Open Art Sessions Near Croton Falls, NY

Figure Drawing, Painting, Portraiture & Studio Time

Fallsview Arts offers a variety of open sessions for artists who want time and space to create. Draw or paint from professional live models, develop independent projects, or explore new materials in a welcoming studio environment. Some sessions are completely uninstructed, while others offer light guidance.

Whether you’re looking for focused practice or a more casual creative experience, there’s a place for you here.

Draw & Paint from Life

Work directly from professional models in uninstructed sessions designed for independent artistic practice. Choose quick gestures, extended poses, portrait studies or costumed figure drawing.

Open Life Painting: Long Pose

One undraped model holds a single pose for four consecutive Tuesday afternoons, under the same light each week. With four sittings on one pose, you can carry a figure painting from first lay-in to a finished canvas.

Tuesdays, 1–4 pm · each pose runs 4 weeks · first pose begins Jan. 5, 2027

Open Life Figure Drawing

Draw from a professional undraped model, starting with quick gesture poses and building to longer holds in each sitting. Choose Wednesday mornings or Wednesday evenings and work in whatever drawing medium you prefer.

Wednesdays, 10 am–1 pm or 6:30–9 pm · 7-week sessions

Woman_Painting_portrait

Open Portrait Pose

A portrait sitter holds one head-and-shoulders pose across several Friday sessions. Paint or draw at your own pace, and use the extra weeks for likeness, skin tones and a portrait you can actually finish.

Fridays, 12–3 pm · each pose runs 3–4 weeks · next pose: Jan. 8, 15 & 22, 2027

Open Drawing: Model in Costume

About once a month on a Sunday, a professional model arrives in full costume built around a single theme. After a few warm-ups, most of the three hours goes to long poses, so you can follow cloth, props and the figure underneath toward a finished drawing.

Sundays, about once a month · 3 hours · clothed model, drawing only · each session booked individually

Studio Time & Creative Exploration

Not every visit needs a model. Use the studio for your own projects, or spend an evening trying a new medium.

Open Studio Hours

Reserve quiet, self-guided studio time for your own work, from a painting series to sketchbook studies or a class project you want to finish. Easels, tables and studio lighting are provided; bring your own supplies.

By reservation · pay by the hour or with a multi-session pass

Drop-In Studio Art

A relaxed way to try a medium before committing to a class. Choose from a menu of materials, such as pastels, ink, paint or sculpting clay, and work with light guidance and feedback.

Evenings · materials included, priced by medium · spots are limited

Looking for More Guidance?

Explore Figure Drawing & Anatomy with Alexia Papavasilakis.

Weekly Thursday Class · 10 AM–1 PM

4-Week Long Pose · 1:15–4:15 PM

Before You Visit

Registration, materials, session formats, studio amenities and location.

Registration

Every open session is booked in advance, and space around the model is limited, so registration holds your place. Register through each session’s page, where you’ll find pricing and payment options, including cash, check, Zelle and Venmo. Upcoming Sunday themes and dates are on the calendar.

Materials

Bring your own paper, canvas and materials to live-model sessions and Open Studio Hours. Drop-In Studio Art includes curated materials for the medium you choose.

Session Formats

Live-model sessions are uninstructed: a monitor sets the poses and keeps time while you follow your own goals. Registration covers the full run of a session: the 7-week figure drawing session, the whole 4-week painting pose or the 3–4 week portrait pose. Sunday costumed sessions are booked one at a time.

Studio Amenities

Easels, stools, tables and professional lighting on the model are provided. All levels are welcome, and artists under 18 need a consent form signed by a parent or caregiver.

Location

Fallsview Arts is in a restored historic printing-press building on the East Branch, less than a mile from Croton Falls on the Westchester–Putnam border. Artists come from North Salem, Somers, Carmel and Mahopac, with plenty of parking and an easy walk from the Croton Falls Metro-North station.

Explore More at Fallsview Arts

  • Hand Painting a tree in oil

    Painting Classes

    Painting & Drawing classes for all levels in Westchester & Putnam County. Personalized instruction, multiple mediums, and a calm, inspiring studio at Fallsview Arts.

  • Hands sculpting clay

    Drawing Classes

    Instructed drawing for every level, from first lines to figure drawing and anatomy.

  • Interior of Fallsview Arts Gallery

    Art Workshops

    Focused workshops with visiting and resident artists, from portrait painting to portrait sculpture.