Here are some of the best course sites for learning a new creative hobby with beginner-friendly lessons and hands-on projects:

1. Skillshare

• Best for: Creative hobbies like illustration, photography, design, writing, animation, crafts
• Why it’s good: Lots of short, project-based classes taught by working creators
• Beginner-friendly: Very good, many classes assume no experience
• Hands-on: Strong focus on making something as you learn

2. Domestika

• Best for: Design, illustration, lettering, craft, animation, photography, creative business
• Why it’s good: High-quality courses with polished production and clear creative outcomes
• Beginner-friendly: Many beginner classes available
• Hands-on: Excellent, often centered around a final project

3. Udemy

• Best for: Nearly any creative hobby, from drawing to video editing to music production
• Why it’s good: Huge variety and frequent discounts
• Beginner-friendly: Depends on the instructor, but many are made for absolute beginners
• Hands-on: Usually includes exercises and projects, though quality varies by course

4. CreativeLive

• Best for: Photography, design, art, craft, video, and creative entrepreneurship
• Why it’s good: Strong expert-led classes and workshops
• Beginner-friendly: Good range of intro courses
• Hands-on: Often practical, especially in photography and visual arts

5. Coursera

• Best for: Structured learning in design, art, music, and digital media
• Why it’s good: More academic and organized, often from universities or institutions
• Beginner-friendly: Good if you want a step-by-step path
• Hands-on: Varies, but many courses include assignments and peer-reviewed projects

6. LinkedIn Learning

• Best for: Creative software and professional creative skills like Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and UX design
• Why it’s good: Clear, polished instruction with lots of short modules
• Beginner-friendly: Very good for software fundamentals
• Hands-on: Decent, especially for learning tools and workflows

7. YouTube

• Best for: Free learning and exploring new hobbies
• Why it’s good: Massive selection and easy to start
• Beginner-friendly: Mixed quality, but many excellent beginner playlists
• Hands-on: Depends on the creator; some channels are very project-focused

8. The Great Courses Plus / Wondrium

• Best for: Creative inspiration, art history, photography, and some practical creative topics
• Why it’s good: Strong lecture-based learning with expert instructors
• Beginner-friendly: Good for foundational understanding
• Hands-on: Less project-heavy than Skillshare or Domestika

Best picks by goal

• Most project-based: Skillshare, Domestika
• Best budget/free option: YouTube, Udemy (on sale)
• Best for structured learning: Coursera, LinkedIn Learning
• Best for creative software: LinkedIn Learning, Udemy
• Best for art/design hobbies: Domestika, Skillshare, CreativeLive

If you want, I can also give you:

1. the best sites by hobby (painting, photography, sewing, drawing, etc.), or
2. a top 5 ranked list based on beginner-friendliness and project quality.