Art School for

the Rest of Us

You don't have to attend an art school to
become an artist. Learn to make realistic
drawings and paintings, even if you're a beginner!

Totally new to drawing? Click here!

Free Beginner Drawing Course

Drawing & PaintingĀ Classes in the Kansas City Area

SoRA specializes in teaching realistic drawing and painting across a variety of subjects including still life, portraiture, landscapes, and the human figure.Ā Join us forĀ live art classes at our studio in Overland Park, KS. Many live classes can be joined virtually from home, too!

5 Day Sketch Challenge

FREE Video Course
Lessons Released Daily
October 10th - 14th, 2025

Each day for 5 days, you'll learn a new drawing concept and how to implement this idea in a quick sketch, even if you've never drawn before!

Grab a pencil and paper and hit play. It's that easy!

FREE

Graphite Sketching

In-Studio & Live Virtual Class
Saturdays 10am-12pm CT
October 18th - November 22nd, 2025
6Ā Week Class

Location: School of Realist Art, 7800 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 17, Overland Park, KS

$175 Virtual attendance
$350 In-studio includes materials

Foundations of Oil Painting

In-Studio & Live Virtual Class
Saturdays 1pm-3:30pm CT
October 18th - December 13th, 2025
(No class Nov 29th)
8 Week Class

Location: School of Realist Art, 7800 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 17, Overland Park, KS

$240 Virtual attendance
$475 In-studio includes materials

New Membership Options!

Everything you need to learn realistic drawing and painting, without the art school price tag.
Basic membership to on-demand video courses starts at $25/mo.

Learn More!
Realistic Art Classes in Overland Park

Drawing & Painting Classes in Overland Park, KS

Portrait Painting Online Classes

Live Virtual Drawing & Painting Classes

Figurative Drawing in Charcoal

On Demand Video Art Courses & Memberships

Work smARTer when studying art at home with
On-Demand Video Classes!

Maintain consistent progress through free and affordable video courses created for your ability level!

No more plateaus or feeling aimless or stuck.

Find the course for your level and goal, with options for feedback and help from a professional artist.

See Video Courses

Learn From a Professional Artist Who Didn't Go to Art School

When I was 15, I knew I wanted to be an artist.

At 16, I became a mother.

I wouldn't say that motherhood prevented me from going to art school, but it did force me to think critically about the decision. I graduated from high school with the rest of my class, and went on to get my Associates in Studio Art, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

However, I found that the instruction I found in college wasn't teaching me what I really wanted to know: How to paint and draw realistically. And being a mother meant my priorities dictated that I should not go into an incredible amount of debt to 'find myself' in a 4 year art school somewhere.

So instead, I dedicated every evening from 8pm until midnight to painting, seeking out feedback from artists I admired, and researching methods of art instruction from the French Academy to Golden Age Illustration. I created my own art education, and I can guide you through yours!

Check out Lacey Swift's art website.

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