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.
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.
For more information about courses available, please contact our Visual Arts team at visualarts@citylit.ac.uk
- Sketching at the museum: National Gallery
Course start date: Thu 28 Jul 2022 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Diane MartinExploring the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks, learn and improve your drawing skills through expert guidance in different methods, working from some of the iconic paintings in the National Gallery.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Sketchbooks: creating visual journeysCourse start date: Thu 27 Oct 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ruth BrisonCreate a 'visual journey' of discovery through an experimental sketchbook. Explore materials and techniques with confidence, including mark making, drawing and mixed media to produce a collection of work or personal ideas for further development. Suitable for all, including those with basic drawing experience.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Sketching at the museum: Tate ModernCourse start date: Thu 9 Mar 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Ro SylvesterExploring the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks; learn and improve your drawing skills and 'ways of seeing' and understanding, working from an exciting range of paintings and artworks in Tate modern.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Sketching at the museum: V&ACourse start date: Thu 17 Nov 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Ro SylvesterExploring the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks; learn and improve your drawing skills and 'ways of seeing' and understanding, working from an fascinating range of objects and artifacts in The Victoria and Albert Museum.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Sketchbooks: ideas, materials and techniquesCourse start date: Thu 9 Mar 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
A fantastic introduction to creative processes using a variety of different media to develop an exciting sketchbook. A sketchbook is a great place to try things out, make mistakes and take risks - all in the nature of experimentation. Suitable for beginners as well as those with some previous drawing experience.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - Mindfulness sketchbook walkCourse start date: Thu 23 Mar 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Helen BurgessJoin us for a sketchbook walk in Central London to observe, record and engage with the busyness of urban life. Using mindfulness techniques combined with drawing we will be examining our experience and opening up to the magic and surprises that an evening in the city has to offer. It can be difficult to keep grounded and aware in urban environments but drawing offers a helpful way to direct our minds to the here and now, keeping a sense of purpose and deepening our attention.Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £39.00
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