Realistic drawing is a learnable skill. Everyone can drastically improve their drawing skills with proper instruction and practice.
*Previously called Drawing Decoded
If you want to draw realistically but don’t know how to actually learn it — you’re in the right place.
You might feel stuck, frustrated, or unsure where to begin. Maybe you’ve tried tutorials, copied drawings, or jumped into complex subjects like portraits — only to end up overwhelmed or disappointed with your progress.
The truth is, realistic drawing is a skill, not an innate talent. But like any skill, it needs to be learned in the right order, starting with a solid foundation.
Most people struggle not because they lack talent or ability – but because they skip foundational skills without realizing it, and leap into advanced subjects before they’re ready.
This makes drawing feel - at best - like magic, and at worst - impossible.
The good news: it's not magic, and it's not impossible. You can build your realistic drawing foundation in the Atelier at The Drawing Source.
Learn the technical skills, core concepts, and ways of seeing that prepare you to confidently draw advanced subjects like the figure and portrait. Follow a clear learning path that removes the guesswork — always showing you where you are, and what to learn and practice next.
A Clear Path for Learning Realistic Drawing
The Atelier curriculum is organized into phases — each one building on the last. You’ll develop essential skills in the right order, with every course preparing you for the next. View the curriculum map below, and scroll down for more detailed information on each course.
Phase 1: Accuracy, Dexterity & Control
1. Foundations of Drawing Technique
Realistic drawing requires control and precision of the hand. In this short course, develop the core technical skills that all realistic drawing depends on — including nuanced line work, subtle pressure adjustments, and more.
2. Intro to Accuracy & Measurement
(Formerly Bargue Drawing Level 1) Accurate seeing and measuring creates likeness and believability in a drawing. Learn 10 accuracy and measurement techniques, train your eye and perceptual skills, gain confidence in the first steps of the drawing process, and start learning portrait anatomy!
3. 14-Day Daily Drawing Drills Challenge
Dexterity, block-in strategies & comparative measurement. Build hand–eye coordination through focused drills, while learning comparative measurement & essential block-in strategies preparing you for more complex subjects.
Phase 2: Light, Form & the Drawing Process
4. Intro to Smooth Shading in Graphite
Bring your drawings to life with smooth, realistic shading: create even tones and gradations, simplify and organize values, build believable depth through edge transitions, and model 3D form using light and shadow.
5. The Drawing Process: from Start to Finish
(Formerly Bargue Drawing Level 2) Connect the steps and skills you've built into a clear, repeatable drawing process — from block-in to refinement. Practice moving through each drawing stage so you can apply the same method to any subject you draw.
6. Your First Finished Drawing *Coming Soon*
Create your first fully developed, realistic drawing. Bring together everything you’ve learned — from accurate block-ins to refined shading — in a polished artwork you’ll be proud to frame. *Coming Soon - March/April 2026*
What Students are Saying:
“I have been following the Atelier course and find it fantastic. It is incredible how much I have progressed. After oil painting for six years I realize that this is where I should have started! Thank you for your wonderful and insightful lessons.” –Stanley C.
“I was using another online video course, which is good, but I still felt confused and felt like I was still not getting the basics. Some how I found you and started the Atelier. I love that you really start with the very basics that I didn't know - just what I needed. I feel like I finally have a teacher! Thank you!” -Barbara S.
"Your classes (and you) are excellent. Truly. Thank you for making them affordable. I enjoy watching and listening to you. Your voice and articulation and delivery is so clear and crisp, and your descriptions and step by step is thoughtful and thorough, and easy to follow. I learned so much from you and my drawing has improved. Thank you, so much, for your exceptional program. It is so helpful." -Susan S.
“My gratitude to you for designing an easy to understand and intuitive drawing course. I am thoroughly enjoying it.
I have taken up other online courses but have some how given up in between due to frustration, as I was unable to understand some of the concepts. Thank you for such nuanced explanation and mindset audios. They are very helpful.” -Iqra R.
“I used all your suggestions and improved on the first drawing of the eyes that I did a couple of days ago, and it is perfect now, I am so excited and happy about the outcome. Thank you.” -Betty H.
“This course is absolutely brilliant, so grateful for your clear tuition.” -Kate C.
"I have very much appreciated your step by step approach to teaching. This is the first art class I have taken that makes sense to me. Most of the others have been like this: “Here is this still life/portrait sculpture. Copy what you see and I will come around and make suggestions”. -Nancy S.
“This really was a rewarding exercise in terms of how many inconsistencies I spotted in my drawing. Observation not being a strong point, it was so satisfying to find myself able to recognize parts of my drawing that were off (there were many!) On the final drawing I was actually identifying very subtle differences as well as seeing ones I had missed on my previous drawings.” -Jan G.
“Marina, you are such a fine teacher. You know the artistic process well and also know how to break steps down into manageable bits one can become aware of and learn. You are encouraging also!” -Wendy B.
“You are a brilliant teacher and the detail you give is unparalleled. I have not seen any course as good.” -Anne B.
“As always, excellent presentation with tips and clear examples!” -Jeff M.
“I am really enjoying the course. I love the way you break down every aspect of the techniques that are used.” -Anthony P.
“Having bludgeoned my way through several drawing courses before I discovered the Atelier, I implore you Marina, do not ever stop teaching! Your educational work is a quantum leap beyond anything I have found, and is an inspiration to me each time I tune in. Thank you for making your learning and expertise available to so many, including me. You will certainly elevate the quality of art in the world both with your own work and with your teaching.” -Peter B.
What's Included in Your Atelier Membership
The Core Curriculum:
A carefully structured, step-by-step pathway designed to build your realistic drawing skills from the ground up — from control and accuracy to shading, form, and beyond.
Future Courses & Updates:
Your membership gives you access to future updates and new courses added to the Atelier — for as long as you're a member.
Additional Courses (outside of the core curriculum):
Your membership also includes access to other valuable courses outside of the core curriculum. (Some of these will eventually be integrated into the core curriculum):
- Figure Drawing Quickstart — the newest course currently in development, with new lessons added monthly and a place to ask me questions under each lesson
- Realistic Drawing 101 — a flower drawing project in charcoal (title update coming)
- Toned Paper Techniques
- Reference Roadmap — how to choose and edit excellent reference photos
- Paper to Pixel — how to edit photos of your drawings
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Mindset Minutes — short, encouraging mindset lessons, also integrated throughout the core curriculum
Learn the 7 essential first steps of every strong figure drawing, and how to adapt these steps to suit any pose.
An overview of the drawing process, where you draw the flower above with me, step by step, in charcoal.
Learn to use white pencils on black paper to create dramatic drawings. This course is still in progress - more toned paper techniques will be added over time.
How to Choose and Edit Excellent Reference Photos for Drawing - because not all photos make good references for drawing!
How to edit your drawings so they look as accurate and professional onscreen as they do in person - using Adobe Photoshop or a free online photo editor.
Develop a productive mindset while learning how to draw: because our mindset is often the biggest challenge when learning a new skill!
Features of the Atelier:
- Easy-to-follow, step-by-step video lessons progressing from beginner to advanced
- A clear curriculum streamlines the learning process (or, pick and choose your lessons)
- Detailed drawing demonstrations clarify the drawing process and techniques
- Animations simplify complex drawing concepts
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Encouraging 'Mindset Minutes' segments help develop a productive mindset for efficient learning
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Work through the courses at your own pace
Who this program is for:
This membership is for you if ...
- You're a beginner looking to start drawing (even if you're a little nervous!)
- You sometimes think, "I can't draw," or "I have no artistic talent" — but still want to learn!
- Or, you have some drawing experience, but want to fill in gaps in your foundational skills and knowledge
- You've tried other drawing courses but felt that they moved too fast or skipped steps
- You want to learn realistic (representational) drawing specifically
- You enjoy my teaching and/or drawing style
- You’re craving clear, structured guidance — not random tutorials
- You’ll happily put in consistent practice time — if someone would just show you exactly what and how to practice
The Atelier may not be the right fit if ...
- You're looking for quick hacks or shortcuts
- You're not interested in representational drawing
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You're not ready or able to commit to regular practice
Who You'll Learn From
Hi there! I'm Marina - a professional visual artist, arts educator, former tenure-track college professor of art, and founder of The Drawing Source.
In my creative practice these days, I create 'drawing installations': large-scale drawings that transform a space, such as the one below. (Yes, entirely hand-drawn using charcoal on white paper!)
Below: finishing a drawing of Charon, Pluto's largest moon (timelapse video)
About Marina
Marina Fridman (BFA, MFA) is a visual artist, arts educator, and author (or Drawing Source'ress!) of The Drawing Source.
As an educator of visual arts, Marina held a Tenure-Track Instructor position at Northwestern Polytechnic in Alberta, Canada before leaving to focus on developing The Drawing Source. She enjoys distilling complex drawing concepts into steps that are easy to understand and put into practice, and considers herself successful when her students increase both their skills and their enjoyment of the drawing process.
Marina holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Sculpture and Dimensional Studies from Alfred University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
She is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, an Edmonton Arts Council Grant in 2021, a Canada Council for the Arts Grant in 2020, the Manifest ONE Prize in 2019, and an Honorable Mention in the International Sculpture Center’s Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award in 2018.
She has been awarded residencies at MacDowell, the I-Park Foundation, the Vermont Studio Center, the League Residency at Vyt, the Creative Practices Institute, the Manifest Gallery, the Boreal Electroacoustic Music Society (BEAMS) Residency in Estonia, and the invitational ArtBnB Jerusalem Residency.
Marina’s work has been published by Hi-Fructose Magazine (online), Booooooom, Art in America, ACS Magazine, Drawing Discourse, the Manifest International Drawing Annual, Foundations of Drawing (Random House), North Light Books' Art Journey, and Strokes of Genius, to name a few. Her works have been exhibited and collected in the US, Canada, and Israel.
Marina's work has been featured in:
Why learn from me?
I certainly had to learn how to draw, and I've been where you are in your drawing journey!
Below are examples of my own drawing progress.
Examples of my own drawing progress while I was learning.
I've been where you are in your drawing journey!
My Students' Drawings
By Faith S.
(Detail of charcoal drawing)
By Matthew S.
(Detail of charcoal drawing)
By Brittany C.
(Detail of charcoal drawing)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this only for beginners?
Currently, the program is best for beginners, intermediate students who want to fill in some gaps in their drawing knowledge or skills, and students who are interested in the specific courses included in the Atelier.
The lessons are progressive, gradually becoming more advanced, and building on the previous ones.
What is the time commitment?
This is a self-paced program. You're welcome to work through the lessons at your own pace and at your convenience.
Do I have to go through the lessons in the order you recommend?
There is a suggested curriculum that lays out the lessons in the order I would move through them.
However, if you're more experienced and know what you need to learn, you're welcome to work through the lessons in whatever order you choose. You have access to all included courses as soon as you become a member.
What is Bargue drawing?
The Charles Bargue drawing method involves drawing from prints of plaster casts. It's a very methodical exercise that allows students to learn the stages of the drawing process, methods of measurement, to train their eye and perceptual skills, and to control their pencil.
It’s particularly excellent if you're a nervous beginner (or think that you can’t learn to draw!) as it's much less intimidating to draw 'from the flat' (from a copy) than from life when first getting started.
However, because Bargue drawing is a tool for honing one’s eye and shading/rendering abilities, it’s a great exercise for intermediate students as well.
Can I ask questions inside the Membership, or have drawings critiqued?
Currently this is a self-study program. However, when a new course is released, I answer questions under those new lessons for a limited period of time.
You can work with me one-on-one by:
✨ Booking an individual critique here
✨ Joining the Creative Drawing Studio here.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at any time from the account management page. Your membership will auto-renew monthly or annually - depending on what option you choose - until you cancel. You'll need to cancel before the renewal date in order to avoid the next charge.
Can I access the content once I have cancelled?
No, the membership works like a Netflix subscription: you have access to all of the content while you're a member, and course access is revoked upon cancellation.