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. If you are 17 and keen to apply to a particular adult course, please ring the office and in some instances we may be able to accommodate you. We also have variety of courses specifically designed for under 18’s as part of our Young Artists programme.
SATURDAYS
Drawing for BeginnersFrom: £270.00Course CodeSAT1801014TutorNatasha LienDatesSaturdays, 6th October – 8th December 2018Days10Times10.30am – 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 for BeginnersFrom: £270.00Course CodeSAT1801114TutorGail Seres-WoolfsonDatesSaturdays, 6th October – 8th December 2018Days10Times2.00pm – 4.30pmExperience 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 TasterFrom: £85.00Course CodeSAT1704T02TutorHannah Turner-DuffinDatesSaturday, 18th August 2018Days1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£85LocationThe 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£280.00Course CodeSAT1801047TutorAdele WilliamsDatesSaturdays, 6th October - 8th 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 CodeSAT1801038TutorEigil NordstrømTimes2.00pm – 4.30pmDatesSaturdays, 6th October – 8th December 2018Days10Experience 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. He 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 CodeSAT1801037TutorLucy SmallboneDatesSaturdays, 6th October – 8th December 2018Days10Times2.00pm – 4.30pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£270LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRA structured and systematic 10-day 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.
Open Life ClassFrom: £230.00Course CodeSAT1801001TutorEigil Nordstrøm, Kate DunnDatesSaturdays, 6th October – 8th December 2018Times10.30am – 1.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£230LocationThe 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. The class runs over two studios with a tutor in each room, students can go between the studios as they wish. 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 £25 per session. Please note only card payment is available. (Visa or Mastercard.)
Painting for BeginnersFrom: £270.00Course CodeSAT1801013TutorGail Seres-WoolfsonDatesSaturdays, 6th October – 8th December 2018Days10Times10.30pm – 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 CodeSAT1801018TutorCarl RandallDatesSaturdays, 6th October – 8th December 2018Days10Times2pm - 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.
Sculpture Taster£85.00Course CodeSAT1704T03TutorJessica WetherlyDatesSaturday, 25th AugustDays1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£85LocationThe 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.
SATURDAY OPEN LIFE
WEEKEND
A Festive Introduction to Relief Printmaking: Christmas Cards and Prints£165.00Course CodeWC1801PR15TutorCarol Wilhide-JustinDatesSaturday & Sunday, 24th & 25th November 2018Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRGuided by expert printmaker Carol Wilhide-Justin you will learn how to translate your ideas into the graphic formats of woodcut and linocut. This course is a perfect introduction to relief printing and is open to all, from complete beginners to those with more experience. To add a seasonal touch to the experience students may decide to print cards rather than paper prints. Either way we hope you will enjoy the opportunity to develop or learn new skills and potentially create gifts for Christmas. The studio is a low-toxic environment with dedicated printmaking facilities for professional hands‐on learning. Students benefit from the diversity of attendees, taught by internationally renowned printmaking artists at a central location, offering a unique educational experience in London. There is a maximum of ten students per course, materials are included and we advise that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Cyanotypes Blue Prints£255.00Course CodeWC1704PR89TutorMelanie KingDatesFriday & Saturday & Sunday, 24th August - 26th August 2018Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£255LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRAlso 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 and also utilises the Digital Suite at the Art Academy. Both facilities offer a much wider 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.- Cyanotypes Blue Prints£165.00Course CodeWC1801PR89TutorMelanie KingDatesSaturday & Sunday, 10th & 11th November 2018Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRAlso 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 and also utilises the Digital Suite at the Art Academy. Both facilities offer a much wider 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: £160.00Course CodeWC1704001TutorBeñat OlaberriaDatesSaturday & Sunday, 18th & 19th August 2018Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£160LocationThe 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.- Drawing for AllFrom: £165.00Course CodeWC1801001TutorRhiannon SalisburyDatesSaturday & Sunday, 3rd & 4th November 2018Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£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.
- Drawing TasterFrom: £85.00Course CodeSAT1704T02TutorHannah Turner-DuffinDatesSaturday, 18th August 2018Days1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£85LocationThe 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.
European Woodcut Masterclass£175.00Course CodeWC1801PR70TutorUmberto GiovanniniDatesSaturday & Sunday, 17th & 18th November 2018Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£175LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis course is suitable for beginners and those with some printmaking experience. Over two days it focuses on the European tradition of multi-block colour woodcutting, working with professional carving tools and oil-based inks to create beautiful prints on archival quality paper. The course will be guided by one-to-one tuition from Italian printmaker Umberto Giovannini. Based in studio Opificio della Rosa, Umberto has developed a masterly understanding of both the Chiaroscuro woodcut technique (which exhibits strong contrasts between different colour inks) and Camaïeu (where subtler variations of tone come into effect).
Figure and Narrative Painting Masterclass with James BlandFrom: £190.00Course CodeWC1801050TutorJames BlandDatesSaturday & Sunday, 6th & 7th October 2018Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelIntermediate, Intermediate/AdvancedFee£195This two day painting course offers students the opportunity to explore narrative painting in the life room. There will be experienced life models and the set-up will include props to help encourage imaginative responses. Every part of the process will be explained and demonstrated by James, this course is ideal for anyone who wants to move beyond traditional life or portrait painting. James Bland is a member of the New English Art Club and 1st prize winner in the 2013 Winsor & Newton Oil Painters Awards. He has work in public collections, including the Borchard Collection of Self-Portraits, and he exhibits regularly in London and elsewhere, most recently in his solo exhibition at the Lilford Gallery, Canterbury. A popular tutor, he regularly teaches portraiture at the Art Academy. He also teaches figure and narrative painting at the New School of Art and Landscape painting at various international venues, including La Borie Grande.
Introduction to PaintingFrom: £160.00Course CodeWC1704013TutorNeil MorleyDatesSaturday & Sunday, 25th & 26th August 2018Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£160LocationThe 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 PaintingFrom: £165.00Course CodeWC1801013TutorNeil MorleyDatesSaturday & Sunday, 27th & 28th October 2018Days2Times10.00am – 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 CodeWC1801003TutorLynne AbrahamsonDatesSaturday & Sunday, 24th & 25th November 2018Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelBeginnerFee£165This 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 Masterclass£175.00Course CodeWC1801PR71TutorSteve EdwardsDatesSaturday & Sunday, 29th & 30th September 2018Times10.00am – 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.- Lino Etching Masterclass£170.00Course CodeWC1704PR14TutorSteve EdwardsDatesSaturday & Sunday, 18th & 19th August 2018Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£170LocationThe 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 Illustration in Colour£255.00Course CodeWC1704PR85TutorNick MorleyDatesFriday & Saturday & Sunday, 31st August - 2nd September 2018Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£255LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRThis 3-day weekend 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. 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.
Photo Etching£165.00Course CodeWC1801PR08TutorTheo Ereira-GuyerDatesSaturday & Sunday, 27th & 28th October 2018Days2Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£165LocationThe Art Academy, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRDuring this course, you will learn the essentials of an innovative printmaking technique which bridges the gaps between photography, drawing and printmaking - exposing hand-drawn and/or digital positives to photosensitive plates. The studio is a low-toxic environment with dedicated printmaking facilities for professional hands-on learning. There is a maximum of eight students per course, materials are included and we advise that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Portrait Sculpture Masterclass with Suzie Zamit£195.00Course CodeWC1801053TutorSuzie ZamitDatesSaturday & Sunday, 10th & 11th November 2018Times10.00am – 5.00pmExperience LevelAdvancedFee£195Portrait sculpture is an immensely absorbing and enjoyable discovery with every new sitter. This 2-day course aims to build upon your previous experience (Intermediate/Advanced) to further how to observe and translate your observation through drawing and modelling into a clay portrait sculpture from a life model. Refresh, renew or find alternative ways of looking through group and individual discussion with your tutor, Suzie Zamit, a member of The Society of Portrait Sculptors. Whether setting out a 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 expression. Focus is on understanding measurement, anatomy, architecture, form, high-points and contours, texture and clay application as well as character and expression of the model in the sculpture.- Printmaking Masterclass – Collagraph£175.00Course CodeWC1801PR86TutorKatherine JonesDatesSaturday & Sunday, 13th - 14th October 2018Times10.00am – 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.
- Sculpture Taster£85.00Course CodeSAT1704T03TutorJessica WetherlyDatesSaturday, 25th AugustDays1Times10.30am – 4.30pmExperience LevelAll LevelsFee£85LocationThe 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.
Sketching PerspectiveFrom: £165.00Course CodeWC1801041TutorIllugi EysteinssonDatesSaturday & Sunday, 13th & 14th October 2018Times10.00am – 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.