits of drawing for adults and seniors, with every source
Hard work matters more than talent
Some students progress quickly, others slowly. Elena Ant has watched students without obvious talent reach good results through work, and gifted students who relied on talent alone fall behind them.
She asks students not to judge the result but to treat their work as a process of becoming an artist, which takes years.
“Their job is not to judge the result. It is to focus on the process of becoming an artist.”
Drawings and paintings by adult students
Still life in paint and in red chalk, flowers and a landscape, made in the studio.
Where
A dedicated studio at 31 Parkside Cres, London, Ontario.
Materials
Students bring their own: pencils, charcoal, gouache and oil paints, and canvas.
Want to try painting first? A two-hour master class costs $70 per person, all materials included.
Testimonials for Elena Ant’s art classes in London, Ontario
Reviews on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)My daughter and I absolutely love taking art classes with Elena! She is so patient and accommodating, and we really appreciate that she makes classes enjoyable for both of us. We’ve enjoyed both in-person and online classes, and I also had a wonderful experience at her masterclass. Sharing a couple of our creations!
Nadezda K · Google review Our son has been attending Elena Ant Art Studio for a long time, more than 4 years, and we’ve seen great progress in his artistic skills. Art has become a hobby he truly enjoys, and the classes and workshops have helped him develop his creativity. We’re very happy with his experience and with our decorated walls, and would highly recommend the studio!
Art U · Google review My kids are having the best time with Elena! She is very knowledgeable, great with kids, and knows how to bring out the creativity in everyone. We’re so happy with the experience!
Anastasia · Google review I’ve joined Elena’s masterclasses a few times and absolutely love them! Honestly, this lady could teach a potato to draw a masterpiece! My son loves her classes too and comes home with the most beautiful artwork every time. She’s got some serious magic in those hands!
Irina D · Google review Greatest master classes! Very friendly teacher and cozy studio. I have learned so much from Elena’s art classes!
Curtis C. · Google review
Ask Elena Ant about a place in a class
Tell her which class you are interested in. Groups take at most six students.