CHICAGO
ART
GROUP

Upcoming Events

Landscape Sketches

Landscape Sketches

Sunday 07 June
Chicago, IL - 12pm - 2.0 Hours
Geanina Zaharia
Landscape Sketches for beginners. Participants bring their own materials.
book now
$49.0      
Step by Step Portrait Drawing

Step by Step Portrait Drawing

Sunday 28 June
Andersonville area - 12:30pm - 2 Hours
Geanina Zaharia
Step by Step Portrait Drawing for beginners. Participants bring their own materials.
book now
$49.0      
Color Theory Class

Color Theory Class

Sunday 05 July
Andersonville area - 12:30pm - 2 Hours
Geanina Zaharia
Color Theory Class for beginners. Participants bring their own materials.
book now
$49      

Portrait Collage

Portrait Collage

Saturday 25 July
Evanston area - 1pm - 2.0 Hours
Geanina Zaharia
Participants will create a simple portrait and then they will apply different pieces of paper to cover the shapes and create a nice collage!
book now
$49      

Other Nearby Groups

Introduction to Urban Sketching

Introduction to Urban Sketching

Saturday 13 June
Deerfield, IL - 10am - 2 Hours
Chicago Watercolor Group
Kris Van Stockum
Step into the world of Urban Sketching! In this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll learn simple sketching techniques using pen and watercolor or colored pencils to draw the world around you. We'll turn everyday scenes into lively, expressive compositions. The class will be held outdoors. Participants bring their own supplies.
book now
$49       1 places left
Portraiture with Natural Light Photography Meetup

Portraiture with Natural Light Photography Meetup

Saturday 27 June
N. Cannon Dr., Chicago - 12:30pm - 2 Hours
Chicago Photography Group
Caitlin KellyThompson
This class is your time to learn and gain a proper understanding of Composition and the importance of light to help boost your photography skills.

We, as a class, will be photographing a model without any on-camera flash or strobe photography. Just the available light, we will walk through, troubleshoot, make adjustments and capture a portrait successfully.

We will also learn how to use light modifiers like a reflector to help capture appropriately exposed shots in not-so-great lighting
book now
$49      
Editing Photos Class

Editing Photos Class

Saturday 25 July
N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago - 12:30pm - 3 Hours
Chicago Photography Group
Caitlin KellyThompson
Learn how to edit you photos in Lightroom. I'll go step but step and show examples of how I edit.
book now
$98       5 places left

Introduction to Urban Sketching

Introduction to Urban Sketching

Thursday 30 July
Deerfield, IL - 6pm - 2 Hours
Chicago Watercolor Group
Kris Van Stockum
Step into the world of Urban Sketching! In this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll learn simple sketching techniques using pen and watercolor or colored pencils to draw the world around you. We'll turn everyday scenes into lively, expressive compositions. The class will be held outdoors. Participants bring their own supplies.
book now
$49      
Watercolor Abstract Landscapes

Watercolor Abstract Landscapes

Saturday 08 August
Deerfield, IL - 10am - 2 Hours
Chicago Watercolor Group
Kris Van Stockum
Capture the beauty of a landscape in this relaxing watercolor meetup. We'll break down outdoor scenes into abstract shapes and infuse with unexpected color. Beginners welcome. Participants bring their own supplies. This class will be held outdoors.
book now
$49      
Introduction to Urban Sketching

Introduction to Urban Sketching

Saturday 15 August
Deerfield, IL - 10am - 2 Hours
Chicago Watercolor Group
Kris Van Stockum
Step into the world of Urban Sketching! In this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll learn simple sketching techniques using pen and watercolor or colored pencils to draw the world around you. We'll turn everyday scenes into lively, expressive compositions. The class will be held outdoors. Participants bring their own supplies.
book now
$49      

Composition in Photography

Composition in Photography

Saturday 22 August
China Town, Chicago IL - 11:30am - 2 Hours
Chicago Photography Group
Caitlin KellyThompson
Composition in Photography is how a photographer arranges visual elements within the frame.

In this course, we will discuss five, seven, and even ten, rules that will enhance your photography.

1) Rule of thirds
2) Shapes
3) Negative Space- Positive
4) Line
5) Symmetry and patterns
6) Points
7) Color
8) Tone
9) Distance
10) Balance

As a photographer, beginner, intermediate, or professional. Please join me so we can with together to improve your ability to see the scene you wish to photograph.
book now
$49.00      
Beginner's Photography Class

Beginner's Photography Class

Saturday 19 September
N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago - 10:30am - 3.0 Hours
Chicago Photography Group
Caitlin KellyThompson
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance! Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure.We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer.
book now
$98.00      
Using Light & Shadow in Photography

Using Light & Shadow in Photography

Saturday 17 October
Montrose Beach - 12pm - 2 Hours
Chicago Photography Group
Caitlin KellyThompson
Light and shadow photography is a type of photography that focuses on capturing the interplay between light and shadow in a particular scene. This style of photography often produces dramatic and compelling images that can evoke strong emotions in the viewer.

Harsh light and the contrast between light and shadow can provide some interesting photo
opportunities, as well as some challenges!

In this meetup, we will be looking at how you can use your camera's settings to nail the exposure.
book now
$49.00      

ABOUT CHICAGO
ART
GROUP
Come along to our meetups to improve your art in a relaxed and social atmosphere, and under the guidance of a professional instructor. Complete beginners to experienced artists all welcome.

Our 2 hour meetups are held in a different location each time, usually outdoors.

Bring your own materials which can be anything from pencils or pastels, to watercolour or oils.

If you are a complete beginner all you need to start are a couple of good drawing pencils, a rubber, and a drawing pad.

Who can attend? Open to all skill levels, from beginners to experienced artists. The instructor is there to help everyone.

The meeting point and full details for the day are sent in the booking confirmation email to the email address you provide at time of booking.

Join the Facebook Group here to share your art and enjoy the art of other locals.

You can also subscribe here to receive notifications of upcoming events.

Our meetups and classes are limited to a max of 12 people
REVIEWS
Geanina holds an informative, fun, and engaging class! I learned so much in two hours and am looking forward to another class.
5/5
Rosie
2026-03-22
Great time/lesson/hosts! The lesson started off with a great history lesson on the founder of the pencil, types of shading, ways of holding pencils, etc. The hosts created a fun and safe space to practice and improve!
5/5
Rios
2026-03-22
Geanina is an incredible talent and a great teacher. She had a very well thought out lesson plan that gave us a solid foundation to start learning the basics. I look forward to taking another class from her.
5/5
Casey
2026-03-09

Geanina was a great instructor! She was very thorough in explaining the concepts of portrait drawing and use of materials. She made the experience very comfortable and relaxed even for a beginner! I hope to take another course with her soon!
5/5
SHERRY
2026-02-15
I took a figure drawing class with Geanina and had a wonderful experience. She thoughtfully wove in art history, shared lovely handouts and small gifts, and was clearly well organized and prepared. Her own artwork is outstanding?highly realistic and inspiring to see up close. Geanina is both observant and patient, offering truly helpful visual demonstrations and individualized guidance, even within the tight space of a coffee shop. She has a calm, attentive teaching style that makes learning feel approachable and encouraging. I left the class feeling supported and motivated, and I?m very much looking forward to taking future classes with her.
5/5
Julie
2026-01-11
Because I was late and frustrated by the drive, I was not particularly focused. Nevertheless it was a good class with clear assignments. It was obvious that careful thought had gone into the lessons.
5/5
Susan
2025-10-05

It was really great! Everyone was very kind and the teacher did a great job of teaching us a technique.
5/5
Connor
2025-09-07
The instructor seemed very skilled and knowledgeable about drawing. Her instructions and comments seemed focused on improving my skills and not just saying whatever I did was good. I would take more sessions.
5/5
Dave
2025-08-12
The level of instruction was perfect for me, I wanted to learn the very basics to add figures to my painting. Geanina was very good at delivery and meeting everyone where they were.
5/5
Kathleen
2025-06-26

In this class we learned the structure and measurements of a face. Geanina is an excellent artist and a generous teacher.
5/5
Natalia
2025-06-23
Fabulous talented teacher. Need a different topic with more attainable two hour goals. The class contact was moderately helpful.
4/5
Natalie
2025-06-23
Geanina is a wonderfully talented artist with a passion for teaching and sharing art. The class was very insightful, fun, inspiring and thought-provoking! I look forward to attending more classes as I grow through my artistry and hope to see you there too!
5/5
Gigi
2025-06-05

ARTISTS
Geanina Zaharia
I'm a Romanian artist who loves creation, imagination, colors, peace, and beauty in art. I have studied different techniques of arts throughout years such as illustrations, portraits, art compositions, traditional techniques (pencil, ink, painting), digital techniques (2D illustration, graphic design), and also 3d modeling and animation in Autodesk Maya for my art degree. Now I'm trying to find my own path and create something beautiful using all information I learned these years!
My focus is at the moment to graphite pencil portrait drawings and realism, this is what I did in the last two years and still working in this area.

Geanina Zaharia is available for private bookings

PHOTOS
Chicago Art Group
2023-10-09
Chicago Art Group
2026-05-27
Title or Location: Release Piece
I grew up on Washington Island in Wisconsin. Washington Island has a beach called schoolhouse beach that has tumble limestone rocks. It?s known all over the world because there are very few like it. I took a picture while I was up there a couple years ago because I wanted to sit and paint the rocks when I got home as a reminder of my hometown cause I don?t get there nearly often enough. But I honestly had no idea what I was gonna do with them. I got to a black gray and white section and was very
Credit: Colleen - full name is Colleen Koziara, but I only sign first name
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FriAiQMES/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleenkoziara?igsh=bm5jMDNqcTQxdHZl&utm_source=qr

Chicago Art Group
2026-05-11
Title or Location: Egyptian Goose family
This watercolor is of an Egyptian Goose and her gosslings. They are among the Duckweed in a South Florida pond. Done in my sketchbook, about 9"x12". These geese are quite common, yet appear so unique compared to the usual Canadian Geese.
Credit: Pamela Breitberg
Lisburn Art Group
2026-04-28
Chicago Art Group
2026-04-03
Title or Location: Just Lion Around
I paint in several mediums. This was my attempt to paint in a looser style. I am a self-taught artist, retired teacher, and musician.
Credit: Mary B Barrios
Facebook: MBB Art
Instagram: Marbearart

Belfast Art Group
2026-03-30
Chicago Art Group
2026-03-22
Title or Location: The Catch
I was working for a dealership and word got around that I could paint so a mechanic asked if I could paint his buddy and I did. I was painting a lot of portraits at the time to supplement my income for my family.
Credit: Alicia Lee Wade
Brisbane Art Group
2026-03-23

Chicago Art Group
2026-03-19
Title or Location: William at 16 months
My first attempt at a portrait of our grandson. Took me over five weeks of diligence to capture the real him. A portrait full of love. 11"?14" acrylic
Credit: Pamela Breitberg
Buffalo Art Group
2026-03-16
Chicago Art Group
2026-03-11
Title or Location: Autumn at the Farm
Inspire by photos of barns capture in Baron County, Wisconsin, I was reminded of autumn- my favorite season. The painting capturing the gentle, warm hues of fall was crafted using soft pastels on 400 grit paper, measuring 20x26 inches, Photo credit: Marie Rajkovacs.
Credit: Myriam Villalta-Elijah
Facebook: M Villalta Art
Instagram: Mvillalta_art

Buffalo Art Group
2026-03-02
Aberdeen Art Group
2026-06-02
Title or Location: Balnagask golf course
I loved this photograph from John Strachan photography and finally got around to painting it in acrylic. I tried to be quite loose with the painting as there was so much detail. in the end I thought the sky looked a bit bare so with the help of Chat GPT I added seagulls to the photo and was then able to paint them into my art work. This painting will be heading for the Aberdeen art show the end of August for sale.
Credit: [email protected]
Buffalo Art Group
2026-03-02

Plymouth Art Group
2026-06-02
Title or Location: Colin
I am Tracey, a self-taught artist from Plymouth, UK, I have been developing my coloured pencil techniques for the past year . My aim is always to capture not only the likeness of an animal but also the personality and spirit that make them so special to the people who love them.In this piece, Colin is shown resting amongst a vibrant meadow of wildflowers, his striking green eyes drawing the viewer in. The detailed fur work, delicate whiskers, and colourful floral surroundings were all carefull
Credit: Tracey Weaving
Facebook: Traceyweaving
Instagram: Traceyweavingart
Belfast Art Group
2026-02-15
Columbus Art Group
2026-06-02
Title or Location: Untitled
This is a part of a commission. I wanted to convey the idea of twin flame souls and the power of touch between partners.
Credit: Sonny Neno
Facebook: Sonny Neno
Instagram: Sonny neno

Adelaide Art Group
2026-02-15
Baltimore Art Group
2026-06-02
Title or Location: n/a
This is a pencil drawing of Buffalo Bill Cody. I used mostly 3b, HB, F, 6h, and 9h Faber-Castell pencils and it took approximately 26 hrs..... 13.5"x 10.5"
Credit: Dave Zellers
Instagram: penciltography8
Sarasota Art Group
2026-02-09

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