Montreal's Top-Rated Life Drawing

Figure Drawing
in Montreal

For total beginners and working artists — draw from a live model in the Old Port.

Beginners Welcome $22.23 Money-Back Guarantee

Never done this before? Most people haven't.

You arrive

Walk into a calm, welcoming studio in the Old Port. No skill required, no gear needed.

You draw alongside others

At your own pace, from a live model — no instruction, no judgement, just focused practice.

You leave better

Every session builds real skill. First-timers get free 1-on-1 feedback from me after class.

The Studio

Everything you need to draw well

Professional studio setup

Pro lighting designed for figure work, comfortable seating, and excellent live models — the environment is tuned for artists.

All levels welcome

Zero experience needed. Beginners come every single week. You don't need anatomy knowledge, a portfolio, or any background at all.

Materials on-site

Bring your own sketchbook and pencils if you have them. If not, you can pick up newsprint and charcoal at the studio for a small fee. No need to overthink it.

What artists say

★★★★★ 5.0 on Google
1,000+ artists
Top-rated on Eventbrite & Meetup
★★★★★

Hands down best figure drawing in Montreal! Look no further, it's right here! Great lighting, chill ambience, snack bar with hot tea, amazing cozy atmosphere. I go every week and my drawing skills and observation skills have improved so much!

Julia
★★★★★

I love this place — the ambiance and the people are so chill, not pretentious at all, so there's no way you would feel that you don't fit. I really enjoy it, and I have noticed the improvement of my skills since I'm doing it at least once per week. Alex is also super friendly and a great host.

Robbie Flogue
★★★★★

Absolutely adore Figura, my go-to figure drawing studio! It wonderfully caters to both beginners and seasoned artists alike. The ambiance is simply enchanting — a perfect blend of aesthetics and comfort. Alex is such a friendly host; he consistently shares invaluable tips for enhancing your figure drawing skills. I've introduced numerous non-artist friends to Figura and they've all been captivated by the experience. (Very nice date idea too!)

Barista Hunter
★★★★★

Amazing experience! Inviting and friendly atmosphere. Alex is very knowledgeable and always willing to offer friendly, useful advice for improving your practice. Figure drawing is the best way to get better at drawing, and Figura is the best place to do it.

Bethany
★★★★★

I dropped in on one of Alex's figure drawing sessions several years ago and was immediately hooked. I have seen few people as passionate as he is about his art and craft, and yet he is welcoming to beginners and believes everyone can grow and improve with enough practice if guided properly. Absolutely recommended!

Houman
★★★★★

I enjoyed my sessions at Figura very much! Alex is an incredibly skilled artist with a wide breadth of knowledge about all things anatomy, so you'd be wise to set up a one-on-one critique. I definitely saw my skills improve over the weeks and managed to fill an entire sketchpad in just a month.

Lennon
★★★★★

One of the most fun activities to do in Montréal, and what makes it best is Alex — he is a wonderful person and a teacher.

Sameh Bijo
★★★★★

Figura has a really great vibe — what Alex has put together here is truly something special. The sessions are well-structured with great lighting. Alex's wealth of knowledge and guidance are invaluable. Definitely recommend checking out his anatomy course and the "Five Simple Lines" workshop.

Morgan
★★★★★

Love the atmosphere in these classes — relaxing music, professional models, and a gracious host! I keep going back. Worth every dollar for a lovely creative experience.

Sabrina De Bellefeuille
★★★★★

Excellent drawing class and the models are so good. If you want to learn from a very well-trained teacher, speak with Alex. Figura is a welcoming and inspiring space to be in!

Alyssa Haggstrom
★★★★★

Very good studio with beautiful light. Alex is a great teacher, I definitely recommend it 200%!

Vy de MTL
★★★★★

Was such a cool experience! So glad I decided to attend, despite not having a drawing background.

Britaney Young
★★★★★

This is a good place to focus on charcoal and live drawing. Offers pose drawing at different paces throughout the week. Recommend to anyone looking for a great drawing atmosphere!

Irfa Nisar
★★★★★

Love coming here every once in a while — great atmosphere, and Alex provides helpful tips to improve.

Bri
★★★★★

Alex's sessions are well organized and he is incredibly welcoming. Highly recommended!

Andre Kuznetcov
★★★★★

Awesome location with great equipment and the model was fantastic. Highly recommended!

Jeremie Berlanga
★★★★★

Great place for figure drawing! Alex is a fantastic host!

Florian
★★★★★

Hands down best live model in Montréal.

Ignis Lunasolem
★★★★★

J'adore aller aux séances de Figura. L'ambiance est super. C'est bien organisé et l'espace est vraiment bien adapté pour le modèle vivant.

Roxanne Barbeau
★★★★★

Une super place pour dessiner :)

Yasmine M

Questions

Zero experience required — beginners are welcome every single week, and honestly they're some of my favourite people to have in the room.

Figure drawing isn't a test, it's practice.

The only real barrier is your own self-judgement, and we leave that at the door.

You don't need any anatomy knowledge or background.

You just need to show up and draw.
The sessions themselves are uninstructed — think of it like a gym for artists.

You draw from the live model at your own pace, in a calm focused room, building skills through reps. It's not a lecture, it's practice time.

(That said — every first-timer gets a free 1-on-1 with me after their session, where I give you personal feedback and tips. So you won't be left totally on your own.)
Where?
48 Notre-Dame Ouest
Just a 5-min walk from metro Place-D'Armes.
When?
Monday · 6:30 – 8:30 PM · Quick Sketch
Wednesday · 6:30 – 8:30 PM · Medium Pose
Thursday · 6:30 – 9:30 PM · Long Pose
Friday · 6:30 – 8:30 PM · Gestures
Just yourself.

Bring your own materials if you have them, or buy what you need on-site — we stock smooth newsprint and charcoal pencils.

Beginners don't need to overthink supplies; we'll sort you out when you arrive.

We run 4 sessions per week. Every week.

Each session cultivates a different set of skills.

Quick Sketch
6:30 – 8:30 PM Poses: 1 min / 5 min / 10 min

Rapid sequences that train your eye to capture the essential gesture before the clock runs out. Builds speed, muscle memory, and the instinct to simplify.

Great for Concept Artists Storyboard Artists Animators Illustrators
Medium Pose
6:30 – 8:30 PM Poses: 5 min / 20 min

The sweet spot between speed and observation. Enough time to nail proportions and start building light and shadow — not so long you can overthink it.

Great for Fine Artists Illustrators Beginners Comic Artists
Long Pose
6:30 – 9:30 PM Poses: 3-hour long pose

One model, one pose, the whole session. Work through stages — structure, proportions, tones, rendering. The most powerful session for truly understanding the figure.

Great for Fine Artists Painters Advanced Artists Printmakers
Gestures
6:30 – 8:30 PM Poses: 30 sec / 1 min / 2 min / 3 min / 5 min

Pure speed. Ultra-fast sequences that build explosive observational reflexes and a flowing, dynamic line. If you want your drawing to feel alive and energetic, this is the session.

Great for Animators Game Artists Concept Artists Storyboard Artists
A real live model.

If you've never drawn from a live person before, that's completely normal and a great reason to start — it's challenging in the best way, and it's the single fastest way to improve. There's a good reason the masters did it.

Everyone in the room was new to it once.
Most people come by metro or bike — we're a 5-minute walk from metro Place-D'Armes.

If you're driving, street parking is hit-or-miss in Old Montreal, and there are paid lots nearby (around $20). Plan to arrive 20 min earlier just to be safe.
If you know what you're doing and promise to leave the studio as clean as you found it — you're welcome to bring paint supplies.
At your own risk.

Sessions sell out often and seats are reserved ahead of time.
You can pay at the door but just know that, if the session's full, you won't have a seat.

For this reason I strongly recommend you book online.

Ready to draw?

Come once, see how it feels — nothing to commit to.

Seating is limited and popular nights sell out.
Book ahead to guarantee your spot.

Not satisfied? We'll refund you 100%, no questions asked.

Find us

48 Notre-Dame Ouest, Vieux-Montréal

5-minute walk from metro Place-D'Armes