Spoil your artistic side at the 5 best art schools in Leeds!
I’ve always been into drawing and painting, but my parents had other plans for my career, so I never really got the chance to explore it. After years of working eight hours in front of a computer, I was feeling restless and wanted something to break the routine.
I quickly realised I still wanted to do art, so I started exploring a few classes and studios. After visiting several options around the city, here are the best art schools in Leeds I’ve found, all offering a place to learn, practice, and enjoy creating again.
If you want to explore another creative side of yourself while you’re at it, these singing lessons in the city are a great way to have fun and build a new skill.
How much do art classes in Leeds cost?
In Leeds, art class prices vary depending on the type and length of the course.
Short workshops or evening classes typically range from £50 to £150.
More structured weekly programs or semester-long courses usually cost between £300 and £600.Private tutoring or one-on-one sessions can start at around £40 to £80 per hour.
1. King Monk Studios
Address: Suite 8, 51D New Briggate
Phone: +44 7411 541978
Business hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The first thing I noticed when I visited King Monk Studios was the vibe. If you’re a shy person or on your own, you’ll love it here!
The space just feels really welcoming, and Monk is super hospitable! He makes you feel like you’ve been part of the studio for ages, even if it’s your first visit.
Their art classes cover everyone from kids around six years old to adults, so you never feel out of place, no matter your skill level.
The schedule is flexible, too. You can join a half-day, full-day, or weekend session, depending on what fits your week, which is perfect if you’re busy.
I was impressed by the range of art forms they offer. Drawing, painting, sculpture, and multimedia design are all on the table. Plus, they only run small groups, so everyone gets proper guidance.
The instructors bring decades of experience, and you can really feel it in how they explain techniques clearly without making anything intimidating. They’re mindful of your pace too, so you can experiment and take your time.
The Sip & Paint and Sip & Sculpt sessions, where you can enjoy a drink while working on a piece, add a fun, social element too! I might’ve laughed more than I painted, but the results were still pretty good.
The only thing is these aren’t accredited courses, so no formal diploma at the end. It’s just so you can have fun while learning and trying out different art forms without any pressure.
Excellent art class led by a supportive teacher
“Excellent, my daughter loves art and these classes are excellent. Her confidence has grown and Monk is an excellent teacher who always brings out the best in children.”
- Tasneem Suleman, Google Review
Skilled and supportive teacher, welcoming studio environment
“Monk is an excellent artist and great teacher! He has helped me progress a great deal with my own art and gives great tips and pointers. It is always a pleasure to visit the studio as Monk is very hospitable and makes me feel welcome.”
- Aleasha Francis, Google Review
2. Leeds Arts University
Address: Blenheim Walk, Leeds LS2 9AQ
Phone: +44 113 202 8000
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:45 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you’re dead serious about taking art classes, Leeds Arts University is worth checking out. They’ve got a good spread of courses, including Fine Art, Photography, Creative Technologies, and even Digital Marketing.
What really sets them apart is the setup. The studios and tech aren’t just fancy. They actually let you try things you wouldn’t get to at home. You get access to Mac labs, printmaking spaces, VR gear, and even 3D printers.
I like that you can experiment and really push your skills, not just in theory.
Collaboration is built into the courses, which can get messy sometimes, but it’s the kind of chaos that sparks ideas.
Students work on projects with peers from other courses, so you end up seeing different ways of thinking and picking up techniques you might never try on your own.
Professional experience is part of the deal, too. They run guest talks, placements, and networking events that help students get real connections in the creative world.
You can also show your work in exhibitions or take part in study abroad programs if you want to see how your art fits on a bigger stage.
The workload is heavy, though, and you’ll spend a lot of extra time in the studio. But if you’re ready to put in the hours, the mix of hands-on learning and creative freedom is hard to beat.
Good resources available
“Great evening courses are available here. Good resources available.”
- Kelly F, Google Review
Life-changing experience
“Went here when it was Jacob Kramer in the v. late 80’s – changed my life. Mostly for the better!”
- Sunil Vishin, Google Review
3. Leeds Drawing Club
Address: Unit C3, Flexspace, Burley Hill Trading Estate
Phone: 07971 040093
Business hours: Mondays & Wednesdays: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
If your main goal is to get better at drawing from observation, Leeds Drawing Club is one of those places that keeps things very focused.
Most of their classes revolve around life drawing and portrait work, so the sessions are built around practising the fundamentals and not just jumping between different art styles.
That approach really works if you want to sharpen your eye for proportion, shading, and structure.
What stood out to me is how accessible the classes are for beginners. They run introductory life drawing courses that walk through the basics step by step. It doesn’t feel intimidating if you’ve never drawn from a live model before.
At the same time, they also run untutored sessions for people who already know the drill and just want studio time to practice.
Another detail I liked is that materials are usually included. Easels, paper, and drawing tools are ready to use. You just need to show up.
The atmosphere also seems quite welcoming. Regulars and newcomers draw in the same space, which I love because you can learn just by seeing how others approach the same pose.
They also run workshops and longer pose sessions, which give you more time to develop a single drawing instead of rushing through quick sketches.
Unfortunately, their courses stay heavily centred on life and portrait drawing. If you’re hoping to explore painting, digital art, or mixed media, the options are fairly narrow here.
Well-structured drawing course ideal for beginners
“A lovely space for local artists! Tessa’s Introduction to Life Drawing course is perfect for beginners and improvers – it’s a carefully structured course which was a joy to attend each week.”
- C H, Google Review
Well-equipped studio, welcoming host
“A great, well equipped studio space and a very warm welcome from host Ellie. I really enjoyed my Saturday drawing session today.”
- Marit Kelly, Google Review
4. Sunken Studio
Address: Unit 3, Sovereign House, Butterley Street
Phone: 0113 518 3771
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Ceramic art is the main focus at Sunken Studio, and that’s probably the first thing worth knowing before signing up.
My friend has been going here for a while and kept mentioning how much she enjoyed the classes, so I eventually decided to tag along. I didn’t expect to get that into it, but I genuinely had a good time once I tried it.
The first thing I signed up for was their pottery bundle. It’s a nice way to get introduced because you’re not stuck doing only one technique. I spent most of the session learning how to center clay on the wheel.
My first piece leaned a little to one side, which wasn’t surprising, but the tutor gave a few simple adjustments that helped a lot. By the end of the class, I had something that at least looked like a bowl.
After that, I came back to try making a mug. It sounded straightforward, but getting the walls even was harder than I thought. I liked that the classes are paced slowly though. You have time to redo things and figure out what works.
The studio has proper wheels and kilns, so the whole process feels like real ceramics practice.
I also spent one session painting a pot. That one felt more relaxed! Choosing glazes and seeing how the color changes after firing was surprisingly satisfying.
Just keep in mind that the studio focuses mostly on pottery. If you’re hoping to try painting or other art forms, the options are limited.
Enjoyable classes with clear guidance
“I loved our pottery painting session here. Before hand you’re told exactly what to expect and during the session you have access to everything you need. I love that all the pottery you’re using is made in-house. I would say to try think of some ideas before you go as deciding what to paint and what design to do takes longer than you think”
- sophie yates, Google Review
Relaxing and enjoyable experience with great tutor
“I did a pottery painting here, the tutor was great and really enjoyed being able to spend time just relaxing and painting. Looking forward to picking up my pot soon! :)”
- Jazmyn Rushworth, Google Review
5. Northlight Arts Centre
Address: 31 Potternewton Lane, Chapel Allerton
Phone: +44 113 212 9097
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Northlight Arts Centre quickly became my favourite place for art classes in Leeds.
I started with their painting classes and was impressed by how each session is structured. The tutor guides you through techniques like layering and colour mixing, then gives you time to experiment on your own canvas.
Even when a stroke didn’t go as planned, they showed ways to turn it into something that works, which I found really encouraging.
After a few weeks, I tried the jewellery-making class. It’s very hands-on, with step-by-step instruction on bending wire, threading beads, and finishing pieces. By the end, I’d made a ring and bracelet that actually look wearable!
Most classes include the materials you need, which I really appreciate. You can just focus on the techniques instead of worrying about supplies.
The community vibe is strong, especially in the pay-as-you-feel groups, where you meet people who are just as into learning as you are.
Just a heads-up: classes lean more toward creative exploration than intensive technical training. But for building skills in a relaxed, supportive environment, Northlight delivers.
Relaxed venue with friendly staff and excellent arts courses
“Really chilled place, great staff, lovely food and drinks. Excellent arts courses and workshops.”
- Aly Pea, Google Review
Highly recommended
“I went and did an art class there over 4 weeks and it was superb. I highly recommend it”
- Stephen Dean, Google Review