Sketchbooks & location drawing

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

Courses available both in-person and online

We offer a range of long and short courses allowing you to choose between in-person and online learning.

Learn in the centre of London with our in-person courses. Our purpose-built facilities in Covent Garden mean we are ideally located and easy to get to. 

See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, we've got the class for you.

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  1. Sketching at the museum: Tate Modern
    Last Few Places
    Course start date:  Fri 14 Mar 2025 (and 3 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Steve Wright
    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 artworks in Tate modern.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00
  2. Full fee £339.00 Senior fee £271.00 Concession £220.00
  3. Contemporary sketchbook: mixed media projects
    Course start date:  Fri 3 May 2024 (and 3 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Ruth Brison
    Develop 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 £339.00 Senior fee £271.00 Concession £220.00
  4. Sketchbooks: observation to abstraction
    Evening
    Course start date:  Fri 7 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Using 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 £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00
  5. Mindfulness sketchbook walk
    Evening
    Course start date:  Fri 20 Sep 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Joe Richardson
    Join us for a sketchbook walk around 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 the city has to offer.
    Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00
  6. Sketching at the museum: Tate Britain
    Course start date:  Fri 25 Oct 2024 (and 3 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Mario Lautier Vella
    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.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00
  7. Sketching at the museum: National Maritime Museum
    Course start date:  Fri 27 Sep 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Exploring 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 National Maritime Museum.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00
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