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.
Courses available both in-person and online
We offer a range of courses allowing you to choose between online and in-person learning. All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, you’ll receive the same great City Lit experience. See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.
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 or call us on 020 7492 2700, Monday to Friday between 10am-12pm or 2pm-4pm.
- Exhibiting creativity: alternatives to the white cubeCourse start date: Wed 13 Jul 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Chris HoughWho decides which artists get to present their work to the public, in what spaces, and according to what criteria? What role does the curator play in the decision-making process and how much influence do they exert over artists and institutions, in making these decisions? How do artists whose work is not ‘current’ (or which perhaps deals with unorthodox or potentially difficult topics) get to show their work? This professional practice workshop is a provocative enquiry and discussion of the role of the gallery in enabling creative expression, and the influence that decisions have on representation, or the imposition of an orthodoxy. How are artists responding to the limitations and impositions of the traditional gallery space–and the authority of the curator or agent–and finding opportunities in public or private spaces, and through technology? How are traditional galleries responding? We examine the ways artists and designers are making their own opportunities, and taking back control, finding innovative and creative ways to put their work before the public on their own terms.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £69.00 - City Lit Pro: Adobe InDesign intensiveCourse start date: Wed 13 Jul 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Andrea MarzanoCity Lit Pro courses provide accelerated learning for busy people who need specific skills for the workplace. Whether you work in print or digital media, in our introductory Adobe InDesign course you’ll learn to use the industry-leading page design and layout app that lets you create, pre-flight, and publish beautiful documents. Students should be comfortable with a fast-paced learning environment and have good computer skills.Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £175.00 - Cyanotype printmaking in a dayCourse start date: Sat 2 Jul 2022 (and 6 other dates)
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 £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00 - Compression techniques for filmmakingCourse start date: Wed 10 Aug 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lily MarkiewiczUnderstanding compression is crucial for all film makers, whether you’re posting work online, sending films to festivals or preparing clips for editing. All video uses compression, starting with the camera and ending when sent out into the world. This course gives you an essential understanding of how to compress your material, and find the best solution for your needs.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00 - Drawing 1
Course start date: Thu 5 May 2022 (and 8 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Brian SayersExplore the creative possibilities of drawing, gain confidence and broaden your expectations and understanding. Learn and develop key drawing concepts: function of line, tone, texture, form, composition and mark making through a carefully structured approach.Full fee £389.00 Senior fee £311.00 Concession £253.00 - Photography for beginnersCourse start date: Thu 28 Apr 2022 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Photography Studio
Tutors: Ed GregoryAlways 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 £319.00 Senior fee £255.00 Concession £207.00 - Mosaics introductory: direct methodCourse start date: Sat 14 May 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa BensonDevelop creative expression and confidence in this classic art form. Explore manufactured/recycled materials and surface qualities by applying them directly onto a base. Please bring ideas/sketchbooks. Basic materials provided. All levels welcome.Full fee £429.00 Senior fee £343.00 Concession £279.00 - Develop your jewellery design and makingCourse start date: Wed 27 Apr 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Elizabeth BoneFancy honing your jewellery-making skills in a professional workshop with an expert tutor? If you're an intermediate to advanced jewellery-maker and would like to improve your designs and push your technical skills to a higher standard, this hands-on, expert-led course is for you. Perfect your skills, try different techniques, and discover new design approaches.Full fee £599.00 Senior fee £479.00 Concession £389.00 - Introduction to printmaking techniquesCourse start date: Mon 27 Jun 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Anne-Marie FosterThis fast-paced course reveals the main processes used to make fine art prints. You will learn both relief and intaglio methods. For beginners and those with limited experience who want to discover how printmaking techniques actually work. An ideal way to start printmaking.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00 - Introduction to painting still-lifeCourse start date: Sat 17 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Amanda BrackenLearn the essentials of Still-life painting from paint handling and colour theory to composition.
Dedicate some time to developing your painting in a series of controlled steps. Learn to select and prepare surfaces and materials, build a composition around a still-life and make supplementary studies to guide your colour application. For absolute beginners.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - City Lit textiles: mixed mediaCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Louise BaldwinInvestigate mixed-media textiles through this project-based course which introduces a variety of materials, techniques and design processes. You will develop a creative portfolio of textile samples using sketchbook research and finally work towards a finished piece.Full fee £469.00 Senior fee £375.00 Concession £305.00 - Draw, paint, printCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mary WintourOn this experimental course, you will draw, paint and print in often unfamiliar ways in order to catch the unexpected. Through experimentation and reflection, you will collate a personal collection of work. .Full fee £319.00 Senior fee £255.00 Concession £207.00 - Pinhole photographyCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Photography Studio
Tutors: Laura VuomaDiscover exciting experimental ways of producing photographic images without a camera - build your own pinhole camera, create blue-tinted prints with sunlight, and make prints from objects like the artist Man Ray.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £149.00 - Wildlife photography: London locationCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Rachel WeghWidllife in the city is an exciting opportunity to work off-site and enjoy various surroundings focusing on flora and fauna. Travel to some of some of London’s finest open spaces whilst learning the photography skills required in focusing on details, landscape and capturing natures beauty. Ideal for beginners, those who want to broaden their photography skills and those wishing to continue building their photography portfolio.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Drawing for beginnersCourse start date: Thu 22 Sep 2022 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Andrea VoiseyStart drawing and learn traditional and less traditional methods of drawing simple objects. Using structured activities, we will introduce key concepts such as line, tone, composition and mark making. Ideal if you have little or no drawing experience; a great way to learn the basics or prepare for longer courses.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £119.00
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