Make Art You're Proud Of
We all have ideas about making art. The difference is in what you do with them. With the right space and guidance, you can turn ideas into finished work that you’re proud to take home with you. City Lit’s expert-led courses are designed to do just that. Learn in specialist studios in the heart of London alongside like-minded people. Explore our courses below.
- Creative calligraphy for expandable cards
Course start date: Tue 14 Apr 2026Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sharon ShawCome and immerse yourself in the art of calligraphy with this 6-week, accessible introduction. Whether you're taking your first steps or picking up the craft again, this course will equip you with essential calligraphy techniques that will enable you to start creating your own handcrafted cards. Beginners will build strong foundational calligraphy skills, while returners can refresh their skills and explore new creative possibilities.
Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £181.00 - Textiles and surface pattern: drawing and digital print Course start date: Thu 16 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jenn ButterworthExplore drawing and printing in the studio, before digitising and manipulating your designs using Photoshop. Suitable for students with a creative background. Photoshop experience would be beneficial but not essential.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00 - Introduction to casting and mould making Course start date: Fri 17 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Valerie MerloBreak the mould - try your hand at the techniques of mould making and casting as practised by sculptors, prop makers and designers. Under the guidance of highly experienced industry professional in our fully equipped sculpture studio, explore making plaster and rubber moulds. Then learn how to cast from them in plaster of Paris and cement.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £181.00 - Textiles: block printing with lino Course start date: Sat 18 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lara MantellOn this course students will learn to translate initial drawings and mark-making into designs for lino-cut blocks. These blocks will be used to print dye onto fabric, making expressive patterns, exploring repeats and colour combinations.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Drawing: ink and wash techniques Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Adam HennesseyThe 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 £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00 - Cyanotype and alternative processes in photography Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Catriona GrayAccept an experimental and playful attitude to photographic image-making.You will be guided through three hands-on creative techniques exploring the physical photographic print.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00 - Explore your creativity Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ro SylvesterTap into your artistic talents through a series of fun practical exercises that will help you start drawing, painting, looking at art, responding to the world around you and working with your imagination and ideas.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Painting: colour mixing for artists Course start date: Fri 24 Apr 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Amanda BrackenA concise study of colour usage. Investigate colour perception and how colour interacts. Explore a range of observational and expressive painting projects, relate colour theory to practice and develop confidence using colour.
Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00 - Develop a collage sketchbook for textiles Course start date: Sun 26 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ruth BrisonDevelop ideas for a creative collage sketchbook. Explore the surface qualities of mark-making with the layered possibilities of mixed-media.
Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - Bookbinding: simple leather binding Course start date: Thu 30 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ina BaumeisterDiscover how leather, combined with simple sewing and cutting techniques can create a wonderfully flexible and stylish bindings. Create books with folded and crossed structure covers, and include some decorative elements to personalise your work.Full fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00 - Introduction to photography Course start date: Wed 6 May 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Dominic HarrisDiscover the basics of photography to improve your photographs and impress your friends. Learn about shutter speed, aperture, photo composition, light and taking pictures in different environments. This course is perfect for complete beginners or for learning new skills. Please take this course before enrolling on our intermediate courses.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00 - Illustrating people and places Course start date: Thu 7 May 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lucia VintiBe inspired by the people of London and the architecture and environments they inhabit. This course explores drawing people and places, providing you with ample opportunity to observe London life, situations and scenarios that will inspire your work.
Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Introduction to beaded jewellery Course start date: Sat 9 May 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Beverley SellFancy trying your hand at beaded jewellery making? Learn how to work with beads, wire, thread and findings to create beautiful beaded necklaces, bracelets, earrings and tiara designs. Join our introductory course for all levels to discover where to find the best beads, how to knot with thread, manipulate and twist wire and learn how to finish your work using clasps.
Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £263.00 Concession £214.00 - Textiles and surface pattern: colour and abstract design Course start date: Sat 9 May 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Janie MurphyA creative exploration of colour and abstract design for textiles. Explore and develop your understanding of colour using using paper dyes to create your own abstract imagery.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Create a short film in a weekend Course start date: Sat 9 May 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David KlineLearn how to shoot, edit and export a short film in this fun, informative and fast paced introduction to film making.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £209.00
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