Congratulations to Katy Cook who won the AAL Drawing Prize 2021 with her piece Nest 3 (pictured). We were honoured to have artist and former Head of Drawing at AAL Brendan Kelly as our judge this year. Here’s what he had to say about Katy’s work…

‘As well as being a very strong drawing and a focused investigation of the unusual shapes we see in nature what appealed to me the most is its quality of curiosity. I don’t mean by saying ‘curiosity’ that it’s strange, I mean that it shows a sense of searching for understanding. It suggests an attitude of enquiry and desire to learn about the form she drew. The consequence of this curiosity in her approach to her drawing is that she has produced a powerful picture. A worthy winner, well done!’

Following the Prime Minister’s roadmap out of lockdown announcement, Art Academy London is pleased to announce we will fully re-open to the public for the Summer Term, starting 12th April 2021. 

Until then, we will continue to offer all courses online, whilst we prepare for the full reopening of Academic and Public Courses for the Summer Term. 

What this means for our Public Courses

  • Programmes beginning this week and next will remain online as scheduled.
  • Easter courses and Young Artists courses will run online. 
  • Summer term courses (evening and weekend) will be held, in-person, at our Mermaid Court & Newington campuses.
  • After we reopen, some courses will continue to run online, where there is demand.
  • Saturday Morning Art Club will continue as usual, please keep joining in the fun on Zoom each week at 10am. 

Thank you for your continued support. We are looking forward to welcoming you back into our buildings very soon. 

Best wishes, 

Rob Pepper

Principal, Art Academy London 

Are you looking for a course that will inspire you this Autumn (and get you out of the house)? We have a selection of ‘in person’ evening and weekend courses available throughout November and December. See our highlights below, across sculpture, printmaking and our exciting multi-media Sunday Mix! Limited places are available (with numbers reduced to accommodate social distancing), so be sure to book your place now.

Introduction to Sculpture:

Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th November, 10:15am – 4:15pm, £170

This 2-­day course is an exciting introduction to basic sculpture skills for beginners and those with some previous experience. Working mainly in clay and plaster and some other mixed media, you will learn a range of techniques then go on to explore your own creative project. 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. Creative designs can be formulated on the day, so you do not need to come prepared with set ideas.

A Festive Introduction to Relief Printmaking:

Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th November, 10:00am – 4:00pm, £165

Guided by an expert printmaker, this course will show you how to create festive relief prints using woodcut and  linocut. This course 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 you can enjoy the opportunity to develop or learn new skills and potentially create gifts for Christmas.

Lino Etching with Steve Edwards:

Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th December, 10:00am – 4:00pm, £175

This course is ideal for people who are looking to develop their relief printmaking skills. Our tutor will introduce you to a 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 with one to one tutoring from Steve Edwards, a renowned British Printmaker.

Sunday Mix:

Sundays, 4 sessions, 15th November – 6th December, £150

The Sunday Mix is a really fun 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.