The Best 12 YouTube Channels for Learning to Draw and Paint

Starting your art career or coming back to it after some time away can be overwhelming. With there being so many online tutorials and advice being handed out left and right, choosing who to listen to isn't always easy. That's why YouTube is such a top destination these days for new and seasoned artists alike. It's free, easy, and full of talented artists who actually know what they're doing. But the question is: which ones are even worth the time?

To save you hours of second-guessing and scrolling, we've put together a list of 12 YouTube channels that actually educate. Each offers its own brand of teaching, whether you like watercolor, digital painting, realistic pencil sketching, or loose and gestural styles. No fluff—just real teaching from people who love art and know how to present it.

How do these channels help you?

These channels are so much more than just showing you pretty pictures. They walk you through step by step the real techniques, tips, and principles of art that you can apply to your own art. Whether you're using a paintbrush, stylus, or pencil, you'll learn how to tighten up your lines, get a handle on color, nail shading, and build confidence in the process.

Some artists break down daunting topics into digestible, bite-sized lessons that even complete beginners can follow along with. Others paint live and walk you through their process step-by-step, so you can observe and learn. Most also talk about mindset, showing that being an artist isn't entirely about skill, it's about patience, persistence, and letting go of perfectionism, as well.

No matter what your skill level is, there's something useful for you in each of these channels. Not only do they help you learn to draw or paint, but also they make you fall in love with the process.

1. Paint Coach

What makes this channel unique is that it emphasizes confidence and consistency. Whether painting portraits, landscapes, or pet portraits, Chris does the whole process, including identifying pitfalls and how to sidestep them. He does not hesitate to discuss the psychological aspect of painting either perfectionism, indecision, and self-doubt are subjects he covers clearly and humorously.

Videos like "Don't Skip This" and "Loose Portrait Tutorial" are perfect for the intermediate painter wanting to raise their game, and short tips like "10 Tools That Made Me Better at Oil Painting" are packed with immediate takeaways. Paint Coach is more than technique, though it's a reminder that becoming a better artist is a process, and you don't have to go it alone.

2. James Julier Art Tutorials

 3. Liron Yanconsky

It feels like sitting at a table with a friend who's rather fixated on light, color, and imagination. He’ll often open a video talking about his personal challenges with a technique, and you’re taken along for the ride as he works through them, openly sharing the lessons he’s learning.

Take, for instance, videos like “This Watercolor Technique is a Total Game Changer” or “Painting ISN’T About Accuracy”. These title are saying it all: he's not here to instruct you to go stiff rules yourself, he's here to instruct you on how to think like an artist.

Liron often goes deep into things that people avoid, like the fear of making terrible art or drowning in the sea of tutorials. Instead of showing you pretty results, he guides you through the dirty steps that lead to them.

Whether he's painting a dramatic sky, experimenting with unexpected color combinations, or discussing AI art's impact on creativity, his content is thoughtful without being intimidating. You’ll find structure in his lessons, but never pressure. He encourages viewers to relax, to enjoy watercolor without the anxiety of “getting it right.”

Three things I like about this channel:

• He explains watercolor techniques while being honest about his own mistakes and learning process.
• Calm teaching tone.
• Videos inspire me to paint without fear of messing up.

No matter what you work with, graphite, charcoal, color pencils, or watercolor, you'll have in-depth instruction per medium. I like most that there's the combination of easy-to-follow videos and more complex approaches, so you're constantly being challenged without being overwhelmed. The tutorials are professional yet still friendly, and it is simpler to maintain concentration and learn well because of the teacher's soothing tone.

How does this channel help you?

It helps by simplifying intricate ideas into manageable chunks that are easier to apply to your own work. You do not merely copy what you see, you know what you are doing. This builds confidence, skill, and imagination in the long run. If you want to paint realistically or paint expressively, this channel supports both paths.

5. Emma Jane Lefebvre (EmJ Watercolour Studio)

Emma Jane Lefebvre brings a breathe of fresh air to watercolor painting. Her EmJ Watercolour Studio channel is perfect for hobbyists and beginners who want to paint stress-free. She is an expert at loose, loose painting techniques and never shies away from making mistakes. Emma's calming teaching personality and slow-motion demos make it all look so doable whether it's flower or landscape painting or color exploration. Her warm personality and live tutorials leave you relaxed and at ease when painting with watercolor. If you want watercolor to be friendly, free, and fun, then Emma's channel is the perfect place to start with.

6. Painting with Jane

If you've ever found yourself saying, "I can't paint," then Jane is here to gently shoot that myth down. Painting with Jane isn't a YouTube video destination—it's more like sitting in a peaceful, quiet room where your imagination is developed on your own schedule. She doesn't rush, she doesn't judge, and she doesn't make you feel like you have to be a "natural-born painter" just to create something beautiful.

Her lessons are easy to follow and well-timed, typically employing acrylic landscapes and fictional environments that start out simple for a beginner but are not childish. Her videos are titled "How to Paint a Misty Forest" or "Easy Galaxy Sky Painting," and they welcome viewers into gentle exercises that are soothing and pleasing to the eye. What is wonderful is how much she encourages process over perfection—something a lot of new artists so desperately need to hear.

Jane also speaks freely about mental illness and emotional healing in terms of art. In fact, the majority of her fans say her videos are half healing and half art. It's not uncommon for her to speak about art as a form of self-care, so brief are her tutorials, they come close to therapeutic mindfulness moments.

One of the best things about her channel is how easy it is to work along.

7. Circle Line Art School

If you've ever stood in front of a blank piece of paper and wondered how illustrators do it and make amazing perspective drawings using simple lines, then this channel will be an eye-opener. Created by Tom McPherson, this channel is a quiet behemoth for anyone wishing to discover perspective, depth, and the physics of drawing realistic environments.

The most appealing aspect of this channel is how clean it is. The videos are serene, well-paced, and visually appealing, and even the most intricate architectural renderings aren't cluttered. You're not hit with extraneous chatter or distractions, just neat, step-by-step presentations and a soft voiceover that's strangely soothing.

You do not have to spend a fortune on materials or take decades to hone your craft to keep up. Everything you need is a pencil, paper, and enthusiasm.

Important things about this channel:

• Focus on perspective drawing: Master 1-point, 2-point, and even 3-point perspective with clear, visual guidance.
• No talking heads, no fluff: Just drawings, narration, and results—perfect for visual learners.
• Beginner-friendly yet advanced in concepts: You’ll start with simple buildings, then grow into full cityscapes.
• Ideal for sketchbook practice: Most tutorials only require pencil, ruler, and paper.
• Great for teachers and students: The style is classroom-friendly and perfect for art assignments.

8. Love Life Drawing

Also, the Love Life Drawing YouTube channel provides helpful content for aspiring and self-taught artists, from mastering basic figure drawing to adopting professional techniques, such as gesture, proportions, and structure. One more great advantage of this channel is that you get motivation and practical advice to build drawing habits and stay consistent. It is ideal for someone who wants to improve steadily without formal art education. While the focus is on figure drawing, there are also tips on overcoming creative blocks, developing routines, and using references effectively.

Yes, you’ll have to practice regularly, as progress comes with time, and you must be open to constructive feedback. Also, videos on this channel are set up just like personal coaching sessions, and some include real-time demonstrations with commentary.

9. Florent Farges - Arts

Florent Farges is low-key intense in his art lessons, focusing on classical realism and extreme respect for the tradition. His channel at times can be an oil painting class, technically as well as mentally. Instead of cutting to the results, Florent spends time going through how artists think, look, and make decisions. His videos have a peaceful, contemplative pace, ideal for people who value substance and understanding over accessibility. He usually talks about art history, aesthetics, and visual storytelling design drawing from his education and experience. His work is not flashy, but rich with content, ideal for intermediate and advanced artists looking to improve their craft.

The significant features of this channel:

• In today’s rapidly shifting art world, understanding classical methods can help build a reliable foundation.
• The benefits of long-form, structured lessons and thoughtfully delivered critiques can be your gateway to being more technically confident.
• This guide explores the mindset and habits of artists who pursue realism with discipline.
• It outlines clear methods when building form, such as tonal control and edge refinement.

10. Kirsty Partridge Art

Being a self-taught artist with a clear style and gentle approach, Kirsty Partridge brings a calm precision to every piece she creates. One can notice how she balances technical instruction with an easygoing atmosphere that doesn’t overwhelm the viewer.

For anyone drawn to colored pencils, graphite, or markers, her tutorials offer a steady path into more refined techniques. What I like about her videos is that they focus on realism and detail, though you never feel rushed or pressured to achieve perfection.

For those looking to develop careful control and lifelike drawing results, this isn’t a rushed, fast-paced art channel, but more of a carefully guided learning space. Her videos include techniques such as blending skin tones, drawing realistic hair, or more advanced shading transitions.

However, I did notice a stronger focus on portrait work compared to broader subjects. For instance, many tutorials revolve around eyes, lips, and facial features.

Whether you’re interested in portrait drawing, improving shading, or learning about pencil layering, Kirsty Partridge Art provides a consistent and reliable learning experience.

11. Art with Flo

Art with Flo offers a set of digital painting tutorials tailored for artists who enjoy working on tablets. The channel provides instruction mainly focused on Procreate, which is a powerful drawing app used on iPads. You can follow detailed lessons which include character design, brush creation, and colorful landscapes. This is a learning space without overwhelming detail for beginners or who want structured guidance through clear steps.

Flo’s approach is gentle and informative so that viewers can steadily build their digital skills. The tutorials are well-paced and can be paused and replayed easily. The channel is continuously updated so that it reflects new tools and brushes and adapts so that it is useful for current software versions. This type of channel gives artists practical workflows so they can complete a project without confusion.

The viewer will be able to move from more basic forms to more advanced compositions. The digital medium is explored in depth so that learners can transition from sketch to final render. This is why Art with Flo remains a steady choice for digital art practice.

12. Wow Art

The last channel in my list: Wow Art. It’s a watercolor channel focused heavily on process-based learning through vibrant, simple compositions. Over time, this channel has become a go-to source for learners who want to study watercolor fundamentals through visual repetition and experimentation.

One thing that makes Wow Art unique is its emphasis on visual storytelling without spoken instructions. Rather than walk you through a detailed verbal explanation, the channel provides you with high-speed visuals that emphasize each brushstroke, wash, and layer.

Closing Summary

Starting—or restarting—your artistic practice has never been easier than it is now. You have access to a tremendous number of resources to choose from online. With online YouTube channels, enabling people to tailor their own practice and learning at their own pace, learning how to improve your skills is easier than ever.

Our list of 12 YouTube channels will have you expanding your technique, becoming a confident creator, or even starting a new creative habit. Once you're comfortable with the basics, you'll more readily experiment and be more inclined to be motivated.

We hope this article has been useful to discover the ideal starting point to inspire and keep improving. Be kind to yourself and enjoy the process.

As you go through any of these channels, don't hurry and allow yourself to learn at your own pace. You can also grow as an artist making wise use of these channels.