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 objects and artifacts in The British Museum.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
An introduction to sketching in different areas of The British Museum. Drawing will be explored in its broadest sense by gathering information through image making, research and interpretation. Enjoy the challenge of expressing yourself in fresh ways through a personal response to the collections and in discussion with the group.
Explore a range of approaches with a variety of drawing media, using experimental mark-making, light and shadow and colour to interpret the objects on display.
Meeting place will be just inside the front entrance on Great Russell Street (after you have been through security - please allow extra time for this) left hand side bench by the stairs before you enter the Great Court. You will then be given a plan for the day by the tutor. Please be on time, the tutor will only be able to wait for 15 mins max for latecomers - please let Visual Arts know if you are running late. The tutor will have your contact details in case they need to get in touch in an emergency.
What will we cover?
quick sketching
experimental mark-making
intuitive response
line, tone, pattern, texture
volume and form
scale and spatial relationships
inter-relationship of objects on display
sketching as research
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
start to sketch a range of objects and artifacts from observation
investigate different methods of drawing
interpret and reinterpret work in the collections
sketch with greater confidence in public space
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for you if you are a beginner or:
you want to learn more about how to sketch as research
you have not used a sketchbook before
you need more confidence looking at and understanding museum collections
you’d like to broaden your ideas of what drawing is
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will receive individual guidance and group discussion to enable you to develop your practical work in the sketchbook throughout the day, supported by a handout and itinerary.
Self-reflection is an important part of learning in art education and creative practice. You will be encouraged to engage with reflecting on your own work and progress as part of the learning process in Visual Arts.
Please note the Meeting place as above.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring an A5 or A4 hardbacked Sketchbook that preferably opens out flat and a selection of: Drawing pencils eg 2B, 4B, 6B, coloured pencils including white, a rubber and sharpener, a biro/fine-liner and any other materials that you enjoy using and are portable, clean and easy to use in the gallery.
It is useful to have some coloured or tonal paper for use with colour materials.Optional: water-based colour pencils, water-based graphite pencil.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other museum days include Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the V&A.
City Lit runs a range of drawing and sketchbook courses your tutor can discuss options for progression with you during the day.
Mario Lautier Vella is a cross-disciplinary, award-winning artist who began his art career at City Lit. After completing a number of short courses in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and textiles, Mario went on to do the two-year City Lit Fine Art course before going back to university to gain his Masters degree. Mario regularly exhibits in the UK and abroad and his work can be found in private collections around the world. Mario has enjoyed teaching at City Lit since 2011. For more info go to mariolautiervella.com
Diane MartinSee moreSee less
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/sketching-at-the-british-museum1178251Sketching at the British Museumhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/m/bm_sketching_4_1_51.jpg9999GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Drawing/Courses/Art & design/Drawing/Sketchbooks & location drawing/Courses/vm/Courses to do with friends/Courses/vm/Courses to do around London22851132114811511647167812285113211481653<p>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 objects and artifacts in The British Museum.</p>00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/m/bm_sketching_2.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/h/vh967_sketching_at_brit_mus_replacement.jpg3067849Sketching at the British Museum9999https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/m/bm_sketching_4_1_51_6.jpgInStockDaytimeThuOff SiteAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2027-02-18T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allFeb 2027Art & designVM1229999Sketching at the British Museum999999Diane Martinsketching-at-the-british-museum/vm122-2627<p>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 objects and artifacts in The British Museum.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-18 00:00:00<p>An introduction to sketching in different areas of The British Museum. Drawing will be explored in its broadest sense by gathering information through image making, research and interpretation. Enjoy the challenge of expressing yourself in fresh ways through a personal response to the collections and in discussion with the group.<br><br>Explore a range of approaches with a variety of drawing media, using experimental mark-making, light and shadow and colour to interpret the objects on display.<br><br>Meeting place will be just inside the front entrance on Great Russell Street (after you have been through security - please allow extra time for this) left hand side bench by the stairs before you enter the Great Court.<br>You will then be given a plan for the day by the tutor. Please be on time, the tutor will only be able to wait for 15 mins max for latecomers - please let Visual Arts know if you are running late.<br>The tutor will have your contact details in case they need to get in touch in an emergency.</p><p>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 objects and artifacts in The British Museum.</p><ul><li>quick sketching</li><li>experimental mark-making</li><li>intuitive response</li><li>line, tone, pattern, texture</li><li>volume and form</li><li>scale and spatial relationships</li><li>inter-relationship of objects on display</li><li>sketching as research</li></ul><ul><li>start to sketch a range of objects and artifacts from observation</li><li>investigate different methods of drawing</li><li>interpret and reinterpret work in the collections</li><li>sketch with greater confidence in public space</li></ul><p>This course is for you if you are a beginner or:</p><ul><li>you want to learn more about how to sketch as research</li><li>you have not used a sketchbook before</li><li>you need more confidence looking at and understanding museum collections</li><li>you’d like to broaden your ideas of what drawing is</li></ul><p>You will receive individual guidance and group discussion to enable you to develop your practical work in the<br>sketchbook throughout the day, supported by a handout and itinerary.</p><p>Self-reflection is an important part of learning in art education and creative practice. You will be encouraged to engage with reflecting on your own work and progress as part of the learning process in Visual Arts.</p><p><br>Please note the Meeting place as above.</p><p>Please bring an A5 or A4 hardbacked Sketchbook that preferably opens out flat and a selection of:<br>Drawing pencils eg 2B, 4B, 6B, coloured pencils including white, a rubber and sharpener, a biro/fine-liner and any other materials that you enjoy using and are portable, clean and easy to use in the gallery.</p><p>It is useful to have some coloured or tonal paper for use with colour materials.Optional: water-based colour pencils, water-based graphite pencil.</p><p>Other museum days include Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the V&A.</p><p>City Lit runs a range of drawing and sketchbook courses your tutor can discuss options for progression with you during the day.</p>DrawingSketchbooks & location drawingvirtual3030223Sketching at the British Museum9999https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/m/bm_sketching_4_1_51_4.jpgInStockDaytimeFriOff SiteAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-11-06T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Art & designVH9679999Sketching at the British Museum999999Mario Lautier Vellasketching-at-the-british-museum/vh967-2627<p>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 objects and artifacts in The British Museum.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-06 00:00:00<p>An introduction to sketching in different areas of The British Museum. Drawing will be explored in its broadest sense by gathering information through image making, research and interpretation. Enjoy the challenge of expressing yourself in fresh ways through a personal response to the collections and in discussion with the group.<br><br>Explore a range of approaches with a variety of drawing media, using experimental mark-making, light and shadow and colour to interpret the objects on display.<br><br>Meeting place will be just inside the front entrance on Great Russell Street (after you have been through security - please allow extra time for this) left hand side bench by the stairs before you enter the Great Court.<br>You will then be given a plan for the day by the tutor. Please be on time, the tutor will only be able to wait for 15 mins max for latecomers - please let Visual Arts know if you are running late.<br>The tutor will have your contact details in case they need to get in touch in an emergency.</p><p>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 objects and artifacts in The British Museum.</p><ul><li>quick sketching</li><li>experimental mark-making</li><li>intuitive response</li><li>line, tone, pattern, texture</li><li>volume and form</li><li>scale and spatial relationships</li><li>inter-relationship of objects on display</li><li>sketching as research</li></ul><ul><li>start to sketch a range of objects and artifacts from observation</li><li>investigate different methods of drawing</li><li>interpret and reinterpret work in the collections</li><li>sketch with greater confidence in public space</li></ul><p>This course is for you if you are a beginner or:</p><ul><li>you want to learn more about how to sketch as research</li><li>you have not used a sketchbook before</li><li>you need more confidence looking at and understanding museum collections</li><li>you’d like to broaden your ideas of what drawing is</li></ul><p>You will receive individual guidance and group discussion to enable you to develop your practical work in the<br>sketchbook throughout the day, supported by a handout and itinerary.</p><p>Self-reflection is an important part of learning in art education and creative practice. You will be encouraged to engage with reflecting on your own work and progress as part of the learning process in Visual Arts.</p><p><br>Please note the Meeting place as above.</p><p>Please bring an A5 or A4 hardbacked Sketchbook that preferably opens out flat and a selection of:<br>Drawing pencils eg 2B, 4B, 6B, coloured pencils including white, a rubber and sharpener, a biro/fine-liner and any other materials that you enjoy using and are portable, clean and easy to use in the gallery.</p><p>It is useful to have some coloured or tonal paper for use with colour materials.Optional: water-based colour pencils, water-based graphite pencil.</p><p>Other museum days include Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the V&A.</p><p>City Lit runs a range of drawing and sketchbook courses your tutor can discuss options for progression with you during the day.</p>DrawingSketchbooks & location drawingvirtual3067612Sketching at the British Museum9999https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/m/bm_sketching_4_1_51_5.jpgInStockDaytimeTueOff SiteAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2027-05-18T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2027Art & designVH0379999Sketching at the British Museum999999Diane Martinsketching-at-the-british-museum/vh037-2627<p>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 objects and artifacts in The British Museum.</p>0000-Available|2027-05-18 00:00:00<p>An introduction to sketching in different areas of The British Museum. Drawing will be explored in its broadest sense by gathering information through image making, research and interpretation. Enjoy the challenge of expressing yourself in fresh ways through a personal response to the collections and in discussion with the group.<br><br>Explore a range of approaches with a variety of drawing media, using experimental mark-making, light and shadow and colour to interpret the objects on display.<br><br>Meeting place will be just inside the front entrance on Great Russell Street (after you have been through security - please allow extra time for this) left hand side bench by the stairs before you enter the Great Court.<br>You will then be given a plan for the day by the tutor. Please be on time, the tutor will only be able to wait for 15 mins max for latecomers - please let Visual Arts know if you are running late.<br>The tutor will have your contact details in case they need to get in touch in an emergency.</p><p>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 objects and artifacts in The British Museum.</p><ul><li>quick sketching</li><li>experimental mark-making</li><li>intuitive response</li><li>line, tone, pattern, texture</li><li>volume and form</li><li>scale and spatial relationships</li><li>inter-relationship of objects on display</li><li>sketching as research</li></ul><ul><li>start to sketch a range of objects and artifacts from observation</li><li>investigate different methods of drawing</li><li>interpret and reinterpret work in the collections</li><li>sketch with greater confidence in public space</li></ul><p>This course is for you if you are a beginner or:</p><ul><li>you want to learn more about how to sketch as research</li><li>you have not used a sketchbook before</li><li>you need more confidence looking at and understanding museum collections</li><li>you’d like to broaden your ideas of what drawing is</li></ul><p>You will receive individual guidance and group discussion to enable you to develop your practical work in the<br>sketchbook throughout the day, supported by a handout and itinerary.</p><p>Self-reflection is an important part of learning in art education and creative practice. You will be encouraged to engage with reflecting on your own work and progress as part of the learning process in Visual Arts.</p><p><br>Please note the Meeting place as above.</p><p>Please bring an A5 or A4 hardbacked Sketchbook that preferably opens out flat and a selection of:<br>Drawing pencils eg 2B, 4B, 6B, coloured pencils including white, a rubber and sharpener, a biro/fine-liner and any other materials that you enjoy using and are portable, clean and easy to use in the gallery.</p><p>It is useful to have some coloured or tonal paper for use with colour materials.Optional: water-based colour pencils, water-based graphite pencil.</p><p>Other museum days include Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the V&A.</p><p>City Lit runs a range of drawing and sketchbook courses your tutor can discuss options for progression with you during the day.</p>DrawingSketchbooks & location drawingvirtual999999VM122,VH967,VH037NONEThu,Fri,Tue06/11/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayOSOff SiteDiane Martin,Mario Lautier VellaBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-02-18T00:00:00+00:00,2026-11-06T00:00:00+00:00,2027-05-18T00:00:00+00:00Feb 2027,Nov 2026,May 2027Art & design9999Sketching at the British Museumsketching-at-the-british-museum/vm122-2627,sketching-at-the-british-museum/vh967-2627,sketching-at-the-british-museum/vh037-2627<p>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 objects and artifacts in The British Museum.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-06 00:00:00<p>An introduction to sketching in different areas of The British Museum. Drawing will be explored in its broadest sense by gathering information through image making, research and interpretation. Enjoy the challenge of expressing yourself in fresh ways through a personal response to the collections and in discussion with the group.<br><br>Explore a range of approaches with a variety of drawing media, using experimental mark-making, light and shadow and colour to interpret the objects on display.<br><br>Meeting place will be just inside the front entrance on Great Russell Street (after you have been through security - please allow extra time for this) left hand side bench by the stairs before you enter the Great Court.<br>You will then be given a plan for the day by the tutor. Please be on time, the tutor will only be able to wait for 15 mins max for latecomers - please let Visual Arts know if you are running late.<br>The tutor will have your contact details in case they need to get in touch in an emergency.</p><p>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 objects and artifacts in The British Museum.</p><ul><li>quick sketching</li><li>experimental mark-making</li><li>intuitive response</li><li>line, tone, pattern, texture</li><li>volume and form</li><li>scale and spatial relationships</li><li>inter-relationship of objects on display</li><li>sketching as research</li></ul><ul><li>start to sketch a range of objects and artifacts from observation</li><li>investigate different methods of drawing</li><li>interpret and reinterpret work in the collections</li><li>sketch with greater confidence in public space</li></ul><p>This course is for you if you are a beginner or:</p><ul><li>you want to learn more about how to sketch as research</li><li>you have not used a sketchbook before</li><li>you need more confidence looking at and understanding museum collections</li><li>you’d like to broaden your ideas of what drawing is</li></ul><p>You will receive individual guidance and group discussion to enable you to develop your practical work in the<br>sketchbook throughout the day, supported by a handout and itinerary.</p><p>Self-reflection is an important part of learning in art education and creative practice. You will be encouraged to engage with reflecting on your own work and progress as part of the learning process in Visual Arts.</p><p><br>Please note the Meeting place as above.</p><p>Please bring an A5 or A4 hardbacked Sketchbook that preferably opens out flat and a selection of:<br>Drawing pencils eg 2B, 4B, 6B, coloured pencils including white, a rubber and sharpener, a biro/fine-liner and any other materials that you enjoy using and are portable, clean and easy to use in the gallery.</p><p>It is useful to have some coloured or tonal paper for use with colour materials.Optional: water-based colour pencils, water-based graphite pencil.</p><p>Other museum days include Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the V&amp;A.</p><p>City Lit runs a range of drawing and sketchbook courses your tutor can discuss options for progression with you during the day.</p>DrawingSketchbooks & location drawingconfigurable
