Drawspace

Drawspace is a web-based drawing school and reference library built around printable lessons, downloadable materials, and online courses. It suits learners of any age, as well as teachers and homeschoolers who need classroom-ready art instruction. Its broad catalogue and flexible study formats are compelling, but the free tier covers only a small portion of the material.

Overview

Launched in 2001 by developer Jeff Baur and artist-educator Brenda Hoddinott, Drawspace organizes more than 500 drawing lessons by topic. The material is intended for all skill levels, so beginners can start with foundational subjects while more experienced artists can select narrower topics. Drawspace Publishing, the Canadian company created by Hoddinott in 2009, publishes and manages the site's multimedia material.

Approximately 15% of Drawspace.com content is free. That makes registration useful for sampling the teaching style, but anyone wanting to explore the full catalogue should expect to pay for credits or membership.

Key features

Lessons can be downloaded and printed, and each carries reading-ease and grade-level ratings. Those labels give educators a practical way to match material to a class or student, while printable files support work away from a screen. Drawspace says its lessons are used in thousands of classrooms and are formatted for classroom settings, with the Unlimited membership explicitly aimed at classrooms and homeschoolers.

There are two distinct study modes. Self-directed learners can browse the lesson library by topic, whereas Drawspace Courses supply weekly assignments for people who want a defined routine. Guided projects, instructor feedback, and art-history lessons add variety beyond isolated drawing exercises. The breadth is useful for exploration, although learners seeking one tightly sequenced curriculum may find a large topic library less directed than a single course.

Lessons, books, and illustrations are copyright protected and may not be shared or reproduced without permission. Printable access therefore supports personal or authorized educational use, not casual redistribution.

Pricing

Drawspace uses a freemium structure with several ways to unlock content.

• Free access — free: More than 50 free lessons, plus three additional free lessons each month after registration. This is suitable for occasional practice or evaluating the library, but it does not open most of the catalogue.
• Member — $9.50 a month: Fifteen lessons are available immediately, followed by 10 more lessons each month. Unused credits are saved, advertisements are removed, and you can cancel or switch at any time. It fits regular learners who want a continuing monthly allowance rather than every lesson.
• Lesson Credits — $20, paid once: One transaction buys viewing or download access to any 10 lessons. This is the clearest option for a short project or occasional needs, though repeated purchases can be less suitable than membership for sustained study.
• Unlimited Member — $149 a year: View and download all lessons and books in unlimited digital and printable formats, with advertisements removed. The plan is designed for classrooms and homeschoolers and includes a one-year gift code. It is the strongest fit for intensive or multi-learner use.
• Unlimited Member (Gift) — $149, paid once: Provides all Unlimited features for one year, plus a printable certificate. The recipient needs neither a profile nor a credit card, making it appropriate when someone else is purchasing access.

Platforms

Drawspace runs on the web. Downloadable and printable lessons provide offline use, but the service is not presented as a native Android or iOS app.

Who it's for

Choose Drawspace if you want a large, topic-organized drawing reference, printable worksheets, or a mixture of self-paced lessons and weekly course assignments. Teachers and homeschoolers benefit most from the classroom-oriented formatting, grade-level guidance, and unlimited printable plan. Casual learners can begin free or buy 10-lesson credits; artists seeking a fully open catalogue should budget for the annual membership.

Pros and cons

• Pros: More than 500 lessons cover broad interests; printable and downloadable formats work offline; reading-ease and grade-level ratings help with learner selection; courses, guided projects, feedback, and art history support different learning preferences; monthly credits can be saved.
• Cons: Only about 15% of content is free; the Member plan unlocks lessons in monthly quantities rather than the complete library; copyright restrictions prevent sharing or reproducing published material; web access is the only listed platform.

Alternatives

Art Explora Academy is a better choice for free art-history study: it offers 11 thematic courses on Android, iOS, and the web, with certification tied to completing quizzes and a minimum €5 donation.

ArtWorkout suits mobile learners who prefer free daily energy and optional one-time lesson or course purchases on Android and iOS.

Sketchar is the alternative for template-led, step-by-step practice across Android, iOS, and web, with a free tier and free trial.

Animation Mentor is a web-based paid option centered on 12-week animation workshops.

Ctrl+Paint fits learners who want a free, ad-free streaming video library and optional one-time premium series.

DigitalPainting.School is another web freemium option with free courses, resources, and introductory chapters.

Schoolism is suited to buyers seeking individual specialist courses, with free tutorials and previews alongside paid lifetime access.

Sketch a Day is a mobile choice for daily sketching and portfolio features, with a free app and optional Gold membership.

See more options in Art Learning Apps.

Verdict

Drawspace is best for learners, educators, and homeschoolers who value a large, printable lesson collection and the choice between browsing and structured courses. Its main reason to choose is the combination of classroom-aware materials, offline-friendly formats, and an annual plan that opens the whole library. Look elsewhere if you need a predominantly mobile experience, a completely free catalogue, or permission to redistribute teaching materials.