Painting with Photographs

COURSE CODE: E2502P28

COURSE DATES: Thursdays 15 January 2026 - 26 March 2026

TUTOR: Carl Randall, Edward Sutcliffe, Sarah Jane Moon

DAYS: 10

TIMES: 10:30am – 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All Levels

FEE: Early Bird: £607.50 / Standard Price: £675

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

You’ll explore the skills required to achieve effective results when working from photographs instead of from life. You will consider the problems of painting from photographs and ways of overcoming these, as well the advantages of working from photographs. The course will introduce the skills needed to produce photorealistic images, but doesn’t limit you to painting in this way.

Students will be able to: 

  • Transfer photographic images to canvas to develop compositions.
  • Create a series of paintings based on photographic source imagery.
  • Apply a structured approach to painting an image from a photograph, considering formal elements of painting such as edges, the application of paint, tone and colour.  
  • Apply safe-working practices at all times. 

Recommend booking by: January 5, 2026

All Levels

All attendees must be aged 18 and over.

This course is suitable for all levels. Students can move at their own pace depending on their experience, with as much support from the Tutor as they wish. This means an student from the following experience levels can join this course:

Beginner

Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience.

Beginner +

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.

Intermediate

Our Intermediate courses are suitable for students who have considerable prior knowledge of the taught medium or have completed a Beginners/Beginners + course with the Art Academy.

Advanced

Choose our Advanced courses if you have considerable knowledge in the taught medium. You are expected to be able to work independently and have critical discussions around your work.

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. Students must provide their 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).

Below is a list of what is currently required for the course. Please also check the ‘what to bring’ sections above. Your tutor will advise if further materials or equipment are required as the course progresses.

Oil paints (artist’s quality preferable, but not essential):

  • Titanium white
  • Lemon yellow
  • Cadmium yellow
  • Yellow ochre
  • Cadmium red
  • Alizarin crimson
  • Verulean blue
  • Ultramarine blue
  • Any green (e.g. Sap, Permanent, Viridian)
  • Burnt umber
  • Ivory Black

Acrylic paints – even if you are planning to work in oils, it is always worth having a selection of colours in acrylic to be used for grounds and underpainting, such as Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black and Crimson Alizarin. 

  • A selection of Brushes, ideally smooth synthetic or sable
  • Only odourless spirits, Sansodor or Zest-it (the Academy is a white spirit free environment)
  • Tear-off A3 paper or solid palette and palette knife
  • Kitchen towels or cotton rags
  • Canvases/primed boards to include  1x 12″x 9″ (approximate size), 1 x 24″x18″ (approximate size)
  • All drawing materials, to include:
  • HB – 4B Pencils
  • Willow charcoal
  • Eraser
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Sketchbook

If you do not have your own painting materials, there is an option to order a Painting Pack at the time of booking which will be available when you arrive for your first class.  You can purchase this via the following link;  http://artacademy.org.uk/evening-classes/materials/

Edward Sutcliffe

Edward Sutcliffe is a figurative painter. His work has been shown in London, Dubai, Seoul and has been included in the BP Portrait Award Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery 8 times – in 2000, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. https://www.edwardsutcliffeart.com/paintings

Sarah Jane Moon

TBC

Carl Randall

Carl Randall is a graduate of The Slade School of Fine Art (BA Honours Fine Art Painting), the Royal Drawing School (the Drawing Year), and Tokyo University of Fine Arts, Japan (MFA and Doctorate in Painting). He has exhibited several times at the National Portrait Gallery’s Portrait Award (2024, 2013, 2012, 2002), and was their Travel Award winner in 2012, where he had a display of 16 Japan-themed paintings.

He has also exhibited numerous times at The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition (2025, 2019, 2013, 2009 2012); The Royal Society of Portrait Painters Exhibition at the Mall Galleries (2024, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2012), and at Flowers Gallery London (every year 2017-present). He has had solo exhibitions in London and Tokyo, and has taken part in Art Fairs in Switzerland, Japan, London, Turkey and Taiwan. Carl has work in the collections of The Royal Collection, University College London Art Museum, Singer & Friedlander Bank, Shizuoka Hiroshige Tokaido Museum Japan, Tokyo Geidai Art Museum Japan, and Foundation Carmignac Paris. He is also the winner of The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition and The Nomura Art Prize Japan, as well as several other awards. His work has been featured on the BBC World Service and CNN.

https://www.carlrandall.com

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.

Original price was: £675.00.Current price is: £607.50.

E2502P28 Sarah Jane Moon

Early Bird 10% off until the 17th of November

Artwork by Sarah Jane Moon