Art Classes for kids 9-12
Drawing Skills
Engaging Art Lessons for Young Artists
Learning to draw is a lifelong asset. It gives children a powerful way to express emotions, beat boredom creatively, share ideas, and build joy, confidence, and self‑esteem. However, around age ten, many kids become self‑critical and stop drawing because they believe they “can’t do it.” Our program meets them at this turning point and shows them they absolutely can.
In our classes, students build skills step by step, improving their observation and using different drawing and painting media. As they progress, they gain the confidence to take on more complex projects.
3D Drawing Foundations
First, kids explore 12 core visual concepts—foreshortening, contour and cross‑contour lines, basic perspective, scale/size relationships, and more—to help their drawings read in 3D.
Realistic Drawing Skills
Next, guided observation lessons inspired by Dr. Betty Edwards’ Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain teach children “how to see” shape, angle, and proportion. These realistic drawing exercises are introduced in intervals alongside 3D work to reinforce learning. (See before/after progress gallery.)
Explore Art Media
Finally, as skills grow, students experiment with additional media: charcoal, soft pastels, oil pastels, watercolor, tempera, and acrylic paint. This gradual expansion builds confidence, color awareness, and creative problem‑solving. (See what else can be learned.)

What you get?
START ANYTIME.
Yes, you can enroll at any time, as long as there’s space available in the class. Additionally, we prorate your first month tuition based on your start date. Likewise, if you join in the middle of a quarter, we’ll prorate the quarterly admin fee accordingly.
PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS
Also, all our teachers have a college degree in an art-related field.
SMALL CLASS SIZE
Specifically, we limit each class to a maximum of 8 students.
GALLERY DAY EVENT
Above all, every April, we celebrate our students’ progress with an art show we call “Gallery Day”. This event is open to all our enrolled students and their families & friends!
What if I miss a class?
We understand that occasionally things come up—unexpected events, travel, or illness—and you may need to miss a class. Not a problem! As long as you are enrolled, you can make up a missed classes by attending another class listed in our schedule at any of our locations.
However, keep in mind that there is absolutely no prorating or refund for missed classes. In addition, missed classes cannot be used as class credit for the next session, other classes, or camps.
Fantastic to have this school on south side of town. Teachers knowledgeable, caring and pleasant!
My daughter looks forward to her art class every week. There is always something new for her to do. She likes surrounding herself with teachers and other students that have a love for art as well. She will continue to grow and learn many things here. Do not hesitate to call and ask questions. Everyone is very friendly, nice and helpful.
Our experience with Art Academy over the past two years has been absolutely fantastic! The teachers are not only great at what they do but also incredibly personable. My daughters have thoroughly enjoyed their time, and I appreciate the positive and nurturing environment that Art Academy provides. Highly recommend!
I’ve been taking adult drawing/painting lessons for the past 3 years now. Every teacher I’ve met has been excellent, kind and very knowledgeable. The other students that I’ve met are also always very nice and wonderful people, and it’s great to be able to learn from other adults who are coming from different levels of experience. I just love this place
We have been attending art classes since my daughter was 5 years old. We have been to a few others, but have stayed at Art + Academy because it is the best. The teachers are very very focused on improvement but are also gentle and encouraging. We have been here for close to 2 years now and have attended a summer camp. We just love our teacher Marcia Breternitz! She is SO kind and very good at her craft.
The quick move by the Art Academy from in-person instruction to online classes was remarkably smooth and effective. At a time like this, we need the flexibility and creativity of organizations like the Art Academy. I am particularly please with the online help and guidance I have been receiving from Luz Marie, the instruction at the SouthWest Austin studio. It has been overall a very rewarding experience to work with Art Academy. I highly recommend this art school.
Our daughter began attending Art + Academy last year as a kindergartner, and it quickly became her favorite extracurricular activity. We’ve explored various programs, but Art + Academy stood out for its ability to introduce her to new and creative drawing and painting techniques that she wouldn’t have tried on her own. We’re thrilled to start again next week after her summer break!
The teachers at Art Academy (Mrs. Cecely and Mrs. Rosemarie), has taught my young boys to be more expressive and confident with their school work, along with improving their fine motor skills. The teachers are always patience, and nurturing while having small class sizes. I would Highly recommend taking a course with these talented teachers!
We enrolled my daughter because she loves art but become so frustrated with “mistakes” that she wanted to quit. We decided to see a professional and since taking classes with Ms. Marlen she has been sooooo excited to draw and shes progressed soooo much. She enjoys it again and we will be coming back for years and years. HIGHLY Recommend
I think this is the best place to put your child to learn art and improve your child art skills. They are very good and understand your child needs. Staff is amazing. My daughter is really enjoying this class.
Art Plus Academy is not just a great place to learn how to draw, paint, and use other media. It’s teachers help you learn how to see the world in a different way. I’ve been taking classes there since 2018, and I’m really happy with the progress I’ve made. My artwork is just getting better and better. You can’t go wrong with the teachers here and the community and friends you will build and make with other students.
This place takes their job seriously and really does a great job teaching and immersing kids into their art. Great and fast communication when there is any sort of issue. They really try and accommodate any personal requests to make things work for the student and get them involved. I do find their rates slightly expensive, BUT they really deliver on the quality of their studio and lessons and we’ve really loved it!
My daughter’s progress in art is phenomenal, she loves going to the academy. Her teacher is great!
My daughter who is 6 loved her camp! She had so much fun and the teacher was wonderful!
Monica, thank you and your entire team for the support you have given us, thank you for helping Joan excel in something that he really loves. you and your academy and your work team are the best things that have touched our lives. We received word that one of Joan’s drawings has been selected for a school district exhibit.
My son and I have been going here to learn painting, sketching , charcoal. All the teachers are amazing and really passionate about art. It has re-kindled in me the love for art and really thankful for the wonderful teachers including Ms. Southworth who is an amazing teacher and artist.
My daughter started last month with Ms. Morgan and she loves it so far. Morgan is a great teacher, very encouraging and spends personal time with student. She paid attention to my child interest and provided just right the amount of support while ensuring my daughter can be herself 🙂 thanks so much!
I highly recommend Art +Academy. This is our third year with Art + Academy and I am very thankful for their professionalism, support, and personal approach toward my child future!
Tuition & Fees
Your tuition provides four(4) consecutive weekly art classes. If you start in the middle of the month, we’ll simply prorate your tuition based on your registration date.
For Kids and Teen Classes, a quarterly admin fee applies in September, December, and March. We will also prorate the admin fee in you enroll in the middle of the quarter.
Materials
We provide all materials for kids and teen classes; you only need to bring your student.
Students will explore a wide range of materials, including watercolor, tempera, pastels, charcoal, ink, and more.
My daughters have taken multiple classes at Art+ Academy and the teachers are just wonderful! My children have thrived there due to the small class-size and individual attention they have received. They always love going to art class!
Art Plus Academy is not just a great place to learn how to draw, paint, and use other media. It’s teachers help you learn how to see the world in a different way. I’ve been taking classes there since 2018, and I’m really happy with the progress I’ve made. My artwork is just getting better and better. You can’t go wrong with the teachers here and the community and friends you will build and make with other students.
Art Academy SW has been a fantastic experience for our daughter. Her skills and confidence have increased especially in regards to shading, dimension, use of color and different media. Class sizes are small allowing for kids to remain focused and have some individual direction while working on projects. Mr. Matt is an outstanding and engaging instructor!
My children have thoroughly enjoyed the art instruction they have found at Art + Academy. They love the in-person classes as well as the online offerings. Actually, the online art classes during this season of staying at home have been true gems! We have been so impressed with how the classes have translated to an online format. We highly recommend this local art instruction option!
Great experience! Kiddos loved it and they came home with some frame-able work. Thank you!
We have been going for two years with the kids and the teachers are wonderful, the classes are small and peaceful. It’s a perfect place to learn art. Highly recommended.
This is my 3rd year to be in Rosemary’s class of adults. I was so excited to come back to class today, after summer vacation. Missed my art buddies! Last year I was doing landscape watercolor, sketching animals in pencil, a lot of landscapes in pen and watercolor in one picture..mixed media. I’m coming back ready to learn and experience whatever class presents. Rosemarie is a fabulous laid back artsy teacher with lots of knowledge and plenty of experience teaching all ages. Another plus is learning in a class with people who are doing different types of art….it is encouraging me to try different types. Come try it!
Love taking classes here. Class sizes are perfect and teacher is cool
Great art studio (clean and spacious) for kids and adults! Supportive and caring teachers for my teens! The teachers always motivate my teens to explore and encourage their creativity. My teens have been long term students there. Strongly recommended!
My 4 year old granddaughter loves the art class and looks forward to it every week.
My kiddo loved her camp experience here. They got to draw and paint animals from around the world and all of the kids had such cute pictures to present. We will be back for sure!
I have been taking art classes at Art + Academy for almost three years. I’ve learned so much and loved every minute of it!! The instructors are all great—top notch!!
Art+Academy is an excellent art school. The teachers are professional and provide art instruction beyond what is taught in a public or private school. The owner responds to inquiries and is accommodating. At age 6, my granddaughter showed signs of artistic ability, but was shy around people and lacked the self-confidence to follow through with extra-curricular activities. Now at age 8, after 2 years of Art+Academy’s quality art instruction, she has identified herself as a good artist, shows an increased self-esteem, makes eye contact, converses with her peers and teachers, and shows no resistance to attend her art classes. Her finished pieces include various techniques, perspective drawing, and mixed media. Art Academy yields an outcome that is well worth the investment of time and money.
ART+ Academy has brought me farther than I imagined in my drawing and I was just starting acrylic painting when the lockdown came. I missed my weekly classes with feedback and ideas on my project from my teacher, Luz Marie, and fellow classmates. However, ART + saved the day by quickly adapting in-person classes to online classes. Now I can still get my weekly instruction and stay motivated and inspired. Thank ART + for going to the extra mile
We have been attending art classes since my daughter was 5 years old. We have been to a few others, but have stayed at Art + Academy because it is the best. The teachers are very very focused on improvement but are also gentle and encouraging. We have been here for close to 2 years now and have attended a summer camp. We just love our teacher Marcia Breternitz! She is SO kind and very good at her craft.
Excellent teachers and great classes. My 5 year old got to make new friends and enjoy a week of summer art camp with Ms Adria. We got to set up a nice shelf at home to display all the art she created at camp.
One of the best studios and platform for some one who is a budding or experienced artist. Art teachers are very methodical in their approach and keen on developing details of students. I definitely recommend them.
My children and myself have taken and continue to take classes at Art Plus Academy. I found that the art classes helped me access skills I did not know I had. My 7 year old son has been taking art classes here for the past 2 years. This is his favorite activity and he enjoys exposing his art on “Gallery Day” periodically organized by Art Plus. During Gallery Day the students do not only have a chance to present their own art to the public but they also have a chance to review other students’ art – a valuable experience. I highly recommend Art Plus Academy for children and for adults.
My 5 year old loves this place and asks me this everyday: “is it art class today?” He takes his time with new situations and new people but was OK going to the classroom with the teacher and without me from the very first class. This was a first for any of the classes we have tried so far with him. It does help that he can see me through the large window separating the classroom from the parents’ room where I wait. All the teachers he has worked with so far have been great: Ms. Johanna, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Anna. They all encourage his creativity and independence while still guiding him with learning new art techniques and principles patiently, the perfect balance for him to be able to grow. There is an awesome art exhibition (I think every year) and my kid was so proud to have his art displayed there (especially since he is the youngest student at the SW location) with all of the other artists of all ages at the academy. The evening class timings during the week days have also been very convenient.
My daughter loves going into the studio, she has a great time during classes and has improved her art skills significantly during the past year. Ms. Macia is wonderful, she tailors the classes according to each students and manages to run a learning environment that is also fun.
Start
Today
Tuition is prorated if you join mid-month, likewise, the quarterly admin fee is prorated if you start in the middle of a quarter.
Professional
Artists
Learn from professional artists who are also experienced, passionate educators.
SMALL
CLASSES
With a small class ratio (1:8), students explore their creativity with personalized attention.
Improve
your Skills
No matter your starting point, we help you build strong techniques and reach the next level.
Missed
a Class?
No problem! Make it up in another class as long as you're still enrolled.
Locally
Owned
Over 16 years of service since 2009 — fostering creativity and community growth.
Find Your Art Class
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