The Drawing Studio

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.

I love the open studio figure drawing at The Drawing Studio. All levels are welcome and it’s just a really chill place to draw or paint. The models and moderators vary somewhat but I’ve always had good experiences there. Get there early/​on time in order to get a good spot.

I come here for open studio figure painting mostly on Saturday mornings. Everyone is friendly and the monitor sets up great long poses with the model to study, draw, and paint. This really is the only place in Tucson that has this much variety of sessions during the week. The only wish is that there were more male models available to study!
Edit: since this was written, the Drawing Studio has cancelled the Saturday sessions. I find this to be a total bummer!

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.

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.