City Lit Art School — Art Classes in London
Explore new and exciting subjects within a range of art and design disciplines, develop your skill set, get the support required to change career or launch yourself as a freelance artist or designer. All this and more delivered through our practical and engaging art and design courses at City Lit.
Our range of part-time, weekend and evening art and design classes are taught by successful artists and practitioners to ensure you get the skills, knowledge and experience you want and deserve. From experimental painting and drawing to contemporary jewellery making, there is sure to be a course for you. Study from 1 day to 2 years, whether you are a complete beginner or a practising artist preparing for an MA. Our courses are designed with you in mind, so you get to spend more time doing what you love.
Set a new goal, start your next creative adventure with City Lit and let us support you to realise your ambitions.
We host exhibitions throughout the year at City Lit Gallery where our students showcase their amazing work.
Any questions? Contact our visual arts team on visual.arts@citylit.ac.uk
- Art and creative thinking with Rod Judkins
Course start date: Sun 18 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rod JudkinsArt is fundamentally about communicating ideas. If the idea is strong, the work of art is memorable.
This exciting, one day workshop, led by Rod Judkins (artist, tutor and author of ‘The art of Creative thinking’ and ‘Ideas are your only currency’) will explore methods to create ideas and concepts and combine them with the process of making. You will receive a signed copy of Art and Creative Thinking when you attend this course.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00 - Portrait painting: two session pose Course start date: Sat 7 Jun 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Luke JonesDevelop a portrait from life: a structured course to build skills towards making a convincing portrait where the model keeps the same pose over 2 sessions to enable a sustained piece of work.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00 - Photography studio lighting Course start date: Wed 2 Jul 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Kean Street Photography Studio
Tutors: Ed GregoryLearn about photographic studio practice and lighting. An introduction to using studio flash, 'hot' (tungsten) and ‘cold’ (fluorescent & LED) lights to enhance your portrait and still life photography.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - Looking at photography: social media and identity Course start date: Fri 5 Dec 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jad OakesThis course explores how photography is used on social media to share work, build a following, and create and influence an identity.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Try it out: bookbinding Course start date: Sat 9 Aug 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate RochesterDip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive book to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00 - T-shirt screen printing in a dayCourse start date: Sun 19 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Adam HogarthCyanotype is a photographic printing process which produces a beautiful deep blue print from a variety of artwork, including drawings, photographs, physical objects or combinations of all of these. All levels welcome.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £139.00 - Explore: zine making Course start date: Sun 7 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pam WilliamsZines (short for magazine) are low-cost, self-made publications that offer an opportunity to be playful and creative. Use just about any topic as a starting point and explore various approaches and techniques to bring your zine to life.
An ideal workshop for any artists, illustrators or designers who wishes to explore self-made work.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Make a willow basket in two evenings Course start date: Mon 14 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John PageMake a small bread or fruit basket over two evening sessions. Suitable for beginners as an introduction to traditional willow basketry techniques, or for those with some experience wanting to refresh their skills.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00 - Creative arts for bookbinding I: decorative paper techniques Course start date: Sat 13 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate RochesterTry out a range of decorative techniques for paper including paste papers, dip dyed papers, rubber stamps and Japanese marbling for bookbinding use or as individual pieces. Suitable for beginners.
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