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
- Sketchbooks: creating visual journeysCourse start date: Tue 9 May 2023 (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: British MuseumCourse start date: Thu 25 May 2023 (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 £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Sketching at the museum: V&ACourse start date: Thu 4 May 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 fascinating range of objects and artifacts in The Victoria and Albert Museum.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Large-scale sketchbookCourse start date: Fri 5 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tony HullCreate a sketchbook that explores ideas and an experimental use of a range of materials. Start with an offsite visit and develop the sketchbook using it as a visual journal of your thinking.Full fee £319.00 Senior fee £255.00 Concession £207.00 - Sketchbooks: from observation to abstractionCourse start date: Fri 5 May 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mario Lautier VellaUsing a sketchbook as an experimental place in which to explore ideas, take risks and reflect, you will embark on a 'visual journey' of transformational creative processes from observational drawing towards abstraction.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - Sketching at the museum: Imperial WarCourse start date: Thu 11 May 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Heidi WigmoreWork from a fascinating range of artefacts and objects in the Imperial War Museum while developing your drawing skills. Explore the challenges and pleasures of sketchbook drawing methods using a variety of drawing materials under expert guidance from the tutor.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list