Sketchbooks & Location Drawing courses
Don’t know where to start with a sketchbook? Finding it difficult to get ideas down on paper? We offer a range of sketchbook courses that build confidence in working across drawing, painting and mixed-media.
Whatever your level of experience, you’re welcome to join us in learning how to get the most out of sketchbooks: from a basic introduction to what a sketchbook is and exploring techniques and processes used to communicate ideas, to learning how to record your thoughts and inspirations. An artist’s sketchbook is a critical part of the creative process and can be considered an artwork in itself.
Understanding how to manage and develop a sketchbook can really help you when going on to study at a higher level. If you’re up for a challenge, you can make your own sketchbook using unconventional papers, materials or formats or work at large scale. Our off-site courses provide opportunities to work outside of the studio environment; sketching on location or visiting some of London’s leading contemporary art spaces, galleries and museums to inspire creative work.
For more information about courses available, please contact our Visual Arts team at visualarts@citylit.ac.uk
11 courses available
Contemporary drawing sketchbookExplore the sequential and adaptive nature of sketchbook drawing as a site for generating personal material, inviting connections, and extracting patterns of meaning. Includes gallery research, set-project as stimulus, and practical exploration of contemporary drawing techniques.Keeley Street
Tue 8 Sep 2026Full fee £409.00 Senior fee £327.00 Concession £266.00- Contemporary sketchbook: mixed media projectsDevelop a creative and experimental sketchbook. Explore materials and techniques with confidence, including mark making, drawing and mixed media within a contemporary context. Produce a collection of work or ideas for composition. Drawing experience is an advantage but not essential.Full fee £479.00 Senior fee £383.00 Concession £311.00
- The sketchbook as a creative toolA sketchbook is a great place to try things out, make mistakes and take risks - all in the nature of experimentation. An introduction to exploring creative mixed-media, drawing and mark-making techniques with confidence which can build personal ideas for further development.
Suitable for beginners as well as those with some previous drawing experience who would like to start using a sketchbook.Keeley Street
Tue 6 Oct 2026 (and 2 other dates)Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £263.00 Concession £214.00 - Sketching at Tate ModernExploring the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks; learn and improve your drawing skills and 'ways of seeing' and understanding, working from an exciting range of artworks in Tate modern.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00
- Sketching at Tate Britain
Explore the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks: learn and improve your drawing skills and ‘ways of seeing’ and understanding by working from some of the iconic artworks at Tate Britain.
MEETING PLACE: Manton Entrance ramp on Atterbury Street by the benches next to the CLOAKROOM on the lower floor.
Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - Sketching at the British Museum
Exploring the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks; learn and improve your drawing skills and 'ways of seeing' and understanding, working from an exciting range of objects and artifacts in The British Museum.
Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - Sketching at the V&AExploring the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks; learn and improve your drawing skills and 'ways of seeing' and understanding, working from a fascinating range of objects and artifacts in The Victoria and Albert Museum.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00
- Large-scale sketchbook
Explore the sequential and adaptive nature of large format sketchbook drawing as a site for generating personal material, inviting connections, and extracting patterns of meaning. Includes artist research, set-project as stimulus, and practical exploration of contemporary drawing techniques.
Keeley Street
Fri 9 Apr 2027Tony HullFull fee £409.00 Senior fee £327.00 Concession £266.00 - Artists sketchbook walkTake a sketchbook walk in Central London to observe, record and engage with the urban environment, both historic architecture, modern skylines, the river and parks. Quick sketching, supported by discussion and reflection along the way, will open up new ways of seeing and responding to your surroundings. Meet at City Lit main entrance.
Off Site
Sat 3 Jul 2027Heidi WigmoreFull fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - Sketching at the National GalleryExplore the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks: learn and improve your drawing skills and ‘ways of seeing’ and understanding by working from some of the iconic paintings in the National Gallery.
Off Site
Thu 22 Jul 2027Diane MartinFull fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - Landscape sketching weekend
Have you always wanted to draw landscapes in a sketchbook?
On this course, you’ll learn basic techniques for landscape studies, in different locations near to the City Lit.MEET: City Lit main entrance
Keeley Street
Sat 24 Jul 2027Luke JonesFull fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00
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