Art & Design Courses - Online & in London
Explore new and exciting subjects within a range of art and design disciplines, develop your skill set, get the support required to change career or launch yourself as a freelance artist or designer. All this and more delivered through our practical and engaging art and design courses at City Lit.
Our range of part-time, weekend and evening art and design classes are taught by successful artists and practitioners to ensure you get the skills, knowledge and experience you want and deserve. From experimental painting and drawing to contemporary jewellery making, there is sure to be a course for you. Study from 1 day to 2 years, whether you are a complete beginner or a practising artist preparing for an MA. Our courses are designed with you in mind, so you get to spend more time doing what you love.
Set a new goal, start your next creative adventure with City Lit and let us support you to realise your ambitions.
Courses available both in-person and online
We offer a range of courses allowing you to choose between online and in-person learning. All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, you’ll receive the same great City Lit experience. See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.
We host exhibitions throughout the year at City Lit Gallery where our students showcase their amazing work.
Any questions? Contact our visual arts team on visual.arts@citylit.ac.uk or call us on 020 7492 2700, Monday to Friday between 10am-12pm or 2pm-4pm.
- City Lit gift vouchers - the perfect gift
Looking for that perfect present? Treat someone to the gift of learning with a course at City Lit. Available from £10, our gift vouchers can be used to book a place on any of our courses, from London walks and food tasting to museum visits, poetry and much more. Simply purchase your voucher and the recipient can choose from thousands of courses, at a time which suits them.From £10.00 - Life drawing: an extended studyCourse start date: Thu 29 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Luke JonesThis course is suitable for those with previous life drawing experience wishing to develop their life drawing and painting skills. You will be encouraged to develop a more personal response to the life model, bringing your own ideas into observation of the life model.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00 - Developing photography skillsCourse start date: Thu 29 Sep 2022 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Kean Street Photography Studio
Tutors: Ed GregoryAlready know the basics of photography but want to take things further? Refresh your knowledge, learn more advanced skills and develop your creative ideas, with an established professional photographer on hand for technical guidance and creative inspiration.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - Jewellery: stone setting ICourse start date: Thu 29 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rae DuncanEnjoy making your own jewellery, but want to develop your mount-making and stone-setting techniques? Discover essential techniques in setting a gem stone, including round bezel and tube settings, with the guidance of an expert tutor.Full fee £389.00 Senior fee £311.00 Concession £253.00 - Introduction to illustrationCourse start date: Thu 29 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Rod JudkinsIf you are interested in illustration and would like to explore the subject further, this course will show you a range of new and exciting approaches. You will learn many new techniques, whether you are a complete beginner or someone who would like to refresh their approach. On this practical course you’ll learn the practicalities of what it is to be an illustrator. This is not a computer-based course but there is help and advice with software for those who wish to use it.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £263.00 Concession £214.00 - Introduction to quiltingCourse start date: Fri 30 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Beverley SellLearn how to design and make a contemporary quilt using a range of construction and embellishment techniques. Work with simple shapes from recycled fabrics or bring your own fat quarters to create a personalised quilt.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Anatomical portrait drawingCourse start date: Fri 30 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Andrea VoiseyEnhance your portraits by uncovering what lies beneath the surface. Through demonstration and direct observation of the model you will examine proportion, rotation and the key anatomical structures of the head and neck that denote likeness.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00 - Introduction to jewellery makingCourse start date: Fri 30 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Aurelie DellasantaEver wanted to make your own jewellery? Try out jewellery-making, getting to grips with the basic processes and techniques for using metal to create simple yet beautiful earrings, rings, pendants and bracelets to your own
designs.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Hand knitting for beginnersCourse start date: Sat 1 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire MontgomerieThis intensive course will inspire a passion for hand knitting, colour and texture.The perfect way to get started.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - Textiles: experimental hand stitchCourse start date: Sat 1 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Amarjeet NandhraA contemporary approach to hand stitching and embroidery exploring a variety of traditional stitches and techniques. Create experimental and expressive samples using traditional and non-traditional materials.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - Saturday portraiture studioCourse start date: Sat 1 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Luke JonesAn opportunity to paint and draw from the live model under the guidance of an experienced tutor in portraiture. Helpful technical aspects will be explored and as the course progresses also ideas in portraiture, for example, how we convey atmosphere and tell a story in a portrait.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - City Lit bookbinding: intermediateCourse start date: Mon 3 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gavin MoorheadAn intermediate-level course for students with some experience. Learn new skills and techniques. Develop and build on existing knowledge in traditional and contemporary bookbinding, including leather paring and fine binding.Full fee £609.00 Senior fee £487.00 Concession £396.00 - Advanced painting: practice and discourseCourse start date: Mon 3 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Tutors: Gareth Berwyn, Michael Harding, Amanda Knight, Kim ScoullerDevelop your painting in greater depth on this advanced course, working with a team of artist-tutors and a committed network of peer-practitioners, across a set of projects focusing on a range of contemporary themes, processes, and debates. The course is intended for experienced painters with a positive and enquiring attitude to the practices and discourses of painting in its various forms, and a commitment to peer-dialogue and critical discussion. Focused and intensive studio-based weekend projects (once per month), are interspersed with weekly online tutorials, feedback, discussion and seminars.
This course will be delivered online and in person. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £2,149.00 Senior fee £1,719.00 Concession £1,504.00 - City Lit fine art: year 2Course start date: Mon 3 Oct 2022
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Tutors: Alexandra Harley, Brian Hodgson, Monika Kita, Amanda Knight, Ute Kreyman, Bettina Reiber, Steven ScottConsolidating the experience gained in year 1 of CLFA, you will pursue a more individual, self-motivated route, resulting in a body of work that reflects your own interests. You will have one-to-one tutorials and production sessions that allow you explore and refine your creative skills, plus seminars and lectures in which you will engage with new ideas and contexts; all delivered by experienced, practising artists. Basic materials are provided for working in the City Lit studios, but you may be required to source your own specialist materials, depending on your choices.
This course will be delivered online and in person. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £1,949.00 Senior fee £1,559.00 Concession £1,364.00 - Photography for beginnersCourse start date: Tue 4 Oct 2022 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Kean Street Photography Studio
Tutors: Michael HardingAlways wondered what half the buttons on your camera actually do? Discover how to use them properly and produce impressive photographs, even as a complete beginner. Gain useful technical knowledge and get expert creative guidance in easy-to-understand language. An ideal first step before enrolling on our intermediate courses.Full fee £319.00 Senior fee £255.00 Concession £207.00
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