Beginners courses in art & design
City Lit is the perfect place to try your hand at art & design in a fun and welcoming environment with courses taught by practicing artists.
Whether you want to explore fine art, contemporary crafts or digital art, we have the course for you. Our range of introductory art courses are open to everyone.
Located in the heart of central London, our dedicated studios for jewellery, ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, digital arts and photography will provide all the facilities you need to start your next creative adventure.
51 courses available
Drawing from plants and flowersExplore the delicacy and beauty of plants and flowers through the medium of drawing. Respond to their structural qualities and colours, using a range of media and taking inspiration from a rich and varied history of the subject. Suitable for all levels of experience.Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £227.00- Photography for beginners
Do you sometimes take great photographs but feel that it’s hit and miss whether things come out how you want them to? Maybe you have a great camera but don’t know how to use it beyond Auto? Maybe you’re just mystified at what half the buttons on your camera actually do? Discover how to have more control over your image-making, even as a complete beginner. Getting the right amount of technical knowledge explained in an accessible way, plus lots of creative guidance will mean you can really enjoy taking great photographs. An ideal first step to start you off on your photography journey.
Full fee £409.00 Senior fee £327.00 Concession £266.00 - Introduction to children's book illustration
This course is an introduction to the practical, as well as conceptual skills integral to the discipline of Children’s Book Illustration.
Full fee £399.00 Senior fee £319.00 Concession £259.00 - Introduction to photography
Discover the basics of photography to improve your photographs and impress your friends. Learn about shutter speed, aperture, composition, light and taking pictures in different environments. This course is perfect for complete beginners or for adding new skills. Please take this course before enrolling on our intermediate courses.
Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Textiles: experimental hand stitchA contemporary approach to hand stitching and embroidery exploring a variety of traditional stitches and techniques. Create experimental and expressive samples using traditional and non-traditional materials.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00
- Explore printmakingCome and get inky with this fun one day workshop exploring printmaking. This course will give you a basic understanding of monoprinting, relief printing and screen printing and is aimed at those who would like to explore different printmaking techniques before going on to other courses.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £149.00
- Introduction to clothes makingLearn how to make your own clothes. This beginner's course will teach you how to use the sewing machine, as well as basic sewing techniques and processes. Start by sampling, then construct a simple garment.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00
- Drawing: ink and wash techniquesThe immediacy and versatility of ink and wash is perfect for those sketching on location, for designers and for students interested in watercolour techniques. Take the opportunity to explore the basic techniques of this exciting process.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
- Painting from plants and flowersExplore a variety of creative approaches for painting flowers from observation. Discover the rich history of this genre while taking inspiration from artists who use flowers as their subject matter.Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £227.00
- Drawing 1
A comprehensive introduction to drawing from observation in a studio environment. Learn how to depict form and space with accuracy, training your eye to become more sensitive to what you see. Suitable for beginners.
The RFSA Foundation helps widen access to art and design education by supporting learners facing financial, personal or practical barriers. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be able to apply for funding towards this course if you are looking to do it as part of the longer suite of courses eg 1, 2 and/or 3. You will need to do a minimum of two of the staged courses to be eligible for financial support. Read our step-by-step bursary guidance here to find out more and apply.
If you are eligible and have already enrolled, you can apply for the funding support retrospectively.
Full fee £479.00 Senior fee £383.00 Concession £311.00 - Japanese woodcut printmakingAn introduction to the beautiful and delicate printmaking world of Japanese Woodcut. Explore this water based, non-toxic process and build an appreciation for the handmade. You will learn how to design, carve and make a multi-coloured print. Beginners welcome.Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £227.00
- Draw, paint, printOn 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 £429.00 Senior fee £343.00 Concession £279.00
- Drawing for beginners
Ease into drawing and discover some interesting methods of representing simple object forms. You will explore basic concepts such as line, tone, and mark-making. Ideal if you are new to drawing; a great way to learn some basics, try out different media, and prepare for longer courses.
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Try it out: bookbindingDip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the tools, 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 £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £149.00
- Introduction to using the sewing machineIdeal for beginners, you will learn how to use a sewing machine, its different components, how to troubleshoot and look after your machine. You will also learn different basic sewing techniques to start your journey into the world of sewing.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £149.00
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