Keep the Practice Going
Our community sessions complement artist-led classes by giving people a place to keep practicing what they’ve learned, try things on their own, and make creativity a more regular part of everyday life.
Drawing + Painting Together: A Creative Community Session
Description
Spend a Saturday afternoon drawing and painting in Gowanus, Brooklyn, in a beginner-friendly, lightly guided session for all levels. You’ll create a still-life setup together, then draw or paint it in your own way and experiment with materials.
We’ll begin in small groups by choosing a theme prompt, selecting objects from our still-life collection, and arranging them together. Your group will briefly share the idea, mood, or story behind the setup before everyone settles in to draw or paint.
If you’re new to art, simple optional guidance will help you get started. If you have more experience, you’re free to interpret the still life in your own style or use your own materials. Basic art materials will also be available.
This session is less about finishing a perfect piece and more about making time to create, explore, and enjoy the process alongside others.
After the art practice, we invite you to join the writing group in an adjacent room for a light creative activity and refreshments. It’s encouraged, but completely optional. The session wraps up around 4:30 PM, and you’re welcome to stay and mingle until 5 PM.
What to Expect
- A drawing and painting session for all experience levels, from absolute beginners to experienced artists
- Small groups choose a theme, select objects, and create a still-life arrangement together before individual drawing or painting begins
- Beginners can use simple, optional guidance to get started with observation, basic shapes, proportion, and light
- More experienced participants can interpret the still life freely, explore their own approach, or bring and use their own preferred materials
- Shared materials including pencils, sketch pads, brushes, watercolor paints, and wet pastels
- A relaxed creative environment with people at different experience levels
- A light creative activity with the writing group, followed by time to socialize
- Complimentary light snacks and refreshments
How It Works
- We’ll begin by dividing into small groups. Each group chooses a theme prompt, selects objects from the still-life collection, and creates an arrangement together. You’ll briefly share the idea, mood, or story behind your setup before moving into individual drawing or painting time.
- For the rest of the practice, you can follow the optional beginner guide, interpret your group’s still life however you like, or work with materials you’ve brought with you.
- Afterward, the art and writing groups come together for a light creative activity. Then the rest of the afternoon is open for conversation, refreshments, browsing our creative quote wall, adding a thought to the “Why do you make?” community wall, or simply continuing to work.
Supplies And Materials
- Basic Materials Included: We’ll provide sketch pads and drawing paper, graphite pencils and erasers, wet pastels, watercolor paints, brushes, water containers, and the still-life objects and setup materials.
Space and Atmosphere
- A comfortable, art-filled multi-use space with shared work areas, private desks, inviting seating, and a kitchen. The space is well maintained and thoughtfully arranged, with enough separation for focused work as well as gathering and conversation.
What To Bring
- You’re welcome to bring your own sketchbook, paper, or favorite drawing and painting materials, such as pencils, drawing pens, colored pencils, watercolor paints, water-based inks, or pastels.
- Please bring materials that are easy to use and clean up in a shared indoor space. Avoid anything that produces strong or toxic fumes, takes a long time to dry or finish, or could be difficult to clean up.
Cancellation Policy
We aim to be fair to both learners and instructors while ensuring artists and studios are paid for their work. This policy helps ensure instructors and studios are compensated for their time and preparation. We encourage learners to review class details carefully before booking and to reach out with any questions in advance.
Some classes have a class-specific cancellation, refund, or credit policy. If applicable, it will be listed in the class description and will apply where it differs from the general policy below. Please review the full class description before booking.
Tickets are refundable if canceled at least 7 days before the event. If you cancel, a cancellation fee equal to the payment processing cost for the transaction, approximately 3% of the booking total, will be deducted from your refund.
If you’re unable to attend, you’re welcome to give your ticket to a friend. Please have them check in using your name.
In the rare case that the event does not meet minimum participation requirements, we’ll contact ticket holders at least 48 hours in advance with the option to reschedule or receive a refund, excluding the nonrefundable payment processing cost.
To learn more or if you have questions, please review our cancellation details. If you need to request a cancellation under a class-specific policy, please email support@dobedous.com with the class name and your order number, or use the contact form in the footer.
Location
Gowanus, 540 President Street, 2C, Brooklyn, NY, 11215 View Direction
Your Instructor
The DoBeDoUs Community Team brings creative people together through community events and practice sessions. These gatherings are designed to complement artist-led classes by giving learners a place to keep practicing, build a regular creative habit, and spend time making alongside others.
Who This Is For
- Adults, 18+
- 16-17 with a parent or legal guardian
Good To Know Tips
Arrive a little early
Please arrive about 10 minutes before the class starts so you can settle in comfortably.
Check your confirmation email
After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with directions and any important details for the class.
What to expect
Class format, materials, and preparation are all outlined in the class description. Most classes are beginner-friendly unless noted otherwise.
About the instructor
All classes are taught by vetted artists and makers who are experienced in both their craft and teaching.
Why DoBeDoUs
We offer local, artist-led classes that support ongoing creative learning and bring people together through community.
DoBeDoUs Community Team
What We Love About These Creative Gatherings
Creativity Should Feel Accessible
You don’t need to be an artist or have years of experience to join. We create relaxed, lightly guided experiences where beginners and experienced makers can participate comfortably at their own pace.
Create and Connect
Our gatherings bring learners, artists, and makers together to make, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. They also give teaching artists a chance to share their own creative practice and connect with a broader creative community.
Still Have Questions?
If you don’t see what you’re looking for, view our FAQs or contact us.
Loved by our students
Totally enjoyed it! The atmosphere felt energetic and lively, and the amount of interaction felt just right.”
Great hands-on opportunities. I enjoyed the guidance and involvement, and the overall atmosphere.”
Relaxed and casual, with just the right amount of interaction. I especially enjoyed the overall atmosphere and meeting people who share similar interests.”
Gifting
Give the joy of artmaking. Coming Soon.
A DoBeDoUs Gift Card is a thoughtful way to give something meaningful to your loved ones. They can use it to join any class that inspires them. Gift cards never expire, have no extra fees, and are delivered instantly by email.
