12–18Group and individual classes for teenagers · London, Ontario
Art classes for teens in London, Ontario: academic drawing and painting
Elena Ant teaches teenagers aged 12 to 18, in groups of at most six or one to one, at her studio. Each class lasts 75 minutes. Twelve-year-olds join this group.
| Class | One class | Five classes |
|---|---|---|
| Group class | $35 | $150 |
| Individual class | $40 | $175 |
What teenagers draw
Still life under directional light, drawing from references, and projects
Students who already have a foundation deepen it: they practise the skills started in earlier lessons, or take on new and harder tasks.
For a still life, Elena Ant sets objects under a directed light that shows the boundary between light and shadow, the cast shadows, the form shadows and the direction of the light. Students start with a linear drawing, then build the volume, then the composition.
When the class draws from references, she offers three or four to choose from. In a group, students go on to project assignments; individual students move on to their own projects.
How a lesson runs
Every lesson runs in three stages, each harder than the last
- 1
She demonstrates each stage at her own easel.
A lesson runs in three stages, each about a third of the class and each harder than the last: a linear drawing first, then volume, then composition.
- 2
She checks every student’s work after each stage.
She corrects and points out errors, students fix them, and the next stage begins. In a group, each student still works at their own level.
- 3
Students step back to judge their work.
From a metre and a half to two metres away, students look at their own work. She comments on it, and always encourages.
Beyond art school
Academic drawing is worth learning without an art career in mind
Drawing from observation asks a teenager to look closely, to plan a picture before making it, and to judge their own work from a distance.
It is also a way to study. In a study of seventh-graders reading a science text, those who sketched well learned more than those who wrote good explanations (Scheiter et al., 2017 (opens in a new tab)). University students remembered course terms they had drawn better than terms they had copied out, three weeks later (Jalava et al., 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
Thinking about art, design or animation after school
“I teach students to read fluently. Others arrive at college and only then start learning the alphabet.”
Some teenagers start thinking about a career in art or design. Elena Ant talks with them about the professions they could choose and about college admission.
Drawing from observation is what Sheridan College and OCAD University ask applicants to show in a portfolio. Elena Ant sees many students arrive at college without perspective, form, tone, symmetry or composition, and struggle with work they were never taught to do.
Drawings and paintings by students in Elena Ant’s studio
Watermelon, a painting
Skulls, each with a tonal scale
A portrait in coloured pencil
A figure, pencil
Strawberries, a painting
Winter village, a painting
Drawing figurines from life
Skull, a painted study
Watermelon, with its colours mixed
Figures, drawn at the easel
Autumn, a painting
Where classes are held, what to bring, and missed classes
- Where
- A dedicated studio at 31 Parkside Cres, London, Ontario.
- Materials
- Students bring their own: pencils, charcoal, gouache and oil paints, and a practice canvas or a stretched canvas for a final piece.
- A missed class
- With notice, a student can join the class live on Zoom from home. With at least a few days’ notice, a missed class is not charged; notice on the last day or the day before is charged, with the class offered on Zoom. Lessons are usually recorded, so a student who was ill can watch and repeat it at home.
See also: art classes for kids, ages 7 to 11, portfolio preparation, every price and how to enquire.
Testimonials for Elena Ant’s art classes in London, Ontario
Reviews on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)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 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 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.