Beginner +

All attendees must be aged 18 and over.

Choose a Beginner + course if you are looking to hone your skills, focus on a specific subject area and build your confidence. These courses are suitable for those with some basic skills in and knowledge of the taught medium, but still follow a structured path with guidance from the tutor.

YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN MATERIALS

The Academy is a white spirit and turpentine free environment and only odourless spirits, such as Zest-it or Sansodor, are permitted on the premises. You must provide your own spirits, which can be recycled for longevity. 

We request that you bring 2 small jars (one with a lid, one without) to hold your spirit, and a few cloth rags for brush cleaning (such as an old cotton t-shirt).

You will need to bring the following:

• 1 canvas or board 12 inches x 10 inches approx. The canvas, if shop-bought and ready primed, should be prepared with a ground of turps thinned, warm-grey, oil paint, which should be dry and ready for use. If bringing a gessoed board, this should have a similar ground applied.
• A mirror 
• Oil paints 
• A palette – at least A4 in size
• Palette knife
• Brushes:
• A range of flat or filbert hog hair bristle brushes (small to large)
• Synthetic, (as above) if preferred
• Digital (SLR) camera if possible or mobile phone 
• Only odorless spirits, Sansodor or Zest-it (the Academy is a white spirit free environment)
• Jam jar x 2 or receptacle for turps/linseed oil
• Old newspaper and protective clothing
• Pencils/charcoal/pen and ink etc… any drawing equipment the students usually use.
• Coloured pastels such as Sennelier portrait (optional)

Please note: this is the palette that tutor Sadie Lee usually uses: 

• Oil paint colours:
• Cadmium Yellow
• Cadmium Red 
• Titanium White
• Yellow Ochre
• Alizarin Crimson
• Ultramarine Blue
• Sap Green
• Raw Umber
• Lamp Black
• Acrylic colours Raw Umber or closest
• Titanium White
• Lamp Black 
• Sap Green

If you do not have your own materials, there is an option to order an Oil Painting Pack at the time of booking, which will be available when you arrive for your first class and can be stored at the Academy for the duration of your course. 

An Oil Painting Pack (£75.00) contains:

• A set of bristle brushes, both flat and round, suitable for either oils or acrylics
• One tear off palette (9”x12”)
• One palette knife
• One bottle Zest-it (250ml) 
• One 10″x 12″ canvas board
• One 10″x 14″ canvas board
• Two 12″x 16″ canvas boards
  6 Daler Rowney Georgian Oil paint tubes in: Titanium White, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine Blue, Coeruleum Blue.

Certain materials can also be purchased from the Academy shop during shop hours. Please check in advance of your class if the item you require is available, as the Academy may not have this in stock.

Sadie Lee (b.1967) is an award-winning British figurative painter. Sexuality, gender and the aging body are recurring themes in her work.  Her realistic, challenging paintings investigate human identity, vulnerability, defiance and notions of ‘otherness’, with a strong sense of solidarity with her subjects. 

Solo exhibitions include the National Portrait Gallery (London), Manchester City Art Gallery and Schwules Museum (Berlin). Selected group shows at The I.C.A., Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of London. 

She grew up in York in the North of England and now works from a studio in the Grade 1-listed Bruce Castle Museum, in London.

Instagram: Sadieleeartist 

Bankside Campus

185 Park Street,London SE1 9BL

tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969

This is our new purpose built accessible campus. Find more information here

Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Southwark (both a 10-15 minute walk).

Please note that London Bridge has two exits, the most direct route is to follow signs to “Borough Market”.

Students are welcome to use The Hub during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food. You must bring your own keep-cup, water bottle or food container to the Academy as mugs, glasses, and containers will not be available in our Bankside campus.

Tea and coffee will be provided by the Academy and is available from the island unit at the end of The Hub.

Terms and Conditions

• By booking onto one of our courses you agree to our Short Courses Terms and Conditions.
• You will need to have paid in full before the first session of your class. Your place is not guaranteed until we have received full payment. Please book early in order to guarantee your place on the course.

Materials & Equipment

• If you purchased a pack online this will be given to you on the first session of your course upon your arrival. Packs can be booked on our Materials Page or on this page when you book the course
• Please don’t wear your best clothes as there is always a chance you will get messy. If possible bring an apron or overalls.
• All artwork at the Academy MUST be taken home at the end of each session where possible, with the exception of oil paintings and sculpture works.
• We cannot store materials at the Academy, so please take these to and from your sessions.
• Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or is on silent during the class.
• Health and Safety Guidelines will be provided to you a week before the start of your course.

Concessions and Discounts

We offer a number of concessions and discounts, please find more information on what we offer here.

Gift Vouchers

If you would like to purchase a gift voucher to be used on our courses then you can purchase these here.