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
- Large-scale sketchbook
Course start date: Fri 24 Apr 2026Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tony HullExplore 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.
Full fee £449.00 Senior fee £359.00 Concession £292.00 - Sketching at the V&A Course start date: Thu 30 Apr 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Heidi WigmoreExploring 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 £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Contemporary sketchbook: mixed media projects Course start date: Fri 1 May 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ruth BrisonDevelop 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 £449.00 Senior fee £359.00 Concession £292.00 - Introduction to using a sketchbook Course start date: Mon 11 May 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Stephanie ConwayA 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.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00 - Sketching at the British Museum Course start date: Tue 19 May 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Diane MartinExploring 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 £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Sketching at Tate Modern Course start date: Thu 11 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Steve WrightExploring 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 £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Sketching at Tate Britain Course start date: Fri 10 Jul 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Mario Lautier VellaExplore 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 will be by the benches next to the CLOAKROOM on the lower floor.
Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Artists sketchbook walk Course start date: Sat 11 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Heidi WigmoreTake 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.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Sketching at the National Gallery Course start date: Thu 23 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Diane MartinExplore 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.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Landscape sketching weekend Course start date: Sat 25 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Luke JonesHave you always wanted to draw landscapes in a sketchbook?
On this course, you’ll learn basic techniques for landscape studies, in two different locations near to the City Lit.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Contemporary drawing sketchbook Course start date: Tue 8 Sep 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Explore 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.Full fee £409.00 Senior fee £327.00 Concession £266.00
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