Sketchbooks, Offsite & Studio Development Courses - Online & in London
Don’t know where to start with a sketchbook? Finding it difficult to get ideas down on paper? Then why not study one of our sketchbook courses. From a basic introduction to what a sketchbook is, exploring techniques and processes used to communicate ideas or learn how to record thoughts and inspiration when visiting an art gallery or museum.
An artist’s sketchbook is a critical part of the creative process in recording thoughts and ideas and can be considered and artwork in itself. Understanding ways to manage and develop a sketchbook can really help students when going on to studying at higher levels or managing how to record their work in their studio or off-site.
Our off-site courses provide opportunities for students to work outside of an art studio environment, drawing on location and visiting some of London’s leading contemporary art spaces, galleries and museums; using the art objects and collections you visit to inspire future work.
We offer a range of sketchbook courses that build confidence to students in working across drawing, painting and mixed-media. Up for a challenge? Why not make your own sketchbook or work at large or unconventional scales? All levels of experience welcome as students learn how to get the most out of their sketchbooks.
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.
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Start a creative handmade sketchbook
Course Date: Wed 3 Mar 2021 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: OnlineThis online workshop focuses on creating a Handmade Sketchbook and will take your ideas and personal stories as a starting point. Explore different visual directions, through drawing, painting, collage and mono-printing techniques. You will experiment with different papers and surfaces, through layering, folding, tearing, soaking, weaving, sewing etc. bringing your ideas and work togther in a series of rich and varied pages, you will then develop this using simple techniques to make a very personal and expressive handmade sketchbook.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £129.00Senior fee: £103.00Concession: £65.00 -
Sketchbook: ideas, materials and techniques
Course Date: Wed 14 Apr 2021 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetA 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.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £149.00Senior fee: £119.00Concession: £75.00 -
Picture framing and mounting for beginners
Course Date: Sat 17 Apr 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetLearn picture framing and mounting skills for the home or workplace. Using professional framing tools and equipment you will be taught all the skills you need to work in a busy studio or alternatively how to set up your own small scale practice from home.
This course is FREE if a) you live in London and your job is at risk of redundancy or b) you are either on Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA) or Employment & Support Allowance(ESA) or c) you receive other state benefits (including Universal Credit) and your monthly take home pay is less than £343. For more information click here
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £259.00Senior fee: £207.00Concession: £130.00 -
Artists sketchbook: contemporary practice
Course Date: Thu 22 Apr 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetDevelop a creative and experimental sketchbook. Explore materials and techniques with confidence, including mark making, drawing and mixed media. Produce a collection of work or ideas for composition. Drawing experience is an advantage but not essential.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £359.00Senior fee: £287.00Concession: £219.00 -
Large-scale experimental sketchbook
Course Date: Fri 23 Apr 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetCreate 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.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £359.00Senior fee: £287.00Concession: £219.00 -
Thinking through drawing: Tate Modern
Course Date: Fri 23 Apr 2021
Location on this date: OS - Off SiteExploring the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks, learn and improve your drawing skills through expert guidance in different methods: working from a fascinating range of great paintings and art works in Tate Modern.Full fee: £189.00Senior fee: £151.00Concession: £95.00 -
Thinking through drawing: National Gallery
Course Date: Thu 29 Apr 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: OS - Off SiteExploring 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: £189.00Senior fee: £151.00Concession: £95.00 -
Drawing and painting landscapes
Course Date: Tue 4 May 2021 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: OS - Off SiteHave 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: £189.00Senior fee: £151.00Concession: £95.00 -
Thinking through drawing: V&A Museum
Course Date: Fri 7 May 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: OS - Off SiteExploring the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks, learn and improve your drawing skills through expert guidance in different methods: working from a fascinating range of artefacts and objects in the Victoria and Albert Museum.Full fee: £189.00Senior fee: £151.00Concession: £95.00 -
Introduction to stretching and priming a canvas
Course Date: Tue 18 May 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetThis course is a must for painters wishing to stretch and prime their own canvases and paper. Learn about the properties of different types of painting supports, and the best materials for preparing surfaces and glazes for painting.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £159.00Senior fee: £127.00Concession: £80.00 -
Thinking through drawing: British Museum
Course Date: Thu 27 May 2021
Location on this date: OS - Off SiteWork from a fascinating range of artefacts and objects in the British 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: £189.00Senior fee: £151.00Concession: £95.00 -
Sketchbook: creating visual journeys
Course Date: Fri 28 May 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetCreate 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.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £229.00Senior fee: £183.00Concession: £115.00 -
Sketchbook: observation to abstraction
Course Date: Fri 25 Jun 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetUsing 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.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £229.00Senior fee: £183.00Concession: £115.00 -
Contemporary drawing sketchbook
Course Date: Sat 26 Jun 2021
Location on this date: KS - Keeley StreetExplore 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.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
Full fee: £229.00Senior fee: £183.00Concession: £115.00 -
Introduction to collecting art
Course Date: Sun 11 Jul 2021
Location on this date: OnlineEverything you wanted to know about collecting contemporary art, but were afraid to ask: How and where to buy art in today’s marketplace. Know your lithographs from your etchings, auctions from online and commission from conservation.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee: £109.00Senior fee: £87.00Concession: £55.00
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