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 Frequently asked questions befofe sending a new one. Inquiries: liekki@helsinki.fi.
Registration for autumn 2025 courses starts Tue 30 September at 9:00 am.
Drawing Excursion (for students and postgraduate students, free of charge):
University Main Building Plaster Cast Collection
Mon 6 Oct 2025, 16:00–19:00
You can attend the student excursions only if you have registered as an attending student or postgraduate student of the University of Helsinki for the same term. You need your student number to register.
What stories lie behind the plaster sculptures of the Main Building? During this drawing excursion in the vestibule of the Main Building, we will explore the university’s plaster collection with the guidance of an expert. After the tour, we will continue studying the sculptures through drawing.
Art historian, PhD Ville Hakanen as the expert quest. Teacher: Visual artist, University of Helsinki Drawing Master Vappu Rossi.
The tour lasts 1 hour. The course officially ends at 19:00, but the Main Building is open until 20:00, so those who wish may continue drawing until closing time.
Meeting point: the vestibule of the Main Building (old side), lower ground floor, Unioninkatu 34, at 16:00.
Bring your own materials: You will need your own drawing tools (e.g. pencils, pens, coloured pencils, fineliners) and a sketchbook or drawing pad.
Maximum 25 participants.
Registration opens on Tue 30 Sept at 9:00. Registration link coming soon!
Wed 8 October at 16.15-18: Art room – Faces
We will together complete light, fun and interesting drawing exercises, focusing on our own faces and those of others. We will discuss the emotions we can reflect on or convey through self-portraits.
The drawing will be supervised by visual artist Vappu Rossi, the University’s current drawing master. The discussion will be led by the Helsinki University Museum Flame staff. The languages of the session will be Finnish and English in parallel.
We will meet in the Helsinki University Museum Flame’s exhibition centre in the University’s Main Building (Fabianinkatu 33, Helsinki).
Please register in the Lyyti system by 7 October: https://www.lyyti.in/Liekin_lammossa_3253/en
Read more of Basking in the Flame sessions: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/tiedemuseo-liekki/events/basking-flame-afternoon-sessions-students
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 27 October – 8 December, 4–7 p. m., for University of Helsinki students and doctoral students (free of charge).
Registration opens on Tue, September 30, 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 27 October 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 28 October – 9 December, 4–7 p. m., for University of Helsinki students and doctoral students (free of charge).
Registration opens on Tue, September 30, 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 28 October 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 – A gaze at the face
The intensive courses are open to everyone and feature atelier work, expert lectures, and excursions to various venues of the University of Helsinki, fascinating from the artist’s perspective. The teacher is the drawing master of the University of Helsinki, Vappu Rossi.
Intensive course Tuesday–Thursday 21–23 October 2025 at 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Price 52 € / 26 €.(*
Registration begins on Tuesday 30 September 2025 at 9:00 a.m.: Registration link coming soon!
The autumn 2025 course is a requested rerun on the theme of face. The course begins with an overview of facial anatomy, presented by Dr. Suvi Viranta, University Lecturer in Anatomy from the Faculty of Medicine. During excursions, we will explore artworks focusing on faces in the University Main Building, and Topelia, where art historian Dr. Ville Hakanen will introduce us to its plaster cast collection.
In the Art Room Atelier, we will create a large-scale facial study using charcoal and other drawing tools. The starting point can be a self-portrait or one of the sculptures from the Art Room’s plaster collection. A photograph can also serve as a reference.
Please note that the guided tours and expert lectures will be held in Finnish. Drawing exercises and individual teaching are given also in English.
At other times, we work on a large-scale charcoal drawing in the Art Room Atelier.
The Art Room Classics Courses are suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists.
The price 52€ / 26€ (discount price only for students and postgraduate students of the University of Helsinki) includes teaching, excursions, drawing supplies for atelier work and paper. You can bring your own equipment too, if you want. For excursions, you need your own drawing pad or sketchbook, and your own drawing tools.
Before the course, the participants will receive an email with additional instructions. Please check that your email is entered correctly on the registration form. Registration is binding.
The intensive course can accommodate 20 participants.
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.
*) Note: For Art Room Classics, the reduced price is only for students and doctoral students registered as attending students for current term in the University of Helsinki.
Open to everyone. Wednesdays 29 October – 10 December 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 Tuesday 30 September 2025 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: The last Drawing Night of the year 2024, on December 10th will be a "Kaamos" (Polar Darkness) drawing night, where we'll draw in low light, even in near darkness. Please bring your own headlamp if you have one!
Note! Last-minute cancellation places can be inquired from the drawing master at vappu.rossi@helsinki.fi or directly in the Art Room at the start of the drawing night at 5 pm. Upon arrival at the last-minute cancellation place, the course fee will be paid in cash directly at the Art Room.
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 Tue, September 30, at 9:00 AM. Registration links coming soon!
29.10.2025 Croquis
5.11.2025 Life drawing
12.11.2025 Croquis
19.11.2025 Life drawing
26.11.2025 Croquis
3.12.2025 2.4.2025 Life drawing (model with full body tattoo)
10.12.2025 “Kaamos” special: POLAR DARKNESS DRAWING NIGHT! Croquis and movement croquis. As the title suggests, the theme of the night is low light – we will draw in various intriguing lighting conditions, including near darkness. Bring your own headlamp if you have one! The model will be clothed, not the traditional nude model. Our model for the evening will be professional dancer Ingrid André.
Drawing Excursion: The Observatory
The Observatory building, designed by architect C. L. Engel and astronomy professor F. W. A. Argelander, was upon its completion in 1834 the most modern astronomical research institute of its time, a model for other observatories, and the professor’s family home. On the drawing excursion we will explore the Observatory’s museum and the building’s architecture with a guide. The tour will also take us to spaces and towers that are normally closed to visitors. Teacher: visual artist Vappu Rossi, Drawing Master at the University of Helsinki.
Together with the guide, we will tour the Observatory for about two hours, but you may also stay behind at any point to sketch and draw instead of continuing with the tour. The course officially ends at 19:30, but the Observatory remains open until 20:00, so you may continue drawing almost until closing time if you wish.
Meeting point: in front of the Observatory (in case of rain, just inside the main entrance), Kopernikuksentie 1.
Bring your own materials: you will need your own drawing tools (e.g. pencils, markers, coloured pencils, fineliners) as well as a sketchbook or drawing pad.
Maximum 20 participants. Participation fee: €16 / €10.
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 Tue 30 September at 9:00. Registration link coming soon!
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.
Drawing Excursion: Main Building Plaster Cast Collection
Thu 30 Oct 2025, 16:30–19:30
What stories lie behind the plaster sculptures of the Main Building? During this drawing excursion in the vestibule of the Main Building, we will explore the university’s plaster collection with the guidance of an expert. After the tour, we will continue studying the sculptures through drawing.
Expert: Art historian, PhD Ville Hakanen
Teacher: Visual artist, University of Helsinki Drawing Master Vappu Rossi
Together with the expert, we will tour the vestibule for about two hours, but you may also stay behind at any point to sketch and draw. The course officially ends at 19:30, but the Main Building is open until 20:00, so participants may continue drawing until closing time if they wish.
Meeting point: vestibule of the Main Building (old side), top floor, Unioninkatu 34, at 16:30.
Bring your own materials: You will need your own drawing tools (e.g. pencils, pens, coloured pencils, fineliners) and a sketchbook or drawing pad.
Maximum 20 participants. Participation fee: €16 / €10.
Registration is binding and the fee is non-refundable. Discounted price applies only to University of Helsinki students and doctoral students.
Registration opens Tue 30 Sept at 9:00. Registration link coming soon!
We are testing a new registration system. A place is reserved for you as soon as you click the registration link, after which you have 20 minutes to complete your registration. The course fee is not paid at registration. You will later receive a payment link by email to the university’s online store, through which you can pay the course fee. Please make sure you enter your email address correctly! Without a valid email address, we cannot record your registration or send you the payment link.
Drawing Excursion: Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden
Sat 15 November 2025, 13:00–17:00
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.
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 Tue 30 September at 9:00. Registration link coming soon!
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.
Plaster Cast Marathon – Sat 22 November 2025, 10:30–15:30
At this much-requested plaster cast drawing marathon, we will explore the Art Room’s plaster cast collection and create one or more drawings in a traditional or experimental style.
The Art Room’s collection includes around fifty plaster casts, ranging from copies and fragments of ancient, Renaissance, and medieval sculptures to anatomical models. The casts can be drawn in traditional or experimental ways: through long studies, short croquis-style sketches, or even blind drawing. Drawing plaster casts has been part of academic art training for centuries, and it remains an excellent way to practice depicting three-dimensional objects on paper.
Open to all. Maximum 20 participants. Participation fee: €32 / €20. Teacher: Vappu Rossi, Drawing Master at the University of Helsinki. The course is suitable for both beginners and more advanced participants. Paper (litoposter) is included on the price. You can bring your own tools and materials if you wish, but charcoal and other drawing tools can also be borrowed at the Art Room.
Lunch break: 12:00–12:30 PM. You may bring your own food, but please note that there is no refrigerator or microwave available at the Art Room.
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 Tue, September 30, at 9:00 AM. registration link coming soon!
Life Model Marathon – Sat, Nov 29, 10:30 AM–3:30 PM
Do you always think that our Drawing Night ends too soon? Try a five-hour Life Model Marathon!
Open to all. Participation fee: €32 / €20. The teacher is the drawing master of the University of Helsinki, Vappu Rossi.
Life drawing is a fascinating, suitably challenging way for artists of all skill levels to practice their hand-eye coordination! In the Life Drawing Events, a large sheet of paper will be provided, but you can also bring your own materials, if you want. You can borrow drawing tools from the Art Room or bring your own.
Lunch break: 12:00–12:30 PM. You may bring your own food, but please note that there is no refrigerator or microwave available at the Art Room.
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 Tue, September 30, at 9:00 AM. Registration link coming soon!