weekend
courses
STUDY A RANGE OF SUBJECTS ON THE WEEKEND
The Art Academy offers two day weekend courses which range from introductory courses for the Beginner to Masterclasses for the more experienced. Numbers in the class are kept to a maximum of 15 (lower for some classes) so that the tutor has plenty of time to go around and speak to each student individually throughout each day, as well as teaching the group as a whole.
We offer a range of classes for all abilities and our superb central London location means we are easily accessible from in and out of London. We have a great choice of courses all of which are taught by our expert tutors who are specialist’s in their respected fields.
Our Weekend Masterclasses are a special feature of the Art Academy. Drawing on our extensive professional network we are able to persuade expert, sought-after practitioners to teach classes – people who are experts in their field and who rarely teach. Masterclasses are designed for people who have some experience, and want to take their work further. Teaching groups are deliberately small, with intense tuition, and personalised guidance.
Material packs can be purchased with some of our courses. Please check the details of the individual class. You can also buy an Acrylic Painting, Oil Painting or Drawing Pack individually on our Materials Page.
Please note, our courses are only suitable and available for students 18 years old and above. We have a variety of courses specifically designed for under 18’s as part of our Young Artists programme.
WEEKEND COURSES IN SUMMER
Oil Painting Taster – 3rd AugustFrom: £90.00Course CodeTAS1804T01TutorRhiannon SalisburyDatesSaturday, 3rd August 2019Days1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£90LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a fun day-long taster course in oil painting for those who may be considering a longer evening or daytime course and are wondering how much they will enjoy it. Throughout the day the tutor will lead the class in hands-on, practical demonstrations to show you how to mix colour and see shape and tone, and how these elements relate to form a composition. We aim to foster self-certainty and an enjoyment of painting in a relaxed yet stimulating environment. You will make at least two paintings in the day, the morning will be spent focusing on how to handle oil paint whilst working with a limited tonal palette. Students will be have the opportunity to paint from the life model, exploring expressive mark making describing the tone and volume of the figure. During the afternoon you will start you use colour, working from a still-life set up using natural and organic forms. Throughout the day you will be encouraged to play and enjoy the application of paint whist also understanding techniques of working from observation.
Portrait PaintingSold OutCourse CodeWC1803018TutorJames BlandDatesSaturday & Sunday, 22nd & 23rd June 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelBeginner+Fee£175LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a well structured course giving students opportunity to understand how to paint a portrait. The emphasis will be on learning to see form and colour accurately and using these skills to better create loose, expressive portraits. Working with oil paints students will develop a series of artworks, from short expressive painting sketches, to longer more detailed pieces. The class has the benefit of two experienced models each day as well as tuition from professional artist.
Portrait Painting Masterclass with Andy JamesFrom: £360.00Course CodeWC1803150TutorAndy JamesDatesFriday - Sunday, 5th - 7th July 2019Days3Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAdvancedFee£360LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis course is designed to help you further develop your portait painting skills, focusing on both creating a likeness and increasing the expressive aspects of your portrait skills. These two elements will be explored together over this three-day masterclass; you'll first make several charcoal studies, followed by a brief oil sketch and finally, a fully developed portrait in oil. You'll focus on accuracy of observation and measurement, while also making a fresh, energised and expressive response to the model. By the end of the masterclass, you will have developed your existing skills and knowledge of structure, tone, colour, composition and express use of paint and charcoal, and you will have completed one portrait painting and a number of briefer sketches and studies. Throughout this masterclass, you'll receive regular one-to-one guidance from Andy James. A self taught artist, Andy has been painting for over 25 years, capturing incredible likeness and energy of his subjects through his sumptuous, rigorous and painterly approach. Andy has worked on many prestigious commissions of well-known public figures. He was the winner of the Carroll Foundation Award, the Changing Faces Award and of BBC’s Star Portraits, and served as the Vice President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters from 2008 to 2014.
SATURDAY
Drawing for BeginnersFrom: £270.00Course CodeSAT1804014TutorThomas GolunskiDatesSaturdays, 27th July - 28th September 2019Days10Times10.30am – 1.00pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£270LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis course is an accessible, creative and relaxing introduction to the basic skills of drawing. Each session will focus on a different theme, providing a wide range of techniques to raise confidence and enhance visual awareness. Through various drawing approaches including still life, life drawing and portraiture, you will learn to explore and understand line, tone, measurement, texture and composition. There will be a life model in some sessions and students are encouraged to express themselves freely with guidance from the tutor.- Drawing Taster – 7th SeptemberFrom: £90.00Course CodeSC1803T02TutorBeñat OlaberriaDatesSaturday, 6th April 2019Days1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£90LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a fun, day-long taster course in drawing for those who may be considering a longer evening or daytime course and are wondering how much they will enjoy it. Throughout the day the tutor will lead the class in practical demonstrations to help you begin to see shape and tone, and how these elements can relate together to form a composition. We aim to foster self-certainty and an enjoyment of drawing in a relaxed yet stimulating environment. As you work through a series of exercises, you will gain confidence with pencil and charcoal, which will encourage you to further explore the medium.
Hand Built Ceramics Taster – 21st September£90.00Course CodeTAS1804T14TutorAdele WilliamsDatesSaturday, 21st September 2019Days1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£90LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a fun, day-long taster course in hand built ceramics for those who may be considering a longer evening or Saturday course and would like to try it out first. Throughout the day the tutor will lead the class in practical demonstrations to help you to learn the various processes involved in working with clay by using classic hand built ceramic techniques such as pinching and coiling as well as basic finishing techniques. We aim to foster self-certainty and enjoyment of the media within this workshop and offer a relaxed yet stimulating environment. Please note that at the end of the day there will be the possibility to choose to have your work kiln fired.- Hand Built Ceramics Taster – 27th July£90.00Course CodeTAS1804T04TutorAdele WilliamsDatesSaturday, 27th July 2019Days1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£90LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a fun, day-long taster course in hand built ceramics for those who may be considering a longer evening or Saturday course and would like to try it out first. Throughout the day the tutor will lead the class in practical demonstrations to help you to learn the various processes involved in working with clay by using classic hand built ceramic techniques such as pinching and coiling as well as basic finishing techniques. We aim to foster self-certainty and enjoyment of the media within this workshop and offer a relaxed yet stimulating environment. Please note that at the end of the day there will be the possibility to choose to have your work kiln fired.
Introduction to Oil PaintingFrom: £270.00Course CodeSAT1804037TutorGail Seres-WoolfsonDatesSaturdays, 27th July - 28th September 2019Days10Times10.30am – 1.00pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£270LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRA structured and systematic course for those who have never painted before and for those who want to reinforce their basic oil skills or to move on to using oil paints having used acrylics or water-based media. Students learn to see colour, shape and tone, and to relate these elements together in compositions with access to a life model. This course aims will nurture self-confidence and enjoyment of painting in a stimulating, fun and relaxing environment. It is an ideal course for beginners as there is plenty of guidance from the tutor.- Oil Painting Taster – 21st SeptemberFrom: £90.00Course CodeTAS1804T11TutorHannah Turner-DuffinDatesSaturday, 21st September 2019Days1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£90LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a fun day-long taster course in oil painting for those who may be considering a longer evening or daytime course and are wondering how much they will enjoy it. Throughout the day the tutor will lead the class in hands-on, practical demonstrations to show you how to mix colour and see shape and tone, and how these elements relate to form a composition. We aim to foster self-certainty and an enjoyment of painting in a relaxed yet stimulating environment. You will make at least two paintings in the day, the morning will be spent focusing on how to handle oil paint whilst working with a limited tonal palette. Students will be have the opportunity to paint from the life model, exploring expressive mark making describing the tone and volume of the figure. During the afternoon you will start you use colour, working from a still-life set up using natural and organic forms. Throughout the day you will be encouraged to play and enjoy the application of paint whist also understanding techniques of working from observation.
- Oil Painting Taster – 3rd AugustFrom: £90.00Course CodeTAS1804T01TutorRhiannon SalisburyDatesSaturday, 3rd August 2019Days1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£90LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a fun day-long taster course in oil painting for those who may be considering a longer evening or daytime course and are wondering how much they will enjoy it. Throughout the day the tutor will lead the class in hands-on, practical demonstrations to show you how to mix colour and see shape and tone, and how these elements relate to form a composition. We aim to foster self-certainty and an enjoyment of painting in a relaxed yet stimulating environment. You will make at least two paintings in the day, the morning will be spent focusing on how to handle oil paint whilst working with a limited tonal palette. Students will be have the opportunity to paint from the life model, exploring expressive mark making describing the tone and volume of the figure. During the afternoon you will start you use colour, working from a still-life set up using natural and organic forms. Throughout the day you will be encouraged to play and enjoy the application of paint whist also understanding techniques of working from observation.
Sculpture Taster – 31st August£90.00Course CodeTAS1804T03TutorJessica WetherlyDatesSaturday, 31st August 2019Days1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£90LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a fun, day-long taster course in sculpting with clay and plaster for those who may be considering a longer evening or daytime course and want to try it out first. Spend the morning with the joy of clay to create a small figure sculpture from a life model. In the afternoon mix plaster and other media to make your own creative sculpture. No need to worry if you have nothing in mind. This is a great opportunity to combine these two basic sculpture skills and techniques. There will be the option to leave your clay sculpture for hollowing and firing for an additional fee and you are welcome to take home your plaster piece. Throughout the day the tutor will lead the class in practical demonstrations to help you get a feel for the medium and the way it can be manipulated into shape and form. We aim to foster self-certainty and an enjoyment of sculpting in a relaxed yet stimulating environment.
Kim WhitbyWatercolour Taster – 27th July£90.00Course CodeTAS1804T05TutorKim WhitbyDatesSaturday, 27th July 2019Days1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£90LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a fun day-long taster course in watercolour painting for those who may be considering a longer course and are wondering how much they will enjoy it. Throughout the day the tutor will lead the class in hands-on, practical demonstrations to show you how to mix colour and see shape and tone, and how these elements relate to form a composition. We aim to foster self-certainty and an enjoyment of painting in a relaxed yet stimulating environment. The morning will be spent focusing on how to handle watercolour paint whilst working from a still-life set up using natural and organic forms. Throughout the day you will be encouraged to play and enjoy the application of paint whist also understanding techniques of working from observation.
SUNDAY
SATURDAY OPEN LIFE
WEEKEND COURSES DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS
Collagraph Printmaking with Katherine Jones£260.00Course CodeWC1804PR86TutorKatherine JonesDatesFriday - Sunday, 30th August - 1st September 2019Days3Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£260LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis 3-day weekend course is suitable for relative beginners but will also benefit those who have attended previous collagraph courses. Collagraph relies on texture to build up plates that can be printed both in intaglio or relief and as a multi-plate print. Guided by Katherine Jones, a renowned British printmaker, you will expand your knowledge to realise a truly accessible and exciting new way of printmaking. The Art Academy’s printmaking studio is a low-toxic environment with dedicated facilities for professional hands-on learning. Students benefit from the diversity of attendees, taught by internationally renowned printmaker artists at a central location, offering a unique educational experience in London. There is a maximum of eight to ten students per course, materials are included and we advise that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Drawing For AllFrom: £165.00Course CodeWC1804001TutorAlison HandDatesSaturday & Sunday, 17th & 18th August 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRA wonderful opportunity for people with all levels of experience to explore and enhance their drawing and life drawing skills. Over this packed weekend, students work through a variety of themes to learn fundamental drawing skills, including measurement, drawing the figure, and tonal drawing. As well as developing observational drawing skills, students are encouraged to be creative and expressive and to try out new approaches such as exploring different drawing materials, and experimenting with line and contrast. This is an intensive, informative, and fun weekend course, which teaches essential drawing skills whilst encouraging a creative approach.
Experimental Etching£165.00Course CodeWC1804PR99TutorFrederic MorrisDatesSaturday & Sunday, 24th & 25th August 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRExplore a more painterly side of etching. Students will depart from tradition to develop a series of different metal plates etched in contemporary mordants such as ferric chloride and saline sulphate by experimenting with the alchemy of the intaglio process; brushing, splashing, dripping, blowing and smudging to produce fascinating and unique prints. Attendees will be introduced to a variety of novel techniques including a permeable soap ground and a painterly aquatint based on photocopier toner. The course will be guided by one-to-one tuition from Frederic Morris. The Art Academy’s printmaking studio is a low-toxic environment with dedicated facilities for professional hands-on learning. Students benefit from the diversity of attendees, taught by internationally renowned printmaker artists at a central location, offering a unique educational experience in London. There is a maximum of eight to ten students per course, materials are included and we advise that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Introduction to Japanese Woodcut£165.00Course CodeSUN1804PR183TutorCarol Wilhide JustinDatesSundays, 22nd & 29th September 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRJapanese Woodcut or Mokuhanga is a relief process that is completely non-toxic in that it uses watercolour pigments and nori (rice starch) instead of oil-based ink. The prints are handprinted using a baren, no presses are necessary making this a process that can be done at home. The workshop explores the history of the traditional Japanese prints as exemplified by Hokusai and Hiroshige and follows the teaching that the tutor Carol Wilhide Justin herself received from Japanese sensei on her residency in Japan.- Introduction to Japanese WoodcutSold OutCourse CodeSUN1804PR83TutorCarol Wilhide JustinDatesSundays, 8th & 15th September 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HR
Sold Out - Contact us to join the waitlist to be emailed when this product becomes available shortcourses@artacademy.org.uk
Introduction to PaintingFrom: £165.00Course CodeWC1804013TutorNeil MorleyDatesSaturday & Sunday, 24th & 25th August 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a well-structured and systematic course for those who have never painted before or would like to reassess their approach to painting. Students learn to see colour, shape and tone, and to relate these elements together in compositions. This course aims to foster self-confidence and enjoyment of painting in a stimulating environment. Working through a series of exercises you will gain experience and skills in working from a life model, from still life as well as exploring a more creative approach to painting helping you establish your own style and identity. This course is a fun and relaxing experience that offers a high level of tutor contact time.- Introduction to Sculpture£165.00Course CodeWC1804003TutorLynne AbrahamsonDatesSaturday & Sunday, 10th & 11th August 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis 2-day course is an exciting introduction for beginners, as well as for those with some previous experience, to gain or develop basic sculpture skills. Working mainly in clay and plaster and some other mixed media, you will learn a range of techniques with the opportunity to explore your own creative project. The combination of clay and plaster opens up creative possibilities and offers a fun weekend at your own pace. You will spend the first day creating a small clay figure sculpture from a life model. On the second day you will develop creative sculpture using plaster and mixed media no need to worry if you have nothing in mind until you arrive for the course. This is a great opportunity to discover, or return to, making 3-dimensional work and develop an individual approach. There will be the option to leave your finished sculpture for hollowing and firing for an additional fee.
Lino Etching with Steve Edwards£260.00Course CodeWC1804PR71TutorSteve EdwardsDatesFriday - Sunday, 16th - 18th August 2019Days3Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£260LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis course is ideal for attendees keen to further develop their relief printmaking skills. It teaches a more gestural approach to lino, combining the classical skill of carving a lino block with a contemporary approach to etching its surface with caustic soda. Bringing together painterly textures and graphic forms in a colourful multi-block print. The weekend course is a unique opportunity for a maximum of eight attendees, guided by one to one tutoring from Steve Edwards, a renowned British Printmaker. We advise that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Linocut Masterclass with Nick Morley£260.00Course CodeWC1804PR85TutorNick MorleyDatesFriday - Sunday, 9th - 12th August 2019Days3Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£260LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis course is suitable for beginners or those with printmaking experience. Nick Morley (aka “Linocut boy”) specialises in hand carved linocuts. Students will learn to use professional Swiss tools and apply different printing techniques to create a range of effects. Nick will lead the group through the planning, carving and printing stages of multiplate printing.- Oil Painting Taster – 21st SeptemberFrom: £90.00Course CodeTAS1804T11TutorHannah Turner-DuffinDatesSaturday, 21st September 2019Days1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£90LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a fun day-long taster course in oil painting for those who may be considering a longer evening or daytime course and are wondering how much they will enjoy it. Throughout the day the tutor will lead the class in hands-on, practical demonstrations to show you how to mix colour and see shape and tone, and how these elements relate to form a composition. We aim to foster self-certainty and an enjoyment of painting in a relaxed yet stimulating environment. You will make at least two paintings in the day, the morning will be spent focusing on how to handle oil paint whilst working with a limited tonal palette. Students will be have the opportunity to paint from the life model, exploring expressive mark making describing the tone and volume of the figure. During the afternoon you will start you use colour, working from a still-life set up using natural and organic forms. Throughout the day you will be encouraged to play and enjoy the application of paint whist also understanding techniques of working from observation.
Painting OutdoorsFrom: £165.00Course CodeWC1804024TutorRhiannon SalisburyDatesSaturday & Sunday, 10th & 11th August 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a fun course that offers the fantastic opportunity to paint in and around London's urban landscape. The Art Academy is just a short stroll from the river in the historic area of London Bridge, which will feature as the main focus of this course. Working with quick sketches in oil or acrylic, students will practice how to efficiently and accurately capture tone and colour outside. Creating loose and vigorous paintings, we will look at how to capture a sense of light and atmosphere at different times of day. Looking at the works of other artists we will discuss different ways of composing a painting in an urban setting. Painting outside of the studio is always an exciting experience and students of all levels are sure to enjoy the challenge.
Weekend Creative Mix£165.00Course CodeWC1804015TutorBeñat Olaberria, Carol Wilhide Justin, Lucy TownsendDatesSaturday & Sunday, 3rd & 4th August 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis stimulating and exciting weekend course is an ideal way to explore a wide variety of artistic methods and media, learn new skills, discover what you enjoy most, and develop creative ideas. Over the two days, students will work across the different disciplines of painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking. Students will have a chance to improve observational drawing skills; try out more expressive sculpture and painting, and learn how to approach the human figure, using a variety of materials and methods. This is a great ‘taster’ course and an excellent opportunity to develop new skills, explore materials and have fun.