The latest information on courses available at the Art Room can be found on this page. All courses are held at the address Yliopistonkatu 3, Porthania, 7th floor, unless otherwise indicated.
Please check out our
Registration for spring 2026 courses starts Thu 29 January at 9:00 am.
Language: English & Finnish.
You can attend the student courses only if you have registered as an attending student or postgraduate student for the same term. You need your student number to register.
You can only participate in one student course at a time (either Mon or Tue). You can queue for both, but if you get a place in both, you have to choose which course you attend.
Mondays 2 February – 20 April, 4–7 p. m., for University of Helsinki students and doctoral students (free of charge).
Registration opens on Thu 29 April at 9:00 AM. Registration link coming soon!
During the course, we will explore traditional and experimental methods of observational drawing, from classical plaster cast drawing to croquis. The course can accommodate 20 students and it's equally suitable for beginners and more experienced students. The teacher is the drawing master of the University of Helsinki, Vappu Rossi.
NB! Participation in the first course session on 2 February is mandatory. If you cannot attend the first session, inform the teacher beforehand so you don’t lose your place in the course.
Please note that the guided tours during drawing excursions may be held in Finnish. Drawing exercises and individual teaching are given also in English.
If the course fills up, it’s worth to register for the waiting list. You can register for places in the queue until the last week of the course.
You can attend the student courses only if you have registered as an attending student or postgraduate student for the same term. You need your student number to register.
You can only participate in one student course at a time (either Mon or Tue). You can queue for both, but if you get a place in both, you have to choose which course you attend.
Tuesdays 3 February – 21 April, 4–7 p. m., for University of Helsinki students and doctoral students (free of charge).
Registration opens on Thu, January 29, at 9:00 AM. Registration link coming soon!
The course can accommodate 20 students and it's intended for people with some drawing experience or those who have completed the first course. The teacher is the drawing master of the University of Helsinki, Vappu Rossi.
NB! Participation in the first course session on 3 February is mandatory. If you cannot attend the first session, inform the teacher beforehand so you don’t lose your place in the course.
Please note that the guided tours during drawing excursions may be held in Finnish. Drawing exercises and individual teaching are given also in English.
If the course fills up, it’s worth to register for the waiting list. You can register for places in the queue until the last week of the course.
Art Room Classics
Language: English & Finnish. Guided tours during drawing excursions will be held in Finnish.
The open intensive courses include studio work, expert lectures, and inspiring visits to different university locations from a drawing perspective. The course is taught by Vappu Rossi, Drawing Master at the University of Helsinki.
Mon–Wed 2–4 March 2026, 10:00–15:00
Price: €52 / €26
REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON. REGISTRATION OPENS THU 29 JAN AT 9:00 AM
In the Spring 2026 Classics course, we explore drawing the human body through a range of thematic and artistic viewpoints. We will study the skeleton and the muscles most relevant for drawing, guided by Suvi Viranta, University Lecturer in Anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine. We will draw sculptures and a live model in the Art Room studio and take a drawing excursion to the vestibule of the University’s Main Building, where we will explore the plaster cast collection with Suvi Viranta and art historian Ville Hakanen as guest experts. During the tour, we will discuss human anatomy, ideals of antiquity, and the stories behind the plaster casts.
Please note that the guided tours and expert lectures will be held in Finnish. Drawing exercises and individual teaching are given also in English.
The course is suitable for both beginners and more advanced drawers. Price: €52 / €26(* The fee includes teaching, excursions, and drawing materials and paper for studio work. For the drawing excursion, participants should bring their own drawing tools and sketchbook.
Participants will receive an email with further instructions before the course begins. Please make sure your email address is entered correctly on the registration form. Registration is binding and the course fee is non-refundable.
The course has space for 20 participants.
*) Please note: The discounted price applies only to students and doctoral candidates of the University of Helsinki.
We are testing a new registration system. Your place is reserved as soon as you open the registration link, and you have 20 minutes to complete your registration. The course fee is not paid at the time of registration. You will receive a payment link later via email to the university’s online store. Please ensure your email address is correct—without a valid address we cannot register your participation or send the payment link.
Registration opens on Thursday 29 January at 9:00 AM.
Language: English & Finnish. Open to everyone.
Wednesdays 25 February – 22 April at 5–7:30 p.m.
The price for one night 16€ / 10€. The teacher is the drawing master of the University of Helsinki, Vappu Rossi.
Registration begins on Thursday 29 January 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
The open Drawing Nights at the Art Room welcome both beginners and more experienced artists. Each evening course can accommodate 20 participants. No previous experience in life drawing is necessary. Life drawing and croquis evenings will be held on alternating weeks. Places for the Drawing Nights are sold individually.
The price for one night is 16€ / 10€. The reduced price is for students, pensioners, unemployed, members of the Helsinki Alumni community, individuals doing their military or non-military service, and professional artists. Registration is binding.
Croquis is a full-body sketch of a model drawn in a short amount of time. The Croquis Nights at the Art Room provide a comprehensive overview of the different aspects of croquis drawing. Croquis, like all forms of life drawing, becomes even more rewarding with practice! For the croquis evenings, you need your own drawing pad or sketchbook, preferably size A4–A3, and your own drawing tools.
Life drawing at the Art Room focuses on classical drawing of a live model. The model does not change positions as in a croquis session. Instead, we will be drawing one pose over several 20-minute periods. The basics of charcoal drawing technics and observational drawing will be covered during the life drawing evenings. Life drawing is a fascinating, suitably challenging way for artists of all skill levels to practice their hand-eye coordination! In the Life Drawing Nights, a large sheet of paper will be provided. You can borrow drawing supplies from the Art Room or bring your own.
NOTE: On 25 March and 1 April, we have the same full body tattooed model and the same pose. If you book a place for both, you can continue the same drawing for two nights, if you wish. You can also participate in either of the evenings individually.
Note! Last-minute cancellation places can be inquired from the drawing master at
Course dates, content, and registration:
The reduced price is for students, pensioners, unemployed, members of the Helsinki Alumni community, individuals doing their military or non-military service, and professional artists. Registration is binding. The fee is non-refundable.
We are testing a new registration system. Your spot is reserved as soon as you open the registration link, and you have 20 minutes to complete your registration. The course fee is not paid at the time of registration. You will later receive a payment link via email to the university's online store, where you can complete the payment. Please make sure that your email address is entered correctly in the form! Without a valid email address, we cannot record your registration or send the payment link.
Registration opens on Thu 29 January at 9:00 AM.
25.2.2026 Croquis
11.3.2026 Life drawing
18.3.2026 Croquis
25.3.2026 Life drawing (model with full body tattoo, the same model and pose as 1.4.)
1.4.2026 Life drawing (model with full body tattoo, the same model and pose as 25.3.)
8.4.2026 Croquis
15.4.2026 Life drawing
22.4.2026 Croquis
Drawing Excursion: Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden
Sat 21 March 2026, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
During our tour in the greenhouses of Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden, we will focus especially on Mediterranean plants and the myths connected to them. Guest expert: Dr Marke Ahonen, University Lecturer in Greek Language and Literature. Instructor: visual artist Vappu Rossi, Drawing Master at the University of Helsinki. Open to all.
The excursion is limited to 12 participants. Participation fee: €32 / €20.
Together with the expert, we will tour the greenhouses for about two hours, but you may also stay behind at any point to sketch and draw. The course ends at 17:00, but the greenhouses remain open until 18:00, so you may continue drawing until closing time if you wish.
Please note that the tour will be held in Finnish. Drawing exercises and individual teaching are given also in English.
Registration is binding, and the fee is non-refundable. The reduced student fee applies only to degree and postgraduate students of the University of Helsinki.
Registration opens on Thu 29 January at 9:00.
We are testing a new registration system. A place is reserved for you as soon as you click the registration link, and you will then have 20 minutes to complete your registration. The course fee is not paid at the time of registration. Later you will receive a payment link by email to the University’s online shop, where you can pay the fee. Please make sure your email address is entered correctly in the form! Without a valid email address we cannot confirm your registration or send you the payment link.