Art & design

Art & Design Courses - Online & 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

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.

 

Join us for the City Lit Visual Arts open day on Saturday 18 May. Throughout the day, at our campus in Covent Garden, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the full range and variety of our art and design subjects on offer.  Find out more >

 

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  1. Photography for beginners
    Course start date:  Tue 9 Apr 2024 (and 18 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Kean Street Photography Studio

    Tutors:  Sara Leigh Lewis
    Always wondered what half the buttons on your camera actually do? Discover how to use them properly and produce impressive photographs, even as a complete beginner. Gain useful technical knowledge and get expert creative guidance in easy-to-understand language. An ideal first step before enrolling on our intermediate courses.
    Full fee £339.00 Senior fee £271.00 Concession £220.00
  2. Developing photography skills
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 9 Apr 2024 (and 13 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Kean Street Photography Studio

    Tutors:  Rachel Wegh
    Already know the basics of photography but want to take things further? Refresh your knowledge, learn more advanced skills and develop your creative ideas, with an established professional photographer on hand for technical guidance and creative inspiration.
    Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00
  3. Ways into abstract painting
    Evening
    Course start date:  Fri 12 Apr 2024 (and 9 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Rebecca Allen
    Encounter different approaches to making abstract paintings while developing your skills in using a variety of painting materials. With reference to the work of a variety of abstract artists explore the visual language common to both representation and abstraction, eg. colour, composition, tone and paint application.
    Full fee £339.00 Senior fee £271.00 Concession £220.00
    Rating:
    98% of 100
  4. Introduction to graphic design
    Evening
    Course start date:  Thu 30 May 2024 (and 5 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Pam Williams
    Our 'Introduction' courses provide a perfect way-in to a creative field.



    Graphic Design is everywhere; in our books, magazines, and newspapers. Emblazoning packaging at the corner shop to the mall. On our screens- phones, TVs, computers and tablets. To say it’s important would be an understatement.







    Don’t just consume. Learn how to use image and type to communicate your messages, emotions and ideas. Beyond this, learn about the movements and styles which have shaped the field of Graphic Design over the years, and how to find your place there.
    Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00
  5. Creative image editing with Photoshop and Lightroom
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 17 Apr 2024 (and 8 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Kean Street Photography Studio

    Tutors:  Michael Harding
    Learn how to use and apply the key features of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop to develop your image editing skills.
    Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00
  6. Full fee £409.00 Senior fee £327.00 Concession £266.00
    Rating:
    94% of 100
  7. Introduction to watercolour painting
    Course start date:  Mon 15 Apr 2024 (and 11 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Anne-Marie Foster
    Gain a grounding in the rich possibilities available when working with watercolour paint. Through a series of practical studies, you will investigate the potential of this versatile medium.
    Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00
  8. Colour communication workshop
    Evening
    Course start date:  Thu 14 Nov 2024 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Colour influences mood, meaning, even decision-making! In short, colour communicates. Learn how to use colour to hugely enhance your work’s communication with its intended audiences.







    Our Workshops enable you to take a deep dive into a specific process, media or tool.







    They throw the spotlight onto niche areas of the visual communication field, enabling you to hone higher-level skills and gain deeper insights.







    Workshops tend to have a practical focus, with little or no theory or context, although this varies by course.
    Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
  9. Drawing and painting portraits: traditional techniques
    Evening
    Course start date:  Thu 16 Jan 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Steve Wright
    This structured course introduces traditional approaches to drawing then painting portraits from observation of the life model. Suitable for all levels but some previous drawing experience an advantage.
    Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00
  10. Exploring illustration
    Course start date:  Thu 23 Jan 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Rod Judkins
    If you are interested in illustration and would like to explore the subject further, this course will show you a range of new and exciting approaches. You will learn many new techniques, whether you are a complete beginner or someone who would like to refresh their approach. On this practical course you’ll learn the practicalities of what it is to be an illustrator. This is not a computer-based course but there is help and advice with software for those who wish to use it.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £429.00 Senior fee £343.00 Concession £279.00
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