A Guide to Figure Drawing Sessions in Hungary’s Capital
Budapest has quietly become one of those cities where artists, travelers, backpackers, and long-term wanderers cross paths. Whether during the deep gray winters or the overwhelming summers.
And honestly, no matter where we are in life, we need to keep the practice alive.
Even while traveling.
Even when money is tight.
Even when we are outsiders trying to understand a new city.
So where can a foreigner go to draw figure human in Budapest?
I should mention that my knowledge of the Hungarian art scene is still limited, and after the unfortunate disappearance of the old Painter Palace Studio after the pandemic, the options became smaller. Still, there are a couple of spaces that continue to keep the flame alive.
If you are searching for figure drawing sessions, model drawing workshops, or artistic communities in Budapest, these are the places I currently recommend.
Located near Oktogon Square at: 1067 Csengery utca 62/B What I personally like to call “the underground floor.”
The sessions are run by Daniel Ferko and currently happen twice a week:
- Tuesdays from 7 PM to 9 PM
- Fridays from around 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Friday sessions usually include a local DJ, which gives the workshop a much more atmospheric and performative feeling than a traditional academic drawing class.
The sessions have two models everytime .
The suggested donation fee is around 1500 HUF (roughly 4–5 euros).
The studio is also:
- pet friendly
- partially nude sessions
- basic materials available
Still, I strongly recommend bringing your own sketchbook and drawing materials.
If you are interested in improving your practice while traveling, spaces like this become incredibly valuable.
Önismereti Diszkó/Selfawareness Disco
Another interesting option happens inside the legendary Szimpla Kert, one of the most iconic venues in Budapest. Even if you are not drawing, the place itself is already worth visiting.
The sessions happen every two weeks, usually between 8 PM and 10 PM, and are organized by a DJ couple who transformed the space into a much more intimate and experimental environment.
Compared to more academic studios, this one feels:
- less technically comfortable
To be honest, the lighting conditions are not always ideal for where you sit, your view on your paper may suffer a bit. But sometimes that is part of the experience too. Not every artistic session needs to be perfect.
Sometimes the important thing is simply continuing to draw.
The sessions include:
- partial nudity
- basic materials available
- suggested donation of around 1500 HUF
Again, bringing your own materials is highly recommended.
Why These Spaces Matter
There is something important about continuing artistic practice while moving through different countries and cities.
Drawing sessions are not only about anatomy or technical skill.
They are also about:
- staying present
- observing carefully
- building discipline
- finding artistic community
For travelers, volunteers, and artists trying to build a long-term practice, these places become small anchors inside the chaos of movement. Budapest still carries that possibility.
And honestly, that is enough reason to keep showing up with a sketchbook.