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
SATURDAY
Drawing for BeginnersFrom: £270.00Course CodeSAT1901014TutorNatasha LienDatesSaturday, 5th October - 7th December 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 in MuseumsFrom: £145.00Course CodeSAT1901040TutorNatasha LienDatesSaturdays, 26th October - 23rd November 2019Days5Times2.30pm - 5pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£145This 5 week course is a wonderfully relaxing way to start the weekend and develop drawing and creative skills both for beginners and advanced drawers. The course is suitable for all skill levels and is designed to enable students to express a creative response to museum artworks, as well as develop an understanding of how artworks are put together to create particular impressions upon the viewer. The class will visit a different museum or gallery each week and students will draw from sculpture and painting across all genres. The tutor is highly knowledgeable on all aspects of drawing and museum art and delivers a very informative course.
Hand Built Ceramics£280.00Course CodeSAT1901047TutorAdele WilliamsDatesSaturdays, 5th October - 7th December 2019Days10Times10.30am – 1.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£280LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRA comprehensive introduction into the methods and variety of creative potential of sculptural ceramics. The course covers studio practice, clay types, basic core techniques of hand building for sculpture: coiling, pinching, slab building and surface decoration. These will be taught and put into practice to make finished ceramic forms. Through practical projects you will understand the material and, with emphasis on experimentation, how you can manipulate it to create a variety of forms. These can then be decorated with raw glazes and slips for a once fired finished piece.
Intermediate PaintingFrom: £270.00Course CodeSAT1901038TutorEigil NordstrømDatesSaturdays, 5th October - 7th December 2019Days10Times2.00pm – 4.30pmExperience LevelIntermediateFee£270LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is an exciting course, which aims to help you discover what it is about painting that really inspires you. It is a great follow-on course from our ‘Painting for Beginners’ or ‘Creative Painting for Beginners’ and will also suit you if you already have some basic experience of painting and want to take your skills to the next level. The course begins by developing your core painting skills, exploring line, tone, colour and mass, whilst continually pushing your creative expression. The tutor will lead you to draw inspiration from many other artist’s work and will guide you step by step through the stages of developing your own painting. She will help you engage with the subject matters and styles that excite you and assist you in bringing them into your own artworks. By looking at a broad variety of techniques, materials and styles, the course aims to broaden your ability to express yourself in paint.
Introduction to Oil PaintingFrom: £270.00Course CodeSAT1901037TutorLucy SmallboneDatesSaturdays, 5th October - 7th December 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.
Introduction to Sculpture£165.00Course CodeWC1901003TutorJessica WetherlyDatesSaturday & Sunday, 23rd & 24th November 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.
Painting for BeginnersFrom: £270.00Course CodeSAT1901013TutorAndrew HitchcockDatesSaturdays, 5th October - 7th December 2019Days10Times10.30am – 1.00pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£270LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a well-structured and systematic course for those who have never painted before or want to reassess their approach to painting. Students learn to see colour, shape and tone, and to relate all 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 painting still life, self portrait and the interior. Whilst also exploring a more creative approach to painting, helping you establish your own style and identity. This course is a fun and relaxing experience, offering plenty of guidance from the tutor.
Portrait paintingFrom: £295.00Course CodeSAT1901018TutorKate DunnDatesSaturdays, 5th October - 7th December 2019Days10Times2.00pm – 4.30pmExperience LevelBeginner+Fee£295LocationThe 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 every week as well as tuition from a talented professional artist.
SUNDAY
SATURDAY OPEN LIFE
Open Life – SaturdayFrom: £270.00Course CodeSAT1901001TutorEigil NordstrømDatesSaturdays, 5th October - 7th December 2019Days10Times10.30am – 1.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£270LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThe “Open Life Class” is a relaxed and enjoyable life drawing & painting course with a life model for various poses lasting between one and four weeks at a time. Students will be able to approach the human figure in any way they please and do as many drawings or paintings as they care to pursue with as much or as little instruction as they like. Your experienced tutors will happily guide both beginners and the more experienced painters. Students should feel free to use whichever materials that they enjoy the most, whether that is drawing in charcoal or ink or painting in oils or acrylics. All paper is provided for the course but please bring your own drawing/painting materials. You can also attend this class as a drop-in and pay £28 per session. Please note only card payment is available (Visa or Mastercard). Please note only card payment is available (Visa or Mastercard).- Open Life – SaturdayFrom: £270.00Course CodeSAT1804001TutorEmma SeachDatesSaturdays, 27th July - 28th September 2019Days10Times10.30am – 1.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£270LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThe “Open Life Class” is a relaxed and enjoyable life drawing & painting course with a life model for various poses lasting between one and four weeks at a time. Students will be able to approach the human figure in any way they please and do as many drawings or paintings as they care to pursue with as much or as little instruction as they like. Your experienced tutors will happily guide both beginners and the more experienced painters. Students should feel free to use whichever materials that they enjoy the most, whether that is drawing in charcoal or ink or painting in oils or acrylics. All paper is provided for the course but please bring your own drawing/painting materials. You can also attend this class as a drop-in and pay £28 per session. Please note only card payment is available (Visa or Mastercard). Please note only card payment is available (Visa or Mastercard).
- Open Life – SundayFrom: £270.00Course CodeSUN1901001TutorEmma SeachDatesSundays, 6th October - 8th December 2019Days10Times10.30am – 1.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£270LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThe “Open Life Class” is a relaxed and enjoyable life drawing & painting course with a life model for various poses lasting between one and four weeks at a time. Students will be able to approach the human figure in any way they please and do as many drawings or paintings as they care to pursue with as much or as little instruction as they like. Your experienced tutors will happily guide both beginners and the more experienced painters. Students should feel free to use whichever materials that they enjoy the most, whether that is drawing in charcoal or ink or painting in oils or acrylics. All paper is provided for the course but please bring your own drawing/painting materials. You can also attend this class as a drop-in and pay £28 per session. Please note only card payment is available (Visa or Mastercard).
WEEKEND COURSES DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS
Collagraph Printmaking with Katherine JonesSold OutCourse CodeWC1804PR86TutorKatherine JonesDatesSaturday & Sunday, 31st August - 1st September 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£175LocationThe 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.
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
Japanese 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 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.
Linocut Masterclass with Nick Morley£260.00Course CodeWC1804PR85TutorNick MorleyDatesFriday - Sunday, 16th - 18th 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.
WEEKEND COURSES IN AUTUMN
Cyanotypes Printmaking with Helen Dixon£165.00Course CodeWC1901PR89TutorHelen DixonDatesSaturday & Sunday, 19th & 20th October 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThe Cyanotype method is an incredibly versatile, simple and fun process to learn. The Cyanotype was invented by Sir John Henry Herschel in 1841. This early photographic process produces distinctive and striking Prussian blue images which can also be toned in various other colours. Simple and economic, it remained in use well into the twentieth century as a means of reproducing architectural and engineering drawings as Blueprints. In more recent times, the Cyanotype has been rediscovered by contemporary artists. Also sometimes known as sun printing, the Cyanotype process is one you can easily learn to do in a weekend. It offers a perfect introduction to alternative and traditional photographic processes and to the use of computers to produce photographic negatives for such processes. The course takes place in the Print Studio, which also offers a wide programme of evening, weekend and daytime courses throughout the year. The cyanotype process is simple, non-toxic and can be adapted and incorporated into a range of other printmaking techniques such as photo-etching and mono-printing. It also offers a gateway to exploring other alternative and traditional photographic processes such as Salt and Gelatine Printing.
Drawing For AllFrom: £165.00Course CodeWC1901001TutorFrancesca CorraDatesSaturday & Sunday, 2nd & 3rd November 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.
Introduction to Oil PaintingFrom: £165.00Course CodeWC1901037TutorNeil MorleyDatesSaturday & Sunday, 19th & 20th October 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£165LocationThe 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.
Introduction to Portrait Sculpture£175.00Course CodeWC1901004TutorAnthony WatersDatesSaturday & Sunday, 26th October & 27th October 2019Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelBeginner+Fee£175LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRPortrait sculpture is an immensely absorbing and enjoyable discovery with every new sitter. This course aims to introduce you to the process; to observe and translate your observation into a clay portrait sculpture from a life model. Whether setting out a portrait head from a structural point of view with a clear path of constructive method and/or searching for a more expressive manner of approach, you will benefit from exploring with a professional sculptor to help build upon your own sculptural experience.- Introduction to Sculpture£165.00Course CodeWC1901003TutorJessica WetherlyDatesSaturday & Sunday, 23rd & 24th November 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£175.00Course CodeWC1901PR71TutorSteve EdwardsDatesSaturday & Sunday, 16th & 17th November 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£175LocationThe 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.
Photopolymer Etching£170.00Course CodeWC1901PR08TutorFrederic MorrisDatesSaturday & Sunday, 5th & 6th October 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£170LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRDuring this short course, you will learn to master an innovative printmaking technique which bridges the gaps between photography, drawing and printmaking - exposing hand-drawn and/or digital positives to photosensitive plates. You will develop a series of photopolymer etching plates throughout the weekend. Guided by one-to-one tutoring from Frederic Morris. The intaglio prints exhibit rich velvet blacks with a wide and continuous tonal range, sensitive to the original expression of the artist.- Portrait Painting Masterclass with Anastasia PollardFrom: £200.00Course CodeWC1901050TutorAnastasia PollardDatesSaturday & Sunday, 16th & 17th November 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelIntermediateFee£200LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis two day portrait course will offer an opportunity for intensive study under the tuition of Anastasia Pollard. The course will allow students the freedom to work from two models, both a male and female. Starting with preliminary sketches we will aim to produce a more 'finished' painting of either of the models over the two days. Under Anastasia's guidance students will concentrate on tonal painting allowing the emphasis to be on the form, during the course of the painting there will be an in-depth look at colour mixing. The tutor will also be working alongside the students demonstrating a 'wet in wet' technique. This exciting course is an intensive two days that offers a high level of tutor contact time
Portrait Painting with Charlie SchafferFrom: £185.00Course CodeWC1901018TutorCharlie SchafferDatesSaturday & Sunday, 9th & 10th November 2019Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelIntermediateFee£185LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis is a well-structured weekend course, giving you the opportunity to understand how to paint a portrait. Working from two life models on both days, you’ll learn how to look closer and understand the model through tonal drawings. You’ll be encouraged to draw and paint both models, trying different angles and light conditions, before moving on to a sustained painting of one model. You will have one-to-one tuition from Charlie Schaffer, an experienced portrait artist and winner of the BP Portrait Award 2019.
Sketching PerspectiveFrom: £165.00Course CodeWC1901041TutorIllugi EysteinssonDatesSaturday & Sunday, 12th & 13th October 2019Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThe focus on this course is drawing up a room or space. At the same time, you'll give consideration to the exterior of buildings. Students will learn how to produce quick freehand sketches of rooms, furniture and stairs, using plans, elevation and axonometric drawings to support the production of freehand drawn one point and two point perspectives.
Sunday Mix£165.00Course CodeSUN1901015TutorCarol Wilhide Justin, Hannah Turner-Duffin, Jessica WetherlyDatesSundays, 13th October - 3rd November 2019Days4Times10.30am - 1.30pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis stimulating and exciting course is taking place over 4 consecutive Sunday mornings and 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. 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.- Sunday Mix£165.00Course CodeSUN1901115TutorCarol Wilhide Justin, Hannah Turner-Duffin, Jessica WetherlyDatesSundays 10th November - 1st December 2019Days4Times10.30am - 1.30pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis stimulating and exciting course is taking place over 4 consecutive Sunday mornings and 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. 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.